Chris Paul Opts In; Then Traded To Houston

[Fico92]

Still don't see how this makes Houston good enough to beat the Warriors or Spurs. Especially if they trade for Carmelo (or sign him after he's bought out). They will be an implosion waiting to happen.

The spurs aren't good. Rockets almost beat them last year, now they added Chris Paul.

"Almost beat them" - got clobbered at home by a team missing a top 3 MVP candidate.

Uwotm8?

Cp3 will fit right in with the choking culture

[Yank3525]

There are many examples of all stars who played together and did not work well. You mentioned Harden , Westbrook and Durant. No that chemistry did not work. If it had worked Harden would still be in OKC. And OKC would have a dynasty. Wade with Lebron had better chemistry than Irving and Lebron.

Other recent examples:
Butler-Rondo
Carmelo-D. Rose-
Carmelo-Studemire
Carmelo-Iverson (Nuggets)
Kevin Love With Lebron
Le Marcus Aldridge with Leonard( Do you think they fit with eachtoher?)
Let me remind you that all these trades/transactions were made with the highest ambitions of their teams who purchased them.

What?

Harden, KD, and Russ did work on the basketball court (They went to the finals for goodness sake!). They broke up due to financial reasons, not basketball reasons and as for the other examples.

1. Butler-Rondo: Rondo is washed and isn't a star in 2017.
2. Carmelo-Rose: Same thing, 2017 Rose isn't 2011 Rose. If this was 2011 Rose paired with Melo, it would have worked out better.
3. Carmelo-Stoudemire: Again, Amare's knees gave out in their full year run.
4. Carmelo-Iverson: This actually did work, Nuggets won 50 games for the first time.
5. Kevin Love-Lebron: They just won a championship the year before.
6. Aldridge and Leonard: They are coming off back to back 60 wins seasons.

The OP is right, the one-ball argument is exaggerated. Talent usually wins out over fit.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

Lebron and Wade worked. Harden Durant and Westbrook worked. Lebron and Irving works. People were even using the"only one ball" argument against this years warriors. Its a stupid argument that has no real basis in reality as far as i can recall. To add to that, both Harden and Paul can shoot well from distance. So whats this about?

Can someone show me an example of two+ supremely talented ball dominant players in their prime not working out?

Because right now it just seems like another case of realgmers outsmarting themselves into doubting something common sense should tell them is a good thing.

Even AI and MELO worked for Christ sakes. They had some of their best seasons together. AI was never more efficient than he was in Denver (IIRC, using my old brain here, work damnit brain). I don't see why if those guys can work, some more team oriented guys absolutely CAN'T work.

[Shock Defeat]

Still don't see how this makes Houston good enough to beat the Warriors or Spurs. Especially if they trade for Carmelo (or sign him after he's bought out). They will be an implosion waiting to happen.

The spurs aren't good. Rockets almost beat them last year, now they added Chris Paul.

"Almost beat them" - got clobbered at home by a team missing a top 3 MVP candidate.

Uwotm8?

Cp3 will fit right in with the choking culture

The rockets would have beat the Spurs in 6 if they hadn't got demoralized in game 5. CP3 there means that the rockets blow out the Spurs and don't even need OT in game 5

[Fico92]

The spurs aren't good. Rockets almost beat them last year, now they added Chris Paul.

"Almost beat them" - got clobbered at home by a team missing a top 3 MVP candidate.

Uwotm8?

Cp3 will fit right in with the choking culture

The rockets would have beat the Spurs in 6 if they hadn't got demoralized in game 5. CP3 there means that the rockets blow out the Spurs and don't even need OT in game 5

You know what they say...

Woulda...shoulda...coulda...clobbered in game 6.

[Screwston]

Ok that's an absolute pipe dream there...

LeBron(a player whose team plays best when the ball is in his hands), is gonna go to a team with two point guards(whose teams play best when the ball is in their hands)?

Why wouldn't he go to San Antonio where 1. The ball can be in his hands with Kawhi as his 2nd option, 2. He doesn't have to guard the opponent's primary perimeter scorer because Kawhi does that, 3. He has Pop as his coach, 4. The Spurs have a much better cap situation (as it stands right now) at that time? Because he wants to play with a CP3 who will be 34 by the time those playoffs roll around?

