Kings Pre-Draft Workouts: James Harden (video)
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I know we don't get to see it all, but this guy looked excellent.
Harden has got far more lean than he used to be. His improved athleticism is clearly on show. If we hadn't Martin at SG, I'd seriously be on this kids bandwagon. Going to be, at the very least, a very good roleplayer.
Really like him. Would be happy to have him at #4. That said, I love Flynn too. Let's see how he performs tomorrow. Hopefully kingsdotcome will get alot of highlights from him.
Harden has got far more lean than he used to be. His improved athleticism is clearly on show. If we hadn't Martin at SG, I'd seriously be on this kids bandwagon. Going to be, at the very least, a very good roleplayer.
Really like him. Would be happy to have him at #4. That said, I love Flynn too. Let's see how he performs tomorrow. Hopefully kingsdotcome will get alot of highlights from him.
I am on the Harden bandwagon if we don't get Rubio. Definitely. And I used to be the biggest Curry fanboy... but this was just flat out impressive. I'm sure we can move up with our other 2 picks to snatch a point for us. *Lawson* ahem...
Edit: I get the feeling he could become a Dwayne Wade sort of player. A SG with a decent amount of PG (playmaking) skills.
Edit: I get the feeling he could become a Dwayne Wade sort of player. A SG with a decent amount of PG (playmaking) skills.
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I'm very impressed... and the 4th pick doesn't look so bad right now. But then again who am I to grade talent? And the video was just highlights of his good shots/runs.
I'll probably be flamed for this but trading K-Mart + Beno for the 2nd and non-crap fillers doesn't sound so bad if we can get both Rubio and Harden. I have 0 clue if it'd work but I know somebody mentioned it earlier. Think they got flamed too...
I'll probably be flamed for this but trading K-Mart + Beno for the 2nd and non-crap fillers doesn't sound so bad if we can get both Rubio and Harden. I have 0 clue if it'd work but I know somebody mentioned it earlier. Think they got flamed too...
*Obvious qualifier about the flaws of making a judgment on limited, edited footage goes here*
He looked really good. The best out of the players we have brought in so far, imo. His handle, which is one of the concerns I have had about him, looked smooth and confident. He showed much better explosion at the rim than Evans as well. I don't know about fit, but we have been bitten in the backside by picking for need instead of talent in the past. As we haven't seen Rubio, Jennings, or Flynn (among others) yet, I'm certainly not ready to crown the guy. However, he's definitely been the most impressive prospect to me thus far.
He looked really good. The best out of the players we have brought in so far, imo. His handle, which is one of the concerns I have had about him, looked smooth and confident. He showed much better explosion at the rim than Evans as well. I don't know about fit, but we have been bitten in the backside by picking for need instead of talent in the past. As we haven't seen Rubio, Jennings, or Flynn (among others) yet, I'm certainly not ready to crown the guy. However, he's definitely been the most impressive prospect to me thus far.
I'm very impressed... and the 4th pick doesn't look so bad right now. But then again who am I to grade talent? And the video was just highlights of his good shots/runs.
I'll probably be flamed for this but trading K-Mart + Beno for the 2nd and non-crap fillers doesn't sound so bad if we can get both Rubio and Harden. I have 0 clue if it'd work but I know somebody mentioned it earlier. Think they got flamed too...
I'll probably be flamed for this but trading K-Mart + Beno for the 2nd and non-crap fillers doesn't sound so bad if we can get both Rubio and Harden. I have 0 clue if it'd work but I know somebody mentioned it earlier. Think they got flamed too...
Of course like you said, it's just a short video and who are you and me to grade talent... We are not the professionals.
(BTW, Oskor is my brother. That is why I said we are not professionals. I know he is not a professional.)
Well dang, I woud not be mad if we got this guy. Shoot he was looking great in the few shots we saw of him. Stroke was good, post looks nice (although he was posting on a old SAR with bad knees) and he was very very explosive. He is at the top of my list right behind Jennings.
