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Post by xystophoros on May 11, 2019 4:33:59 GMT
You are gifted with a series-ending injury to Kevin Durant who is averaging 36 ppg at a time when Steph Curry can’t hit a damn shot, and not only do you fail to take advantage, you let Curry wake up and take a big shit on you in the 4th and put your backs against the wall.
Then tonight CURRY SCORED ZERO POINTS in the first half thanks mostly to foul trouble and a bunch of bricks, and the best you can do is go into the half tied on your home court.
Then you’re up 7 late in the game, Curry is having a terrible game, and you can do nothing to stop him from absolutely murdering you with 33 in the second half and 23 in the 4th quarter.
Harden isn’t a big game player. He feasts at the line and his entire game hinges on selling fake contact to referees. But he’s not the guy you want to rely on with your season on the line.
He also wasted a fantastic game from CP3, who played his ass off.
The enduring image from this series is gonna be Curry looking like a fucking Matrix agent doing the shake and bake to get a millimeter’s space and sink that last three-point dagger.
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Post by Xeliou66 on May 11, 2019 5:14:37 GMT
I haven’t followed the NBA closely but I’ve always thought Harden is massively overrated, and I knew the Rockets had no chance at beating the Warriors.
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Post by hi224 on May 11, 2019 5:51:02 GMT
I haven’t followed the NBA closely but I’ve always thought Harden is massively overrated, and I knew the Rockets had no chance at beating the Warriors. i never understood the appeal either, hes a good guy who comes off the bench gives you nice production then sits back down as well.
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Post by yougotastewgoinbaby on May 11, 2019 6:11:06 GMT
He also wasted a fantastic game from CP3, who played his ass off. That might be one of the saddest results of this game. CP3, who has a bad reputation of fucking up in crucial playoff moments (rightfully so), has a damn good game and looks like he's back in his prime, and the Rockets still shit the bed. It's a damn shame.
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Post by xystophoros on May 11, 2019 7:29:29 GMT
He also wasted a fantastic game from CP3, who played his ass off. That might be one of the saddest results of this game. CP3, who has a bad reputation of fucking up in crucial playoff moments (rightfully so), has a damn good game and looks like he's back in his prime, and the Rockets still shit the bed. It's a damn shame. He doesn’t have that reputation, not by anyone who watches the games. He was always the best player on his team by far in every playoff series until recently when he’s slowed down with age. His biggest frustrations were injuries, not poor play. Even when he wasn’t scoring well in this series, the things he does defensively and his ball-handling/distribution are still the best pure PG play by anyone in the league. D’Antoni doesn’t want Harden to play off-ball because he gives them so much offense and can generate it for himself, but the team is better when Paul is running things — the ball moves, the offense plays like a team and there are legit plays instead of dribble, dribble, step back. That never fails to become a graphic during big games, the Rockets offense when run by Harden vs Paul. Most important of all, Harden is a turnover machine and Paul is one of the best all-time in taking care of the ball. That makes a huge difference in these close games.
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Post by xystophoros on May 11, 2019 7:52:37 GMT
I haven’t followed the NBA closely but I’ve always thought Harden is massively overrated, and I knew the Rockets had no chance at beating the Warriors. Harden can score like a motherfucker. He averaged 36.1 ppg this season, and he does it incredibly efficiently, unlike volume scorers like Kobe Bryant. The problem is, his offensive output depends so heavily on getting to the FT line. He averaged 11 FT attempts per game this season, by far the most in the NBA, and he cleans up on 87% on the line. Now that’s a good thing, getting all those FTs. But to do that he’s gotta sell contact to the refs as fouls, essentially making one half of his job acting to make it look like he was fouled. If you watch what Harden does, half the time he’s not shooting to get a bucket, he’s shooting to draw a foul. He’s kicking his legs out, flailing his arms and making odd horizontal leaps on his jump shots to create contact with defenders. That may draw fouls, but it’s the opposite of good shooting form. Mastering the art of drawing imaginary fouls does not make you better at draining clutch shots, or taking over games the way great players do. Curry is the opposite: Every shot he takes is a shot he intends to sink, and he doesn’t benefit from many foul calls because he does nothing to sell fouls. He’s too locked in on maintaining his shooting form and his incredibly fast shot release.