Why do you have a GSW thing I thought you were a spurs fan?

1. what makes you think Lebron wants the ball in his hand? He isn't a PG... he likes playing with All-star guards (D-wade/kryie) this would be no different.
2. Ariza is a pretty good primary wing defender too
3. D'Antoni is a good coach too...
4. The Spurs cap situation isn't that great... they have LMA and Leonard on Max contracts... idk how you figure it is "much better" that is nonsense...explain that.
5. Yes, it is well known Lebron wants to play with CP3... if Houston this year has Harden, CP3 and maybe Melo/Millsap or PG13... Lebron could definitely want to come join that team.

1. For starters, his 6.1 minutes per game with the ball in his hands. He is the only non-point guard who has over 5.0 minutes a game.
2. This is true. Can you keep Ariza if you have 4 supermax players? Or is LeBron, who is widely known to be unwilling to take ANY discount, going to take a discount here to play with a 34 year old Paul (he'll be 34 in that year's playoffs)?
3. How has he done in the playoffs? Regular season - great coach no doubt. Gets exposed in playoffs.
4. In this imaginary world where "max names might sign with the Rockets", the Spurs "might also get rid of Aldridge". Or, he might just decline his player option after next year since he supposedly wants out, and put his house for sale already in SA. In that case, the Spurs (as it stands) have Kawhi Leonard at 21 million, and Danny Green player option of 10 million. That's it.
5. Again, I'm confused. In 2018/2019, Paul is getting a 5 yr / 205m contract. LeBron will get that (if not more), right? Since he's not taking discounts. That would mean in this theoretical scenario where you already picked up a 3rd star before LeBron, you're going to somehow have this lineup prior to adding a 40m a year LeBron?

CP3: 41m
Harden: 30.5m
Player X (Paul George? Melo?): 30m
Ryan Anderson: 20.5m

122 million, among 4 players.

"For 2018-19, the NBA estimates a cap of $103 million with the tax line at $125 million."

Explain please?

Y r u counting ryan? Ryan is gone if they get george/millsap/melo

[Shock Defeat]

"Almost beat them" - got clobbered at home by a team missing a top 3 MVP candidate.

Uwotm8?

Cp3 will fit right in with the choking culture

The rockets would have beat the Spurs in 6 if they hadn't got demoralized in game 5. CP3 there means that the rockets blow out the Spurs and don't even need OT in game 5

You know what they say...

Woulda...shoulda...coulda...clobbered in game 6.

game 6 will be irrelevant when the rockets smoke the Spurs next season. With CP3 it's over, only the warriors can beat the rockets.

[JJ_PR]

Shame on Chris Paul for forcing his new team to give up assets in order to acquire him. Could've used those assets to land another star. What was he thinking?

[Fico92]

Why do you have a GSW thing I thought you were a spurs fan?

1. what makes you think Lebron wants the ball in his hand? He isn't a PG... he likes playing with All-star guards (D-wade/kryie) this would be no different.
2. Ariza is a pretty good primary wing defender too
3. D'Antoni is a good coach too...
4. The Spurs cap situation isn't that great... they have LMA and Leonard on Max contracts... idk how you figure it is "much better" that is nonsense...explain that.
5. Yes, it is well known Lebron wants to play with CP3... if Houston this year has Harden, CP3 and maybe Melo/Millsap or PG13... Lebron could definitely want to come join that team.

1. For starters, his 6.1 minutes per game with the ball in his hands. He is the only non-point guard who has over 5.0 minutes a game.
2. This is true. Can you keep Ariza if you have 4 supermax players? Or is LeBron, who is widely known to be unwilling to take ANY discount, going to take a discount here to play with a 34 year old Paul (he'll be 34 in that year's playoffs)?
3. How has he done in the playoffs? Regular season - great coach no doubt. Gets exposed in playoffs.
4. In this imaginary world where "max names might sign with the Rockets", the Spurs "might also get rid of Aldridge". Or, he might just decline his player option after next year since he supposedly wants out, and put his house for sale already in SA. In that case, the Spurs (as it stands) have Kawhi Leonard at 21 million, and Danny Green player option of 10 million. That's it.
5. Again, I'm confused. In 2018/2019, Paul is getting a 5 yr / 205m contract. LeBron will get that (if not more), right? Since he's not taking discounts. That would mean in this theoretical scenario where you already picked up a 3rd star before LeBron, you're going to somehow have this lineup prior to adding a 40m a year LeBron?

