[RonnyYzParticipant]

There’s a lot of hype over Lamb…. What will Lamb end up being? And if he does reach Harden’s level, how long will it take him. Who will end up regretting that deal, Presti or Morey?

[omphalosParticipant]

 I think Morey would regret the deal if he gave up more, because I don’t have a lot of faith in Harden’s capacity to operate without the buffer zone of Westbrook and Durant to bail him out. I think Lamb is going to be at least as good a Sixth Man, just in different ways; he’s going to be a better defender for starters and he won’t require the ball to be efficient, but his playmaking won’t be as good.

I wish Harden all the luck in the world, but I can’t shake the feeling he’s going to underwhelm as a first option.

[220Participant]

I tend to agree with you on Harden. He’s been very fortunate to play with two guys who demand the defenses attention in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. It’s going to be tough on him to be the first option at least at first. Plus the NBA is cracking down on flopping with fines…personally (I’m only partially kidding) I think that may be why Harden needed the full max because he knows he’ll be getting fined quite a bit for his ridiculous flopping.

Jeremy Lamb could be a great pick up for the Thunder mainly because of how he plays. He’s a guy who scores well without dominating the ball. Westbrook and Durant are good at finding the open man and Eric Maynor will be back help create plays off the bench. In the long run this could really benefit Westbrook’s playmaking ability since he’ll be forced to continue developing it since Harden won’t be handling the ball and creating plays in crunch time.

[scoutguruParticipant]

I think Lamb will become much of what Kevin Martin is, just an absolute bucket getter capable of getting 20 a game down the road. A starting level 2 guard, who on a championship level team like OKC would probably be in a sixth man role, like many anticipate KMart to be for them this year. I don’t see Lamb being like a Harden, idk if he has the overall competitiveness and fire in him that Harden has. And even comparing them coming out of college, I think Harden was the more complete player with him being able to run offense and just his overall bball IQ. Harden’s defense has also drastically improved since he entered the league; whether or not Lamb becomes an adequate defenderat this level with his frame remains to be seen.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I think you guys are sleeping on Harden as a player.

Harden could not only handle the ball and make plays for others, he could also slide over to off guard and play off of Westbrook or Durant. He could play/defend all wing positions. We’re talking about a guy who averaged over 17 points on just 10 shots per game. 39% 3P shooter. He’s probably one of the best pick and roll players in the NBA and was the best decision maker on OKC. Those are big shoes to fill by a young player like Lamb.  

Harden didn’t play well versus Miami, but he was absolutely lights out in the WCF’s versus the Spurs. He was the 2nd best player on the Thunder that series and seemed to make every single big shot.

This guy isn’t going to get worse with more responsibility and a longer leash. Harden is going to have a HUGE season.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

I think it is fair to question him. There is a difference between being a primary scoring option against second units and a spot up shooter late. Harden doesn’t really have an in between game, and in addition to having a dog series against Miami has largely been subpar in big moments. Also, the Thunder were a bad defensive team. A team cannot be bad defensively while also supposedly having great defensive players (Perkins, Ibaka, Westbrook, Sefolosha, Harden, etc). The results have to matter. They are a great offensive team, but that doesn’t mean they also good on the other end. They are  good enough given how much they can score.

[omphalosParticipant]

I sort of made this point in the other thread, but it’s not too hard to play well against the Spurs when your only positional opponent is an aged Ginobili and Danny Green, especially when every man and his dog was watching what Westbrook and Durant were doing.

I’m not saying Harden didn’t play well, he did, and he was a difference maker, but there’s no denying he struggles against teams with good SGs, and if he can’t thrive against great SGs as a 3rd or 4th option, I don’t see how he’ll be particularly successful as a 1st option when teams are game-planning for him every night.

Harden’s efficiency was fine when he was able to pick his moments and take only 10 shots a game, but there were times when the D was hounding him and he tried to shake them that he just looked awful. I don’t think he has the capacity to get himself, I think he’ll just get even more frustrated with missed shots.

I saw a 39% 3P shooter turn down an open look from deep after he got his own long rebound, that moment of doubt can shake you, I don’t think he has the mental toughness to be a 1st option. He might put up some good numbers, but his efficiency will be way down in my opinion.

I’m not saying he’ll be terrible, but there’s certainly reason to doubt whether he can be successful without his safety net.

[benny15Participant]

 Honestly though, i dont think Lamb when he develops will not be looked to replace Harden’s role on the team, rather, i think he can be their starting SG who will replace thabo if and when he gets to expensive as well to retain. with lamb’s length and quickness, he has the tools to become a very good defender and may even guard the opposing team’s better perimeter players at a daily basis. as far as scoring goes, he can play off the talent of his other teamates instead of creating for him and others much like harden did.

no, that role i believe they will be looking at reggie jackson or maybe even Maynor who just might be resigned due to the cap space opening up with Harden being dealt. the reason why i believe Lamb would be much better suited with the starters instead of in James Harden’s role is that he just doesnt strike me as a pace changer or someone who alter the flow of his team. Harden being a combo guard could handle more point duties and let westbrook slide into the SG role and that alone would change the thunder’s rhythm. Lamb on the other hand will not offer the same advantages comming of the bench. rather, he would provide consitency from shooting and perimeter defense, something better for a traditional SG which he is. 

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Defensively, I think Lamb’s wingspan can allow him to be as good as Thabo on that end and offensively, he can be a 14-18 PPG kind of guy that gets a lot of his shots on off-ball screens or moving without the ball.  I don’t think he’ll be as good as Harden because of the fact that Harden can score in more ways than Lamb and is a better ball-handler and passer than Lamb will be

[Puregreen5Participant]

Lamb will be the better player for the Thunder. It may take Lamb, 2-3 seasons before hes the Thunders starting SG. He has great length and such an effortless release on his shot, he could become what Ray Allen was on the Celtics Championship team for OKC, only hes a better defender and team player. I love how he moves w/o the ball, curling off screens, cutting to the basket, etc. . Lamb has to get stronger to reach his max potential in the NBA, hes only 179lbs.! At least hes wiry strong , I would like to see his weight at 190lbs, that would be an ideal weight for him. Get rid of K-Mart next year and give Lamb all of his minutes, he could become the x-factor for this OKC squad!

[BenchWarmerParticipant]

Lamb has the potential to be better and that’s what the thunder are hoping for while they utilize Kevin Martin until Lamb develops. To me James is best with the ball in his hands (which he’ll get more of in Houston) while lamb seems to have potential as an excellent off ball player which will fit in nicely with the thunder. And assuming thabo can teach him the ways of the defense and use those lanky arms on d lamb might fit OKC even better than James. Both seem like they’ll fit there teams well but time will tell. Anyone have thoughts on Thunders rotation?

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