2020 NBA Offseason Thread

[Sassy Squatch]

Sources: After turning down an extension offer to become the first $50M a year player in league history, James Harden’s message to Houston is clear: Get me to Brooklyn. Rockets and Nets have been in contact, but there’s been no meaningful dialogue. https://t.co/qwJOQOxz5U

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020

Houston sports are bursting into flames.

[KC_Connection]

I don't think most people have ever fully grasped how good James Harden is. With help from CP3, he almost knocked off the Durant Warriors (likely the most dominant team in NBA history) and would have done so had CP3 not gotten hurt. No other NBA team even came close to that and that was mostly because Harden is absolutely unstoppable as an offensive player.

He will win a title playing with Durant and it's going to happen whether Irving decides to give a shit or not.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Sorry, Vegas disagrees with you. All 3 of these guys have horrendously toxic personalities and there's no guarantee they won't just be at each other's throats to the point where it's unsalvageable, especially with the style of basketball they each play.

As noted above, they'll be favored by Vegas whenever Irving decides to return and becomes part of the team again.

And yes, my only hope for the future of the league (i.e. LeBron's future) is that Kyrie doesn't want to play anymore and Durant starts hating Harden's guts within a year or two. But championships tend to smooth things like that over and the Nets will almost certainly be winning one this year.

[UChieffyBugger]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

The Nets have the 6th (Harden), 10th (Durant), and 29th (Irving) ranked players in BPM in the history of the NBA since 1973-1974: https://www.basketball-reference.com...pm_career.html

Anybody who doesn't realize what this team is doesn't have a clue. Durant/Curry/Klay is the only thing even close to that trio in NBA history. There's a pretty good argument they're already the best team in the NBA even if Kyrie Irving doesn't buy in, but if he does, it's game over.

Green was the glue for KD, Curry and Klay and Green, along with Klay were great defenders..plus Iggy was too. The key to the Warriors dominance was their defensive ability aswell as their incredible shooting from range. The next no doubt have the shooting..but the defense? Nah I don't see it at all. Who is gonna defend Embiid or Giannis? Kd?

[Red Dawg]

Nets have title or failure like Brady. Anything less is a fail.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

As noted above, they'll be favored by Vegas whenever Irving decides to return and becomes part of the team again.

And yes, my only hope for the future of the league (i.e. LeBron's future) is that Kyrie doesn't want to play anymore and Durant starts hating Harden's guts within a year or two. But championships tend to smooth things like that over and the Nets will almost certainly be winning one this year.

This year? I doubt it.

These things take awhile to get going. Plus. The lakers are ****ing good.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

This year? I doubt it.

These things take awhile to get going. Plus. The lakers are ****ing good.

See above regarding the Nets having the 6th (Harden), 10th (Durant), and 29th (Irving) ranked players in BPM in the history of the NBA since 1973-1974: https://www.basketball-reference.com...pm_career.html

I'll take my chances with that over 36 year old LeBron, AD, and some scrubs.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I don't think most people have ever fully grasped how good James Harden is. With help from CP3, he almost knocked off the Durant Warriors (likely the most dominant team in NBA history) and would have done so had CP3 not gotten hurt. No other NBA team even came close to that and that was mostly because Harden is absolutely unstoppable as an offensive player.

He will win a title playing with Durant and it's going to happen whether Irving decides to give a shit or not.

We'll have to wait and see how things play out. Irving is a weirdo who didn't want to play w LeBron because he wanted the spotlight, Durant seems like a good teammate but Harden clearly is a dick who knows if he gets along w Irving.

Harden also already did play w Durant and Westbrook and they didn't win shit. Yes he has gotten much better since then but we will see how he plays w Irving. Harden is a a ballhog who doesnt play D. Great scorer yes and unstoppable at times but defense still matters in this league and they have no bench.

Who knows if Durant stays healthy. Lots of question marks there. Either way league is becoming a joke w all these players constantly leaving. Getting a little ridiculous..

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

We'll have to wait and see how things play out. Irving is a weirdo who didn't want to play w LeBron because he wanted the spotlight, Durant seems like a good teammate but Harden clearly is a dick who knows if he gets along w Irving.

