James Harden trade and the Lakers post-Howard trade

[bbms]

Does anybody here thinks Harden's trade has to do with Lakers new player Howard? Everybody knows Howard is one of the best rim protectors and pick and roll defenders in this league. Does anybody thinks Presti felt that Harden pick and roll game wouldn't be as effective against this new formed Lakers and opted to a Martin/Lamb type of SG and play even more as a jumpshooting team?

I think it's a reasonable from this point of view. I still don't agree with choosing Harden over Ibaka, but flipping Harden for Martin/Lamb fits on a strategic point of view, specifically against the Lakers.

[TMIMITW]

This move had more to do with not crippling the franchise. If Ibaka has grown offensively then OKC have there big three. You gained draft picks that could be used to build the two other positions that is lackin... Center/SG. Or better yet increase you bench for less money. Business wise this is a great move, I dont thinkit had anything to do with Dwight.

[OlDirtMcBert]

This move had more to do with not crippling the franchise. If Ibaka has grown offensively then OKC have there big three. You gained draft picks that could be used to build the two other positions that is lackin... Center/SG. Or better yet increase you bench for less money. Business wise this is a great move, I dont thinkit had anything to do with Dwight.

I live in OKC and watch this team a lot, that being said, I think Presti made his first serious mistake of his career. Here's why: Harden was calm, mature, savvy, and unselfish. He was the only Playmaker on the team, he was insanely efficient, and he makes other players better. Westbrook is spastic, wreckless, and overly emotional/lacks-composure. Ibaka has only played basketball now for 7 or 8 years, and while his ceiling might be as high as anyone's in the NBA, he's also a low-IQ player and makes terrible mistakes, just like Westbrook. Why not trade Westbrook or Ibaka? Presti traded the wrong guy. Harden makes other players around him better, which is something Westbrook and Durant simply don't do.

[AAAAA1]

This move had more to do with not crippling the franchise. If Ibaka has grown offensively then OKC have there big three. You gained draft picks that could be used to build the two other positions that is lackin... Center/SG. Or better yet increase you bench for less money. Business wise this is a great move, I dont thinkit had anything to do with Dwight.

I live in OKC and watch this team a lot, that being said, I think Presti made his first serious mistake of his career. Here's why: Harden was calm, mature, savvy, and unselfish. He was the only Playmaker on the team, he was insanely efficient, and he makes other players better. Westbrook is spastic, wreckless, and overly emotional/lacks-composure. Ibaka has only played basketball now for 7 or 8 years, and while his ceiling might be as high as anyone's in the NBA, he's also a low-IQ player and makes terrible mistakes, just like Westbrook. Why not trade Westbrook or Ibaka? Presti traded the wrong guy. Harden makes other players around him better, which is something Westbrook and Durant simply don't do.

I agree, trade Westbrook for some great bench player's and have Harden start at the point where he is very effective. Could have gotten some great assets for Westbrook and probably more than what they got for Harden.

[wizkid27]

I don't see starting Harden at point a realistic decision on either end of the floor. On offense, he would be great in some areas, but despite some of his pick and roll abilities, I really never felt like he was great at running the team. On defense, he would be completely over-matched by quicker players every single night.

[XtotheDeezy]

I don't see starting Harden at point a realistic decision on either end of the floor. On offense, he would be great in some areas, but despite some of his pick and roll abilities, I really never felt like he was great at running the team. On defense, he would be completely over-matched by quicker players every single night.

Your retirement has made you senile, my friend. Harden is stronger than most of the players he would be guarding and has quick hands. I agree that he's a bit overrated in terms of being able to run a team, but I feel that over time he would improve in that aspect and even then his current playmaking abilities outmatch anyone else that the Thunder have.

I don't know what Presti is thinking, but he felt this was the right move. Maybe he wants Ibaka to have more ball handling duties so he can develop him as a Point Forward.

[knowler]

I think it had nothing to do with Howard's trade, but with money. Harden is one of the best SG's in the recent drafts, so trading him for some prospects and Martin doesn't sound reasonable. The Thunder aren't the better team right now, which is contrary to your theory; especially when you take Lakers' core age into account.