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2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:24 pm
by WillyJakkz
Danny FerryAtlanta Hawks GM Danny Ferry has come to ATL and did what most thought was virtually the impossible and traded the "old CBA" maxed out contract of All Star SG Joe Johnson and has created a bright outlook for the Hawks financially by putting them in a position to be able to add up to a maximum contract player which most I presume would love for it to be used on hometown hero Dwight Howard, I agree but I think another player out there would fit in better w/ the Hawks plans moving forward.
James HardenI think "The Beard" James Harden would fit in lovely in Atlanta. He's a versatile lefty who can play on or off the ball, similar to the other versatile lefty on the team (Josh Smith), he wouldn't dominate the offense but he is a player who has shown the ability to take over a game (not so much in the Finals though) and w/ a post player like Al Horford, it'd make Harden's game a little more easier as Horford is able to score unlike the post players in OKC and also having Josh as another threat on the floor. Teague is a rising PG who seems to be another guy who'd mesh well w/ Harden as now they'd have Harden, Teague, Josh, and Horford who'd all be able to get out on the fastbreak while also being able to get back effectively in transition defense.
Not that I think Harden is a max player but honestly, he will get max money from somewhere and Atlanta would put themselves into true contender status if they make a move like this simply because I honestly don't see Dwight signing in ATL and yes I know the Hawks would have to re-up both J Smoove & Teague.
2013 Atlanta Hawks:
Teague/ Harden/ Smith/ Horford/ ?
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:27 pm
by Mr Grant Hill
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets have already made their intent to steal Harden away from the Oklahoma City Thunder known.
I know at least two teams near OKC (Houston & Dallas) that are huge Harden fans and will have cap space to sign him to loaded offer sheet
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 12, 2012
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:46 pm
by Buckeyevstworld
So you want another potential Joe Johnson?
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:18 pm
by PetroNet
Buckeyevstworld wrote:So you want another potential Joe Johnson?
i was thinking the same thing... atl just moved joe because they were a treadmill team. now you want to bring in harden, at likely 13-14M per, resign josh smith, and be...well... a treadmill team again?
I think ATL would be best suited looking for an all-star point gaurd or option at center so hordford can play PF.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:22 pm
by HMFFL
I had James Harden rated as the best shooting guard, and Marcus Thornton second during their draft, but as an Atlanta fan, I want nothing to do with James Harden, and the amount of money it'd cost Atlanta. Danny Ferry has done a terrific job, he traded Joe Johnson to the only team, I felt he could be traded to, so I see no reason to lock up Harden to what is possibly going to be the max.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:25 pm
by Mr Grant Hill
PetroNet wrote:Buckeyevstworld wrote:So you want another potential Joe Johnson?
i was thinking the same thing... atl just moved joe because they were a treadmill team. now you want to bring in harden, at likely 13-14M per, resign josh smith, and be...well... a treadmill team again?
I think ATL would be best suited looking for an all-star point gaurd or option at center so hordford can play PF.
You see any option that Atlanta won't be a treadmill team (maximum: ECSF)?
All-Star PG? Rondo-Deron, Paul-Nash?
Option at Center - which one?
It's not that easy as it looks on paper.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:28 pm
by MaceCase
Buckeyevstworld wrote:So you want another potential Joe Johnson?
Well Joe Johnson had nowhere near the same stats in Phoenix that Harden is putting up now in OKC (unless you really want to omit that it took him 40 minutes a night to compile them) so the theory would be that if Joe was able to transition to primary option then Harden would do so also..... but be better at it.
Also, Joe Johnson at 24 being owed 70 million (won't get into the picks and players that it also cost the Hawks) was a
great investment as opposed to Joe Johnson at 31 still being owed 90 million......
I really don't know why people always make this comparison without thinking it through? Are they at the same side of their careers? Do people not get that a "Max" salary is not just one specific dollar amount for every player?
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:56 pm
by Zedders
What are Atlanta's other options? Monta Ellis?
Harden is better than Joe Johnson was. Teague/Harden/Smith/Horford is a good young core. Cap space is useless if you don't use it, if you're a small market that can't attract the big free agents, you gotta roll the dice on potential and hope good coaching make them grow.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:56 pm
by WillyJakkz
Great way to put it MaceCase, I'm trying to figure out the correlation between an older Joe Cool @ max and a younger James Harden @ new cba max except that they will (likely) overpaid but I don't get it.
