Making sense of the Harden-Giannis feud

BetAmerica has teamed up with Covers and Oddschecker to break down the latest news and trends from around the Association. This week NBA columnists Andrew Caley, Sam Farley and Ryan Murphy discuss the Knicks’ uncertain future, the thoroughly entertaining Harden-Giannis beef, and Dion Waiters’ workout with the Lakers.

Newly installed Knicks president Leon Rose has asked fans to be patient. How many years away is New York from being a playoff contender?

Andrew: Patient is the right word, because the answer is many. Many years. The Knicks are trying to emulate teams like the Lakers by putting Rose in this role, and he will quickly find out recruiting players to sign with your agency is much different to get them to sign a long-term deal with the Knicks. They have a few nice pieces. Despite being overshadowed by many rookies this year, I still believe RJ Barrett can be an NBA All-Star. But there is no generational talent in this draft, and the biggest problem with the Knicks remains ownership. James Dolan has been the one constant through the Knicks’ struggles, and it doesn’t seem like he is selling the team anytime soon. Dolan has definitely been labeled (and rightly so) as an owner players don’t want to play for. Rose’s job will be a tough one, considering it has been a long time since a high-profile free agent has signed there. So, buckle up Knicks fans, the wait will be a little longer.

Sam: Things can change fast in this league. That is especially true when the team gets a little lucky in either the draft or free agency (I’m looking at you, Pelicans). Sadly New York has no luck. The reality is luck will be very hard to come by when James Dolan is still the man at the top. The Knicks have lurched from one embarrassment to another, for far too long. Does the arrival of Leon Rose really make New York an attractive destination for any FA over the next few offseasons? The mismanagement has been so dire that it’s almost impressive, and in total honesty I can’t see anything changing that for some time. I hope I’m wrong, and Rose certainly came across well in his welcome letter to the fans, but it’s a tough ask.

Ryan: In the immortal words of Fran Fraschilla, the Knicks are "two years away from being two years away." New York hasn’t made the playoffs since 2013 and is saddled with one of the most poorly constructed rosters in the NBA. The good news for the Knickerbockers (yes, there’s a little bit of that), is that they have a trio of promising pieces in RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson, all of whom are 25 or younger. Three-quarters of the Knicks’ roster will also come off the books following the 2020-21 season, leaving New York in prime position to land a generational talent in free agency and lure Spike Lee back to the Garden.

James Harden has insisted that Giannis is all size and no skill. Does he have a point? Would the Greek Freak be just another player is he were 6-foot-5?

Andrew: Whoa. Shots fired. First off, I wouldn’t say Giannis would be just another player if he were six inches shorter. He would still be an unfathomable athlete who clearly works extremely hard to improve his craft. That said, Harden does have a bit of a point. While Giannis does so many things well, his biggest weakness is his shooting from the perimeter. To his credit, the Greek Freak is shooting more three-pointers than ever (4.7 per game) and hitting them at a career high… of 31.1%. But did you see what Chris Paul did to him this past weekend? Literally daring him to shoot. Giannis is the likely MVP again this season. But is he the guy you want with the ball in his hands if you need a game winning bucket? Or would rather a guy like Dame Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, or Steph Curry? It’s a debate if nothing else.

Sam: Would a Bugatti Chiron still be the car it was if it didn’t have an eight-liter engine? Of course not, but it does, so the point is moot. Giannis has maximized his best attributes and is continuing to hone them and improving even more. He doesn’t have the same elite skillset as James Harden, but he doesn’t need to, and he’s proven his exceptional ability over the past couple of years. I’m enjoying the beef between the two, and yeah Giannis isn’t quite as skilled as Harden, but he’s a baller, pure and simple. Now we just need to pray that the two meet in the NBA Finals.

Ryan: I hate to admit it, but Harden is right. Giannis leads the NBA in shots in the restricted area and is shooting an astounding 76.3% around the rim. That number would be unfathomable if he were six inches shorter. Giannis has added multiple layers to his game since being drafted in 2013, but let’s be honest, the only reason international scouts noticed him in the first place was because of his extraordinary length and potential. If he were merely 6-foot-5 he’d still be playing in Greece.

The Lakers conducted a workout for free-agent guard Dion Waiters on Monday. What kind of impact can he have for L.A.?

Andrew: If Waiters is motivated (and has limited access to edibles), I think he could have a positive impact for the Lakers. Waiters had a bit of a resurgence in his first year with the Heat, averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds before spending most of the next three seasons injured or suspended. That said, he shot nearly 37% from deep during his tenure in Miami, and if there’s room for anyone on the court next to LeBron, it’s shooters. Waiters could also be used when LeBron is off the floor, when the Lakers offense gets predictably more stagnant. Waiters obviously comes with a bunch of baggage, but if LeBron thinks Waiters is in a good enough head space to come in and contribute in whatever way LeBron needs, then I think it could be a good move.

Sam: It looks like a straight shoot-out between Waiters and J.R. Smith for that final Lakers roster spot. Waiters is the younger man, but it feels like he’s been off the court for a long period of time in the last year or two. Waiters could be another shooter to play next to LeBron James from the bench, but I’m not convinced either him nor Smith would be real difference makers to this Lakers team. That said, the two of them would be All-Stars of an NBA Meme-Team, so it would be good fun to watch either down the stretch.

Ryan: At this point in his career, Dion Waiters needs the Lakers a lot more than they need him. The 28-year-old journeyman has already been suspended twice this season for conduct detrimental to his team and is one misstep away from playing in the deepest darkest reaches of eastern Europe. If he’s healthy and locked in (and that remains a big “if”), Waiters is a microwave-like performer who can create his own shot and score in bunches. L.A. could certainly use a sparkplug like that off the bench, but in my opinion, they’d be better off giving those minutes to follicly-challenged combo guard Alex Caruso. The 26-year-old is a lockdown defender and above-average three-point shooter who understands his role and has developed excellent chemistry with the Lakers' stars. Sure, he looks like a ninth grade math teacher, but he’s a far better – and more reliable – option than Waiters.

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