OP said trade Harden to solidify starting lineup and bench. That is obviously not trading him for Lebron, Durant, and Blake Griffin.
This times X10000. But it's really just clutchfans. Other Rockets discussion sites or NBA sites with Rockets fans are good.... But this place is the cesspool of Houston sports talk...
Harden is still learning, but he needs to work out on some serious issues in the off season. Defense being #1 #2 learning how to thrive when other team mates are hot and not just dissapearing
James Harden is the new Carmelo Anthony. Neither will ever get a ring for their team but will make plenty of money and have a strong fan base who support them even if they are one dimensional.
Difference between Durant and Harden is that Durant makes his teammates better while Harden make his teammates cover for his lack skills.
5th in voting One of top scorers Efficient Doesn't show up in the playoffs. The last statement is all that counts. If yall want a team for the season then cool but this guy is a chucker who lacks intensity and heart (in before super sayian gif) I do not believe he is a player that can get it done, he can perhaps take you far under the right discipline and coaching. But he will not score at will when it counts like melo. He's to herky jerky and dances around the ball to much to create a shot. Not saying melo doesn't do that but if you out both their weaknesses and positives along each other it's clear melo would win out.
Are you saying that because James Harden didn't get us a ring in the first year the Rockets were relevant, he will never get one? Better yet...are you defining his career before he's turned 25? Oh Lawd this is dumb...
Why don't you go to the other Rockets discussion sites or NBA sites with Rockets fans then instead of posting here?
How much more better can harden really get? His skills are all there, it's mental from here on out. He needs to commit to defense and being a leader. LeBron is a freak of nature who can progress his game and branch out, harden is not there athletically for improvement.
This is such a depends like question. Harden for Lebron? Sure. Harden for Love? Eh, maybe? Harden for Westbrook? No. There are some players you would trade for no matter what, Harden is more likely a player you don't trade than a player you do trade.
You can add to that list. Increasingly Westbrook is in there. Maybe Love. Maybe Blake Griffin. Fit matters, too. But yeah kinda dumb thread.
If he "commits to defense and being a leader", then he would be getting better. Hell...if Harden starts playing consistent defense, he's without question a Top 5 player in the league. Either way...it's ridiculous to say what Harden will or won't be when he's only 24. Anybody who claims to know is just knee-jerking and probably doesn't understand the game much.
James is still 24 and we'll see how he improves next season, but if his D is the same as it's been the last 2 seasons and his playoff woes continue then maybe a change will be warranted but it's gotta be an upgrade on both ends. Nevertheless, I have faith that he will work on things this summer.
