Welcome James Harden!

[76ciology]

I think we should CLEARLY re-sign Harden. But we need to find a way to be a very good team without Embiid and with this version of Harden.

To start.. if we have reliable shooters and a decent center, we could atleast have won a game against this Heat squad in the last two games.

Maybe winning doesn’t mean Harden has to be 1B, like I always thought so because like now Embiid’s availability is in question.

Winning might be getting a decent big and atleast 2-3 3&D forwards to play with Harden, Maxey and Tobi. So we can still be very good without Embiid.

…and if stars align that Embiid does not get hurt, then maybe we can win it all

[phillynative]

He is 1st in isos in the playoffs but at only 32% . I know he is playing against good defense and hes inserted on a team with very little shot creation from others but at what point does he adjust , his game to become more efficient. Will it take the offseason? When he first came we heard him talk about becoming a more willing catch &shoot player but he seems to turn them down still at a high rate.

[Murray_17]

He is 1st in isos in the playoffs but at only 32% . I know he is playing against good defense and hes inserted on a team with very little shot creation from others but at what point does he adjust , his game to become more efficient. Will it take the offseason? When he first came we heard him talk about becoming a more willing catch &shoot player but he seems to turn them down still at a high rate.

He's was in the 83% percentile before this series and the raptors have a great defense. Numbers in the playoffs have higher variance because the sample size and because a lot of your numbers there depend on match ups.

Problem is, the Heat can pack the paint every time Harden ISO because we're shooting beyond awful. If we were shooting a little bit better, spacing would improve for Harden too.

But yeah, sometimes it looks likehe cannot take a 3 unless he takes like 4 dribbles

[phillynative]

He is 1st in isos in the playoffs but at only 32% . I know he is playing against good defense and hes inserted on a team with very little shot creation from others but at what point does he adjust , his game to become more efficient. Will it take the offseason? When he first came we heard him talk about becoming a more willing catch &shoot player but he seems to turn them down still at a high rate.

He's was in the 83% percentile before this series and the raptors have a great defense. Numbers in the playoffs have higher variance because the sample size and because a lot of your numbers there depend on match ups.

Problem is, the Heat can pack the paint every time Harden ISO because we're shooting beyond awful. If we were shooting a little bit better, spacing would improve for Harden too.

This why I would like to see him catching and shooting a little more.

[blargh]

^

Ben Simmons and Embiid PnR possessions 4 per game 17-18

…Ben Simmons and Embiid PnR possessions 19 per game

#1 in PnR points per possessions…

More than Paul and Ayton

I really think if they get an off-season to refine it, it’s almost impossible to defend. The only thing defenses can do is try to trap Harden early, in which case Maxey has to help be the outlet.

[Ferry Avenue]

Maxey saved the team last night from Embiid's rustiness, Harris's off game, and Harden's typical wilting in the second half (2 points).

The one area where Harden showed some promise however was in easily blowing by Tyler Herro on two occasions in the fourth quarter. They need to take note of that and get Herro switched onto him late in games for the remainder of the series. Harden may be able to function far better in a closer capacity if he's defended by Herro.

[elchengue20]

Yeah trying to switch Herro on him was always talked as one of the keys to unlocking Harden's game.

[kuclas]

Harden at worst is a more athletic version of Ricky Rubio. We have always needed a real floor general and harden is as good as a true point guard as there is. Even this version of harden is still better than Ben Simmons at the point.

Simmons obviously provides much more in terms of rebounds and perimeter defense. But he’s always offensively challenged in the half court game.

I don’t know how we can structure harden contract. Give him max for 3 years. Than add in some nba finals clause like Al Horford contract to make it guaranteed for 5 years or team option after 3 years and pay him 1/2 guaranteed for year 4.

But it will be hard to find a player even of Harden diminished form in the open market.

[Embiid-MVP]

C'mon with the should we extend Harden stuff. How bout accepting who he is now not who he was 5 years ago. He's still has plenty of years (3+) being in this role. Hamstring or no hamstring he's doing a great job. I'm not really sure what you guys are expecting. He has adapted his game to a different style. He may of lost a few things but he's added a few good things.

He's giving us damn near 20+ and 8+ assist if not more without looking up everything. This is Embiids team and Harden is filling in the area perfectly might I add that we were missing.

Try praising our guys some vs the other negative stuff. Appreciate what we have

[76Shots]

double post

[76Shots]

Harden at worst is a more athletic version of Ricky Rubio. We have always needed a real floor general and harden is as good as a true point guard as there is. Even this version of harden is still better than Ben Simmons at the point.

Simmons obviously provides much more in terms of rebounds and perimeter defense. But he’s always offensively challenged in the half court game.

I don’t know how we can structure harden contract. Give him max for 3 years. Than add in some nba finals clause like Al Horford contract to make it guaranteed for 5 years or team option after 3 years and pay him 1/2 guaranteed for year 4.

But it will be hard to find a player even of Harden diminished form in the open market.

Im really interested to see Tyus Jones in a starting role. But, a Jones / Maxey backcourt may be liability on the defensive end.

[eyeatoma]

Harden at worst is a more athletic version of Ricky Rubio. We have always needed a real floor general and harden is as good as a true point guard as there is. Even this version of harden is still better than Ben Simmons at the point.

Simmons obviously provides much more in terms of rebounds and perimeter defense. But he’s always offensively challenged in the half court game.

I don’t know how we can structure harden contract. Give him max for 3 years. Than add in some nba finals clause like Al Horford contract to make it guaranteed for 5 years or team option after 3 years and pay him 1/2 guaranteed for year 4.

