The Trade...

      It's been almost an entire season since the trade that sent Thunder fan favorite James Harden to the Houston Rockets for little known (in these parts) shooting guard/small forward Kevin Martin. Perhaps it's time to do a little evaluation.

We all know the story of "The Beard" James Harden. Selected third overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Thunder, Harden arrived in Oklahoma City and immediately impacted a team that won only 23 games the previous season. Harden helped the Thunder to a 50-32 season and a spot in the NBA playoffs. In his first year with the Thunder Harden played 76 games averaging 10 pts, 2 assist and 3 rebounds in about 23 minutes per game. This after spending two seasons at Arizona State where he averaged 19 pts, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assist while shooting 51% from the field. In OKC, though, he was playing alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Playing time would be hard to come by and breaking a starting five that featured defensive specialist Thabo Sefalosha at shooting guard wasn't going to happen. The rookie settled in to the second five and developed a quick two man game with thunder big man Nick Collison. Harden also developed a deadly ability to both drive the lane and hit the big three when needed. When he got the opportunity to play with Durant and Westbrook, he made the most of it and by his third year he was widely considered a player at the same level as the two all stars.

By his third NBA season, Harden was averaging 17 pts, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assist and hitting 50% of his field goals and 40% from the three point line. He was also deadly at the line getting there often and hitting 85% of his free throws. He was the third leading scorer and the NBA's sixth man on a team that was approaching *50 wins for the third straight season, looking at its second consecutive division title, it's first conference championship and a trip to the NBA finals.

So what happened?

Hardens fourth season was the final season of his first contract. He would be a restricted free agent after the season. That means that he could entertain offers from other clubs but the Thunder would have the right to match the contract and keep him. Thunder GM Sam Presti has proven to be a savvy numbers guy and he knew that signing Harden would be difficult. Harden made little secret  that he believed he was good enough to start in the NBA and that he could be a top scorer. He was right. Anyone that knows the game could see it. Presti had already signed both Durant and Westbrook to long term "max" contracts and the fact was, there just wasn't enough cap space for a third. The only shot at keeping the roster together was to sign Harden to a long term contract for about $20 million shy of the max, and that would stretch the already thin Thunder resources. Presti was also keenly aware that there were several NBA teams that would extend Harden a max offer at the end of the season....and, he knew he couldn't match it.

So, the big question, was Harden in it for the money or, was playing for a championship contender worth a smaller paycheck. Many fans believed that Harden wanted to win and he knew he was on a team that could win a ring or two. The talking heads in sports radio and TV weren't so sure. This time they were right. Presti extended an offer for a four year contract extension worth an estimated $52- $55 million dollars, a lot of money in any sport. Harden turned it down illustrating that this was indeed a business and he believed he was worth more. Presti, faced with the real prospect of not only losing Harden at the end of the season, but getting zero value for a valued asset in the process, decided to trade the man many thought was the final piece of the Thunder's championship puzzle.

Presti brokered a trade between the Thunder and Houston Rockets that sent Harden and three Thunder reserves for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and some draft picks. Harden immediately signed a five year $80 million dollar contract and was introduced as the foundation of the Rockets rebuilding program. As a starter for the Rockets Harden has averaged 26.2 pts, 4.7 rebounds and 5.9 assist. His FG% has dropped to 45% and he is only hitting 37% from the three point line but he still gets to the FT line often and is still hitting 86% of his free throws.The bottom line is Harden lived up to the hype and is well worth the money.

Kevin Martin came to the Thunder having played seven NBA season with Sacramento and Houston, mostly as a starter and the teams go-to scorer. Kmart faced the same dilemma at OKC that Harden faced; no time in the starting line. Martin brought career averages of 18.4 pts, 2.1 assist and 3.5 rebounds. He shot 44% from the field and 38% from three and, he is always among the league leaders in FT% at 87% for his career. Not bad numbers and certainly comparable to Hardens.

This season KMart is averaging 28 minutes, 14.2 points, 1.4 assist and 2.3 rebounds. He is hitting 45% from the field, 42 % from three point range and a sizzling 89% from the line. Martin has had a mid season slump and does not drive to the basket as well as Harden. However, he has adapted well to his role off the bench and has started to show signs of a similar 2 man game with Nick Collison.

Kevin Martin is no James Harden... but who is?

KMart is a different player. He has that odd shooting motion that half the kids in Oklahoma City are attempting to replicate. He's been asked to come in and replace a beloved player and NBA all Star. A tall task to place on the shoulders of any professional athlete. Martin has done so with grace and professionalism that frankly we didn't often see with Harden. He has embraced the city and the team he now shares with all of us. Would the Thunder have repeated it's magical playoff run of 2011-12 with James Harden? Would we stand a better chance of winning the NBA Championship if Harden had stayed this year? (remember, Harden was a no show against Miami last year) The fact is, we will never know the answer to those questions and frankly, Sam Presti made the only decision he could have. It was the best decision for the Thunder organization long term.