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Harden looks good. He is safer pick than Rubio. Rubio has a bigger upside.
Harden looks like a good kid that will listen to the coach. He should be an all star in his career.
I don't think it would be a problem starting Harden and Martin in the backcourt together. I watched Harden play in college quit a few times and he does not mind passing the ball.
He is a SG thats willing to pass while Tyreke Evans is a PG thats not very willing to pass.
Either way, Harden, Thabeet or Rubio..... one of these 3 will be ours. Or CAN be ours as its up to GP. I hope we don't end up passing on these guys and going with Holiday.
Harden looks like a good kid that will listen to the coach. He should be an all star in his career.
I don't think it would be a problem starting Harden and Martin in the backcourt together. I watched Harden play in college quit a few times and he does not mind passing the ball.
He is a SG thats willing to pass while Tyreke Evans is a PG thats not very willing to pass.
Either way, Harden, Thabeet or Rubio..... one of these 3 will be ours. Or CAN be ours as its up to GP. I hope we don't end up passing on these guys and going with Holiday.
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Harden looks good. He is safer pick than Rubio. Rubio has a bigger upside.
Harden looks like a good kid that will listen to the coach. He should be an all star in his career.
I don't think it would be a problem starting Harden and Martin in the backcourt together. I watched Harden play in college quit a few times and he does not mind passing the ball.
He is a SG thats willing to pass while Tyreke Evans is a PG thats not very willing to pass.
Either way, Harden, Thabeet or Rubio..... one of these 3 will be ours. Or CAN be ours as its up to GP. I hope we don't end up passing on these guys and going with Holiday.
Harden looks like a good kid that will listen to the coach. He should be an all star in his career.
I don't think it would be a problem starting Harden and Martin in the backcourt together. I watched Harden play in college quit a few times and he does not mind passing the ball.
He is a SG thats willing to pass while Tyreke Evans is a PG thats not very willing to pass.
Either way, Harden, Thabeet or Rubio..... one of these 3 will be ours. Or CAN be ours as its up to GP. I hope we don't end up passing on these guys and going with Holiday.
As an aside, he still doesn't really move that great, but it will be change of paces and craftiness that might put him over the top. He actually missed a couple of jumpers, which makes him about the worst performer we've seen in these vids (since they never show misses) but I thought the postups against Shareef were legit -- obviously Reef is not going full speed, but I think he would have been beat on several of those reagardless. If Harden can play as a postup guard that could be a major weapon for him. Should also note that Kevin aside, Petrie actually has a history of liking powerfully buillt guards who are not necessarily great athletes -- Mitch to Nick Anderson to Jim Jackson to Bonzi Wells.
Let me remention something I raised weeks ago back before the combine:
1) OKC needs a SG
2) OKC has a whole bunch of enders
Kevin Martin $10.5mil
for
#3 pick
a bunch of enders
P.S. in a perfect world you even get them to swap Beno for Earl Watson (ender) as part of our price. Kevin/Durant would certainly be potent.
Use #3 to get either Rubio or Thabeet, whoever Memphis does not take
Use #4 to get Harden
Use the $10mil in enders, along with Kenny's $9mil ender, to either make a major trade midseason, or have major caproom after the season
potentially:
PG-Rubio age:18
SG-Harden age:20
SF-Nocioni age:29
PF-Thompson age:23
C-Hawes age:21
6th-Cisco age:28
7th-Beno age:26
8th: Greene age:21
9th: 23rd pick
10th 31st pick
11th: ender
12th: ender
13th: KT (ender)
maybe resign McCants, who knows.
Then next season add
1st rnd pick #1-#10
2nd round pick #31-#40
free agent (unless we already used the contracts in a major trade).
It would be a very young crew -- the rebuild in fullest gear awaiting only a star.
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I like Martin. I like Martin a lot, and I'm quite a bit more forgiving about his flaws than some here.
If Memphis had taken Thabeet leaving Rubio on the board...I might have to do that deal.
