Originally Posted by slizza420

This reminds me of when ATL gave Joe Johnson that gigantic contract. That was a mistake too BTW.

wrong joe johnson moment. more like when they originally got him from the suns, which was not a mistake

 

Originally Posted by RoyalCrusher

if okc wanted more flexibility they couldve amnestied perk who sucks and is making $9mil a year the next 3 years. as it is people are saying they won this deal because they got an expiring contract and some picks so down the road they could....hit the jackpot and get a great young player like harden?

wrong

it's not exactly getting more "flexible" as much as it is avoiding becoming completely inflexible.

Im not going to argue in favor of Perkins over Harden.

but the idea of paying Perkins 9 million not to be on your team vs paying him to be on the team is what it is
he has value to the extent that he's their only big body in the west where they certainly will need him.
in a spot where youre one of the best teams it doesnt make sense not to look to the postseason.
and in the postsesaon, in an almost inevitable Lakers series, Perkins is very valuable.

and no. theyre not hoping to hit a jackpot.
theyre just economically assembling a team and in the long-term perspective, Harden had to go
harden has less value on Oklahoma than he does on almost any team in the league.
they would have been rational to just play the season and let him become a free agent after the season, thus getting nothing for him.

by making this trade, yes. they drop a little in their championship chances for this season.
but by making this trade, they got something in return for James Harden!
a commodity that almost would have expired worthless, they just sold for a couple quarters on the dollar.
they got jeremy lamb. a lottery pick. something that Oklahoma may struggle to acquire in any of their next 10 drafts.
they even received future picks!
finally, they received Kevin Martin, a player with a little value on the court but also with pretty decent value as a trade piece and as an expiring contract.

so Oklahoma is a winner.
and this doesnt even make Houston a loser.
Houston is also a winner.
both are big winners.
if you think anything else, youre dumb. why? because I said so

 

Originally Posted by TheWacoKidd

NBA hasn't even started yet and AMARTIN and Hughes are 1-2 in # of posts in the last 30 days... strap in, kiddos, gonna be a fun ride.

Id recommend reading, enjoying, and making money wit us

I haven't read the thread yet but I made a bet with a friend Sunday morning upon hearing of the Harden trade that Harden averages more points per game than Kobe (min 50 games). I got $50 riding on him.

My friend thinks Harden is nothing more than a #2 in the form of an Andre Iguodala or Joe Johnson. I think - along with Daryl Morey - that when given the opportunity to lead his own team, he'll be a top 10 player.

Thoughts on the bet? Also consider that Kobe shots and usage are going way down with Nash and Howard.

heck yeah. I think it's a great bet

only thing that is scary is if Kobe is like "fuck ya'll, this is my team" & proceeds to take as many shots that he did last season.

Harden is definitely beasting in Houston with their up-tempo game and with him def getting mad touches.

 

Originally Posted by Realbigfish4

Meh I think Kobe is old enough and has grown enough to realize he doesnt need to do that. He just needs to camp on the perimeter, and let Nash and Gasol run the pick and roll, while Dwight cleans up from the back side. He's career avg is 20 shots and 4 3pt attempts a game. I'll think this year he avgs 14 shots and 6 3pt attempts a game.

I do agree. I think Kobe is going to surprise people by going and being super team player.

but there's always that little Kobe deep inside him, wanting to shoot every possession.

it's going to be absolitely incredible to watch

I think I just thought of the funniest way that situation can play out.

Dwight tells them, the only way he'll resign is if they amnesty Kobe.
preferibly, in a "decision"-esque press conference.

I don't think there is any chance Howard leaves LA. It will certainly be a major topic of discussion throughout the season but I just don't see any way he leaves LA.

 

Originally Posted by zeppelinzoso16

He is not a very good 3pt shooter so hopefully not 6 3's if I'm a Lakers fan. He already shoots waaaay too many as is.

He'll get 2 or 3 open looks a game if he allows Nash to do his thing. Career he's 33% from behind the arc, this year he shots 39% from there imo.

Way to go out on a limb Hughes

 

Originally Posted by zeppelinzoso16

Way to go out on a limb Hughes

blow me, snitch.

 

Originally Posted by Realbigfish4

I'll think this year he avgs 14 shots and 6 3pt attempts a game.

Right... I think he puts up 14, no chance I hit that on the nose. Thus, if I was to bet on that number I'd take the over.

I would like to see Nash get a ring but not with the Lakers

 

Originally Posted by Hughes4

Im going to go out and say 18.07

Was just thinking I wouldnt take the under till 18.5. Just to much a chance Kobe goes Kobe and just starts heaving it up, plus the games he takes over late.