NBA Season 2012-2013

[valkorum]

This ought to get Shaq's nose out of joint, why not just drop the position altogether?
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8546535/nba-drops-center-spot-all-star-ballot

This is a joke - what they should do is when a player is nominated by the club the NBA determines what position they are.  Problem solved

[Jay]

Harden --> Houston

Martin, Lamb + picks --> OKC

[quinny88]

Harden --> Houston

Martin, Lamb + picks --> OKC

So annoyed about this.
NBA players are so money hungry. Apparently OKC offered him a $52 million dollar contract over 4 years and he turned it down because he wanted 60 million.... Is he serious?? Whats 8 mil when were talking about those sort of big bucks.
He's just turned down the chance to take out the championship.

What do people think about OKC's chances now without Harden? Does it affect them too much

[MajorLazer]

Harden --> Houston

Martin, Lamb + picks --> OKC

So annoyed about this.
NBA players are so money hungry. Apparently OKC offered him a $52 million dollar contract over 4 years and he turned it down because he wanted 60 million.... Is he serious?? Whats 8 mil when were talking about those sort of big bucks.
He's just turned down the chance to take out the championship.

What do people think about OKC's chances now without Harden? Does it affect them too much

Long term I think they have done very well out of this trade. Ok, Harden will most likely be a gun, but Martin is handy, Lamb will develop and those 2 first rounders are very nice and will most likely be early.

Not sure about short term, but it may help out Lin and the Rockets' backcourt looks pretty good.

[quinny88]

Harden --> Houston

Martin, Lamb + picks --> OKC

So annoyed about this.
NBA players are so money hungry. Apparently OKC offered him a $52 million dollar contract over 4 years and he turned it down because he wanted 60 million.... Is he serious?? Whats 8 mil when were talking about those sort of big bucks.
He's just turned down the chance to take out the championship.

What do people think about OKC's chances now without Harden? Does it affect them too much

Long term I think they have done very well out of this trade. Ok, Harden will most likely be a gun, but Martin is handy, Lamb will develop and those 2 first rounders are very nice and will most likely be early.

Not sure about short term, but it may help out Lin and the Rockets' backcourt looks pretty good.

As an OKC supporter though I thought we would have a good chance of taking out the west and a good chance at the championship this season though. This has probably put them back

[Mat0369]

This does hurt OKC in the short term. I think losing Harden drops them in the pecking order compared to the Spurs and Lakers and also puts a lot of the reliance back on Westbrook and Durant, not that they already didn't have a reliance on them but Harden was a relief option. He was the primary ball handler and distributor on that team as well so that will force Westbrook to have the ball in his hands more which might not be a good thing either since he does want to shoot the ball. Long term it gives them some more early round picks to try and develop along with Percy Jones who they drafted this season. They have a young core anyway so they are looking at putting a run up for titles in the future but they just traded away one of the key pieces to winning now.

[quinny88]

This does hurt OKC in the short term. I think losing Harden drops them in the pecking order compared to the Spurs and Lakers and also puts a lot of the reliance back on Westbrook and Durant, not that they already didn't have a reliance on them but Harden was a relief option. He was the primary ball handler and distributor on that team as well so that will force Westbrook to have the ball in his hands more which might not be a good thing either since he does want to shoot the ball. Long term it gives them some more early round picks to try and develop along with Percy Jones who they drafted this season. They have a young core anyway so they are looking at putting a run up for titles in the future but they just traded away one of the key pieces to winning now.

Yep I agree with all of this. So frustrating just days before the season starts.
Cant believe Harden wouldn't just accept a tiny bit less money to play in a potential championship team.
Now he will have to accept mediocrity at the Rockets.

Oh well! Lucky the Thunder got the deal done to salvage something before he became a free agent

[Jay]

Yeah OKC lose this trade in the short-term. But I think it's a good move. OKC will have their best shot at a championship in 2-3 years once Lakers and Miami slow down and I think this trade will make them stronger for those years. Also I think people are under-valuing Jeremy Lamb and also the draft picks - Lamb will turn into a very good player, highdraft pick, great shooter, plus the 2 first rounders are very high ones as well. Should be able to secure a solid big man to replace Perkins with at least one of those. Lastly, are we over-rating Harden a bit here? Anyone watch the NBA Finals? Where was he then?

Just my thoughts

[Windigo]

A lot of players only play for the money now days.

Harden leaving is a classic example of this.

[RiOtChEsS]

Harden didnt fit on that team anyway, he will get his chance to shine in Houston...

Martin is more of a traditional 2 guard and can shoot the lights out with the looks he will be getting, there not better or worst imo

[Jay]

HERE WE GO!!!!!!!

Bradley out will hurt as we attempt to control Wade but we stand a chance

[Windigo]

Hoping the Lakers can beat Mavericks.  :P

HERE WE GO!!!!!!!

Bradley out will hurt as we attempt to control Wade but we stand a chance

Both teams looking sharp early. Miami shooting at 68% after 10 minutes.

[Jay]

Hoping the Lakers can beat Mavericks.  :P

HERE WE GO!!!!!!!

Bradley out will hurt as we attempt to control Wade but we stand a chance

Both teams looking sharp early. Miami shooting at 68% after 10 minutes.

Lakers should clean up a Dirk-less Mavs...

Good game so far for the C's. Bass a bit disapointing so far, he matches up ok with Lebron on defense though, but against most other teams I suspect Sullinger to start. We have to stop turning it over though

[Windigo]

Hm, turnovers 5-2. You'll get that when you play Miami I'd think.  :P

[Jay]

And there is Ray's first 3 >:(