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Post by DrKrippen on May 11, 2019 8:38:06 GMT
Golden State was a 7 point dog on the betting line.
Kind of strange game to watch. Neither team had any kind of decent center or shot blocker in the middle and could dribble to the hoop for layups all night long. Yet both teams insisted on taking threes all night long.
That's not going to work in the next round or in the final.
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Post by nutsberryfarm 🏜 on May 11, 2019 13:21:13 GMT
Golden State was a 7 point dog on the betting line. Kind of strange game to watch. Neither team had any kind of decent center or shot blocker in the middle and could dribble to the hoop for layups all night long. Yet both teams insisted on taking threes all night long. That's not going to work in the next round or in the final. blazers champs?
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Post by DrKrippen on May 11, 2019 16:21:19 GMT
Golden State was a 7 point dog on the betting line. Kind of strange game to watch. Neither team had any kind of decent center or shot blocker in the middle and could dribble to the hoop for layups all night long. Yet both teams insisted on taking threes all night long. That's not going to work in the next round or in the final. blazers champs? Well, game 7 is going to be real interesting. Let's see how that turns out first.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 16:57:25 GMT
I wonder if he shaves his beard this offseason.
I feel as if people are turning on him - even in his hometown.....and people are tiring of him ......
Come back with a new clean cut persona.
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Post by xystophoros on May 11, 2019 20:12:46 GMT
Golden State was a 7 point dog on the betting line. Kind of strange game to watch. Neither team had any kind of decent center or shot blocker in the middle and could dribble to the hoop for layups all night long. Yet both teams insisted on taking threes all night long. That's not going to work in the next round or in the final. What sport are you watching? That’s the way the NBA has been for the past half decade, which is why even big men shoot threes now. Every team except the Spurs has adopted the same strategy more or less: Station your three-point threats beyond the arc or specifically in the corners, run screens for them, stretch out the defense, and either get the screen you want for the mismatch/open shot or leave the lane open for driving the basketball. The lane is open because teams are forced to keep defenders on the three-point threats. This is especially true for teams like the Warriors, Rockets, Blazers and Sixers, who have multiple guys who will punish defenders for leaving them unguarded outside, but it’s also true for teams like Milwaukee. That was the Bucks’ biggest adjustment going into this season, opening the lane up for Giannis to do what he wants, when he wants. Opponents are forced to make hard choices: If you collapse on him you leave guys like Middleton open and pay dearly on threes. If you don’t collapse on him, you get posterized with his balls in your face because no one can stop him 1 on 1. Now I believe the balance will change at some point, maybe when a talented big man brings back a vintage unstoppable shot like the sky hook, maybe if the league tweaks the rules. But for right now this is the way NBA ball is played, and the league likes these high-scoring, fast-moving, trigger-happy contests.
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Post by xystophoros on May 11, 2019 20:20:45 GMT
Golden State was a 7 point dog on the betting line. Kind of strange game to watch. Neither team had any kind of decent center or shot blocker in the middle and could dribble to the hoop for layups all night long. Yet both teams insisted on taking threes all night long. That's not going to work in the next round or in the final. blazers champs? With Enes Kanter as their “enforcer”? I like Kanter, he plays hard, but he’s not a defensive anchor of a big man who is gonna make guys afraid to drive the lane the way Rudy Golbert does. Blazers have a spectacular back court, but the problem is that the Splash Brothers are better. After what we just saw from Curry I don’t think anyone can depend on him slumping. He’s just taken over two consecutive fourth quarters by sheer force of will, both times after shooting miserably the rest of the game. On that last three he hit last night, PJ Tucker was on him like glue, just textbook perfect defense, couldn’t ask for a more stifling effort — and Curry STILL hit the three, off the dribble while fading back. Warriors are not unbeatable but other teams are just playing lesser versions of the Dubs’ offense.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 20:39:21 GMT
Me neither 🙉
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Post by DrKrippen on May 11, 2019 21:27:29 GMT
