BrianDavis wrote:
I mean….
Westbrook/Jackson
Harden/Roberson
Durant/Jones
Ibaka/Collison
Perkins/Thabeet
Is a paper lineup. Harden could never be what he is today if he was still here. He may average 18-20 points on a terrific efficiency, but so did Lamb/Reggie combined last year. Harden is a terrific player, he's also a guy who HAS to have the ball in his hands which would marginalize all of KD, Russ, Serge and Reggie. It's not about perceived value, it's about value relative to role. It's the reason we see guys playing on crap teams get big contracts every year then turn into nobody's. Anyway, I digress, I've had this conversation WAY too many times in WAY too many threads. To sum up my position: We wouldn't have beaten Memphis two years ago with Harden, we wouldn't have beaten the Spurs this year (and without Adams I don't believe we beat LAC so easily either), Harden would not be a 26/6 guy in OKC (or any team that wasn't being told 'go chuck then duck your defensive responsibilities), Russ is a better player and was also marginalized by Harden, we've had a better offensive efficiency rating without Harden, a max contract is too much to pay for your THIRD perimeter option. You'll disagree, I'll disagree, Chalky will resurrect from the dead and disagree, Joest will come expound on the many virtues of the great J-Lamb and ultimately we'll still be waiting to see what happens with Lamb/Adams/McGary down the road.
