Around the league 2017-2018

[the_process]

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Oh man, I hope that happens. They would effectively ruin the team they built around Harden.

I can't buy this. Melo and Pringles hate each other.

But in theory, if it did happen, does Wade take a buyout and go there too? And if those 3 are there, does LeBron follow next year? And would they deal Harden if the banana boat crew was in town?

[phiphan]

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[sixerswillrule]

I actually have no idea why the Rockets would do this trade. I feel like Chris Paul provides little off ball. Harden also isn't utilized correctly off ball.

I have no idea why the Rockets wouldn't do this trade. They gave up relatively little for a superstar. Obviously they have overlapping skills but it's hard to win with only one effective playmaker on the team, so they went out and got their second. It'll be interesting to see them play together but I don't see how anyone can argue that they won't be a better team next season.

[Kobblehead]

Chris Paul is a pretty demanding teammate. He's not going to respond too positively to Harden's defensive effort lulls. Which could cause their relationship to strain.

[LongLiveHinkie]

The thing that sucks is normally this would be exciting because it would create a drama out West, but the Rockets still aren't good enough to beat the Warriors.

[XtremeDunkz]

The thing that sucks is normally this would be exciting because it would create a drama out West, but the Rockets still aren't good enough to beat the Warriors.

Unless Lebron joins the Spurs, no one is.

[Negrodamus]

I actually have no idea why the Rockets would do this trade. I feel like Chris Paul provides little off ball. Harden also isn't utilized correctly off ball.

I have no idea why the Rockets wouldn't do this trade. They gave up relatively little for a superstar. Obviously they have overlapping skills but it's hard to win with only one effective playmaker on the team, so they went out and got their second. It'll be interesting to see them play together but I don't see how anyone can argue that they won't be a better team next season.

Yea, and they gave up nothing for Dwight Howard at the end of his prime. Maybe it's sometimes about the egos involved and not as much about how much the team gave up.

I'm sure Harden will enjoy playing off ball in the height of his prime.

[NJ SixerFan]

This is just a way for cp3 to get off the clippers and give next year a go with Harden and w.e else the rockets do and see if they can make some noise. If not he walks to the lakers with Lebron and George next season.

[LongLiveHinkie]

Durant has gone to my favorite player in the NBA to maybe my least favorite.

He thinks he's hot **** now and is constantly yapping it up on social media now. Yeah, a real tough guy. You hopped on the bandwagon of a 73 win team because you couldn't beat them.

What. a. loser.

dude doesn't have a competitive bone in his body. Still ringless.

[XtremeDunkz]

Durant has gone to my favorite player in the NBA to maybe my least favorite.

He thinks he's hot **** now and is constantly yapping it up on social media now. Yeah, a real tough guy. You hopped on the bandwagon of a 73 win team because you couldn't beat them.

What. a. loser.

dude doesn't have a competitive bone in his body. Still ringless.

Yeah it really is embarrassing how much **** he talks.

[LongLiveHinkie]

Durant has gone to my favorite player in the NBA to maybe my least favorite.

He thinks he's hot **** now and is constantly yapping it up on social media now. Yeah, a real tough guy. You hopped on the bandwagon of a 73 win team because you couldn't beat them.

What. a. loser.

dude doesn't have a competitive bone in his body. Still ringless.

Yeah it really is embarrassing how much **** he talks.

I'm gonna bring Conor McGregor with me to beat up the local bully and then brag to the neighborhood that you don't want to F with me because I'm a badass.

[sixerswillrule]

I actually have no idea why the Rockets would do this trade. I feel like Chris Paul provides little off ball. Harden also isn't utilized correctly off ball.

I have no idea why the Rockets wouldn't do this trade. They gave up relatively little for a superstar. Obviously they have overlapping skills but it's hard to win with only one effective playmaker on the team, so they went out and got their second. It'll be interesting to see them play together but I don't see how anyone can argue that they won't be a better team next season.

Yea, and they gave up nothing for Dwight Howard at the end of his prime. Maybe it's sometimes about the egos involved and not as much about how much the team gave up.

I'm sure Harden will enjoy playing off ball in the height of his prime.

Chris Paul this past season was far more impactful of a player than Dwight was the season before they got him. And I don't see Paul having the same ego issues as Dwight.

Also Harden will only need to play next to Paul for about half of his minutes. And for those ~18 minutes per game when they are playing together, it's not like it will be all on Harden to accommodate. They both will have to sacrifice. If anything moreso Paul and I'm sure he recognizes this. Harden will get a healthy share of time on the ball. They're just far too talented not to make it work, especially given how both of them can shoot.

