Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
Originally posted by SunDevilNiner79:
Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
...by the same token - Presti thought Harden was not worth the max contract. I also feel Harden was more important to OKC (and a desperate team like Rockets) than any other team. A guy who is a liability on defense shouldn't get max contract IMO.
intersting point. I don't think Harden is a big liability on D. He was posted on Lebron on finals which destroyed his confidence. I dunno, I dont think thats how you measure D.
For the record I do think max contract is overpaying Harden, I love the dude but he hasn't proven it yet. BUT its about the market place.
In the trade, if it was the NFL OKC won for sure. In the NBA? I think OKC lost because they had a chance at a "super team". Not saying it would be, but you build an NBA team to get a super team, not just a good team for longevity.
Also IMO, and hate me all you guys want, Westbrook will prevent OKC from ever getting a championship. Harden was a PERFECT complement to Durant offensively.
It wasn't just the Finals where Harden struggled on defense. But, you're right - guys like Batum and Hibbert got ridiculous deals - and market determines Harden's value and maybe more than a couple GMs will offer him a max deal or close to it.
I still feel Houston gave up too much for Harden. Once OKC realized they can't sign him, they decided to get something in return for him - and they got an excellent deal. Martin is a pretty good player and is an expiring contract. Lamb is a promising rookie, and they got a pretty good pick from Houston through Raptors. I'm not sure Houston has any concrete plans. They have made a LOT of questionable moves with off-season and even if Harden works out for them - I don't see them going anywhere.
I agree with you on Westbrook. The guy is not a natural PG and that hurts that team down the stretch because of bad decision making on his part.
Harden isn't a liability on D like Martin was. He was horrible out there. I dont think we gave up too much, people read it as Harden for Lamb, Martin, 2 1sts and a 2nd. Well the 2nd is a good one if Charlotte sucks, which is likely. Martin is aging, and isn't Harden, and is terrible on D like said, but is a good shooter. Lamb is unproven. And the 1sts, Dallas is Top 20 protected until 2018. And Toronto's is semi protected. Wont be a top 3 pick, will likely be 8-12 pick, and way it seems, they may make playoffs in 2012-13, which means no pick to them in 2013 draft.
Cole Aldrich will be our backup Center, and Daequan Cook will be a backup for us behind Harden. Hayward was waived.
They have enough for another max guy after this season. I agree Harden isn't a MAX guy by the usual, but the way the NBA is, he is Max potential, and you see Gordon and Hibbert get them, so why not Harden. I also believe Batum got a huge deal, not max but big sized deal. I would take Harden at max, then the other guy we would of gotten in 2011, Pau Gasol at 18M a yr.