Klay is a good player and his overall defensive value gives him a huge boost but you can build a team around Harden. you can't do that with Klay.
NBA Thread
- Thread starter zitothebrave
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Klay is a good player and his overall defensive value gives him a huge boost but you can build a team around Harden. you can't do that with Klay.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
It didn't and it still doesn't.....the Thunder would have at least one ring if they didn't make that trade.
Again, nobody knew what the cap was going to be and if the Thunder didn't have freak injuries I firmly believe they would have a ring. So the plan was that the team would still be really damn good (it was) and also have assets in the future to build a better more well rounded team.
I do agree the Thunder probably win a ring by now with Harden but thats only because RW doesn't get hurt and who knows if Ibaka does either. Even you have to admit that the Thunder have been hit with some bad injury luck the previous two years.
I don't agree based on what I see when I watch the two play. Klay is also used as a primary defender on the opposing teams better offensive players while Harden is still hidden in Houstons defensive schemes.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
You realize having another MVP besides KD would help offset a RW or Ibaka injury, right? Also, Ibaka has kind of stalled and hasn't taken the next step....so like I said then, Harden > Ibaka and I would have moved Ibaka over Harden.
Ibaka has tremendous value to the Thunder. Their defense is built around him. I still think that Ibaka is a better fit for the Thunder than Harden. To me thats a non-conversational piece.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
How could you possibly watch Ibaka and watch Harden in 2015 and think OKC made the right choice?
Ibaka is 26th in PER for PFs, he only has a +2 net rating.
Did I ever say that Ibaka is a better player than Harden? OKC has two dominant wing players. KD is arguably the best player in basketball. RW is at the very worst a top 10 player. Having another dominant wing would be fun but its not what hte Thunder need.
I love analytics. Can't get enough basketball content but to use those stats as a final analysis is foolhearty. Ibaka makes the Thunder defense work. The whole scheme is to funnel players to him. The Thunder need a player like Ibaka more than a player like Harden.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
Harden is a better PG than RW
I could see that argument for sure. But, you wouldn't put Harden on Steph Curry.
The Thunder wouldn't have a defense without Ibaka/Adams.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
And how many rings has that gotten you?
Not sure if they could have beaten SA either year without Ibaka. Its an interesting debate and something fun to talk about. Not saying you are wrong. I just disagree with your complete disregard to how important rim protection is in today's NBA.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
Don't disagree that it's important BUT you keep Harden and sign or trade for a guy to block shots and clear the paint.
Harden + Moz / Wright / etc > Ibaka + Lamb + Adams
Using hindsight in identifying that Moz would be a nice rim protector does not help your argument. These decisions are made in real time.
BRule
<B>BBQ Lead Hostess</B>
I'm just using guys from this year, go back and look......there's always rim protectors that get dealt for a future first in 12 years.
Not rim protectors who are close to as good as Ibaka.
Again, and when Lamb goes to a team that has a coach who knows what the heck he is doing he will succeed. Adams is going to be a damn good player and the early returns on McGary are positive (even though injuries will probably derail his career). Never get equal value but in terms of getting just lottery picks I think the Thunder have done well so far.
They tried for Beal and Thompson and were denied. This was the third option basically that we know about.
They tried for Beal and Thompson and were denied. This was the third option basically that we know about.