James Harden Holding Out

[Who]

I don't see Harden as a good fit with the Celtics.  We are a motion, passing team with multiple wings and no real offensive big. 

I would love to see adapt his game to fitting an offense like the Celtics. I truly believe he would be much more of a winner playing closer to a Ginobili type offensive role (25-5-5 type) than this everything must revolve around me style of play (35-10-8).

I cannot see him making that change. Too much individual success playing in a stat-hunter setup in Houston. Hard to lose those bad habits.

Best hope is to get Harden down to more of a 30-8-6 type mode. You could still build a team with good balance with that. Different to the Celtics current setup but workable.

[Ogaju]

Harden represents the Celtics best possible chance to win in the next two years. You have to trade for him because you need a legit superstar to win in this league and he will attract ring chasing vets to the Cs. It is either that or you wait for the Jays to develop.

What ring chasing vets did Harden attract to Houston?

CP3.....Howard Westbrook....none of these guys demurred when given a chance to join Harden. Cs, are actually much further along the road to a championship than Houston so he will attract more vets.

[Ogaju]

I don't see Harden as a good fit with the Celtics.  We are a motion, passing team with multiple wings and no real offensive big. 

I would love to see adapt his game to fitting an offense like the Celtics. I truly believe he would be much more of a winner playing closer to a Ginobili type offensive role (25-5-5 type) than this everything must revolve around me style of play (35-10-8).

I cannot see him making that change. Too much individual success playing in a stat-hunter setup in Houston. Hard to lose those bad habits.

Best hope is to get Harden down to more of a 30-8-6 type mode. You could still build a team with good balance with that. Different to the Celtics current setup but workable.

Absolutely workable! This idea that Harden can only play the way he has played in Houston is a bad rap. He is a professional basketball player with transcendent  skills he can adapt to a different system. Too bad he does not want to play in Boston would be the perfect piece to put the Cs over the top.

[johnnygreen]

Harden represents the Celtics best possible chance to win in the next two years. You have to trade for him because you need a legit superstar to win in this league and he will attract ring chasing vets to the Cs. It is either that or you wait for the Jays to develop.

What ring chasing vets did Harden attract to Houston?

CP3.....Howard Westbrook....none of these guys demurred when given a chance to join Harden. Cs, are actually much further along the road to a championship than Houston so he will attract more vets.

I don't think CP3 and Westbrook count in the ring chaser vet category, as they were both acquired via trade. So in 8 seasons in Houston, Harden has only attracted Dwight Howard.

I'm no longer opposed to trading for Harden, as I don't think the Celtics can win a title if Jaylen Brown is their second best player. I just don't think Harden attracts other big name free agents.

[Ogaju]

Harden represents the Celtics best possible chance to win in the next two years. You have to trade for him because you need a legit superstar to win in this league and he will attract ring chasing vets to the Cs. It is either that or you wait for the Jays to develop.

What ring chasing vets did Harden attract to Houston?

CP3.....Howard Westbrook....none of these guys demurred when given a chance to join Harden. Cs, are actually much further along the road to a championship than Houston so he will attract more vets.

I don't think CP3 and Westbrook count in the ring chaser vet category, as they were both acquired via trade. So in 8 seasons in Houston, Harden has only attracted Dwight Howard.

I'm no longer opposed to trading for Harden, as I don't think the Celtics can win a title if Jaylen Brown is their second best player. I just don't think Harden attracts other big name free agents.

fair enough but he does not alienate them either... so there is no reputation that other players do not want to play with him.

[RPGenerate]

Harden represents the Celtics best possible chance to win in the next two years. You have to trade for him because you need a legit superstar to win in this league and he will attract ring chasing vets to the Cs. It is either that or you wait for the Jays to develop.

What ring chasing vets did Harden attract to Houston?

CP3.....Howard Westbrook....none of these guys demurred when given a chance to join Harden. Cs, are actually much further along the road to a championship than Houston so he will attract more vets.

I don't think CP3 and Westbrook count in the ring chaser vet category, as they were both acquired via trade. So in 8 seasons in Houston, Harden has only attracted Dwight Howard.

I'm no longer opposed to trading for Harden, as I don't think the Celtics can win a title if Jaylen Brown is their second best player. I just don't think Harden attracts other big name free agents.

fair enough but he does not alienate them either... so there is no reputation that other players do not want to play with him.

Um... but that's exactly what he did with CP3? He ran him out of town and demanded that they trade him for Westbrook... who he also got tired of after a season.

[CelticsElite]

The extent of James Harden's power he has long held with the Houston Rockets has come to light during his efforts to orchestrate a trade.

