NBA 2K13: How the Harden Trade Changes The Game - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

NBA 2K13: How the Harden Trade Changes The Game Stuck

Posted on October 29, 2012 at 03:12 PM.

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As a lifelong Oklahoman, it's been a fun time to see the Thunder arrive in OKC and rise as one of the premier teams in the league. I'm no stranger to how the business of professional sports works -- but many Oklahomans got their first true taste of what happens when you are a small market team facing a financial dilemma.

You give up some ground now in order to fight again tomorrow.

The Thunder didn't exactly eliminate themselves from contention, but they certainly took a small step backwards towards the pack. The Spurs and Lakers both have to be very happy that their competition just traded a huge piece to their team's success.

And Houston? Well they got a franchise face, and some depth all around -- at perhaps the expense of building into the future.

If you are looking to start an association with either team with the new rosters, here's how their stock was effected:

OKC: You aren't going to get the extra draft picks in the game -- so with that said they took a step backwards. You did get a promising athletic rookie in Jeremy Lamb and you also get a verteran sharpshooter in Kevin Martin -- but neither completely replace Harden on the roster. OKC went from being the best team and most fun team to play with in the West to being more balanced with the rest of the conference. The biggest benefit is that Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka all have room to grow still. A scary possibility both on the real and digital court.

Houston: Harden helps the Rockets on the front line. You don't have to worry about his mentality of being ready to be 'the man' or anything and Harden opposite of Jeremy Lin will be a good combo. Cook and Aldrich are depth builders but they aren't much more than that. Perhaps they're cogs off of the bench, but don't expect to start either. Hayward is likely a non-factor for the Rockets. Long term, you still need to build up your front court and your depth, but the Rockets path to some success has definitely been paved if you want to give them a shot.

Comments

# 1 Gramps91 @ Oct 29

It won't ever affect it if they don't update the freakin' rosters

# 2 poloelite @ Oct 29

With all due respect I strongly disagree with your conclusions. I think you're putting way to much value on Harden. He's a good player for sure, but to get Martin and Lamb back is huge for OKC. If Maynor comes back and can run the offense off of the bench, I think OKC just made a giant step forward for now and in the future with Lamb and picks.

Meanwhile I think the Rockets have put most of their chips in the Asik, Lin and Harden basket and I don't think that squad can even sniff higher than a 6th seed at best. I'm not sure about their cap room anymore, but if they don't have enough for a max player any longer, welcome to mediocrity for a long time.

A scorer like Martin as your 6th man is a huge strength. I can say they may miss Harden's ability to run the offense, but Maynor can do that for them. I had the Lakers before, but I think the Thunder just made it more interesting honestly.

# 3 jsquigg @ Oct 29

Dude, step back from the ledge! Kevin Martin has been solid for a long time, most of it on bad teams. Lamb has huge upside and (in real life) you get two 1st rounders! Give me a break. Harden was solid at best and did a vanishing act in the Finals. He was the third best player on the team, but not by far, especially defensively. Signing him in any market would have killed depth, which was a problem for OKC last year, and you wouldn't have been able to fix the problem. OKC has more depth and has equipped themselves to compete in the future for years. This was a great move for any market.

# 4 Jadakiss88 @ Oct 29

W/ the addition of Kevin Martin this makes my offense alot more consistent and dynamic. Westbrook,Martin,Durant,PJIII,Ibaka. Give alot of people problems with this lineup on the floor.

# 5 jmo2278 @ Oct 29

I agree with #2 and #3, OKC won BIG TIME in this deal. They got back an all star quality scorer, a promising rookie with upside, AND two first rounders! Are you kidding me??? Rockets overreached on Lin and Asik he follow it up by overreaching on Harden. Harden is very good but not elite, if he was elite he would not have been taken completely out of the heat series. Once you realize the he goes to the left EVERY time, he becomes gaurdable and not having Durant and Westbrook on the floor with him, he will be even more exposed.

# 6 mrclutch @ Oct 29

Have to say Harden is my favorite young player out there. Love his game.

True story. Before all this trade Talk started I was seriously considering starting an Association and picking a team to Trade Hardin to so he could be the man. I guess I'll just let that team be Houston