How will History look back on the OKC Thunder

[FAH1223]

James Harden has disappeared in his last 3 playoff series including the 2012 NBA Finals.

So, people keep thinking he'd automatically vault them to winning it all

 

[Microfracture]

James Harden has disappeared in his last 3 playoff series including the 2012 NBA Finals.

So, people keep thinking he'd automatically vault them to winning it all

Yes or no did they have a better chance of going back with Harden?

 

[FTBS]

I don't see how getting rid of Harden was a terrible idea. James Harden that we see would not be the same mvp James Harden we have today. There just simply isn't enough basketballs to go around to have 3 MVP caliber ball-dominant wing players on the same team all play at a MVP level.

Their problem has been injuries, head coaching and they've just faced better coached teams and better teams in general. You Give Greg Popovich the OKC Thunder team that's healthy and they win no less than 2 rings imo.

While there is truth here the fact is they still sorely need that third scorer so bad that they took a flyer on Dion Waiters. You are right in that you probably don't want to have a team built around 3 perimeter guys, however you don't let $4mil tear a Finals team full of 22 year olds apart and they shouldn't have traded him for anything other than a post player.

 

[Roland Coltrane]

It's evident their title window has closed Russy is most likely a Laker and KD will seriously consider the Wizards or a big market team. Will they be remembered for having the GOAT consecutive draft picks (KD, Russy, Green, Harden, Ibaka, Jackson, Stevens)? Will we look back at the relocation to a much smaller market OKC as to why they couldn't keep there draft picks? Will we blame Brooks for his lack of coaching? Will it be the Injuries we talk about the most?

like the Blazers in the late 80s/early 90s

 

[FAH1223]

Yes or no did they have a better chance of going back with Harden?

Same chance.

Like I said, Harden hasn't done anything since the 2012 WCFs. And there must be a reason for that

 

[FTBS]

Yes or no did they have a better chance of going back with Harden?

Not to mention they didn't have to trade him when they did. They could have waited a year and then tried to figure it out.

 

[Microfracture]

Same chance.

Like I said, Harden hasn't done anything since the 2012 WCFs. And there must be a reason for that

No way there's the same chance. Harden went from being the 3rd option and 6th man of the year to leading a team as a starter. Expectations and role changed in a hurry. He's the reason the Thunder even made a Finals appearance in the first place so there's no reason not to keep him for at least another year.

 

[Jerz-2]

James Harden has disappeared in his last 3 playoff series including the 2012 NBA Finals.

So, people keep thinking he'd automatically vault them to winning it all

This.

 

[Microfracture]

Not to mention they didn't have to trade him when they did. They could have waited a year and then tried to figure it out.

Exactly. It was a panic reaction to a problem that wasn't even real yet.

EDIT: And if you don't make the Finals the following year, then not many people would fault them for doing a sign & trade even though its still not wise to trade him.

 

[Regular_P]

I don't see how getting rid of Harden was a terrible idea. James Harden that we see would not be the same mvp James Harden we have today. There just simply isn't enough basketballs to go around to have 3 MVP caliber ball-dominant wing players on the same team all play at a MVP level.

Their problem has been injuries, head coaching and they've just faced better coached teams and better teams in general. You Give Greg Popovich the OKC Thunder team that's healthy and they win no less than 2 rings imo.

You guys kill me with this shyt.

They're starting Andre Roberson at the 2 and you're telling me getting rid of Harden wasn't a bad idea. Obviously his numbers wouldn't be 27/7/6 like they are now, but Durant and Westbrook's numbers would be a little lower too.

This is karma for stealing the team from Seattle and another black eye to Stern.

 

[TenChambers]

Harden was the perfect complement to KD & Westbrook.

Harden by himself in the playoffs is still a "wait and see" thing though. Still, they need to make some kind of big move this year or next because they're heading to that 00s Kings territory.

 

[Microfracture]

Harden was the perfect complement to KD & Westbrook.

Harden by himself in the playoffs is still a "wait and see" thing though. Still, they need to make some kind of big move this year or next because they're heading to that 00s Kings territory.

I agree it was and is wait and see in the playoffs. It was a bit different on the Thunder though because you knew you were gonna get numbers out of KD and Russ. The Rockets are fukked if Harden has an off night in the playoffs so there's a lot more blame to take.


My fault you said by himself.

 

[HearNoEvil]

Thieves.

Hopefully karma never allows them to win shyt.

 

[tremonthustler1]

Yes or no did they have a better chance of going back with Harden?

No.

The role he played wasn't so vital one way or another to their title hopes. Had he been a big man, that's another story

 

[tremonthustler1]

You guys kill me with this shyt.

They're starting Andre Roberson at the 2 and you're telling me getting rid of Harden was a bad idea. Obviously his numbers wouldn't be 27/7/6 like they are now, but Durant and Westbrook's numbers would be a little lower too.

This is karma for stealing the team from Seattle and another black eye to Stern.

If Harden was there, Roberson would still be the starting SG.