I'm not arguing the overall point here, as I pretty much agree. But I am curious.... Your Harden reference.... Was he unhappy with his role and wanted out? I was under the impression OKC's ownership made the move for financial reasons, and am still hoping it's the case (being a Portland fan, it's nice to know you have an advantage on teams..... Despite running the team like a business, if Portland is close, Allen will pay to acquire talent to push us over - I have no doubts on that).
Harden turned down OKC's offer. He had the chance to be a part of a dynasty and turned it down. And OKC management had a chance to start a dynasty and they turned down what Harden wanted. They were both stupid. Neither of them are winners. Neither Houston or OKC will win a title in the next 5 years.
How does Asik compare to Camby? Aldridge said he didn't consider Camby a true center. Will he consider Asik a true center?
Houston's getting to the point where it won't be able to be picky. If they were winning everything then they could afford just to sit Asik down and call his bluff. But they're looking pretty damn shaky right now. Well this one's not a rumor, I just made it up. All the others are just voices in your head.
If I remember correctly, a lot of critics were saying Harden should take a paycut to keep the core together. However he was already coming off the bench and subordinate to Durant and Westbrook. Plus Westbrook didn't back down from demanding the max, and they gave it to him after a cold war with him. It seemed like Harden would have stayed in OKC if they payed him the max, but they chose not to. He could have stayed for less money, but I don't blame him for moving on when OKC expected him to get the shaft in both starting/deferring to those guys AND getting paid less. He walked away from a good situation but do you blame him when Houston was offering a max contract, a starring role, and good odds of landing another superstar in the near future (which they came through on)?
What do you mean "will he"? He either does or he doesn't. You don't actually think we're going to trade for Asik, do you? (And in answer to your question: they put out fairly similar stats (or did before Camby's age caught up to him) in that neither scores but both rebound and block shots, but actually on the court they don't look anything alike.)
I am not going that far, being ridiculously hyperbolic, by calling him a cancer, but his attitude is a concern. I don't fault him for being disappointed, but is that an excuse to stop being a professional, who make millions, to the detriment of your team?
Harden is CLEARLY worth the max. OKC would have had to pony up to pay him so they asked a max level player to take less than max. How many times have any athletes taken less than max when they could get max? Duncan? Can't think of many others. And then think that Harden is coming off his rookie contract. You turn down max on your first extension and you better waive bye-bye to any further max offers. Plus you can't predict what's going to happen, and its even more uncertain when you've agreed to be a bench player. OKC basically asked him to devalue himself in every possible way. I just don't see how you can critique Harden if you look at it from his perspective. You all would stay at jobs with "better" companies who paid less and didn't let you shine to your fullest extent? Or would you go to an up and comer who wanted to pay you what you're worth and let you be the fugging man? Like I said, it seemed like Harden would have stayed and come off the bench with no complaints if they would have at least paid him the max that he was worth. OKC didn't want to. Seemed like Harden would have had to make all of the concessions while OKC, Durant, and Westbrook weren't willing to make any.
Yeah he's been a bitch about the whole situation. But I bet he does feel betrayed. I'm sure Morey was buttering him up during free agency the prior year about how they thought he was a starter and could start next to Harden for the next 10 years, etc. etc. He hasn't handled it great, but some people in this thread have indicated hes been problematic before. Was he causing problems in Chicago? Was he problematic last year? I wasn't following either situation closely but I don't remember anything like that.
Both sides were wrong. Harden should've taken less to win. OKC should've paid him more to win. Neither budged cuz they both care more about money than winning. Also, you never know if Harden might've eventually become a starter. Also, Harden's value was slightly lower from a poor performance in the Finals. He did not play like a max player.
The only thing that would make this better is if he flopped because Nash was in the vicinity. I'd of lost it. lmfao.
So you wouldn't have Harden on the Blazers if he was willing to sign but demanded the max? Are you not going to pay Lillard the max because hes a shit defender? How about prime Nowitzki, Nash, Kevin Love? You really wouldn't pay Harden max?
