Because there aren't enough Harden threads already, I decided to make another one. Are we still upset? Is Stern still the enemy? Or were the basketball gods working in Houston's favor for once. While I think it's too early to tell, Harden might get the max deal and disappoint, or he might play great and be a chip in becoming a contender again. If the Gasol deal went down we would have sent Martin/Scola and a 1st for Gasol. And rumor is we would have been able to sign Nene as a FA. Lowry/Dragic Lee Parsons Gasol Nene Are we better off now?
One doesn't have anything to do with the other. They should be viewed independently. So the thread is not really necessary. If you want to know whether I prefer the current course to the potential previous one, then yes, I prefer Harden and the unknown to Gasol, Nene and company.
Much better off from a long-term standpoint and salary perspective, but either way another big piece would be/is needed IMO. Matt J. brought up on the radio this AM about how much better it would be if we had kept Dragic now and I agree. He and Hardin would've been an awesome backcourt - nothing against Lin but he still has a lot to prove to me.
I disagree. If that deal would have went down I think it's unlikely we have Harden right now. And I think Dragic was in the second submission of the deal.
You are correct. Many of the articles didn't mention him, but I imagine that's because it was before he broke out. http://www.opposingviews.com/i/spor...ade-involving-chris-paul-pau-gasol-lamar-odom
No crap. And if we didn't draft V-Span and then have him come over and suck and then have him pout and cry and then have the Spurs need some financial relief enough to trade a meaningful asset like Scola to an in-state rival, we would have never had Scola to offer in the Gasol deal which couldn't have then been rejected and likely then woudl have different ramifications for acquiring Harden now!!
I like our position now than if we had *just* Pau and Nene, but who knows what other pieces would have fallen in the other scenario. For example, would Dwight have been more willing to play with Pau in Houston?
I was never angry, Stern did us a big favour there! It's one of the few good things he has done. That move for Gasol, especially with the idea of also having Nene, was desperation. We would've overpaid for one diva who didn't want to be here and a guy who was traded shortly after getting a big contract. It was a blessing then and especially in hindsight. Thanks David, sincerely. (I'm not being sarcastic).
It's possible we would have still made a play for Harden because his situation was influenced by the new CBA which we weren't aware of how it would play out. Imagine if we had Gasol, Nene and Harden -
