This weekend, OKC’s Serge Ibaka was signed to an extension worth $48 million. The Thunder solidified their young core by making sure the talented Congolese/ Spanish forward/ center stays around for at least the foreseeable future. They’ve also effectively turned the focus-that of both team management and the media- onto James Harden.
Ibaka’s deal adds to the contracts of two other OKC superstars: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durantula was signed to an offer sheet worth $86 million, while Westbrook was awarded an $80 million extension. Suffice it to say that OKC has decided to spend big bucks on keeping its stars. Could Harden be the exception?
James Harden has had himself one heck of a year. Coming off the bench, Harden managed 16.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 3.7 apg. He was an integral part of OKC’s deep play-off run this past season. With Thabo Sefolosha starting at shooting guard for the Thunder, Harden provided an extra spark off the bench. That’s right, the Thunder had extra spark. He also served as the play-maker that OKC needed at crucial points in a game. The Thunder’s second unit is one that looks decent on paper, adding on rookie Perry Jones and a rising Reggie Jackson, but it can find itself stalled on the offensive end. This is where Harden plays such a key role. Harden plays the roles of initiator and finisher with both the starting and second unit:
That’s not to say less about Harden’s defensive value. In a league where the shooting guard is often a team’s most dangerous weapon on offense, Harden has proven he can hang with the best. He’s a pest on the perimeter, getting in players’ breathing space and posing good ball denial. He has his mental lapses, but the guys is all of 23 years old. Besides, for every mistake-filled performance, Harden puts up a defensive gem. Check out his coverage on Kobe Bryant this past season:
The question with Harden isn’t whether or not the Thunder value him as a player-he’s a talent so developed at such a young age that he becomes a valuable commodity-, but if they see him as worth the amount of money that other teams are willing to offer. An even more pressing question involves the luxury tax: Is Harden worth it?
James Harden could also just as easily opt to depart OKC, receive the money he’s worth, and play as a starter. It has to be asked: if OKC gives you less to be a 31 minutes-per-game spark off the bench (on an elite, finals-assured squad), would Harden leave it all behind and pursue a starting job?
Mohamed Abdihakim is a journalism student at Florida Atlantic University. He is a Phoenix Suns fan, who is not prepared for the possibility of Nash winning a title in a Lakers jersey. Interests include International basketball, Mad Men , and blues music.
Twitter handle: @Abdi_hakim
