[TC_42Participant]

If you’re the Thunder, and TODAY you have to give up either Harden or Ibaka forever… who do you keep and who do you let go?

I have a feeling that most people on here would say to keep Harden, but I saw a poll in which 70% of Thunder fans would vote to keep Ibaka.

So I thought it would be an interesting question.

And please, no one say that the Thunder will be able to keep both. I know that. This is hypothetical.

[JoeWolf1]

I think in a strictly hypothetical situation you have to give up Ibaka. The Thunder aquired Cole Aldirch and Tibor Pliess during this draft and they also have Mullins and a vet Kristic, its as simple as depth. They don’t have that kind of young depth and a servicable vet at the shooting guard position. You have to keep Harden because there because without him you have Mo Pete and Daequan Cook as your shooting guards on roster.

[JoeWolf1]

I think in a strictly hypothetical situation you have to give up Ibaka. The Thunder aquired Cole Aldirch and Tibor Pliess during this draft and they also have Mullins and a vet Kristic, its as simple as depth. They don’t have that kind of young depth and a servicable vet at the shooting guard position. You have to keep Harden because there because without him you have Mo Pete and Daequan Cook as your shooting guards on roster.

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

To me this isn’t even a question, Harden has star potential, Ibaka is an energizer role player at his best.

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

To me this isn’t even a question, Harden has star potential, Ibaka is an energizer role player at his best.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

James Harden will be an All-Star SG in this league so I would take him without any thought, over Ibaka who will mainly be a role player for his career, and I can’t say Ibaka will even be better than Aldrich so it makes him more expendable instead of Harden.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

James Harden will be an All-Star SG in this league so I would take him without any thought, over Ibaka who will mainly be a role player for his career, and I can’t say Ibaka will even be better than Aldrich so it makes him more expendable instead of Harden.

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

56 players averaged 15 ppg last year. Ibaka already finished 20th in blocks. Harden doesn’t project to do much else, while Ibaka provides a much needed service and should be in the top 3 in blocks per 48 minutes sometime soon (that 7 block game against the Lakers??). Harden is going to be very good, but he’s just a scorer and shooting guards who can score aren’t particularly hard to find. I think he’ll be very good, but Ibaka in that sense is just more valuable to me.

Also, what about Thabo Sefolosha? First off I WOULD TAKE HARDEN, but just think about it. Anyone realize why Kobe struggled so much against the Thunder before absolutely lighting up the Jazz and Suns? It’s because of Sefolosha, who was quietly All-Defensive Second Team last year. He’s one of the very few shutdown man-to-man defenders in the league, and that’s also extremely valuable.

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

56 players averaged 15 ppg last year. Ibaka already finished 20th in blocks. Harden doesn’t project to do much else, while Ibaka provides a much needed service and should be in the top 3 in blocks per 48 minutes sometime soon (that 7 block game against the Lakers??). Harden is going to be very good, but he’s just a scorer and shooting guards who can score aren’t particularly hard to find. I think he’ll be very good, but Ibaka in that sense is just more valuable to me.

Also, what about Thabo Sefolosha? First off I WOULD TAKE HARDEN, but just think about it. Anyone realize why Kobe struggled so much against the Thunder before absolutely lighting up the Jazz and Suns? It’s because of Sefolosha, who was quietly All-Defensive Second Team last year. He’s one of the very few shutdown man-to-man defenders in the league, and that’s also extremely valuable.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I would keep Ibaka.

I like Harden but he does everything good nothing fantastic. I guess he’s this team slasher since Durant is more a jump shooter. I also believe it’s easier to find another slasher in the draft/free agency to replace him.

Ibaka could be a great defender. He averaged 6.3ppg, 5.3rpg and 1.3bpg in 18mpg. I think if you gave him say 30 mpg: He would be in the 13ppg, 10rpg, 2bpg range.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I would keep Ibaka.

I like Harden but he does everything good nothing fantastic. I guess he’s this team slasher since Durant is more a jump shooter. I also believe it’s easier to find another slasher in the draft/free agency to replace him.

Ibaka could be a great defender. He averaged 6.3ppg, 5.3rpg and 1.3bpg in 18mpg. I think if you gave him say 30 mpg: He would be in the 13ppg, 10rpg, 2bpg range.

[NESTO1977Participant]

The Thunder as currently constructed do not required Harden skillset and the 2; however, Ibaka is overly passive on the offensive end and at times could be a liability. Therefore Harden is the keeper. Besides, they passed on Tyreke Evans for Harden so to just keep face they would have to choose him.

[NESTO1977Participant]

The Thunder as currently constructed do not required Harden skillset and the 2; however, Ibaka is overly passive on the offensive end and at times could be a liability. Therefore Harden is the keeper. Besides, they passed on Tyreke Evans for Harden so to just keep face they would have to choose him.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Ibaka is an energy type guy. He comes off the bench and works hard uses his energy to be productive and contibute in SHORT SPURTS. In 30 Minute Per Game his effeciency would drastically be effected negatively. Harden has potential to be a Brandon Roy type player if given the chance, although he will never get that oppurtunity on Oklaholma.

At the end of the day OKC would rather keep Ibaka because he is an intimidating shot blocker. OKC could easily get guy like Bogans or Evans to replace Harden in less of a wing role. Although Harden is a much more prolific scorer they dont really need that.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Ibaka is an energy type guy. He comes off the bench and works hard uses his energy to be productive and contibute in SHORT SPURTS. In 30 Minute Per Game his effeciency would drastically be effected negatively. Harden has potential to be a Brandon Roy type player if given the chance, although he will never get that oppurtunity on Oklaholma.

At the end of the day OKC would rather keep Ibaka because he is an intimidating shot blocker. OKC could easily get guy like Bogans or Evans to replace Harden in less of a wing role. Although Harden is a much more prolific scorer they dont really need that.

[PlatypusParticipant]

i dont see a Brandon Roy in him at all… more healthy Michael Redd

[PlatypusParticipant]

i dont see a Brandon Roy in him at all… more healthy Michael Redd

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