"James Harden has had the right to say who comes and goes in Houston for essentially the whole time he's [been] there," said Tim MacMahon on the Brian Windhorst podcast. "He wanted Dwight Howard and then he wanted Dwight Howard gone. Chris Paul, then Chris Paul gone. Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook gone. He wanted Kevin McHale out and McHale was gone. We can go on down the list.

"Like a lot of superstars, he had the right to say what the travel schedule was going to be. He determined the practice schedule. Got a couple days off, 'Well, James wants to go to Vegas, so you're not going to practice that day.'

"Coming back from the All-Star break, first practice is voluntary because 'James needs to go cool his heels a little bit in Vegas.'

"The first time the Rockets ever told James Harden no was 'No, we're not going to send you to Brooklyn when we don't like the potential trade.'"

Harden reported to training camp with the Rockets several days late after making a pair of much-publicized stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

"Their culture is whatever whim he had, that's what their culture was based on," added MacMahon." I was talking to a former Rockets staffer yesterday and he said quote, 'Yeah, he's going to act up, he's never heard 'no' before.'"



Anyone still want this guy?

[Somebody]

The extent of James Harden's power he has long held with the Houston Rockets has come to light during his efforts to orchestrate a trade.

"James Harden has had the right to say who comes and goes in Houston for essentially the whole time he's [been] there," said Tim MacMahon on the Brian Windhorst podcast. "He wanted Dwight Howard and then he wanted Dwight Howard gone. Chris Paul, then Chris Paul gone. Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook gone. He wanted Kevin McHale out and McHale was gone. We can go on down the list.

"Like a lot of superstars, he had the right to say what the travel schedule was going to be. He determined the practice schedule. Got a couple days off, 'Well, James wants to go to Vegas, so you're not going to practice that day.'

"Coming back from the All-Star break, first practice is voluntary because 'James needs to go cool his heels a little bit in Vegas.'

"The first time the Rockets ever told James Harden no was 'No, we're not going to send you to Brooklyn when we don't like the potential trade.'"

Harden reported to training camp with the Rockets several days late after making a pair of much-publicized stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

"Their culture is whatever whim he had, that's what their culture was based on," added MacMahon." I was talking to a former Rockets staffer yesterday and he said quote, 'Yeah, he's going to act up, he's never heard 'no' before.'"



Anyone still want this guy?

That's on the Rockets for spoiling him, he was fine in OKC. Definitely want him assuming that he wants to join a contender with a clear structure that he'll have to buy into.

[gift]

I think it would be funny if the Nets traded Kyrie for Harden.

[RJ87]

I think it would be funny if the Nets traded Kyrie for Harden.

I want it to happen just for the drama. Kyrie would probably retire.

[BruceBanner18]

Assuming his list of 4 teams is accurate and the 76ers and Heat are offering Simmons and Herro, respectively, if you're Houston which player do you want?

[tazzmaniac]

The extent of James Harden's power he has long held with the Houston Rockets has come to light during his efforts to orchestrate a trade.

"James Harden has had the right to say who comes and goes in Houston for essentially the whole time he's [been] there," said Tim MacMahon on the Brian Windhorst podcast. "He wanted Dwight Howard and then he wanted Dwight Howard gone. Chris Paul, then Chris Paul gone. Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook gone. He wanted Kevin McHale out and McHale was gone. We can go on down the list.

"Like a lot of superstars, he had the right to say what the travel schedule was going to be. He determined the practice schedule. Got a couple days off, 'Well, James wants to go to Vegas, so you're not going to practice that day.'

"Coming back from the All-Star break, first practice is voluntary because 'James needs to go cool his heels a little bit in Vegas.'

"The first time the Rockets ever told James Harden no was 'No, we're not going to send you to Brooklyn when we don't like the potential trade.'"

Harden reported to training camp with the Rockets several days late after making a pair of much-publicized stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

"Their culture is whatever whim he had, that's what their culture was based on," added MacMahon." I was talking to a former Rockets staffer yesterday and he said quote, 'Yeah, he's going to act up, he's never heard 'no' before.'"



Anyone still want this guy?

That's on the Rockets for spoiling him, he was fine in OKC. Definitely want him assuming that he wants to join a contender with a clear structure that he'll have to buy into.

Harden wasn't a superstar in OKC.  He may want out of Houston to join a contender but I doubt he wants to give up all his superstar perks. 

[Moranis]

The extent of James Harden's power he has long held with the Houston Rockets has come to light during his efforts to orchestrate a trade.

"James Harden has had the right to say who comes and goes in Houston for essentially the whole time he's [been] there," said Tim MacMahon on the Brian Windhorst podcast. "He wanted Dwight Howard and then he wanted Dwight Howard gone. Chris Paul, then Chris Paul gone. Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook gone. He wanted Kevin McHale out and McHale was gone. We can go on down the list.

