Seems more like a message to the Sixers in their coaching search than anything. Think about it. He knows none of the teams with cap room are competitive. He knows nobody else can offer him another star like Embiid to play with who is about as good a fit of a running mate as he's had since Durant. If Morey gets him a 4 year max, and D'Antoni, I think he's to run it back with Philly for sure.
If he were smart, he would start looking at himself as a super role player and start riding coattails. That is how he maximizes his chances. Houston is a feel good story for his fanbois for sure but it is just a little fantasy. I assume spoon feeding kids is not the only way and by the time Harden is too old, those prospects are still co-dependent.
if we sign him, i welcome it if not kpj needs to b removed from pg position regardless. Our youngsters needs an actual pg
the funniest thing about this whole thing is how all the nut hugging smartass harden fans were all like "look, we don't need him to win important games deep in the playoffs you idiots!! we just need him to lead us to like 30-40 wins and a play-in game ok" lol yes because thats what harden wants right now in his career, to struggle for wins and fight for a playoff spot. its kind of a diss to harden to assume he would quit his championship dreams just to come here to this current squad. all that just for harden to play everyone and use houston as leverage, as other free agents have done.
He wants to win championship on his terms. If he was serious about winning one, then he would stick with Durant despite Kyrie's antics. Or like @daywalker02 said, he needs to play like super role player. Oh, and he'd be fitter... With these options not available to him, he'll take the comfortable option - the strip clubs in Houston. I'm sure he'll still talk good game though - that he believes in the new coach, the young talent, and all those picks
I really hope Udoka is the alpha we thought he was and tells James Harden this team won't be his playground.
Harden is washed and slowing down rapidly. The Rockets would look silly to give this guy a contract of ANY KIND! Let it go, that chapter oh Rockets hoops is closed. Let it stay that way.
The NBA is too tough a business to allow Harden to just coast whenever he likes it. I know his fans want to see him have his very occasional 40 point and 10 assist games while seemingly bark at rookies or sophomores or 3rd year players. Bearded animal.
Yep. Dude has declined and everyone knows it but him. Giving him a deal at $30+ million per year is lunacy. The Rockets should retire his jersey—- not sign him. It’s over
Hope Stone can talk Tilman into some sense on this one. Definitely feels like this is getting pushed by ownership.
Harden is sounding like Westbrook here. He wants a team that let's him play his game more than change his game for a contender. I actually think if you ask Udoka he would say he wants Harden here. NBA coaches tend to favor veteran players that have been great. He would probably tell you that he will take care of the motivating, defense, and culture around Harden. He might be wrong - but I think that's what he would want. But, in general, I think people are worried about the wrong things. Harden costs no assets to acquire. So, the question is are there players that will make this team better that are available this year or next year before have to start extending our young guys and our cap space is gone? Remember, most of these star guys will just re-sign with their current teams for more money and demand a trade. That's the only question to answer. I'm not foolish enough to think Harden is some superstar player at this stage. But, depending on the actual price, he might be the best we could get in free agency the next 2 years.
The only chance Harden has to return is if Udoka was to think he could tame Harden. If coach thought that he'd be dead wrong. Harden is a self abosorbed wilting under pressure only to blame someone else loser. I really believe Tillman wants nothing to do with him. Tillman saw Harden screw everything here when he had all ready dictated all the terms because Moray had dreams about Harden that were a complete fantasy. Yeah Harden is who he is, nothing new. I.D.I.O.T.
It does not matter what you or I think, let them decide for themselves. I can tolerate this dude but if he screws this up, well, at least it was good talking to you all. So tired of this Beard long ago.
Harden wants the Rockets because he has given up winning championship. He just wants to chill and get his last bag before retirement. Houston wants Harden because they are desperate for returning to respectability. The Rockets aren't looking too far ahead. Stone isn't looking too far ahead because his seat is getting hotter by the minute. Tilman isn't looking too far ahead because he just want more butts in the arena ASAP.
That is what is truly ambiguous of how his team and reps are leaking information. On one hand, they want a stacked team with best chances to be competitive. (Pretending he still wants to win) On the other hand, his guys want a comfortable environment for him where he could chill and does not have to carry the team hard.
I agree with you he will want impactful vets, but that he will want Harden - the most anti-Udoka player imaginable on the court - would require him to believe he can't get any other vets. That's not true so I would guess Udoka doesn't want him. GM's and coaches know that defense is scientifically more important than assists. Spurs philosophy does not require a Harden-type playmaker and Udoka didn't need one in Boston (Smart/Brogdon/White). Udoka's #1 thing with Tatum/Brown was to share the ball more, play defense and take easier shots. They were both better at all those things than James Harden ever was, but it wasn't enough for Udoka. He's not going to change James Harden at 34 years old who just announced to the world he doesn't want anyone to tell him what to do on the court unless he already wants to do it. I hope Udoka doesn't handicap his future with an egotistical risk like that. His contract is secure for at least 2 years, he's not on a hot seat. I know he only has 1 year experience as HC but he should know better anyway.