What better option is there for the Hawks, lol like an All Star PG is just gonna pop up (keep dreaming if the reference is CP3) so just groom the guy the they DO have in Teague and get a young SG (Harden) to go w that squad. Sign a vet C or draft a youngster to go next to Al, pretty simple decision imo.
A core of J Smoove Harden Horford is absolutely insane, nice group that's still young (Al & Josh) w/ room to improve, perimeter defense would be incredible and w/ the right post player next to Horford (strictly defensive C) and that Hawks team is instantly dangerous.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:41 pm
by Chronz
MaceCase wrote:Buckeyevstworld wrote:So you want another potential Joe Johnson?
Well Joe Johnson had nowhere near the same stats in Phoenix that Harden is putting up now in OKC (unless you really want to omit that it took him 40 minutes a night to compile them) so the theory would be that if Joe was able to transition to primary option then Harden would do so also..... but be better at it.
Also, Joe Johnson at 24 being owed 70 million (won't get into the picks and players that it also cost the Hawks) was a
great investment as opposed to Joe Johnson at 31 still being owed 90 million......
I really don't know why people always make this comparison without thinking it through? Are they at the same side of their careers? Do people not get that a "Max" salary is not just one specific dollar amount for every player?
BINGO
JJ came as a youngster (Somewhat) to a team that had no core in place. By the time they had a decent group, he was older, WAY overpaid and the team was limited. This time, the Hawks have a solid core except at the swing positions and could use a player like Harden who is entering his prime and considering the dearth of SG's, should give his team more of a positional boost than JJ could in his day.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:51 pm
by sunskerr
I have a feeling OKC is just going to suck it up, match him and pay the ungodly amount of luxury tax.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:01 am
by Mamba Mentality
I still think Harden isn't worth a max contract, atleast not for the Thunder. No point when you already have a franchise player and budding superstar.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:30 am
by Bandwagon1
Bad move for ATL. He would just be getting overpaid. Plus dude cant even drive to his right, and finish with his right hand, still a good player but gotta be GREAT!
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:45 am
by Dr Positivity
If they could get him it'd be a great move, but I have a hard time seeing James picking ATL over a multitude of other suitors... Not to mention that OKC isn't going to let Harden go for no assets. The move would have to something like Harden S&T for Horford, which makes it a slightly Harder (pun intended) decision
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 2:30 am
by WillyJakkz
^ Ok, so Atlanta and Danny Ferry just rolls over and says "Sure, we'll trade you Al Horford for Harden, anything else you'd like Mr. Presti.... foot rub, massage, more KY for my bunghole?"
Or they could just say "We'll just flat out sign the guy and frontload the hell outta his contract and see if you wanna match it."
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:07 am
by MaceCase
Bandwagon1 wrote:Bad move for ATL. He would just be getting overpaid. Plus dude cant even drive to his right, and finish with his right hand, still a good player but gotta be GREAT!
Would you consider Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez great? Because they are two recent RFA's that were recipients of a max contract.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:11 am
by Mamba Mentality
MaceCase wrote:Bandwagon1 wrote:Bad move for ATL. He would just be getting overpaid. Plus dude cant even drive to his right, and finish with his right hand, still a good player but gotta be GREAT!
Would you consider Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez great? Because they are two recent RFA's that were recipients of a max contract.
Solid big men are a dime in a dozen.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:15 am
by C-izMe
Buckeyevstworld wrote:So you want another potential Joe Johnson?
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Re: 2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:15 am
by MaceCase
Simba248 wrote:MaceCase wrote:Bandwagon1 wrote:Bad move for ATL. He would just be getting overpaid. Plus dude cant even drive to his right, and finish with his right hand, still a good player but gotta be GREAT!
Would you consider Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez great? Because they are two recent RFA's that were recipients of a max contract.
Solid big men are a dime in a dozen.
The same goes for dynamic shooting guards above the height of 6'2".
2013: The Atlanta Hawks Should Sign James Harden
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:17 am
by CKRT
WillyJakkz wrote:^ Ok, so Atlanta and Danny Ferry just rolls over and says "Sure, we'll trade you Al Horford for Harden, anything else you'd like Mr. Presti.... foot rub, massage, more KY for my bunghole?"
Or they could just say "We'll just flat out sign the guy and frontload the hell outta his contract and see if you wanna match it."
You can only frontload a contract if you have cap space to support it. What's ATL's free cap space next year?