long read, but great stuff by Simmons... Think he is a solid writer and great commentator for ABC/ESPN...
He didn't focus on it a lot, but Simmons did say the contract was the main reason. Given the way Golden State is designed, it's going to save them from any sort of luxury tax for years.
Thing about Curry, it is very doubtful he will ever play at the level he's playing at currently again. He's basically having the best period in a career a guy who plays his style can have.
And I agree with Simmons (and, ostensibly, you) that this is a very important consideration. However, I think the injury consideration is even more important. I mean, let's say, for argument's sake, that player A and player B have similar stats and impacts on the court. Now let's posit that player A makes 35% less money than player B, but that player B is 35% less likely to get injured and miss a lot of games. Now, which player do you want? And I don't ask that merely rhetorically, I think it is an actual question. Personally I would be willing to pay the premium to have the guy on the court (I lived through the Tmac and Yao era). But, on the other hand -- you KNOW that Player A will be paid less, you do not KNOW that player B will play more games. It is a gamble -- and a good sports argument.
Harden fits his role perfectly, a 6'5 shooting guard. Curry is an undersized 2 essentially, plays no defense, and forces his whole team to shift around to compensate for his deficiencies. He's a luxury, kinda like a world class WR on a mediocre football team (Calvin Johnson on the Lions per se). Sure it's damn fun when he's on his game, but every other moment you're vulnerable. No other team wins that way, and no other team tries to win that way. BTW Chandler Parsons would have made my top 18. Here's my Bill Simmons impression: "He makes HOW MUCH the next two years?!?!?!?!?!" You get that feeling that Bill Simmons is that guy in your group of friends that exaggerates EVERYTHING. Whatever he says you just take his numbers and cut them in half.
Maybe that's why I love Simmons so much -- because I am pretty sure I am that guy in my group of friends.
I agree 100%, Grantland has some of the most insightfully hilarious material I've ever read about pro sports.... and for the record my absolute favorite line of the entire piece was: They didn't just give up three quarters and a dime for a dollar; they inadvertently got a $2 bill back.
The only problem with Curry is the very real possibility that he could go down for a long period of time due to his shaky ankles. He's avoided it this year, but it could be a serious issue for the duration of his career. That's the whole reason he has this cheap contract to begin with. I'm not sure he's better than Harden, though he has outplayed him, but his contract is certainly more of a bargain assuming health remains solid.
Bill Simmons is by far the most entertaining read you can find on ESPN, and possibly anywhere regarding sports. The dude is hilarious in his writing. Zach Lowe kills him in terms of actual analysis and knowledge, but my goodness Bill Simmons has some fantastic humor.
Many forget that even with the obvious flaws, 23 year olds that can do what Harden can do are very, very rare.
Dwightmare!! Dwightmare!! Still want him, best PnR big man in the league. Curry was amazing in the 1st game 2nd round.
I still, to this day, cannot comprehend the infamous lines of "Rudy Gay is about to show the world he's on Durant's level" and "Kobe has provided no positive impact to his team" Those will forever live on in Clutchfans history. Truly hysterical moments.
I'd say a healthy Dwight makes this team a contender. Its not unfair to point to the Lakers season and ask why he didn't make them a contender? It was 'his team' in the playoffs and his emotional immaturity and low bbIQ were apparent. Also, future injury risk HAS to figure into morey's calculations--but ultimately I'm sure he's thinking like you and figures he'll fit better with the Rockets and make them instant contenders. I'm on the fence.
I think it really just depends on whether he can stay healthy. His ability to shoot off the dribble the way he does will age well. Shooting always does age well. He's only 25, and he's gonna have the quickness to get by his defenders and keep them honest till he's at least 30. If he stays healthy, he'll probably have seasons just like this.