Will Martin sign a new contact? I don't know. I do know this, he is playing for a legitimate contender for the first time in his career and, like all professional athletes, he wants a championship ring. My gut tells me that KMart will place winning over money.

Yes, It would have been nice to have James Harden in a Thunder uniform for one more year. But, it wasn't in the cards. It's no one's fault, least of all Kevin Martin, it's just business. I wish "The Beard" well. I know he will play in the league for a long time. More importantly, I welcome Kevin Martin to our family and I hope he sticks around as long as he wants to.

 

*(For the record, the 2011-12 team finished 47-19 in the strike shortened season but would have easily won 50 with an 82 game schedule)

For Buster.

The maturation of Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is growing up before our eyes. If you are not enjoying every minute of it,  then perhaps you should pay closer attention. Sure, Russell still makes some pretty dumb decisions and takes questionable shots but not near as much as he used to. Then again, how many of us could make the dozens of good, snap decisions he makes every game? In fact, not many NBA players can do what Westbrook does game in and game out.

Russell Westbrook came out of college as a defensive minded shooting guard. He was drafted to play point guard. At the time, most sports reporters and fans thought the idea was crazy. Very few thought it would work. Some (Skip Bayless comes to mind) still think playing Westbrook at the point is a bad idea. Many fans cry about his "inconsistency" on the court and frown at his dramatic complaints to the zebra crew after every possession. Some have even stated that Westbrook should have been traded or, at the very least, not signed to a long term contract. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, despite how silly it is. I for one think they are all wrong.

It is my contention that Russell Westbrook is not a point guard or a shooting guard. Russell Westbrook is an athlete. Not a run of the mill, Professional athlete either, he's a freak of nature. A rare athlete that possesses not just the skills that are commensurate with his size, but big man skills as well. I believe that he could also transition to other sports. Would it not be fun to watch Westbrook chasing down wide receivers as an NFL safety, or outrunning fly balls in a Major League ball park? I think he could easily do both. Don't get me started on his potential career in track and Field. I believe Thunder GM Sam Presti and the rest of the staff saw the same thing on draft day. The question they faced was not what position to play Westbrook, but rather how to get him on the court period.

The starting five and the positions they play mean a great deal right up until the tip off. After the first whistle it means a lot less. LeBron James is listed as a forward in the starting lineup. He spends the majority of the game at the point, handling the ball. Russell Westbrook can play any position and, on most nights, he does. Consider the stats for the guards on the top 7 teams in the NBA. Westbrook leads in almost every category. He leads in minutes played (35.69), points (23.63), rebounds (5.25) and is second to the Clippers Chris Paul in assist (9.51 - 7.83) and steals (2.43-1.85). Better than Parker, Ginobili, Crawford, Wade and Ray Allen. In fact, his rebound totals rival those of most starting forwards in the NBA. It wouldn't be fair not to mention the fact that Westbrook also leads in the categories of turn overs (3.52) and personal fouls (2.28) but, those categories speak to his explosive manner of play and his stingy defense. I don't know about you, but I don't want Westbrook to slow down his style of play. I'll take a few turnovers and a scrappy foul every now and then.

Watching Russell Westbrook grow before our eye's is a lot of fun. He is only 24 years old and has proven to be extremely durable. In fact, Russell has never missed a game. Not just in the NBA mind you, it has been reported that he didn't miss a game in college or high school either. And then there is his incredible upside. Compare his season stats above to what he has done since the all star break; 32 points per game, 6 assist and 6 rebounds. And, for good measure, he has 3 double doubles during that span and adds at least one steal a game. He's doing all that while shooting 52% from the field, 42% from 3 point range and a stout 88% at the line. He proves every game that he is no where near finished growing as a player or as a leader.

Russell will always have turnovers because of his style of play and his passion for the game will always be perceived as childish anger by some. But I know this, I want him around as long as he wants to be, and I hope that he plays his entire career as a member of the Thunder. Trust me, I know his teammates don't want to play against him. I promise that in the not to distant future he will be in the discussions for many NBA honors including MVP, all defensive team and perhaps a scoring title or two.

Give the man a break, let him play his style. Ride the emotional roller coaster that he puts us on every time he steps on to the court. It's the way he was made. Who are we to argue with his Creator. My advice, Just sit back and enjoy watching Russell Westbrook grow up, and hopefully grow old, with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For Buster.