Boston Celtics: Why team doesn’t need James Harden

James Harden seems interested in the Boston Celtics, but the C’s don’t need him.

It seems as though with every passing day, rumors of James Harden coming to the Boston Celtics increase. A few years ago that would be a no-brainer, but now not so much.

Now let’s start off by stating the obvious. Harden is a great scorer and that could help the Celtics. Also imagining him with Jayson Tatum should get fans excited.

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But there would be a lot of issues with bringing Harden to Boston.

Harden is a defensive liability at best. He struggles to defend even the most mediocre of players. As much as fans believe in Brad Stevens, making Harden a competent defender seems like an impossible task for him.

There is also the question of the cost. Boston would likely have to give up a player like Jaylen Brown to acquire Harden. Marcus Smart and some picks won’t get the job done.

At this moment I would rather have Brown. He is improving as a shooter and seems to be a guy who commands respect on and off the court.

Besides his improving skills, he also seems a great fit for Boston. He seems like a player who could spend his entire career with the C’s.

Speaking of fit, we have already heard one Celtics player comment on Harden’s fit in Boston. Semi Ojeleye doesn’t think he would fit in with the team.

If Semi is saying this you have to wonder what guys like Tatum and Brown are thinking. One has to think that they have similar views.

Harden just doesn’t seem like a Celtic. He would be an off-the-court distraction and at this point in his career, it simply isn’t worth the risk.

Boston has a strong starting unit featuring Brown, Tatum, and Kemba Walker. These guys have bought into the culture that has been cultivated and are determined to win a championship in Boston. They deserve the support of the fans and the front office.

So let’s just let the kids play. Let’s not shake up the entire organization trying to bring in an aging veteran like Harden.

Last season the Celtics were able to get to the Eastern Conference Finals. They aren’t exactly far off from lifting another banner.

The Celtics simply don’t need Harden. They have their own superstar in Tatum and are building a quality team around him that is nearing championship status.