Golden State was a 7 point dog on the betting line. Kind of strange game to watch. Neither team had any kind of decent center or shot blocker in the middle and could dribble to the hoop for layups all night long. Yet both teams insisted on taking threes all night long. That's not going to work in the next round or in the final. What sport are you watching? That’s the way the NBA has been for the past half decade, which is why even big men shoot threes now. Every team except the Spurs has adopted the same strategy more or less: Station your three-point threats beyond the arc or specifically in the corners, run screens for them, stretch out the defense, and either get the screen you want for the mismatch/open shot or leave the lane open for driving the basketball. The lane is open because teams are forced to keep defenders on the three-point threats. This is especially true for teams like the Warriors, Rockets, Blazers and Sixers, who have multiple guys who will punish defenders for leaving them unguarded outside, but it’s also true for teams like Milwaukee. That was the Bucks’ biggest adjustment going into this season, opening the lane up for Giannis to do what he wants, when he wants. Opponents are forced to make hard choices: If you collapse on him you leave guys like Middleton open and pay dearly on threes. If you don’t collapse on him, you get posterized with his balls in your face because no one can stop him 1 on 1. Now I believe the balance will change at some point, maybe when a talented big man brings back a vintage unstoppable shot like the sky hook, maybe if the league tweaks the rules. But for right now this is the way NBA ball is played, and the league likes these high-scoring, fast-moving, trigger-happy contests. Same sport you are watching champ.  As far as I can tell basketball is still a big man's game. Try telling Kyrie Irving the little guy is supposed to win. What I saw was the huge Greek Freak crushing Kyrie's team. Jokic may take a three every now and then but he chokes up the middle plenty. We'll see if the two little guards on Portland can take them in Denver. They just might, they're plenty talented but you can't tell me the big man hasn't played a big part in this series.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 21:46:55 GMT
I can't stand the NBA but I'll be honest, I was flat out rooting against Harden and the Rockets this year. He was getting his dick sucked far too much on ESPN during his scoring streak for my liking. Sure it was impressive and all but it didn't need to be the focal point of so many of their broadcasts during it.
Then seeing idk what game it was, either game 1 or 2 of this series and seeing complaints about Harden not getting a call on a crucial 3 point attempt when he wasn't even touched yet flailed around like a fish on land turned me even more against him and the Rockets.
Even without Durant I never would have bet money on the Rockets to win this series.
So yeah, it pleases me greatly seeing the Rockets eliminated as well as the Celtics.
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Post by xystophoros on May 11, 2019 22:56:40 GMT
What sport are you watching? That’s the way the NBA has been for the past half decade, which is why even big men shoot threes now. Every team except the Spurs has adopted the same strategy more or less: Station your three-point threats beyond the arc or specifically in the corners, run screens for them, stretch out the defense, and either get the screen you want for the mismatch/open shot or leave the lane open for driving the basketball. The lane is open because teams are forced to keep defenders on the three-point threats. This is especially true for teams like the Warriors, Rockets, Blazers and Sixers, who have multiple guys who will punish defenders for leaving them unguarded outside, but it’s also true for teams like Milwaukee. That was the Bucks’ biggest adjustment going into this season, opening the lane up for Giannis to do what he wants, when he wants. Opponents are forced to make hard choices: If you collapse on him you leave guys like Middleton open and pay dearly on threes. If you don’t collapse on him, you get posterized with his balls in your face because no one can stop him 1 on 1. Now I believe the balance will change at some point, maybe when a talented big man brings back a vintage unstoppable shot like the sky hook, maybe if the league tweaks the rules. But for right now this is the way NBA ball is played, and the league likes these high-scoring, fast-moving, trigger-happy contests. Same sport you are watching champ. As far as I can tell basketball is still a big man's game. Try telling Kyrie Irving the little guy is supposed to win. What I saw was the huge Greek Freak crushing Kyrie's team. Jokic may take a three every now and then but he chokes up the middle plenty. We'll see if the two little guards on Portland can take them in Denver. They just might, they're plenty talented but you can't tell me the big man hasn't played a big part in this series. Well you’re right about Jokic. He’s an old-school lumbering big man who has found his niche due to excellent court vision and passing, but he wouldn’t be half as valuable as a regular 20 and 10 guy. He’s an anomaly in the league though. But the big difference