Quick question: Can harden play pg full time?

[Leolovinliberal]

Hey guys,
Raps fan here. Just curious, and please don't kill me if my idea offends you, just throwing this out there. First of all, can JH run the point full time? If so, would you entertain the idea of Barganani, Barbosa and Calderon for Harden, #20 and Mullens? Bottom line, we need to acquire good young talent, and you guys are already set, just need some tweaking, i.e front court scoring, bench scoring and a steady pg to feed the go to guys.

Bargnani averaged 21 ppg last season, and would be an ideal compliment to Perk and Ibaka, since he doesn't do much else, but does stretch the court, and they play down low and bang, which he doesn't do. Calderon was 3rd in the NBA in apg last year, and Barbosa is 12-15 ppg off of the bench, or even more as a starter. You could also play JC at the point, and move Westbrook to the 2 guard for stretches. A front court rotation of Perk, Ibaka, Bargs and Collison is fantastic.

For us, a young dynamic back court of Harden (again, provided that he can play pg) and Derozen would be a fantastic building block with Ed Davis, Amir Johnson, Bayless, James Johnson and our lottery pick this year.

Anyway, thanks for your time. I was in OKC a few months ago on business and the people were rerally nice; that Devon Tower is gorgeous as well. Was pulling for you guys over Dallas. Thanks again

[BadWolf]

no

[fallacy]

We're not trading Harden.

I guess Harden could run point for another team, but ideally he isn't a real PG. He's more of a Kobe than he is a Nash, if that makes any sense.

[Earl Sweatshirt]

We're not trading Harden.

I guess Harden could run point for another team, but ideally he isn't a real PG. He's more of a Kobe than he is a Nash, if that makes any sense.

It doesn't. I wouldn't say either comparison is appropriate. But I do believe Harden could run the 1 full time.

[slick_watts]

My biggest concern with James Harden playing PG full time is him defending other PG's.

[jwilliamson23]

He seems like a nice guy and was just asking, ease up. I don't think james could play full time point. I believe he is more effective in being the SG and running the offense, with a guy like Rusell, or a shooter at the PG, He's not a long term option at the PG, no. and We wouldn't do that trade anyway. James is almost as untradeable as Kevin is right now. almost.

[IanChang]

Harden playing PG is a waste of his talent IMO.

After this season, I see the potential of Harden being the best SG after D-Wade.

[miltk]

he's a 2 who sees the floor well. did it nicely in the mav games, but remember, he wasn't being guarded like a pg, and he was an option to westy. a 2 who sees the floor is a nice bonus.

personally, i think westy + harden playing both pg and sg at the same time, ie creating an unguardable dynamic is awesome. defenses are set up to guard ONE pg and ONE sg. RW/JH playing both at the same time can create a lot of confusion.

but westy has the potential to be a great defensive pg. he has to channel his inner UCLA days when he was pac10 DPOY.

[Drehova]

No he can't . Stop Russ will be playing the point for the next couple of years get used to it. He's a 22 year old All Star /All NBA 2nd Teamer he's done nothing but get better every year and he was our best player when KD got off to another slow start.

I love Harden always have (check my old post) he's a 2 with great court vision nothing more nothing less. And he would be terrible trying to defend pg's . Old ass Jason Terry kept taking him to the rack.

[Ron Harper]

As a Bulls fan who really only got into OKC doing the postseason....I thought your squad was playing its best ball with Harden at the PG in the playoffs.

Harden gets the offense going early and he has a nice pace to his game. Steady but always moving north and south.

I like Westbrook and Durant off the ball too. All those guys need is a half of step and they are scoring. Harden gets them moving a little bit more towards the basket.

And visually, your offense just looks better with Harden at the PG. Everything is spaced and crisp.

I actually came to the Thunder forum looking to see if there was any trade talk involving Harden.

[Ron Harper]

No he can't . Stop Russ will be playing the point for the next couple of years get used to it. He's a 22 year old All Star /All NBA 2nd Teamer he's done nothing but get better every year and he was our best player when KD got off to another slow start.

I love Harden always have (check my old post) he's a 2 with great court vision nothing more nothing less. And he would be terrible trying to defend pg's . Old ass Jason Terry kept taking him to the rack.

I don't understand. I would assume Westbrook would still be on the floor if Harden was the PG. Basic defensive assignments wouldn't change.

[dream_catcher_9]

As a Bulls fan who really only got into OKC doing the postseason....I thought your squad was playing its best ball with Harden at the PG in the playoffs.

Harden gets the offense going early and he has a nice pace to his game. Steady but always moving north and south.

I like Westbrook and Durant off the ball too. All those guys need is a half of step and they are scoring. Harden gets them moving a little bit more towards the basket.

And visually, your offense just looks better with Harden at the PG. Everything is spaced and crisp.

I actually came to the Thunder forum looking to see if there was any trade talk involving Harden.

I think if all goes to plan, Westbrook and Harden will look similar to what the Spurs did in the 2000's. Parker and Ginobili sharing the ball, and taking turns going at the defense. Both different type of styles but both effective. Harden may not have Ginobili's shot creation skills but he is close, and I think he will end up logging more minutes per game.

The real interesting question is what is Durant going to become down the road? Do we want him taking the ball from those 2 guys and going ISO? or do we want him doing everything on off-ball stuff and posting up?

[Devilanche]

Off ball stuff and post up definitely.