Should we pursue Ibaka or Harden?

[mr. dee]

http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/david_aldridge/04/09/morning-tip-nba-draft-age-limit-debate/#nobody

It seems that OKC might be dropping one of them. If we are giving away picks, then it's good if it's Harden. He may not be a superstar but he is already an all-star caliber. Imagine if he is playing with Rondo.

I think we should take a shot at Ibaka too if the opportunity comes. Our defense would be a catastrophe to opposing teams with Ibaka guarding the paint with KG and Rondo/Bradley backcourt.

[GreenFaith1819]

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.

[pearljammer10]

I would take either but would prefer Harden, depending on what we do with Ray. Maybe we can sign Ray for another year and then go after Harden in free agency in 2013. However, imagine our defense with a starting lineup of Rondo/Bradley/Pierce/Ibaka/KG.  Wow.

[Who]

I think they'll offer both of them contract extensions this off-season and manage to keep both of them on reduced terms before they ever reach the open market.

Not considering either one of them realistic options until that opportunity passes.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

If for some reason OKC don't offer Harden an extension, the C's should go for him HARD.

All around player. Good scorer, solid defender. We should go for him if he's there.

[FLCeltsFan]

Having watched the majority of the Thunder games this season, I love both of these guys, especially Ibaka.  If OKC can't sign either of these guys for some reason, the Celtics should definitely go after them. 

[slamtheking]

I'd prefer Harden because he's a prime starting SG and can be a high scorer with Rondo beside him. 
Bradley as 6th man would be a real disruptive force to opposing starters who need a breather and bench guard that isn't starter-quality.

[chambers]

I'd say they will re-sign them and trade them for lottery picks.

To answer your question I say go after Harden. Can't really name any other top flight shooting guards under the age of 26 right now. Eric Gordon is close but he isn't as good as Harden and has injury worries.
Plenty of guys can be trained up like Ibaka and he's good- but Harden has talent too, kind of guy I can see leading a team with Rondo.

[ManUp]

Harden.

It would be wise for the Thunder to keep Ibaka considering they already have two great perimeter players locked up long term. However, if the Celtics could get one of the two I think we should go for Harden. He's a very efficient scorer with great athleticism, play making ability, and a willingness to defend. Imo, Harden will probably be a wing that nets you 20+ points 5+ assists and 4+ rebounds a game, he already gives you 16/4/4 in 30. Harden could be an all-star, while Ibaka will most likely remain a very high level role player. Bigs are hard to come buy, but if you look at it as something like Joe Johnson (type player) vs Tyson Chandler (type player), I think the choice is clear.

Sidenote: IMHO, the Thunder should pursue Howard this offseason with a package of the two. Otis Smith isn't going to do much better.

[wdleehi]

I like Ibaka for this team better, now.  He is the type of physical PF that would go nicely with KG at C.  

[chambers]

I like Ibaka for this team better, now.  He is the type of physical PF that would go nicely with KG at C.  

I strongly disagree.
It's much harder to develop a player like Harden than it is Ibaka.
Our team needs scoring- our defense is a given, does Ibaka really give us that much more than Bass does now?
I think if we go after a big, they have to have some element of inside offense.
Can you imagine if we had Harden playing instead of Bradley?
Our offense needs someone like Harden who can create his own shot. He's like a 25 year old version of Ray Allen and he's smart as hell on the court.
Put it this way, Harden's scoring and production running the floor with Rondo would give our team much more than sliding Ibaka into the 4 with KG. Ibaka is a solid player-an anthlete in a 6 feet 10 body, but he's a role player at best. Harden is a potential superstar/perennial All Star caliber player that can defend, run and shoot the lights out.
Harden all day for our current team and for the future.

[chambers]

Here's another good article on the future of the Thunder.

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/220329/The_Long_Term_Future_Of_The_Thunder

[missyP]

I am of the school of thought that guards and SFs are easier to replace that good big men. Just like I am willing to let Ray walk and we sign a cheaper SG who can create own shots.

Ibaka is only 22 years old and already has an OK offense and phenomenal defense.For every james harden out there, there is an Afflalo, J.R smith, Marshon Brooks lol,etc, who can do the same job for half the money.

Iblocka please.

[anthony83]

James Harden is one of my favorite players, he is spectacular, it would be a great addition to Celtics.

[wdleehi]

I like Ibaka for this team better, now.  He is the type of physical PF that would go nicely with KG at C.  

I strongly disagree.
It's much harder to develop a player like Harden than it is Ibaka.
Our team needs scoring- our defense is a given, does Ibaka really give us that much more than Bass does now?
I think if we go after a big, they have to have some element of inside offense.
Can you imagine if we had Harden playing instead of Bradley?
Our offense needs someone like Harden who can create his own shot. He's like a 25 year old version of Ray Allen and he's smart as hell on the court.
Put it this way, Harden's scoring and production running the floor with Rondo would give our team much more than sliding Ibaka into the 4 with KG. Ibaka is a solid player-an anthlete in a 6 feet 10 body, but he's a role player at best. Harden is a potential superstar/perennial All Star caliber player that can defend, run and shoot the lights out.
Harden all day for our current team and for the future.

Ibaka is a strong defender, strong rebounder and an elite shot blocker.  

Bass is a good defender, average to weak rebounder and a good outside shooter.  


They provide different things.  

The Celtics need more rebounds and a guy that makes players think twice about attacking the rim.