[Negrodamus]

I have no idea why the Rockets wouldn't do this trade. They gave up relatively little for a superstar. Obviously they have overlapping skills but it's hard to win with only one effective playmaker on the team, so they went out and got their second. It'll be interesting to see them play together but I don't see how anyone can argue that they won't be a better team next season.

Yea, and they gave up nothing for Dwight Howard at the end of his prime. Maybe it's sometimes about the egos involved and not as much about how much the team gave up.

I'm sure Harden will enjoy playing off ball in the height of his prime.

Chris Paul this past season was far more impactful of a player than Dwight was the season before they got him. And I don't see Paul having the same ego issues as Dwight.

Also Harden will only need to play next to Paul for about half of his minutes. And for those ~18 minutes per game when they are playing together, it's not like it will be all on Harden to accommodate. They both will have to sacrifice. If anything moreso Paul and I'm sure he recognizes this. Harden will get a healthy share of time on the ball. They're just far too talented not to make it work, especially given how both of them can shoot.

Okay, the point wasn't comparing Dwight then to Paul now.

The point was that star players playing together doesn't always work despite their talents. The fit here is not great as they are both career ball dominant guards. Harden is coming off a near MVP season for the Rockets. He's going to now concede to Paul?

Could it work? Certainly! They're both future hall of famers. Will it? I have my doubts.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

I love that Philly's twitter feed got in on the joke too. Kudos!

[sixerswillrule]

Yea, and they gave up nothing for Dwight Howard at the end of his prime. Maybe it's sometimes about the egos involved and not as much about how much the team gave up.

I'm sure Harden will enjoy playing off ball in the height of his prime.

Chris Paul this past season was far more impactful of a player than Dwight was the season before they got him. And I don't see Paul having the same ego issues as Dwight.

Also Harden will only need to play next to Paul for about half of his minutes. And for those ~18 minutes per game when they are playing together, it's not like it will be all on Harden to accommodate. They both will have to sacrifice. If anything moreso Paul and I'm sure he recognizes this. Harden will get a healthy share of time on the ball. They're just far too talented not to make it work, especially given how both of them can shoot.

Okay, the point wasn't comparing Dwight then to Paul now.

The point was that star players playing together doesn't always work despite their talents. The fit here is not great as they are both career ball dominant guards. Harden is coming off a near MVP season for the Rockets. He's going to now concede to Paul?

Could it work? Certainly! They're both future hall of famers. Will it? I have my doubts.

But the Dwight Paul comparison matters when pointing out that Dwight didn't work out with Houston (which is debatable at least early on) because Paul's much greater talent means a much greater chance of success.

See my second paragraph regarding Harden conceding. They'll make it work for 18 minutes per game.

[76thBearCub]

Not on the list of guys I would have thought of to pair with Harden.

But I agree with the basic premise of always go after a superstar and try to make it work from there.

[76ciology]

CP3 deal..

- it's a players league.
- kawhi's timid personality costs them the cp3 lottery
- still crossing my finger that Celts and Lakers dont end up with a big FA. Just find it entertaining if that happened. (Second to lakers passing up on Lonzo which didnt happend )

[76ciology]

CP3 Harden
- biggest positive change is this allows the Rox to have an elite playmaker on court most times. Unlike before where Rox playmaking declines when Harden is on the bench
- I dont think we need to overthink about how Harden-CP3 works. MDA is stubborn that they'll just continue to run heavy PnR.

[Chris76]

CP3 Harden
- biggest positive change is this allows the Rox to have an elite playmaker on court most times. Unlike before where Rox playmaking declines when Harden is on the bench
- I dont think we need to overthink about how Harden-CP3 works. MDA is stubborn that they'll just continue to run heavy PnR.

I agree that 2 superstars will figure it out, but I worry about the defense, especially if things start off poorly. Beverley was a very good defender with extreme energy. Teams could use tall playmakers to create mismatches against them, if Harden continues to play poor defense.

[76ciology]

CP3 Harden
- biggest positive change is this allows the Rox to have an elite playmaker on court most times. Unlike before where Rox playmaking declines when Harden is on the bench
- I dont think we need to overthink about how Harden-CP3 works. MDA is stubborn that they'll just continue to run heavy PnR.

I agree that 2 superstars will figure it out, but I worry about the defense, especially if things start off poorly. Beverley was a very good defender with extreme energy. Teams could use tall playmakers to create mismatches against them, if Harden continues to play poor defense.

Its not like they traded Beverly's defense for Jose Calderon's defense. Personally, I think Harden plays solid team D while he conserves his energy on offense, which wont be the case now with CP3z And quite frankly, as long as you can provide elite offense, you can be a very good team. And for the rockets, they still got Ariza/Capela on D.