Phili was willing to trade Harden to the Clippers in return for Terrance Mann and a few picks, which is an insane deal, but even more insane is that the Clips refused the deal.
Harden is great on offense which is exactly what Miami needs. He’s no Damien Lillard, but right now that’s about as close as you’re gonna get. I think Harden would also mesh well, since he would be #1 or #2 scoring option, when he’d be a solid third in LA.
Harden could be a pain to deal with in the future, but if the Heat can somehow get away with giving up Duncan Robinson and few picks for Harden that would be a great deal for the Heat. I’m sure Pat Riley could pull it off, since the 76ers seem pretty desperate.
But who knows, the Heat already fumbled two stars so they could definitely screw up squiring Harden if they tried I’m sure lmao.
Except the Heat didn’t get worse. You are just married to your narrative. “Not beating Boston or Milwaukee” - nobody expected us to beat them 2/3 times each in the last 4 years, and nobody is picking anyone but Denver over them anyway. Guess you haven’t paid attention to the players you dismissively lump into the “more G League players” category. They’re good and will contribute.
Boston and Milwaukee making moves to try to get past us doesn’t make us worse. We are gonna be just fine and a top 6 seed most likely. I’m sure you’ll be acting shocked when it happens too.
I’m not a heat hater I like jimmy and bam I’m just saying you guys definitely didn’t get any better and lost contributors. But you’re saying you didn’t get worse. That’s basically the definition of getting worse unless one of your players takes another step in their game. You’re right no one expected you guys to beat them the last few years but this year is a lot different. And Top 6 I feel is a stretch. I got Mil, Bos, Philly, cavs, knicks and maaaybe nets above the heat. I feel like the Hawks are gonna have a bounce back season too they could finish top 4-5 if all goes well. Orlando is a team on the rise to look out for. I don’t think heat will get bounced from playoffs but I think they’ll most likely be a play-in team again and definitely regressed
With all due respect, you just aren’t paying attention if you think the Heat regressed by losing Max and Gabe. When they’re on the Heat they’re just “undrafted players” but when they play within the culture and the developmental system in Miami and become good players…and they get paid and walk, they’re “important contributors”.
We also did sign Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant who are going to contribute. Both looked good in preseason and Josh knows his way around.
Herro is back, I think with all the trade talk everyone forgot he’s on the team and he’s really freakin good. Again, if you’re just getting Heat news from Reddit you’d think Herro is terrible, because Portland didn’t want him. He could legitimately be an AllStar this year. 26PPG upside easily.
Jamal Cain, Haywood Highsmith, Orlando Robinson are all ready to contribute right now. And they will. Then when they get paid and move on they’ll be the next batch of guys the talking heads flip out over that we lost.
So yeah, losing two guys just opens the door for other guys to get in there and shine. I didn’t even mention Jovic and Jacquez, who we did draft. Nothing to indicate those guys aren’t ready to contribute day 1.
Lowry didn’t really contribute a whole lot in the regular season anyway. I agree that he’s cooked if we need him more than 18 minutes a game and we definitely should be bringing in another point guard. Dame would have been perfect but we didn’t get him and we move on. I’m not against renting Harden either if the price is Lowry + a pick or two but he’s going to want an extension and I don’t think Pat is gonna bite on that one. Besides, Harden wants LA.
Anyway, didn’t mean to just go off on you, but I’m frustrated by the narrative around the Heat that we are somehow worse than last year. Boston and Milwaukee improved but the team we have is not worse than the one we had last year. I think getting younger guys more minutes is going to lead to more regular season success too. I’m seeing 45-37 or similar, should be good enough in the East for a top 6.