Harden also already did play e Durant and Westbrook and they didn't win shit. Yes he has gotten much better since then but we will see how he plays w Irving. Harden is a a ballhog who doesnt play D. Great scorer yes and unstoppable at times but defense still matters in this league and they have no bench.

I mean, they were in the Finals as kids. They may not have won the title, but they were REALLY freaking good prior to Presti ****ting the bed.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

We'll have to wait and see how things play out. Irving is a weirdo who didn't want to play w LeBron because he wanted the spotlight, Durant seems like a good teammate but Harden clearly is a dick who knows if he gets along w Irving.

Harden also already did play w Durant and Westbrook and they didn't win shit. Yes he has gotten much better since then but we will see how he plays w Irving. Harden is a a ballhog who doesnt play D. Great scorer yes and unstoppable at times but defense still matters in this league and they have no bench.

Who knows if Durant stays healthy. Lots of question marks there. Either way league is becoming a joke w all these players constantly leaving. Getting a little ridiculous..

It took a LeBron at the peak of his powers with Wade still playing at a high level to knock off Harden/Durant/Westbrook and none of those three had reached their own peaks yet.

The Nets are ridiculously good right now.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

See above regarding the Nets having the 6th (Harden), 10th (Durant), and 29th (Irving) ranked players in BPM in the history of the NBA since 1973-1974: https://www.basketball-reference.com...pm_career.html

I'll take my chances with that over 36 year old LeBron, AD, and some scrubs.

Yeah, I'm not.

I hadn't followed the Kyrie thing. That dude might actually be crazy. I also didn't follow the Harden thing really closely and how he absolutely quit...and you know that he gained weight...THIS WEEK.

FWIW, I listened to the Russillo podcast about it today. It's a good listen. I'd recommend it. He had on Bill Simmons and Jackie McMullen (Who I normally don't like but she was really good today.

None of those guys thought it would work. I mean, it can work, but there is a lot of stuff that has to go right, and frankly, probably won't.

The big thing is personalities, which we've been over, although one thing I haven't seen mentioned is Harden has been THE ONLY GUY taking shots in crunch time for 8 years. That's a tough game to break.

What I didn't realize, is that Durant, to date, has almost the same usage rate as Kyrie, who's is ridiculously high, but both are less than historic Harden.

They're productive, but they can't all be historically productive together, because, well, there is a time limit.

Again, it CAN go right, but a lot has to go right.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Yeah, I'm not.

I hadn't followed the Kyrie thing. That dude might actually be crazy. I also didn't follow the Harden thing really closely and how he absolutely quit...and you know that he gained weight...THIS WEEK.

FWIW, I listened to the Russillo podcast about it today. It's a good listen. I'd recommend it. He had on Bill Simmons and Jackie McMullen (Who I normally don't like but she was really good today.

None of those guys thought it would work. I mean, it can work, but there is a lot of stuff that has to go right, and frankly, probably won't.

The big thing is personalities, which we've been over, although one thing I haven't seen mentioned is Harden has been THE ONLY GUY taking shots in crunch time for 8 years. That's a tough game to break.

What I didn't realize, is that Durant, to date, has almost the same usage rate as Kyrie, who's is ridiculously high, but both are less than historic Harden.

They're productive, but they can't all be historically productive together, because, well, there is a time limit.

Again, it CAN go right, but a lot has to go right.

Simmons and Russilo are Celtics fans who have an emotional vested interest in it not working out. Their opinion would be different had the Celtics traded Jaylen Brown for him, I can assure you.

Harden will be back and posting his ridiculous 40 point triple double lines on high efficiency within the month. He already showed he could do that earlier this month while 25 pounds overweight and he was trying to get traded. He will have to cut the usage down a bit but he’s got a likely top 10 player in NBA history Kevin Durant on his team to carry the load.

The only real concern with that team for me is Kyrie’s mental state. I’m not convinced he cares at all about basketball anymore and that probably won’t change regardless of any Harden trade. If he plays, though, that team is essentially unstoppable offensively.

[BigCatDaddy]

It wouldn't be an NBA thread if KCC didn't paint Lebron has an underdog and sets him up to where no matter what he can't fail.

[Sassy Squatch]

Yarp.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

It wouldn't be an NBA thread if KCC didn't paint Lebron has an underdog and sets him up to where no matter what he can't fail.

You surprised?

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

You surprised?

No. I could have typed up his take verbatim before he did.