Harden getting Max dollars, Is what's wrong with the NBA.

[KG Living Legend]

 Let me start by saying that I love Harden as a player. He's 23, smart, great handle, great in the pick and roll game. Good shooter, more athletic than he looks. Still has some upside. That said No way should he get 80 Million dollars. I wouldn't have an issue with 52 million or even 60 million.
 
 With all the noise about NBA teams losing money. This is a huge problem right now. I would have a rating system. The only players making Max money would be obvious supertars, James,Wade,Bryant,Howard,Paul,Pierce,Durant,Aldridge,Dirk, Love,D Williams, Etc.

 And if your a 4.5 star type talent. Joe Johnson,Harden,Josh Smith,Boozer, Grainger, David Lee, Etc.
 These next tier type players could still get 55 to 65 million just not 80 million.

[gar]

Houston stole Etwuan Moore for nothing. Serves then right.

[Evantime34]

If Houston doesn't offer Harden that much money does he stay? It is gret to be fiscally responsible and build assets but eventually you need to cash in those assets for a star player. I believe Harden to be a star player. I predict he is top 10 in the league in scoring next year while playing excellent defense. Is he worth $80 compared to others that make that much? Probably not. Is he worth $80 to Houston if that's the only way he signs there? You betcha.

[LooseCannon]

With all the noise about NBA teams losing money. This is a huge problem right now. I would have a rating system. The only players making Max money would be obvious supertars, James,Wade,Bryant,Howard,Paul,Pierce,Durant,Aldridge,Dirk, Love,D Williams, Etc.

Well, gee, why not just have the NBA operate like MLS and have player contracts signed with the league rather than individual teams.

[TripleOT]

7 starts over his three year career. 

[get_banners]

the "lockout" did nothing. owners are still going to spend stupidly (harden is a calculated gamble, but not a terrible one...its not like the dude hasn't produced a lot already). they just got the players to fork over more of the money split. if you thought the lockout was about fixing some of the crazy contracts...expect to be surprised. the lockout was about getting more money back from the players. also, this isn't about OKC being a "small market" team. they get millions in tax breaks, and abandoned a huge market and basketball hotbed (seattle) because the new owner was from OKC and they extored/"persuaded" the people of OKC to build them a new arena.

[hpantazo]

Wait, I thought corrupt officiating and David Stern's separate sets of rules for guys like Lebron and Kobe are what's wrong with the NBA?

[Rondo2287]

Harden is putting on a show tonight

[KG Living Legend]

7 starts over his three year career.

 TP for backing me up with facts.

[get_banners]

Wait, I thought corrupt officiating and David Stern's separate sets of rules for guys like Lebron and Kobe are what's wrong with the NBA?

Ding ding ding...we have a winner!

[Rondo2287]

The harden counter right now,

34 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.


Still in the 4th quarter

[pearljammer10]

Teams that can't land the big fish with the max hand out the max to the lower tier player just because they need something on their roster. Most of the guys you mentioned were given Max deals because the missed out on the high profile superstar, the second tier players are lucky enough to be the second option but still get first option superstar money.

[GreenEnvy]

Not a particularly great contract, but it is what it is.

The sad part is this is Houston's third worst contract this offseason.

[Boris Badenov]

 Let me start by saying that I love Harden as a player. He's 23, smart, great handle, great in the pick and roll game. Good shooter, more athletic than he looks. Still has some upside. That said No way should he get 80 Million dollars. I wouldn't have an issue with 52 million or even 60 million.
 
 With all the noise about NBA teams losing money. This is a huge problem right now. I would have a rating system. The only players making Max money would be obvious supertars, James,Wade,Bryant,Howard,Paul,Pierce,Durant,Aldridge,Dirk, Love,D Williams, Etc.

 And if your a 4.5 star type talent. Joe Johnson,Harden,Josh Smith,Boozer, Grainger, David Lee, Etc.
 These next tier type players could still get 55 to 65 million just not 80 million.

The salary scale is to blame for this, but the economics make sense.

We assume that if Lebron makes $18 million, then someone who is clearly inferior should make substantially less.

But in fact, Lebron's is not a "market" salary. It is the maximum allowed by the CBA.

In fact, if we had open bidding for Lebron his salary might be more like $25 million. Or $30 million. (Thought about this way, players like Lebron are the true losers of the CBA).

In which case, Harden's number would look a lot more reasonable. OR, he might get offered less because true superstars would be eating up more payroll.

What you are suggesting is to further regulate salaries all up and down the spectrum. The biggest problem I see is that it's just not feasible. Who "rates" the players?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I was reading this a while ago. I was gonna respond and say I think he's overpaid. But then I saw what he did to Detroit and I was like, "hmm, I better hold my judgment on this one."

It seems to be a lot of money for now. But he showed in his debut he is a max money player. And he continue to play in a manner of 20-23ppg / 4-6 rpg / 5-7 apg and being efficient on the floor, I think he's worth the max.

We'll see.