But it will be hard to find a player even of Harden diminished form in the open market.

Im really interested to see Tyus Jones in a starting role. But, a Jones / Maxey backcourt may be liability on the defensive end.

Um, did you really just suggest Tyus Jones instead of James Harden lol.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Tyus Jones can come off the bench for us. That'd be cool.

[76Shots]

Harden at worst is a more athletic version of Ricky Rubio. We have always needed a real floor general and harden is as good as a true point guard as there is. Even this version of harden is still better than Ben Simmons at the point.

Simmons obviously provides much more in terms of rebounds and perimeter defense. But he’s always offensively challenged in the half court game.

I don’t know how we can structure harden contract. Give him max for 3 years. Than add in some nba finals clause like Al Horford contract to make it guaranteed for 5 years or team option after 3 years and pay him 1/2 guaranteed for year 4.

But it will be hard to find a player even of Harden diminished form in the open market.

Im really interested to see Tyus Jones in a starting role. But, a Jones / Maxey backcourt may be liability on the defensive end.

Um, did you really just suggest Tyus Jones instead of James Harden lol.

Im of the mind that at this stage Harden is more name than game. And in the event that the Sixer decided not to bring him back or he decides not to come back, Tyus Jones would be a good option imo. I think a team like the Clippers would be a good sign and trade partner for Harden. Something like Kennard, Powell, Morris and a pick for Harden, Niang, and Shake. In this scenario, a lead guard like Tyus for be a great replacement. Jones is a very good player now and I think he could be even better if given a larger role.

Jones / Spinger
Maxey / Kennard / Green
Powell / Thybulle / Green
Harris / Morris / Paul
Embiid / Paul / Basey

[Jailblazers7]

I think we should CLEARLY re-sign Harden. But we need to find a way to be a very good team without Embiid and with this version of Harden.

To start.. if we have reliable shooters and a decent center, we could atleast have won a game against this Heat squad in the last two games.

Maybe winning doesn’t mean Harden has to be 1B, like I always thought so because like now Embiid’s availability is in question.

Winning might be getting a decent big and atleast 2-3 3&D forwards to play with Harden, Maxey and Tobi. So we can still be very good without Embiid.

…and if stars align that Embiid does not get hurt, then maybe we can win it all

I expect Harden to be better next year with a full & healthy offseason. But…regardless of the Harden that shows up next year the big challenge is having a serviceable defense when Embiid is off the floor. Harden can generate enough high quality shots to keep the offense afloat without him but we’re awful on defense without the big guy.

Whether we solve that through 3&D wings for a small ball lineup or find a backup C rotation that viable, that’s the problem to solve for imo.

[eyeatoma]

Im really interested to see Tyus Jones in a starting role. But, a Jones / Maxey backcourt may be liability on the defensive end.

Um, did you really just suggest Tyus Jones instead of James Harden lol.

Im of the mind that at this stage Harden is more name than game. And in the event that the Sixer decided not to bring him back or he decides not to come back, Tyus Jones would be a good option imo. I think a team like the Clippers would be a good sign and trade partner for Harden. Something like Kennard, Powell, Morris and a pick for Harden, Niang, and Shake. In this scenario, a lead guard like Tyus for be a great replacement. Jones is a very good player now and I think he could be even better if given a larger role.

Jones / Spinger
Maxey / Kennard / Green
Powell / Thybulle / Green
Harris / Morris / Paul
Embiid / Paul / Basey

Tyus Jones although a decent player is not in the same league as Harden as a passer or, free throw generator. It's really selling low on him.

Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk

[Arsenal]

The slander has gone too far. Advocating for career backup Tyus Jones over James Harden? Embarrassing.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Ok...What is a point guard worth that is averaging 18/19 a game and 9 assists? I don't even know that you can put a price on a good point guard. I guess you have to look at it as Harden has transitioned into a point guard. He's no longer a combo shooting guard that can score 50 on any given night. He's evolved his game and he's done it because he's declining physically. I really wanted to see this with Allen Iverson back in the day but instead he just straight up fell off of a cliff. Once AI lost the athletic ability basketball was over for him. Harden is losing a step for sure, but he's figured out a way to still be a very good player and he's doing it as a lead facilitator. There's not reason why Harden can't average 18/10 next year and if he does that, there shouldn't be any complaints about him. His presence on the floor, his IQ, he's literally quarterbacking this entire offense. We didn't have a point guard before him, now we do. Tyrese Maxey is going to be turned loose next year, we need to replace Danny Green or upgrade the small forward position. It's all right there for us. Oh and I can't believe we're talking about Tyus Jones paired with Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. WTF...No...If we sign Tyus Jones as a backup/sixth man then I'm fine with that, but Cmon.

[Arsenal]

There is no upgrade to Harden available. He will be back. The only question is at what terms. If he opts in that’s great. If he takes a long term deal for a discount that’s great. If he gets a long term max, not so great.

/Thread

[Mik317]

Harden has been good when Embiid is out there

Not so much when he's not

so the idea of having a guy to carry when Biid is off or out is still not in the cards....BUT its not the end of the world either. Got to simply fixed the team around him and hope they can stay afloat in those circumstances and that maxey takes the next step. We lost the two games due to our shooters being useless and our defense being toothless. Having more switchable bodies would help the latter for example. Having shooter who can attack close outs would help the former. Easier said than done of course...but that is the plan we should take. Letting Harden walk is pie in the sky **** and doesn't really help as even in his diminished state...he is still a good starter in this league.