He gets by his man regularly, but hasn’t been finishing in the paint. They are relentless in double teaming him, as I predicted, and it is wearing him out. He is playing good defense. He will be fine in the regular season for us which is all we need right now. The problem will be if we give him more than 3 years or more than 35 in any year.
I’m not suggesting they be on the court together, I’m suggesting that 2 of the three should be on the floor at the same time.
I just hope they address the priorities because what this team needs is 1) a great rim protector like Brooke Lopez or Evan Turner (trade) or Draymond Green - typically $20-$30m/season 2) a very good playmaker who can shoot like James Harden or CP3 or more of a two way player like a healthy Lonzo Ball or maybe Austin Reaves I'm happy as long as we solve both these problems adequately via draft, FA or trade without giving up too much.
I want a point guard, a wing shooter that can play 2/3/4 and a defensive center that isn't a zero offensively. Reaves or Harden Cam Johnson or Bridges Poeltl, Naz Reid or Jaxon Hayes. That along with your two draft picks would be a real nice offseason,
Yes any of those combos although I don't think Cam is so far above Tari to be worth anything more than 20m
Guys on NBA Countdown just now Woj: Harden, after those 45 points without Embiid in game one, he’s missed 23-28 shots. This is a vital game for this organization. That’s short term. Long term, we reported on Christmas Day, the Houston Rockets loom as a real suitor in free agency. For this Philly organization, they gotta look at Harden at 33 years old, where does he fit in in terms of years and money and is Houston perhaps a leverage play? There are a lot of things attractive about Houston for him. It is essentially home, family there, familiarity with that organization and community, $60M in cap space, they want to be improved. For Harden’s future, how this series finishes…listen, he’s had a history of fizzling. Today is pivotal for an organization that needs this at 2-2 going back to Boston. Stephen A.: If you’re the Rockets, why would you want Harden? (Jalen Rose: Agree.) Jalen Green is 20. Porter is 22. Jabari is 19 going on 20. Sengun is 20. KJ Martin is 22. It’s not like they’re trying to compete for a championship in the foreseeable future. Why would you want him back to interrupt with the growth and maturation process they’re going through. I don’t know if it’s the wisest move for the Rockets to make. Stephen A.: “Doc Rivers will not be the head coach if Boston sends them home in 5 games. The only guys safe there are Embiid and Maxey.” Ari Alexander/sauces: “Harden is very comfortable in Houston, with a home, restaurant and all of his favorite haunts.” Woj: “It is essentially home, family there, familiarity with that organization and community, $60M in cap space.” Bottom 5 contract before the ink even dries.
It’s wise because KPJ could take a back seat and learn from Harden & Ime for 2-3 years and try to take the front seat again as he is about to enter his prime The rest of the guys get to play/learn from the best of the best I didn’t want Harden but now I kinda do
Firstly, thank you for your wonderfully informative posts about Reaves, Johnson and their current team's luxury tax implications. I liked the idea of these two joining us but had assumed both team's would match almost anything. Thanks to you I am better informed and even more excited at the potential of Reaves and Bridges. Let the nets sign Cam and we can refund them their picks for Bridges. This was they do not lose part of their KD haul for nothing, avoid the tax and put themselves in position to tank if they wish. Reaves and Bridges would give us defense, shooting and team first mentality we need. Plus whoever we add in the draft this would be a fun team to watch. Either of the bigs you name work if we do not get wemby. If we get Scoot we may end up with too many guards with Scoot, kpj, Green and Reaves (plus JC...for Williamson). Harden would be a good mentor and I will always appreciate him but for the future this seems more exciting and fills more gaps.
that's assuming that signing the two will play to their contract. Folks like to point out the risk of harden, but needs to take in account this risk also. We are gonna have to overpay for reaves and trade actual assets/players for bridges. Doing all of this doesn't even guarantee that the development of the other players is better than just harden on the team. Harden isn't in his prime, but he's still head and shoulders over anyone we could sign in free agency. His playmaking alone is the thing we need the most.
I am torn on Harden. But this thread is hilarious. Great game - his backers go "Told you so!" Terrible game - his haters go "Told you so!" lol
