I keep saying this,but I'm pretty sure that unless you're a 1st or 2nd team all nba,you cnat get max money. That being said,joe johnson is a great example of non max max player. To me,johnson had better tools than harden when he got the deal from atl. Until they put other good players around,they were sub .500. I think harden is a good player,very good,but not a franchise changer. Is he any better than redd was at his peak? Probably,but that's still not a max player. When orlando gave tracy the max,his skillset was far superior to harden.
You're referring to the so-called "Superstar" exception, in which such guys can make 30% of the cap (I think that would $17.4MM) coming off their rookie contracts if they meet certain criteria. Otherwise the max is 25% of the cap for players off their rookie contracts, if memory serves.
Harden is way better than Redd was at his peak. Redd was a perimeter shooter....period. Harden drives, makes plays, gets to the FT line like crazy in addition to shooting lights out from the perimeter. He's a great player, the 2nd best player on the Thunder.
The new CBA confuses me. The Thunder designated Westbrook as their 5yr/max guy, right? My interpretation is that if Harden wins the MVP next year (a longshot, obviously), he could sign a 4/yr max extension at 30% of the cap. I could be completely wrong though.
Redd got to the FT line a bit more than you might think (though not at the level Harden does). Redd wasn't much of a creator, but he was actually a better pure scorer than, say, Ray Allen.
I believe Johnson was and is better than Harden. He just does not handle being the franchise player very well. He was absolutely terrific when he was with the Phoenix Suns and he did not have to deal with all the pressure that came with being a superstar. The case of Joe Johnson is probably what most GM's are looking at when they evaluate Harden, his cost, and the risks involved. With regard to the Rockets, I definitely think that they should make a run at Harden. I'm not familiar with the next crop of free agents and the names on the trading block, but based on what I've seen from Harden, I think that he should be high up on Morey's wish list. If Morey looked real hard at Chris Bosh, then he should be gearing up to chase Harden with even more urgency.
If Durant, Westbrook and Harden are all under 25, healthy and future Hall of Famers, then OKC better win multiple titles.
Some B.S.PN sportscaster was talking about Joe Johnson and Josh Smith and said that while they're very talented (this we all know), they're not high-energy guys. So you'll get your great game and your mediocre game, your great game and your mediocre game. Atlanta and JJohnson....man, $25 million when he hits the last year of the contract. Whoever OK'd that deal knew he'll jump ship before the time comes for it to completely blow up in his face. Oh, and, yes, Harden is a max guy. If OKC doesn't think so, then they better win a title this or next year, because then someone will offer him the dough-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-dough.
Surprised this thread hasn't had much youtube videos hah. but this type of performances off the bench will definitely get him a max deal from someone. I'm high on the guy I just don't know how he is from a leadership standpoint. He definitely is competitive from the way you watch him against Kobe. That may be enough of a drive for him to continue to improve although I know someone *cough wekko* that thinks he's already a complete package and doesn't have a higher ceiling than he already is at. I cant agree with that at 22 though.. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BHyDeckCAbQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Joe Johnson has better physical tools than Harden. He doesn't have the basketball IQ, he can't run a pick and roll. He can't find shooters like Harden. Joe Johnson just loves dribbling aimlessly. Harden makes the game easier for those around him.
Heres a great breakdown of Harden's game thus far... http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7372635/james-harden-path-nba-stardom
These are the key words for James Harden: youth, efficiency, all-around. He is not a proven franchise player, but he has the potential to be one. You can't say the same thing about Joe Johnson or Michael Redd when they got their big contracts. Harden IMO is worth the gamble with a max contract, especially under the new CBA.
Yeah it goes hand in hand. If they are all to make the hall of fame as I said they will have to win at least twice probably 3 times. Because sharing the ball harden won't have the type of tmac on a bad magic team type stats.
In all honesty, I do not see him putting up T-Mac (on the Magic) type of numbers. He's good player, but I'd weary about any contract over $11-13 million.