But the PR cleanup would be intensely laborious. In fact, I'd say I can't do that trade if there's reason to believe it will negatively affect an arena deal. (I'll be honest -- if we could trade KT, Noc, and whatever other contracts were required for a re-signed LEBRON under the condition that the Kings would move to Kansas City as part of the deal, I'd have to pass. Kings staying in Sac is priority #1 from my point of view.)
If Memphis had taken Thabeet leaving Rubio on the board...I might have to do that deal.
But the PR cleanup would be intensely laborious. In fact, I'd say I can't do that trade if there's reason to believe it will negatively affect an arena deal. (I'll be honest -- if we could trade KT, Noc, and whatever other contracts were required for a re-signed LEBRON under the condition that the Kings would move to Kansas City as part of the deal, I'd have to pass. Kings staying in Sac is priority #1 from my point of view.)
The thing is no one is sure what the teams are saying are true. If they really want a SG, I can't imagine them giving up the #3 for Martin and his contract. They might as well take Harden at #3 instead because they have Durant as the established scorer already. I don't think Martin is the guy that can put them over the top either so why would they commit to Martin's contract when they can go with Harden's rookie contract.
Having the #4 actually seems a lil easier now as what the top 3 picks will dictate whats left. Because if we had the #2.... would we really pick Rubio? or Thabeet? or Harden....
Having the #4 actually seems a lil easier now as what the top 3 picks will dictate whats left. Because if we had the #2.... would we really pick Rubio? or Thabeet? or Harden....
That's possible, but OKC's in a little different place than us though. You could see it when they were willing to take on Chandler's contract for their enders (before the Hornets backed out). OKC thinks they are ready to win, now. And with Durant emerging as a superstar, they may be right. Thabeet would fill an enormous hole for them, but otherwise a proven #2 scorer ready to contribute now might be what they are really looking for more than a kid who will take a while to reach his full potential.
Your trade had me drooling. A solid young player at every position except SF, but Greene waiting in the wings. I see no reason why OKC wouldn't do that trade. Your getting a proven player instead of a maybe player. If they're interested in winning now, then Martin would be a good addition to their team. I looked at their roster and I'm not sure who they would want to give up as an ender. In fact, they're far enough under the cap that they might be able to absorb the entire salary. Of course they may not want to. I'd love to move Beno for Watson, but I just can't see them doing that.
I like that trade idea as well, Brick.
If you think about it, Kevin's alot more one-dimensional than what Harden may bring. Kevin pretty much is what he is at this point, he can get marginally better, but not much...Harden however, can pass, rebound, and defend (just probably won't draw as many fouls or shoot as well). I think Harden could quite possibly be an upgrade, dare I say it...
And why not trade Kevin while he still has value? He could get injured again...or not improve on his weaknesses...or even digress as a result of injuries. Plus, like Brick said, OKC needs a 2-guard & really needs outside shooting. Throwing in Beno's a pipedream...but sure, I'll take it.
In all, I'd be a happy camper come June 27th if we have the #3 (BPA) and #4 Harden and some ender, minus K-mart.
If you think about it, Kevin's alot more one-dimensional than what Harden may bring. Kevin pretty much is what he is at this point, he can get marginally better, but not much...Harden however, can pass, rebound, and defend (just probably won't draw as many fouls or shoot as well). I think Harden could quite possibly be an upgrade, dare I say it...
And why not trade Kevin while he still has value? He could get injured again...or not improve on his weaknesses...or even digress as a result of injuries. Plus, like Brick said, OKC needs a 2-guard & really needs outside shooting. Throwing in Beno's a pipedream...but sure, I'll take it.
In all, I'd be a happy camper come June 27th if we have the #3 (BPA) and #4 Harden and some ender, minus K-mart.
