14 replies to this topic

[2016Champions]

What amounted to a gain for the Rockets was an opportunity passed on by the Golden State Warriors.

When the Thunder determined they would trade James Harden, Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti’s first preference was a deal with the Warriors according to an ESPN article.

Presti wanted to ship Harden for second-year shooting guard Klay Thompson and an unspecified draft pick. The Warriors’ stipulation was for the Thunder to also take either center Andris Biedrins or Richard Jefferson in exchange for expiring contracts to avoid paying the luxury tax.

Presti then offered Harden to the Washington Wizards for rookie guard Bradley Beal, but ultimately settled on the Rockets for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first-round draft picks and one second-round selection.

In 60 games Harden has averaged 26.3 points and 5.8 assists per contest. Thompson averages 16.5 points per game and shoots 38 percent from 3-point range.

http://blog.chron.co...warriors-first/

[phaketrash]

Yeah, the Warriors I can sort of understand since they didn't know how Curry would be and they'd be going into luxury tax I believe (if they were going to be signing Harden long-term), otherwise losing a pick and Klay for just a rental. But the Wiz deal? Harden straight up for Beal? wtf were Wiz thinking in turning that down?!

[Rahat Huq]

Curry spotting up for Harden kickouts....good God.  

[ale11]

Curry spotting up for Harden kickouts....good God.  

 

Exact same feeling. Curry's 54 in MSG would have been like 80 or something...

[timetodienow1234567]

Klay Thompson was untouchable......ROFL. But they also wanted that first rounder that they used on Barnes. I guess they figured Barnes/Thompson was better than Harden since they already had Curry/Lee that played ZERO defense.

[rockets best fan]

Yeah, the Warriors I can sort of understand since they didn't know how Curry would be and they'd be going into luxury tax I believe (if they were going to be signing Harden long-term), otherwise losing a pick and Klay for just a rental. But the Wiz deal? Harden straight up for Beal? wtf were Wiz thinking in turning that down?!

i'm with you what was washington thinking about. I been watching this kid beal and I like him, but him against harden.......no contest. while golden state's position could be explained, washington's can not

[Rahat Huq]

In fairness though, I don't think anyone thought Harden was this good (ie: an MVP candidate in a non Lebron-god year.)  I think most people saw him as sort of a fringe all-star type like a Monta Ellis (by that I don't mean an inefficient chucker but rather just a guy who is really good but not a true All-Star that can carry a team.)  So by that logic, it probably made more sense to stick with the guy(s) on the rookie scale deal rather than breaking the bank.  

 

One can't express enough how lucky the Rockets got.  But it goes to show, you have to get lucky in this league.  

[2016Champions]

I thought Harden was this good while he was in OKC (there's a thread where I controversally labelled him a top 10 player a year ago to prove it, it was a ranking based on talent), his PER was great for someone who doesn't take many shots and his TS% jumped out the page. So I watched him closely and it was clear, he was a diamond in the rough. When Morey signed him I was so happy I could cry lol. I was also extremly high on Asik before his signing, I called Asik a better defender than Noah and got a lot of negative feedback for that. I think it's safe to say I kind of look like a genius now.

[Freebird]

Agreed - we're ALL geniuses here. 

 

I liked the Asik pickup.  All the numbers said he would be great defensively and adequate offensively, and they were proven true.

 

I was kinda mixed about Harden - loved that we got a great player, but was worried about how he would mix with Lin.  At the time, it looked like the same skillset (and probably still is, to a degree).

[thejohnnygold]

I thought Harden was this good while he was in OKC (there's a thread where I controversally labelled him a top 10 player a year ago to prove it, it was a ranking based on talent), his PER was great for someone who doesn't take many shots and his TS% jumped out the page. So I watched him closely and it was clear, he was a diamond in the rough. When Morey signed him I was so happy I could cry lol. I was also extremly high on Asik before his signing, I called Asik a better defender than Noah and got a lot of negative feedback for that. I think it's safe to say I kind of look like a genius now.

 

Ummm, you've only been here a few weeks....what was your old username then?  Links to theses threads? 

[2016Champions]

http://forum.fullcou...current players

 

Ask anyone there, the person who ranked Harden 10th was me aka Luniz.

[thejohnnygold]

Ah, another site.  Good for you.

[rockets best fan]

I thought Harden was this good while he was in OKC (there's a thread where I controversally labelled him a top 10 player a year ago to prove it, it was a ranking based on talent), his PER was great for someone who doesn't take many shots and his TS% jumped out the page. So I watched him closely and it was clear, he was a diamond in the rough. When Morey signed him I was so happy I could cry lol. I was also extremly high on Asik before his signing, I called Asik a better defender than Noah and got a lot of negative feedback for that. I think it's safe to say I kind of look like a genius now.

I didn't have the data, but I also believed harden would be this good and I was just using the eye test  I to was estatic over the trade.

 

 

Rahut:

you do have to get lucky in this league, but luck always favors the prepared. I was pissed when morey started to dismantle last years team. I felt if we could just get a star to go with that team we were in business. this is one of the reasons I have to give morey credit. his long term vision is outstanding. I've said it b4 and I will say it again......it's one thing to have a good plan, but it's a whole different ballgame trying to execute it. if morey doesn't win GM of the year he will have been robbed.

[Stephen]

Interesting times for League.

If GS truly didn't want Harden for fear of Luxury Tax,that makes three mid-market teams that have decided they can't pay 3 max-ish players. Play-Off teams.(OKC,Memphis,GS.)

Meanwhile the NYs and Lakers have no problem paying 3 max-ish contracts,as well as Miami. Chicago went w/3 but refused to spend anything on the rest of the team.

Meanwhile stars that have finished their first max deal are fleeing their teams to team up w/other stars.

Becoming pretty clear you need a star to get another,and if you don't your star is going to leave when his first max deal is up.

 

Which is going to put small-mid market teams in a huge world of hurt.

If they're lucky enough to draft a stud you have to either milk him for 7 yrs and hope he can carry a team by himself. Or overpay a second tier star or pray they get lucky in the Draft a second time. Minn for example messed up big time by not locking up Love for as long as they could. Not because he can walk,but because if he does,what's to keep Rubio around? 2015,NYC has almost no one signed and and they can go shopping for 3 max players.

[rockets best fan]

the NY's and LA's of the league will fall in line as well over time. the luxury tax is so harsh no one will be able to exceed it for long. it just simply cost to much. and that's what it was designed to do. it appears the new nba model will be to try to get 2 stars and build a team around them. it's the only way to stay competitive and out of tax trouble. that's why (IMO) it's so important to get the right stars, because once you get locked in you won't have a lot of flexibility to change the core of the team. we probably won't see as many trades in the future either, because teams are not as willing to absorb bad contracts or long term contracts even if you are offering a star. aaahhh yes it's a new day. thank goodness morey forsaw this and put us in position to excell with both flexibility and young blossoming talent. you can bet their are a bunch of GM's who would love nothing more than to be in morey's shoes right now.