between last year’s Giannis and this year’s Giannis is the stretch offense made possible by stationing shooters on the arc. Kris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, even big men like Brook Lopez (6.3 three point attempts per game) and Nikola Mirotic (6.2 three point attempts). The last two are a 7-footer and a 6’10” guy launching threes like guards. The Bucks have intentionally kept those guys on the arc to stretch the shit out of the D and provide clear lanes for Giannis to charge right to the basket. And he makes 65 percent (!) of those shots. Teams have to pick their poison: Double team Giannis and get hammered by guys sinking open 3’s, or play pure man-to-man on the perimeter and concede the lane to Giannis. Personally I think the smart play is pressuring the shooters. It’s much more likely for the shooters to have off games than it is to stop the Freak.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 23:03:50 GMT
Same sport you are watching champ. As far as I can tell basketball is still a big man's game. Try telling Kyrie Irving the little guy is supposed to win. What I saw was the huge Greek Freak crushing Kyrie's team. Jokic may take a three every now and then but he chokes up the middle plenty. We'll see if the two little guards on Portland can take them in Denver. They just might, they're plenty talented but you can't tell me the big man hasn't played a big part in this series. Well you’re right about Jokic. He’s an old-school lumbering big man who has found his niche due to excellent court vision and passing, but he wouldn’t be half as valuable as a regular 20 and 10 guy. He’s an anomaly in the league though. But the big difference between last year’s Giannis and this year’s Giannis is the stretch offense made possible by stationing shooters on the arc. Kris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, even big men like Brook Lopez (6.3 three point attempts per game) and Nikola Mirotic (6.2 three point attempts). The last two are a 7-footer and a 6’10” guy launching threes like guards. The Bucks have intentionally kept those guys on the arc to stretch the shit out of the D and provide clear lanes for Giannis to charge right to the basket. And he makes 65 percent (!) of those shots. Teams have to pick their poison: Double team Giannis and get hammered by guys sinking open 3’s, or play pure man-to-man on the perimeter and concede the lane to Giannis. Personally I think the smart play is pressuring the shooters. It’s much more likely for the shooters to have off games than it is to stop the Freak. don't forget ersan ilysova - stretch 4 who can stroke from beyond the arc - god I miss him and Beli so......
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Post by xystophoros on May 11, 2019 23:11:44 GMT
I can't stand the NBA but I'll be honest, I was flat out rooting against Harden and the Rockets this year. He was getting his dick sucked far too much on ESPN during his scoring streak for my liking. Sure it was impressive and all but it didn't need to be the focal point of so many of their broadcasts during it. Then seeing idk what game it was, either game 1 or 2 of this series and seeing complaints about Harden not getting a call on a crucial 3 point attempt when he wasn't even touched yet flailed around like a fish on land turned me even more against him and the Rockets. Even without Durant I never would have bet money on the Rockets to win this series. So yeah, it pleases me greatly seeing the Rockets eliminated as well as the Celtics. Yeah that was a blatant attempt at manipulating the officials by the Rockets, the way they whined publicly about not getting their fake fouls called early in the series. During game 5 Reggie Miller was the color commentator on the TNT broadcast and to his credit he criticized the refs for buying Harden’s acting job but not calling fouls when Curry is legitimately hammered. If you watch footage of Curry he’s often clobbered on shot attempts, but even worse, he gets shoved around constantly when he’s off-ball to keep him from getting into position. The NBA is gonna have to crack down on the trademark cheesy Harden move of leaning into defenders on threes to draw fouls. It’s the new version of flopping that became all the rage when Lebron was on Miami. Also, how about that palming call on Klay in game 6? When was the last time anyone has seen a whistle for palming? That was bizarre.
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Post by permutojoe on May 12, 2019 19:02:54 GMT
JH is a little overrated due to lack of defense, which is kind of important to winning 4 series in the playoffs, as well as the success defenses have in making him go right. Having said that the bigger issue is Houston has horrible team balance. Too many scorers, not enough consistency, team play, or defense. They will make the playoffs next year, win a series or two, then bow out again. The team is built to put fans in the seats, not win titles.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2019 19:21:27 GMT
such a great game to watch
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