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Since everyone is talking “yay or nay” on this Harden trade rumor....and it appears the fanbase is so split....guess I will offer my perspective here.....
After a few days marinating on it...this might be the most difficult “potential superstar acquisition “ to process for Riles & co since Pat arrived in Miami.
Far more complicated than the Alonzo or Shaq trades.
Far more complicated than the Alonzo or Shaq trades.
Sure...in a vacuum you say pulling the trigger on a Harden deal is a no brainer.
It quite literally is the quintessential Riley move. Cash in the chips for the disgruntled superstar.
What more is there to think about you ask?
It quite literally is the quintessential Riley move. Cash in the chips for the disgruntled superstar.
What more is there to think about you ask?
Here is what is different.
& you can discount some of the intangible stuff all you want..but I’m telling you it matters in this decision making process.
This was just a Finals team.
Is a contender.
Has a core that has OVERWHELMING approval from the head coach & two stars.
& you can discount some of the intangible stuff all you want..but I’m telling you it matters in this decision making process.
This was just a Finals team.
Is a contender.
Has a core that has OVERWHELMING approval from the head coach & two stars.
As much as Pat has shown his willingness to swing for the fences in the past......and has broken up ECF teams (like in 2005 w/ the Toine/JWill/Posey deal)
Riley also has been fiercely loyal to select contending teams (like the PJ/Mash build around Zo/Timmie & the 06 title team)
Riley also has been fiercely loyal to select contending teams (like the PJ/Mash build around Zo/Timmie & the 06 title team)
That innate loyalty factor at the top....particularly for groups that embrace “the Heat way” like this group does....combined w/ Spo, Jimmy & Bam all being in genuinely happy places....makes this way trickier to navigate than swapping Rice for Zo or LO/Caron for Shaq.
Not to mention, the tangible stuff that can be clearly measured.
Such as making the Finals a few months ago...being TWO wins away..w/ a young core....& organically grown contender that has about as much future flexibility as a fresh-off-the-Finals team can realistically ask for
Such as making the Finals a few months ago...being TWO wins away..w/ a young core....& organically grown contender that has about as much future flexibility as a fresh-off-the-Finals team can realistically ask for
It’s pretty damn risky.
Risky because you likely have to cash in basically ALL chips aside from Bam & Jimmy.
Risky because $40M per year contracts become albatrosses almost overnight these days.
Risky because Harden isn’t a proven-PROVEN champion like 2005 Shaq was.
Risky because you likely have to cash in basically ALL chips aside from Bam & Jimmy.
Risky because $40M per year contracts become albatrosses almost overnight these days.
Risky because Harden isn’t a proven-PROVEN champion like 2005 Shaq was.
But also risky because you got a damn good thing going....it could become a great thing too...
When you are only two wins away from a title, stars secured, w/
ability to retain the entire core, w/ still room to improve internally by sheer virtue of the age of Bam, Herro etc..
When you are only two wins away from a title, stars secured, w/
ability to retain the entire core, w/ still room to improve internally by sheer virtue of the age of Bam, Herro etc..
You better be pretty damn sure it’s going to work.
or at the VERY least...sure that EVERYONE is 100000% on board.
with no reservations or lurking notions.
You need everyone to hold hands and unanimously sign off. (Pat, Spo, Andy, Jimmy, Bam etc)
or at the VERY least...sure that EVERYONE is 100000% on board.
with no reservations or lurking notions.
You need everyone to hold hands and unanimously sign off. (Pat, Spo, Andy, Jimmy, Bam etc)
Because yeah sure....Riley heading to Malibu w/ 1 last championship build would appear to be the ultimate final act.
The ultimate punctuation to “The Godfather era” & the thing that is most important to Pat.
However..more I sit w/ it..I’m not so sure it is most important.
The ultimate punctuation to “The Godfather era” & the thing that is most important to Pat.
However..more I sit w/ it..I’m not so sure it is most important.
the special nature of this particular team resonates differently.
Spawned from the reconciliation w/ Dwyane. the last dance that followed. what it did to perception among players of the org
Taking no short cuts. The universe seemingly rewarding good karma of never tanking.
Spawned from the reconciliation w/ Dwyane. the last dance that followed. what it did to perception among players of the org
Taking no short cuts. The universe seemingly rewarding good karma of never tanking.
Risking this TEAM going down in proverbial flames, sacrificing Jimmy’s prime, Bams ascension & all the good vibes for the allure of a quick fling..the risk of that worst case scenario....of Herro blossoming into a Booker level player while the balloon bursts...Bereft of assets..
I think NOT screwing this up, the chance to leave the org in pristine condition, not leaving the franchise in a compromised position, without anything to show for it and any level of a damaged relationship is worth more to Pat than a quick one more 
So in closing, maybe a Big 3 of Jimmy/Bam/Harden is so great you win 1-2-3 titles & all’s well that ends well.
But I suspect it isn’t that cut & dry. Because if it was this would already be done.
& maybe it still will get done.
But I’m glad it isn’t my decision
IRWT
/thread
But I suspect it isn’t that cut & dry. Because if it was this would already be done.
& maybe it still will get done.
But I’m glad it isn’t my decision
IRWT
/thread