I think if we are going to be running the Princeton offense having a Starting lineup of Harden,Martin,Garcia,Thompson,Hawes could possibly work because you dont need the traditional PG type of Player. He's a good slasher, he can pass like a PG, hes a good defender and could probably keep up with most PG's on defense. He reminds me of Doug Christie sort of. He said it himself he dosent care if hes the third option on offense, He will come in and create shots for Martin, I'm sure he can create just as good if not better then Beno can. We will also have Garcia on the floor who can handle the ball aswell if needed. I think this could be a good expirmental draft selection that is a win win situation.
We Draft Harden who will most likely be the BPA if hes there, Play him alongside Martin at the PG spot and see if it works out. If not we still have a great talent and most likely the BPA to either trade or build around.
just a thought.
We Draft Harden who will most likely be the BPA if hes there, Play him alongside Martin at the PG spot and see if it works out. If not we still have a great talent and most likely the BPA to either trade or build around.
just a thought.
I've actually had the same thought. But the issues I have with such a deal are:
If the Kings got Rubio, I think Martin makes a much better running mate than Harden. Martin would be better at running/finishing breaks, backcutting for easy hoops and spotting up for wide open looks off the drive and dish or P&R with one of the bigs - all things Rubio excels at.
And on the flipside, I like Westbrook but he's still not a true PG. Having a SG like Harden - who I agree can't play the point at the NBA level but IS a willing passer - will benefit OKC and take some pressure off Westbrook.
I just don't see Harden on the Kings. In my mind, if the Kings don't trade up the best case scenario is that Memphis grabs Thabeet, OKC nabs Harden and Rubio drops into our laps. I'm nowhere near convinced that he's going to be a star in the NBA, but he's the player that intrigues me the most and would, at minimum, make the team much more fun to watch next season.
Thabeet goes to a team where they have no need for him to score and OKC gets the second fiddle they need to pair with Durant. And of course Blake Griffin has his career ruined in LA. Of course it makes too much sense to actually happen.
If the Kings got Rubio, I think Martin makes a much better running mate than Harden. Martin would be better at running/finishing breaks, backcutting for easy hoops and spotting up for wide open looks off the drive and dish or P&R with one of the bigs - all things Rubio excels at.
And on the flipside, I like Westbrook but he's still not a true PG. Having a SG like Harden - who I agree can't play the point at the NBA level but IS a willing passer - will benefit OKC and take some pressure off Westbrook.
I just don't see Harden on the Kings. In my mind, if the Kings don't trade up the best case scenario is that Memphis grabs Thabeet, OKC nabs Harden and Rubio drops into our laps. I'm nowhere near convinced that he's going to be a star in the NBA, but he's the player that intrigues me the most and would, at minimum, make the team much more fun to watch next season.
Thabeet goes to a team where they have no need for him to score and OKC gets the second fiddle they need to pair with Durant. And of course Blake Griffin has his career ruined in LA. Of course it makes too much sense to actually happen.
I'd be very tempted to do that deal. I know that it totally goes against conventional wisdom because you're giving up Martin, a known, for an unknown, but when you think about the enders, I'd really have to think about it. That said, I doubt Petrie would do it.
Good points about Petrie liking big guards. I said a while ago that if I had to bet, I'd bet Harden is the pick. I like Evans, but I don't see Petrie choosing a guy who's not a very good shooter.
Good points about Petrie liking big guards. I said a while ago that if I had to bet, I'd bet Harden is the pick. I like Evans, but I don't see Petrie choosing a guy who's not a very good shooter.
I would be definitely open to trading Martin if it meant getting Harden AND Rubio. Harden has always reminded me of a tougher, smoother, more polished version of Cuttino Mobely or a Ginobilli. I think it's almost a foregone conclusion that Memphis will take Thabeet, and rightfully so, he fills their need of a big man...and I still think OKC takes Hill at #3 due to their need of a big man, and Hill fills that nicely. Although...now that I look at it more, they could take Harden and have Durant, Green, Harden, and Westbrook as an incredible scoring tandem, which would be incredibly potent. Should be interesting what happens 13 days from now. I think Rubio coming to the Kings looks more and more like a realistic reality, and I'm not upset with that at all.