CP3: 41m
Harden: 30.5m
Player X (Paul George? Melo?): 30m
Ryan Anderson: 20.5m

122 million, among 4 players.

"For 2018-19, the NBA estimates a cap of $103 million with the tax line at $125 million."

Explain please?

Y r u counting ryan? Ryan is gone if they get george/millsap/melo

And who is going to take on that massive contract of his? Is some team just going to say "ah, screw it, we'll take on this overpriced player in exchange for late 1st round picks for next few years"?

[Fico92]

The rockets would have beat the Spurs in 6 if they hadn't got demoralized in game 5. CP3 there means that the rockets blow out the Spurs and don't even need OT in game 5

You know what they say...

Woulda...shoulda...coulda...clobbered in game 6.

game 6 will be irrelevant when the rockets smoke the Spurs next season. With CP3 it's over, only the warriors can beat the rockets.

Yeah I remember when the Rockets smoked the Spurs in game 1, the fans were saying the Spurs would be lucky to win 2 games, let alone the series.

Good times. Unfortunately, Harden wilted under the pressure of a Game 6, and is being joined by a player who has yet to sniff the WCF.

[picc]

Somehow I hate the Rockets less now. Can't explain it. But will root just as hard for them to fail.

[DusterBuster]

Somehow I hate the Rockets less now. Can't explain it. But will root just as hard for them to fail.

Just the opposite for me. I hate them more now and like the Clips a bit better (not much better with Doc and Blake still on the team, but a bit).

[nk657]

Lebron and Wade worked. Harden Durant and Westbrook worked. Lebron and Irving works. People were even using the"only one ball" argument against this years warriors. Its a stupid argument that has no real basis in reality as far as i can recall. To add to that, both Harden and Paul can shoot well from distance. So whats this about?

Can someone show me an example of two+ supremely talented ball dominant players in their prime not working out?

Because right now it just seems like another case of realgmers outsmarting themselves into doubting something common sense should tell them is a good thing.

There are many examples of all stars who played together and did not work well. You mentioned Harden , Westbrook and Durant. No that chemistry did not work. If it had worked Harden would still be in OKC. And OKC would have a dynasty. Wade with Lebron had better chemistry than Irving and Lebron.

Other recent examples:
Butler-Rondo
Carmelo-D. Rose-
Carmelo-Studemire
Carmelo-Iverson (Nuggets)
Kevin Love With Lebron
Le Marcus Aldridge with Leonard( Do you think they fit with eachtoher?)
Let me remind you that all these trades/transactions were made with the highest ambitions of their teams who purchased them.

To be fair you mentioned 2 important words "Dominant", and "Prime" . YEs well of course you refer to a specific group of talented players who could be future HOF. Then I must say as well that any future HOF can play in any team with any other all star next to him, because they are just too good not to play well.
Under that perspective you are correct. But its more than obvious than some all stars fit better with other all stars and some others do not. For example no one tho had suspected that D.Howard's career would have such a decline from the moment he left Orlando. Same can happen with CP3 or with other player.Some players just dont fit with some teams..Cp3 wouldn't fit better with Spurs?

I'm glad you recognized that fact, after listing a grouping of players who had absolutely nothing to do with what I meant, as if it was supposed to refute my point. You're clearly just being a contrarian for some weird reason, which I don't really care to engage.

The rest of your post is irrelevant to my question and was a waste of energy, tbh.

Since you are a dick and ironic especially when i tried to be nice I will reply in the same tone..Waste of energy is your square logic. I posted facts and you posted air and BS.. But what can i reply to someone who thinks that Durant Westbrook and Hardern trio "worked in OKC" as you said..its completely waste of energy.

[StepBackCrack]

Somehow I hate the Rockets less now. Can't explain it. But will root just as hard for them to fail.

Why you hate them in the first place?
I wish them the best as well.

[picc]

Somehow I hate the Rockets less now. Can't explain it. But will root just as hard for them to fail.

