are very near the all-time leader board in terms of skills/eye-hand coordination, as opposed to length, jumping ability and even quickness.
Maybe Larry Bird was up at this level, but not many others. Earlier players didn't have or have to contend with this level of skills. It was a slower game, with less overall athleticism.
numbers? Not that combo of Pts, Assists, Boards and shooting percentage (especially from 3). And two of the 3 losses were @OKC and @SA. Two of the top few teams in the league.
RE: what fools the Thunder were to basically give him away
that's why I won't feel sorry for that franchise when Durant leaves. Pennywise, pound foolish.
They didn't give him away. They tried to sign him long term and couldn't so they got what they could for him. Better than just losing him to FA.
They tried to get him to sign a lowball contract 4/52 after his third year. Obviously, a guy with his talent was not going to sign that. They did not want to give him a max deal because they are cheap. That team could have won multiple championships and more than recouped the extra money it would have taken to max out Harden.
Then they compounded their cheapness with stupidity by trading him for a one-dimensional player like Kevin Martin, who left anyway. Just a total shitshow on the Thunder's part.
were lamb and the pick (ended up adams i think) not Martin. Martin was supposed to just be a vet fill in kind of thing. They never expected him to stay long.
that half that list has never had a 5 game streatch where they averaged over 8 assists a game. And while they are solid shooters bosh, love, and davis are not going to hit 15/32 threes in a 5 game stretch. I get its only 5 games but the combo of skills it what makes it so impressive. I agree Curry, westbrook (although a crap 3 pt shooter), durant, James could prolly do it for a 5 game stretch.
RE: RE: RE: what fools the Thunder were to basically give him away
that's why I won't feel sorry for that franchise when Durant leaves. Pennywise, pound foolish.
They didn't give him away. They tried to sign him long term and couldn't so they got what they could for him. Better than just losing him to FA.
They tried to get him to sign a lowball contract 4/52 after his third year. Obviously, a guy with his talent was not going to sign that. They did not want to give him a max deal because they are cheap. That team could have won multiple championships and more than recouped the extra money it would have taken to max out Harden.
Then they compounded their cheapness with stupidity by trading him for a one-dimensional player like Kevin Martin, who left anyway. Just a total shitshow on the Thunder's part.
That was all they could afford with the contracts they gave Durant and Westbrook. How many teams do you know that have 3 max deals. They did what they could.
I forgot about Kanter. he should be starting anyways. but he is massively overpaid.
My thoughts are that Billy is limiting his minutes so teams expect it less in the playoffs. His defense isn't as awful as it was last year by the metrics and he's top 10 in the league in efficiency and rebounding rate, and what his deal will be worth next year will be market value or even a bargain. How it affects the signings of Westbrook and KD, is another story.
Adams has been great as well so there's just reason they split center minutes between those 2. But with how rangy Kanter is, I don't see how you stop a KD, Westbrook, Kanter and Ibaka lineup. That may very be one of the bea offensive lineups in recent years.
Maybe Larry Bird was up at this level, but not many others. Earlier players didn't have or have to contend with this level of skills. It was a slower game, with less overall athleticism.
These two are just amazing in that regard.
And been watching the top 2 all year has done nothing to change my mind.
They didn't give him away. They tried to sign him long term and couldn't so they got what they could for him. Better than just losing him to FA.
Agreed. Great player, but the way he plays the game is disgusting.
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that's why I won't feel sorry for that franchise when Durant leaves. Pennywise, pound foolish.
They didn't give him away. They tried to sign him long term and couldn't so they got what they could for him. Better than just losing him to FA.
They tried to get him to sign a lowball contract 4/52 after his third year. Obviously, a guy with his talent was not going to sign that. They did not want to give him a max deal because they are cheap. That team could have won multiple championships and more than recouped the extra money it would have taken to max out Harden.
Then they compounded their cheapness with stupidity by trading him for a one-dimensional player like Kevin Martin, who left anyway. Just a total shitshow on the Thunder's part.
Westbrook
Lebron
Melo
Wade
Paul George
Kevin Love
Kawai Leonard
Bosh
A Davis
Plus a few others can do that within FIVE GAMES. Just FIVE GAMES.
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In comment 12799016 Vanzetti said:
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that's why I won't feel sorry for that franchise when Durant leaves. Pennywise, pound foolish.
They didn't give him away. They tried to sign him long term and couldn't so they got what they could for him. Better than just losing him to FA.
They tried to get him to sign a lowball contract 4/52 after his third year. Obviously, a guy with his talent was not going to sign that. They did not want to give him a max deal because they are cheap. That team could have won multiple championships and more than recouped the extra money it would have taken to max out Harden.
Then they compounded their cheapness with stupidity by trading him for a one-dimensional player like Kevin Martin, who left anyway. Just a total shitshow on the Thunder's part.
That was all they could afford with the contracts they gave Durant and Westbrook. How many teams do you know that have 3 max deals. They did what they could.
Holy shit. We have found common ground. Lets have a beer to finally agreeing on something.
well they're paying a guy who doesn't even start max money right now...
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would you pay max for a 3rd wheel?
well they're paying a guy who doesn't even start max money right now...
?
2. LeBron
3. Kawhi
4. Westbrook
5. Durant
6. Draymond
That's the Top 6 this year. Harden is someone I could rank anywhere from 7th-12th with a handful of other guys.
Butler vs. Harden this year, I think Harden is the better player but Butler is more complete so I think it's been a toss-up this year.
Really disappointing season from Anthony Davis who is outside the Top 10 this year.
Cousins is super talented but not that close to the Top 5/6 this year. He's a better fantasy player than reality player.
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In comment 12799108 dep026 said:
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would you pay max for a 3rd wheel?
well they're paying a guy who doesn't even start max money right now...
?
wait, you really don't know who I'm referring to?
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In comment 12799132 Enzo said:
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In comment 12799108 dep026 said:
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would you pay max for a 3rd wheel?
well they're paying a guy who doesn't even start max money right now...
?
wait, you really don't know who I'm referring to?
If you are referring to OKC, I really don't know... haha
if you mean houston, I would assume it's josh smith? ty Lawson?
My thoughts are that Billy is limiting his minutes so teams expect it less in the playoffs. His defense isn't as awful as it was last year by the metrics and he's top 10 in the league in efficiency and rebounding rate, and what his deal will be worth next year will be market value or even a bargain. How it affects the signings of Westbrook and KD, is another story.
Adams has been great as well so there's just reason they split center minutes between those 2. But with how rangy Kanter is, I don't see how you stop a KD, Westbrook, Kanter and Ibaka lineup. That may very be one of the bea offensive lineups in recent years.
That'd be...wow.