Would Harden and Tatum be the team to beat in the East?

Joshyjess · Post #1 » by **Joshyjess** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 7:56 pm

There's obviously been a lot of talk here on GM about how the C's should go all in to get Harden - basically that they should trade Brown, Smart and whatever picks needed to get him.
If they were to do that (and if Houston were to agree), do you think that Boston would then be the best team in the East? Do you think the combination of Harden and Tatum along with whoever else they have (Hayward / Kemba / Theis...???) or can get would be enough to beat the Bucks or Miami or the Nets or any other team in the East?

itrsteve · Post #2 » by **itrsteve** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:06 pm

I'd put them in the hard maybe category - which can effectively equate to no.

Warriorfan · Post #3 » by **Warriorfan** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:17 pm

the BKN package could net a Beale, PG or Simmons who could help BKN more.

scrabbarista · Post #4 » by **scrabbarista** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:17 pm

The relevant comp is the 2018 Rockets - at least, for next season (or before whenever Harden falls off). Tatum could definitely hit CP's 2018 level (top ten-ish player), so if you have a decent enough cast around them, then yes, they'd be extremely competitive for the championship. They'd probably need a third player playing very well, though. Either Brown or Hayward or Smart or someone.

You don't completely gut your roster for Harden, but you should be willing to go pretty darn far to get him.

EDIT: To be clear, I wasn't saying they'd be the 2018 Rockets. I was saying that team should be the reference for comparison.

HoopsterJones · Post #5 » by **HoopsterJones** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:24 pm

Depends on what Boston has to give up to acquire Harden. Almost certainly means one of Brown or Kemba are moved. Doubt they would want Hayward as the centerpiece. Houston would have to insist on Brown since he’s the better asset at this point. Then it will take a number of FRPs.

scrabbarista · Post #6 » by **scrabbarista** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:27 pm

HoopsterJones wrote:Depends on what Boston has to give up to acquire Harden. Almost certainly means one of Brown or Kemba are moved. Doubt they would want Hayward as the centerpiece. Houston would have to insist on Brown since he’s the better asset at this point. Then it will take a number of FRPs.

I think if you can combine Harden, Tatum, and Brown, you do it 100 times out of 100. If you can also keep Smart, then you've done an all-timer.

That said, you'd probably need assurance that the guys you kept would be willing to take a step back offensively. You wouldn't want a repeat of the 2019 season.

Post #7 » by **bisme37** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:29 pm

I have no idea if I'm being honest. It's hard to even picture Harden in a C's jersey so it would take me some time to process the whole thing lol.

illuminati666 · Post #8 » by **illuminati666** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:39 pm

They'd be 2 or 3, so def up there and def contenders. But on paper I would still have the Bucks as #1 until proven otherwise.

HoopsterJones · Post #9 » by **HoopsterJones** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:43 pm

Question is, will Celtics fans be willing to watch James Harden and his style play basketball for their team every game?

PrinceCliche · Post #10 » by **PrinceCliche** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:44 pm

No because KD is better than Harden.

reload141 · Post #11 » by **reload141** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:45 pm

HoopsterJones wrote:Question is, will Celtics fans be willing to watch James Harden and his style play basketball for their team every game?

I cannot get this out of my mind, it would suck watching games honestly.

But it would be a major talent upgrade and signalling that they are willing to go all in on the Harden and Tatum push

CptCrunch · Post #12 » by **CptCrunch** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:00 pm

Harden makes any top 6 team in the East heavy conference favorites.

scrabbarista · Post #13 » by **scrabbarista** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:02 pm

reload141 wrote:
HoopsterJones wrote:Question is, will Celtics fans be willing to watch James Harden and his style play basketball for their team every game?

I cannot get this out of my mind, it would suck watching games honestly.

But it would be a major talent upgrade and signalling that they are willing to go all in on the Harden and Tatum push

Maybe I'm being a jerk saying this, but I think you'd change your mind after about twenty games. If not, sooner.

celticfan42487 · Post #14 » by **celticfan42487** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:06 pm

Hard maybe.

That said I hope he goes to the 76ers, I think Harden deserves a ring way more than say a Durant or Kyrie (okay obviously more than those **** bags) and Embiid is one of my favorite personalities in the NBA. So I'd be rooting for them.

Actually, I'd root for the Greek Freak to get his ring too because he's the consummate professional and maybe the only truly likable MVP level player in the league both personally and on the court.

But yeah hard maybe, it would depend on the ring chasers. They'd need a C and backup PF.

reload141 · Post #15 » by **reload141** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:11 pm

scrabbarista wrote:
reload141 wrote:
HoopsterJones wrote:Question is, will Celtics fans be willing to watch James Harden and his style play basketball for their team every game?

I cannot get this out of my mind, it would suck watching games honestly.

But it would be a major talent upgrade and signalling that they are willing to go all in on the Harden and Tatum push

Maybe I'm being a jerk saying this, but I think you'd change your mind after about twenty games. If not, sooner.

I'd have about 20 more grey hairs after how long those 20 games will take.

scrabbarista · Post #16 » by **scrabbarista** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:14 pm

reload141 wrote:
scrabbarista wrote:
reload141 wrote:
I cannot get this out of my mind, it would suck watching games honestly.

But it would be a major talent upgrade and signalling that they are willing to go all in on the Harden and Tatum push

Maybe I'm being a jerk saying this, but I think you'd change your mind after about twenty games. If not, sooner.

I'd have about 20 more grey hairs after how long those 20 games will take.

Meeksology · Post #17 » by **Meeksology** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:23 pm

illuminati666 wrote:They'd be 2 or 3, so def up there and def contenders. But on paper I would still have the Bucks as #1 until proven otherwise.

I don't think you understand what "until proven otherwise" means lol

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Soulyss · Post #18 » by **Soulyss** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:26 pm

I do not believe that Harden will ever be the lead-dog on a championship team.

illuminati666 · Post #19 » by **illuminati666** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:20 pm

Meeksology wrote:
illuminati666 wrote:They'd be 2 or 3, so def up there and def contenders. But on paper I would still have the Bucks as #1 until proven otherwise.
I don't think you understand what "until proven otherwise" means lol

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It's a new team this year. They replaced Bledsoe and Hill with Holiday and Bogdan, they got the leader they so desparately needed. I actually predicted they would lose to the Heat in the 2nd rd last yr, this is a new team and on paper they're undeniablly the most stacked in the east.

SFour · Post #20 » by **SFour** » Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:23 pm

I don't see the East having a team to beat unless Harden joins the Nets (even then you would have 3 ball dominant players with a weak bench).....East has some good parity where there are 3-4 teams that could make it to the finals.

Do you think a Harden and Tatum combo would be the best team in the East