The Thunder are why the C's aren't that far off from contending

[OsirusCeltics]

Still wish Danny had pushed harder for Harden over Green in the Perkins trade.   

Would have been fine with either one honestly
Neither of them are number 1 franchise players. But with more freedom to do more in the offense, both exploded and performed very well

[D.o.s.]

So did Kendrick Perkins really costed OKC Thunder a championship and dynasty? He was traded two years ago to Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. His salary costed them a James Harden. His production can easily be replaced by the combination of Joel Anthony and Nazr Mohamed. This is insane!

You can't just blame Perkins for that. Why did Presti pay him that much to not be able to pay Harden?

Presti's clearly not a beard guy.

[crimson_stallion]

Still wish Danny had pushed harder for Harden over Green in the Perkins trade.   

Happier with Green.

Harden just rubs me the wrong way.  No idea why, he just does.  Plus I've not been impressed with what I've seen from him in the playoffs...seems to love the regular season and choke on the big stage.

I also don't see that much potential.  Don't think he'll get much better than he was this season. He's a scorer and not much else, and he happens to be on what I still consider to be a pretty mediocre team.

[pearljammer10]

So did Kendrick Perkins really costed OKC Thunder a championship and dynasty? He was traded two years ago to Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. His salary costed them a James Harden. His production can easily be replaced by the combination of Joel Anthony and Nazr Mohamed. This is insane!

Mmm no this is.

Harden wouldnt have been able to resign with the Thunder anyway. They chose Ibaka over Harden and got the best return the could for him. And it worked out until Westbrook went down.

Perkins, again being underrated here. Perk is the perfect complimentary piece to a championship squad. A tad overpaid at this point? Sure, but his value to the team is crazy, especially a team as young as the Thunder.

The Thunder have been able to put together a great team by making trades to get lottery picks and developing them. The Celtics have made some good picks but not to the degree the Thunder have been able to.

[Rondo2287]

Still wish Danny had pushed harder for Harden over Green in the Perkins trade.   

Would have been fine with either one honestly
Neither of them are number 1 franchise players. But with more freedom to do more in the offense, both exploded and performed very well

You don't think Harden is a #1 franchise player?  I think he is one of the 5 best players in the league right now

[PhoSita]

Right, so all it takes for the Celtics to contend is Lebron to blow a knee.  Good luck.

[gpap]

Still wish Danny had pushed harder for Harden over Green in the Perkins trade.   

Happier with Green.

Harden just rubs me the wrong way.  No idea why, he just does.  Plus I've not been impressed with what I've seen from him in the playoffs...seems to love the regular season and choke on the big stage.

I also don't see that much potential.  Don't think he'll get much better than he was this season. He's a scorer and not much else, and he happens to be on what I still consider to be a pretty mediocre team.

Disagree. Harden is one of the best players in the NBA. Had Ainge been able to land him in a deal, Harden would've easily kept us a contender for another 5 years.

I think he IS that good.

As for Jeff Green, I think he's talented but in my opinion he is no way a player you can build a team around. More of a role player. Ainge should've just kept Perkins.