Should we pursue Ibaka or Harden?

[indeedproceed]

Anybody catch the last line of the article lol.

"I'd keep both," wrote an Eastern Conference general manager, "and get rid of Perkins."

Probably Danny

That got an audible laugh.

[Who]

Harden. People keep saying he's a 3. He can play the 2 or the 3, and he'll be an all-star.

I have never heard anyone say that before.

[indeedproceed]

Harden. People keep saying he's a 3. He can play the 2 or the 3, and he'll be an all-star.

I have never heard anyone say that before.

"Harden," said a Western Conference executive. "He's a top 3 or 4 small forward in (the) league. Does it all. Very good."

[Bankshot]

I'd love both of these guys, but if I had to chose, I'd go with The Serge Protector.

Imagine the looks he'd get with KG....

For me, personally, I'd be interested to see how AB continues to develop. That's why I'd be hesitant to bring in anyone, even Harden, to replace him. This guy has AT LEAST 2nd Team NBA Defender written all over him next season, and is improving on the offensive end.

The 6'5" Harden would certainly be hard to pass up, though.

"Serge Protector"  I like that.

I'd take either one.

[letsgoblue86]

Neither of these guys are FAs until next year though.  We still have 40 million to spend on free agency this year, don't jump the gun guys.

[Marcus13]

They're both going to be criminally overpaid.  Harden is the truth, I like him a lot, but it's going to cost a pretty penny and as a player who won't lead you anywhere...I'm not sure he's worth it

[Yogi]

Harden maybe the real deal, but there is only one Truth. 

[Boris Badenov]

Harden reminds me of Ben Gordon:  Thriving in his role, but not worth huge, huge money.

OKC matches $10M per, IMO.

Harden is much, much better than Gordon. Gordon is one-dimensional. Harden is a far more efficient offensive player, and he is worlds better at everything else.

Right now Harden is a cut below Wade, Ginobili and Bryant, but he is on their heels and only 22. He may never reach the Wade/Bryant level, but he could certainly match Ginobili's.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics?position=sg&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fhollinger%2fstatistics%3fposition%3dsg

[Eddie20]

Harden reminds me of Ben Gordon:  Thriving in his role, but not worth huge, huge money.

OKC matches $10M per, IMO.

Harden is much, much better than Gordon. Gordon is one-dimensional. Harden is a far more efficient offensive player, and he is worlds better at everything else.

Right now Harden is a cut below Wade, Ginobili and Bryant, but he is on their heels and only 22. He may never reach the Wade/Bryant level, but he could certainly match Ginobili's.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics?position=sg&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fhollinger%2fstatistics%3fposition%3dsg

I think he's better than Ginobili right now, and I love Ginobili.

[Boris Badenov]

Harden reminds me of Ben Gordon:  Thriving in his role, but not worth huge, huge money.

OKC matches $10M per, IMO.

Harden is much, much better than Gordon. Gordon is one-dimensional. Harden is a far more efficient offensive player, and he is worlds better at everything else.

Right now Harden is a cut below Wade, Ginobili and Bryant, but he is on their heels and only 22. He may never reach the Wade/Bryant level, but he could certainly match Ginobili's.

I think he's better than Ginobili right now, and I love Ginobili.

Agreed. But Ginobili's best years are better than anything Harden has done to date.

[indeedproceed]

Harden reminds me of Ben Gordon:  Thriving in his role, but not worth huge, huge money.

OKC matches $10M per, IMO.

Harden is much, much better than Gordon. Gordon is one-dimensional. Harden is a far more efficient offensive player, and he is worlds better at everything else.

Right now Harden is a cut below Wade, Ginobili and Bryant, but he is on their heels and only 22. He may never reach the Wade/Bryant level, but he could certainly match Ginobili's.

I think he's better than Ginobili right now, and I love Ginobili.

Agreed. But Ginobili's best years are better than anything Harden has done to date.

Agree.

[Fafnir]

When Ginobili's been on the court this year he's been just as good as Harden. But he hasn't been on the court enough to compare him to Harden this season.

[erisred]

Hibbert now, Harden later.

[CelticSooner]

Neither of these guys are FAs until next year though.  We still have 40 million to spend on free agency this year, don't jump the gun guys.

Ainge may use next year as another bridge year considering the FA market isn't so hot. 2013 is much better and the C's will have many incentives to offer a guy like Harden.

[byennie]

Harden. I'd love to have Ibaka, but I think we're talking about good starter (Ibaka) versus star player (Harden). I know conventional wisdom says go big, but I don't think it's a tiebreaker situation.

Ibaka is an elite shotblocker and a good rebounder. Lousy offensive player.
Harden on the other hand is a few touches away from being a 20-5-5 player with tremendous efficiency (65% TS). He's got size, youth, athleticism, shooting, gets to the line, plays good defense.

I'd go after Harden with Pierce money after next year. Rondo / Bradley / Harden would be an incredible young core of "smalls". Draft for size.