James Harden turns down 52 million extension, talks ongoing...

[DStebb716]

Put it this way. Carlos Boozer got a max deal. Amare Stoudemire got a max deal. I'd rather have Rose and Harden at the max than Rose and Boozer. I'll take that risk.

i don't disagree. just ridiculous how max deals get thrown around like it's nothing

[IGOTGAME]

Maybe a top 20 player but still cannot carry a team. If he can secure a max contract, more power to him but if you honestly believe a franchise should build around this guy.....!

Again, only my opinion that a max contract player should be the face of the franchise anything less then that should not be considered for a max contract. I blame the owners on this regardless for handing those contracts out in the first place.

There 30 franchises so not every team can have someone as good as harden. Plus, looking at who has Max contracts Harden should get one. The guy is really good and this is coming from someone who cant stand his style of play. He projects to be better than Joe Johnson as well due to his passing nd ball handling ability.

Give him his money or let him go. Fans shouldn't be pretending that he isn't a Max guy in this league.

[Whoah10115]

James Harden is already better than Joe Johnson ever has been.



In a an iso-offense (somehow, a well-designed iso-offense), Harden put up 16.8PPG in 31.4MPG, behind Durant and Westbrook (and they ran together a lot), on a team with the fewest assists in the NBA. And he did it without rushing instant offense.

He shot 49.1% from the field and 39% from 3. He's a playmaker and a solid rebounder.


Maybe fewer people should get the max. Whatever. But in this market, he most certainly is worth it. And he just turned 23?

[tikay0]

i don't disagree. just ridiculous how max deals get thrown around like it's nothing

Agree. It's just the nature of the beast.

[lilgodfather1]

He's at worst what the 5th best SG in the NBA? Of course he wants max money... I remember getting negged for saying OKC might not be able to keep both Harden, and Ibaka. Ibaka is going to get paid too.

[wang4three]

He's this generation's version of Manu. I think he's probably worth it.

[Whoah10115]

james harden is getting so badly overrated. he's nowhere near the max. he's a 3rd option with max potential as a 2nd option on a decent contender. max should be reserved for your number one guy, if you happen to have more than you can pay more than one the max but he's not a number one option

This is stupid. He's already better than a 3rd option on a team that went to the Finals. There aren't more than 3 other players (at that position) that you replace Harden with and still get to the Finals.


What he's getting is over-criticized.

[All Net]

He's at worst what the 5th best SG in the NBA? Of course he wants max money... I remember getting negged for saying OKC might not be able to keep both Harden, and Ibaka. Ibaka is going to get paid too.

Ibaka has already got paid...4 years, 40 million.

[Smoke117]

James Harden is already better than Joe Johnson ever has been.



In a an iso-offense (somehow, a well-designed iso-offense), Harden put up 16.8PPG in 31.4MPG, behind Durant and Westbrook (and they ran together a lot), on a team with the fewest assists in the NBA. And he did it without rushing instant offense.

He shot 49.1% from the field and 39% from 3. He's a playmaker and a solid rebounder.


Maybe fewer people should get the max. Whatever. But in this market, he most certainly is worth it. And he just turned 23?

Settle down. Joe Johnson has one of the worst contracts ever, but that is going too far.

[FKAri]

Come to the Bulls!!!!!!!!!

For the Max?

[Joshumitsu]

Max him out. You can always trade Harden for an elite big man if things don't work out in 2 years.

example: Ibaka+Harden+pick for Aldridge+Mathews+filler.

Portland gets rebuilding pieces and OKC fills their needs, defensively and offensively.

[lilgodfather1]

Ibaka has already got paid...4 years, 40 million.

Missed that one apparently. That's actually a lot less than he would have gotten on the free market imo, but good for the Thunder. Maybe they can afford to keep Harden afterall.

[Whoah10115]

Settle down. Joe Johnson has one of the worst contracts ever, but that is going too far.

Why tho? Joe Johnson iso'd his way to a 22PPG average in Atlanta. I've heard people call him clutch, but from I've seen he disappears in the big moment. I've seen Harden step up more and the impact of his game is greater.

[BlackVVaves]

Contract aside, how is Harden already a better player than Joe Johnson has ever been?

[All Net]

Missed that one apparently. That's actually a lot less than he would have gotten on the free market imo, but good for the Thunder. Maybe they can afford to keep Harden afterall.

Well it can rise up to 48 million depending on performance etc...