It's really stupid of the Organization to do so.... Very conceited. Harden has nothing to do with OKC anymore. He would shiiit on them in the Play Offs if he could. They need to let go.
Lol Harden isn't leaving anywhere (sorry to you nerd boys who said trade him while his value was high)
I think it's a stupid move on their part, granted it's probably done to appease Durant, but the reason doesn't negate the stupidity! All they are doing is giving waiters a reason to have ill feelings towards them. The number is not retired and is available so there is no legitimate reason to deny him that number!... Imagine if the Rockets did that with #7....:grin: ....... ....... .......
It's fair, somewhat. Harden is still a integral part of OKC's short history. Helps D. Waiters avoid the unnecessary comparisons as well.
Yeah, that's absurd. He played 3 seasons there, made it to one NBA Finals(and didn't even play well in that series), and then was traded away when he couldn't agree on an extension. That would be like the Rockets never allowing another player to wear Sampson's #50. Never mind the players who actually won multiple titles here like Smith(#30), Cassell(#10), Elie(#17), and Horry(#25).
It's possible this is coming from KD/Westbrook, them being so close of friends. That coupled with it being almost like a brand new franchise when they moved to OKC, seeing as OKC has never had an NBA team. Wouldn't surprise me at all if those two basically said to Presti, we loved James, the fans loved James, we haven't been in this city that long...we're not ready to move on, leave a light in the house on, he'll be back.
I believe Harden has fully embraced Houston being this is the team that took a chance on him, We love Harden and he's simply irreplaceable.
I'm not sure why so many people are making such a big deal about this. Harden is on track to becoming one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA and OKC drafted him. I'm sure they're preparing to retire it. Not right away, but it will happen. No, Houston shouldn't be worried. And neither should you. It's OKC's number. They can do what they want to do with it.
They're preparing to retire it after they traded him 3 years in? Lol that preparation seems a little unnecessary or at minimum premature.
Wasn't Harden the first player ever drafted by OKC? That's the only reason i can think of, but he was only there three years... Really silly on their part to be doing this.
I'm quite sure they are both livid over it, and it's going to be the main reason both players leave the team. I just don't see either player sticking around unless they win a championship. Otherwise, Durant leaves in 2016 and Westbrook leaves in 2017.
I have always believed either Durant comes to houston or Harden goes back to okc. Either way I see them on the same team in the future. They are like bestfriends
This is not coming from Westbrook or Durant. They have no say and wouldn't care about the Harden thing. It's from the front office. The Thunder are weird about stuff like that.
Or.... They know they are going to lose Durant and are hoping instead to make a run back at Harden to pair with Westbrook. That's how I see it, anyways.
