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10-28-2012, 01:03 AM | #91 |
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Considering there's like two days until the season starts, this is pretty much their lineup to start this year. What they do in the future is up in the air now, but they obviously won't be adding back a player that can impact the game like Harden can any time soon.
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10-28-2012, 01:06 AM | #92 |
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I respect Presti having the guts to make this decision. I'm also not surprised. I said all along I didn't think OKC would keep all 4 of their key players....cost too much both in $ and flexibility. On the other hand, I don't begrudge Harden for wanting his market value. No bad guys here IMO, and a pretty good deal for both sides. It wouldn't surprise me if we see a really nice come back year out of Kevin Martin now. He'll be re-energized, and he's a good player when healthy. Perhaps the key player now this season is Maynor.
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10-28-2012, 01:07 AM | #93 | |
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if they manage to acquire one sometime, he'd a be a very good #2...regardless, OKC made a great trade getting a lottery protected pick, another first, a proven scorer, and a promising rookie for the 3rd best player on their team
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10-28-2012, 01:11 AM | #94 | ||
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10-28-2012, 01:18 AM | #95 | |
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10-28-2012, 01:21 AM | #96 | |
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10-28-2012, 01:22 AM | #97 |
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If Harden was as good as you think OKC would have shinny rings right now. He played like complete horse shit in the finals and really only had 3 good playoff games.
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10-28-2012, 01:31 AM | #98 | |
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OKC couldn't give him the 5 year deal because Westbrook already had the 5 year max extension and you're only allowed one per the CBA.
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10-28-2012, 01:32 AM | #99 | |
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BTW, the fact that OKC started losing in the postseason when Harden started playing poorly should probably give you an inkling as to what his importance was to that team. |
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10-28-2012, 01:36 AM | #100 |
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None of this is to say that there isn't a rationale behind this deal for OKC in the salary cap era, but taking a serious step back and breaking up your core the year after reaching the NBA Finals is an odd decision to make just to get some draft picks and save some money.
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10-28-2012, 01:41 AM | #101 | |
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Harden is still only 23, very reasonable to think he improves this season with more experience. It hurt your chances this year, but it's an understandable decision IMO. |
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10-28-2012, 01:45 AM | #102 | |
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At the end of the day, I think he'll be another Joe Johnson. While good, he isn't a 5/80MM type of player.
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10-28-2012, 01:48 AM | #103 | |
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OKC is still a championship contender. Maynor is back, Kevin Martin like him or not can put up 20 a night and play no defense like Harden,, and PJ3 and Lamb have lots of potential. Oh yeah, we have KD and Russ. |
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10-28-2012, 02:00 AM | #104 |
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Nobody's saying they're bad or suddenly future-less. They're just saying they took a step back by downgrading from a significant core piece. Kevin Martin isn't even half the player that Harden is.
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10-28-2012, 07:52 AM | #105 | |
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Maynor is back and very important to this team. Harden's role last year was a backup point guard more or less. In previous seasons he was asked to be a spot up shooter a lot more. Kevin Martin will be better in that type of role. PJ3 and Lamb also provide scoring potential. I believe they may take a step back initially, but by years end they'll be pretty tough. Yes, OKC could have easily won the Finals LAST year, but the Lakers and Heat made significant moves THIS year. This roster needed to be tweaked to stay with them. It may not take effect immediately, but I'm ok with the hand they are sitting. The bottom line is I was picking a Lakers/ Heat final before and after this. |
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