I am not interested in whether those big market places actually help those guys "build their brand." I mean, this thread is based on what Harden said. Does moving to the Nets help him? Who knows. But your last point is exactly what's happening. Melo may be a fool going to the Knicks. But it's a fact that he wanted to be in NY. That's all that's matter: Do big cities attract star players more easily than small towns? My answer is definitely yes.
He wanted to trade Cp3 for Westbrook...harden is a huge part of why the team fell apart. Weird you seem to think otherwise
But that's the thing in the end, the perception is not the reality and it would be helpful for a lot of smaller market teams if we all realized that. That no, you don't have to play for the Knicks to be a global superstar, you really don't. You don't have to be a Laker to get movie roles. This whole thing they sell to these players are just things they tell players to benefit themselves. It's the player's entourage that wants to be in NY and LA, that's who it benefits. The player himself still has all doors open to him should he want to walk through them. That big cities attract star players, that's not what I'm arguing. They do because there is more to do in NYC than OKC...but the reasons given to players is always "Grow your brand" kind of stuff and that reason, nowadays at least, is just complete bunk. Jalen Green has millions of fans and hasn't even played a minute of NBA ball yet and unless he's a complete bust it looks like he's going to be a huge star due to style of play and the style of his character...and doesn't hurt that he's an attractive dude either of course.
Well I get that the narrative changes, but the reason is Giannis proved the doubters and critics wrong, just like Jordan in the 90s and Nowitzki in 2011. Giannis really took it to another level by discovering he could bully his way to a title -- he dominated the court, and it's something many thought possible but for whatever reason he didn't show it until 2021. Yes, matchups play a role in that, but it does feel like Giannis "unlocked" another level in his game. Giannis still hasn't reached his prime yet. Kobe, even with Shaq and later Gasol had that killer instinct that Lakers fans absolutely adore. Harden just didn't seem to show it. He didn't adjust his game in the playoffs (no mid-range adjustments in 2017-2020). It was infuriating at times. And yes, playing arguably the best constructed roster of all time makes it more difficult, but still...watching Harden during his last few playoff series with the Rockets, it's fair to observe that fans hoped for more. Maybe that's unfair to Harden, but that's the basis for debate.
That article was trash. The only reason Harden wanted out was because he could play with Durant and Irving instead of Wall and Boogie.
Harden choked more than that but the Rockets were hogtied by the refs in general. Westbrook and Durant choked a 3-2 WCF to the Warriors and that summer Durant joined them.