re: Great article on Ibaka, Harden, and the Thunder by Zach Lowe

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I don't completely disagree, but how do you see that impairing Harden's development? If anything I'd imagine Ibaka would see less touches on the offensive end.

They would absolutely be a thinner team, and Lowe points that out.

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I am of the opinion Harden has grown because the offense runs through him. OKC really needs a catch shoot guy as the main one off the bench. That's not Harden's game. They looked awesome last year with Martin in the catch and shoot guy off the bench until Westbrook went down.

And the depth is what pushed this thing over the top for Presti based on the data he had available at the time. He's a Spurs guy: they value depth. Again I'll ask: What the hell was OKC supposed to do if they maxed Harden AND kept Ibaka and couldn't win a title? You're fricked at that point and forced to deal somebody. Probably for less than they for Harden to boot.