Just the opposite for me. I hate them more now and like the Clips a bit better.

Idk. I figure the more Chris Paul has the ball, the less Harden is flop ref baiting his way to the free throw line. That will take some of the edge off for me. Plus I don't have to see Patrick Beverly's face and dangerous play style.

Paul I can stomach.

[mdonnelly1989]

I think this makes the Rockets the 2nd best team in the West ahead of Spurs.

A lot of people forget that D-Wade and Lebron who's games completely overlapped made it work because they learned how to play with eachother and the talent was just that great.

[DusterBuster]

Somehow I hate the Rockets less now. Can't explain it. But will root just as hard for them to fail.

Why you hate them in the first place?
I wish them the best as well.

Harden and CP3 play some of the worst style of basketball in the NBA imo. Both guys just pound the rock while all the teammates just stand around and watch. Only difference is Harden drives to the rim and flails for a call with about 7 seconds left, where as Paul drives to the rim for a kickout to a potentially unprepared teammate with about 7 seconds.

It's miserable basketball to watch as a fan of the game, but I appreciate them being on the same team so I only have one team to actively avoid on TV instead of two.

[picc]

There are many examples of all stars who played together and did not work well. You mentioned Harden , Westbrook and Durant. No that chemistry did not work. If it had worked Harden would still be in OKC. And OKC would have a dynasty. Wade with Lebron had better chemistry than Irving and Lebron.

Other recent examples:
Butler-Rondo
Carmelo-D. Rose-
Carmelo-Studemire
Carmelo-Iverson (Nuggets)
Kevin Love With Lebron
Le Marcus Aldridge with Leonard( Do you think they fit with eachtoher?)
Let me remind you that all these trades/transactions were made with the highest ambitions of their teams who purchased them.

To be fair you mentioned 2 important words "Dominant", and "Prime" . YEs well of course you refer to a specific group of talented players who could be future HOF. Then I must say as well that any future HOF can play in any team with any other all star next to him, because they are just too good not to play well.
Under that perspective you are correct. But its more than obvious than some all stars fit better with other all stars and some others do not. For example no one tho had suspected that D.Howard's career would have such a decline from the moment he left Orlando. Same can happen with CP3 or with other player.Some players just dont fit with some teams..Cp3 wouldn't fit better with Spurs?

I'm glad you recognized that fact, after listing a grouping of players who had absolutely nothing to do with what I meant, as if it was supposed to refute my point. You're clearly just being a contrarian for some weird reason, which I don't really care to engage.

The rest of your post is irrelevant to my question and was a waste of energy, tbh.

Since you are a dick and ironic especially when i tried to be nice I will reply in the same tone..Waste of energy is your square logic. I posted facts and you posted air and BS.. But what can i reply to someone who thinks that Durant Westbrook and Hardern trio "worked in OKC" as you said..its completely waste of energy.

Your post was argumentative at best, since even you acknowledged the difference in circumstances. It was a waste of time to read, and that annoyed me since I was looking for real answers. Only reason I was a dick. But I honestly wish you nothing but the best and don't hold anything against you. In time hopefully you can forgive me as well.

All love on this end.

[Shock Defeat]

You know what they say...

Woulda...shoulda...coulda...clobbered in game 6.

game 6 will be irrelevant when the rockets smoke the Spurs next season. With CP3 it's over, only the warriors can beat the rockets.

Yeah I remember when the Rockets smoked the Spurs in game 1, the fans were saying the Spurs would be lucky to win 2 games, let alone the series.

Good times. Unfortunately, Harden wilted under the pressure of a Game 6, and is being joined by a player who has yet to sniff the WCF.

The Spurs beat the rockets when it was 1 all star vs 1 all star. Now the rockets have 2 all stars. The rockets can choke but still beat the Spurs due to the massive talent disparity between the two teams right now.

[Slim Charlez]

The spurs aren't good. Rockets almost beat them last year, now they added Chris Paul.

"Almost beat them" - got clobbered at home by a team missing a top 3 MVP candidate.

Uwotm8?

Cp3 will fit right in with the choking culture

The rockets would have beat the Spurs in 6 if they hadn't got demoralized in game 5. CP3 there means that the rockets blow out the Spurs and don't even need OT in game 5

What a weak excuse.