"Like a lot of superstars, he had the right to say what the travel schedule was going to be. He determined the practice schedule. Got a couple days off, 'Well, James wants to go to Vegas, so you're not going to practice that day.'

"Coming back from the All-Star break, first practice is voluntary because 'James needs to go cool his heels a little bit in Vegas.'

"The first time the Rockets ever told James Harden no was 'No, we're not going to send you to Brooklyn when we don't like the potential trade.'"

Harden reported to training camp with the Rockets several days late after making a pair of much-publicized stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

"Their culture is whatever whim he had, that's what their culture was based on," added MacMahon." I was talking to a former Rockets staffer yesterday and he said quote, 'Yeah, he's going to act up, he's never heard 'no' before.'"



Anyone still want this guy?

That's on the Rockets for spoiling him, he was fine in OKC. Definitely want him assuming that he wants to join a contender with a clear structure that he'll have to buy into.

Harden wasn't a superstar in OKC.  He may want out of Houston to join a contender but I doubt he wants to give up all his superstar perks.

superstars get perks everywhere.  There is a difference to that verse what apparently Harden was getting or what Kawhi/PG got in LA last year.  Those go beyond the normal perks that superstars typically get and you can some of the consequences of that.

[MattyIce]

The extent of James Harden's power he has long held with the Houston Rockets has come to light during his efforts to orchestrate a trade.

"James Harden has had the right to say who comes and goes in Houston for essentially the whole time he's [been] there," said Tim MacMahon on the Brian Windhorst podcast. "He wanted Dwight Howard and then he wanted Dwight Howard gone. Chris Paul, then Chris Paul gone. Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook gone. He wanted Kevin McHale out and McHale was gone. We can go on down the list.

"Like a lot of superstars, he had the right to say what the travel schedule was going to be. He determined the practice schedule. Got a couple days off, 'Well, James wants to go to Vegas, so you're not going to practice that day.'

"Coming back from the All-Star break, first practice is voluntary because 'James needs to go cool his heels a little bit in Vegas.'

"The first time the Rockets ever told James Harden no was 'No, we're not going to send you to Brooklyn when we don't like the potential trade.'"

Harden reported to training camp with the Rockets several days late after making a pair of much-publicized stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

"Their culture is whatever whim he had, that's what their culture was based on," added MacMahon." I was talking to a former Rockets staffer yesterday and he said quote, 'Yeah, he's going to act up, he's never heard 'no' before.'"



Anyone still want this guy?

That's on the Rockets for spoiling him, he was fine in OKC. Definitely want him assuming that he wants to join a contender with a clear structure that he'll have to buy into.

Harden wasn't a superstar in OKC.  He may want out of Houston to join a contender but I doubt he wants to give up all his superstar perks.

superstars get perks everywhere.  There is a difference to that verse what apparently Harden was getting or what Kawhi/PG got in LA last year.  Those go beyond the normal perks that superstars typically get and you can some of the consequences of that.

some of those perks we gave to kyrie, and i'm just not too sure the c's brass/coaches would want to go down that road again, (they weren't happy with how he dictated hotel choices/locations and such) but you never know if the price is right (i voted no)

[Somebody]

The extent of James Harden's power he has long held with the Houston Rockets has come to light during his efforts to orchestrate a trade.

"James Harden has had the right to say who comes and goes in Houston for essentially the whole time he's [been] there," said Tim MacMahon on the Brian Windhorst podcast. "He wanted Dwight Howard and then he wanted Dwight Howard gone. Chris Paul, then Chris Paul gone. Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook gone. He wanted Kevin McHale out and McHale was gone. We can go on down the list.

"Like a lot of superstars, he had the right to say what the travel schedule was going to be. He determined the practice schedule. Got a couple days off, 'Well, James wants to go to Vegas, so you're not going to practice that day.'

"Coming back from the All-Star break, first practice is voluntary because 'James needs to go cool his heels a little bit in Vegas.'

"The first time the Rockets ever told James Harden no was 'No, we're not going to send you to Brooklyn when we don't like the potential trade.'"

Harden reported to training camp with the Rockets several days late after making a pair of much-publicized stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

"Their culture is whatever whim he had, that's what their culture was based on," added MacMahon." I was talking to a former Rockets staffer yesterday and he said quote, 'Yeah, he's going to act up, he's never heard 'no' before.'"



Anyone still want this guy?

That's on the Rockets for spoiling him, he was fine in OKC. Definitely want him assuming that he wants to join a contender with a clear structure that he'll have to buy into.

Harden wasn't a superstar in OKC.  He may want out of Houston to join a contender but I doubt he wants to give up all his superstar perks.

superstars get perks everywhere.  There is a difference to that verse what apparently Harden was getting or what Kawhi/PG got in LA last year.  Those go beyond the normal perks that superstars typically get and you can some of the consequences of that.

^this.