OFFICIAL 2020 NBA PLAYOFF THREAD - DISNEY COVID INVITATIONAL EDITION - MAMBA FOREVER - LAKERS WIN THE RONA RAND - ALA FOREVER

[TimelessClassic]

D'antoni's system has gotten as much as it could get out of a team built around Harden. Maybe you just have to consider that Harden isn't exactly an easy player to build around if he's your #1.

Yes, all-time great 1 on 1 scorer but average 3-point shooter (and below average in the playoffs historically). No mid-range game and for someone who is not a great 3-point shooter, he loves taking half of his field goal attempts from 3.

In the last 30+ years, MJ and Kobe were the only SGs to lead a team to a championship without a dominant big man (D-Wade still had Shaq in 2006). MJ and Kobe could dominate with the post-up/mid-range in the playoffs, just like what Kawhi does today. And even if you want to add D-Wade to that conversation, Wade was a better slasher than Harden.

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

Harden shouldn't have to play well in the 4th. Harden shouldn't have to play without a lead. Harden should be excused from participating if he gets doubled. Good night folks. See yall mañana

 

[akajae]

Alright lol I'm not too invested in this series. This series is more fun for me. I truly think Hou can win this series but if they don't, idc.

As long as we handle business against Denver.

I’d say you’re $100 invested.

 

[DCAllAfrican]

James Harden would win a chip if he became 6th man on the Lakers behind Bron, AD, and Rondo.

What about if he was on that KD Warriors squad?

 

[trynafeelmink]

The grabbing and hooking of the opponents arm going to the basket and also the trying to embellish on 3s instead of trying to make shots at times. You know the same things he's been doing for the last 5 or 6 years.

This man did this in a PLAYOFF game . The game is on the line & he's trying to bait the refs into calling a foul

 

[tay1]

Don't think the Rockets are out of this series yet. Win game 4 and it's 2-2.

That being said, if they lose this series they really gotta reevaluate the Harden thing if they don't wanna blow it up. There's no way to add any real talent w/Harden Russ and EG's deals, so improvement is going to have to come within and it could start with moving harden around and him diversifying where he scores his points and where he catches the ball.

The CP3 for Russ thing is a killer because he has to be a PG which hurts in the playoffs against really good defenses.

Series over 4-1

They should blow it up but I understand why it wouldn’t happen. It’s been 8 years and Harden is the same. Flashy and impressive throughout the season but doesn’t and can’t fully deliver. Especially with this bum *** team.

 

[reformeDWS]

He played terrible the entire second half.

he was a team low -14 and somehow the game was tied going into the 4th. The stars washed each other tonight and Rondo and Kuzma were better than Gordon Tucker and Covington. That’s really all it boils down to.

And when that isn't available for him to take advantage of what happens? You're almost there...

Take away all his free throws and he’s 13th in the league in points per game on 44/36. Wrong hill to die on.

 

[T0INE]

Lawd, dat pandemic audit life killing me right now.

Missed both the games.

Literally woke up as the Lakers were closing it out.

Looking at the boxscore I see Westbrook had a nice bounce back game, Harden had an almost 30pt triple double. Rockets shot decent from 3 and still lost.

Year 17 Lebby filling up the stat sheet, playing defense like his Prime Heatles days.

Playoff Rondo.

Like he played specifically tonight for pmatic

Skimming through the thread I see some Laker fans speaking with their whole chest.

BIG LEEMELONE been in here naked for at least an hour. The SWV reference.

Lifelong Lakers' fan D StaXX going straight at Harden's neck.

Bad night for ALA.

 

[waukeganwill]

James Harden the new TMac but TMac way better lol

Lol idk man Tmac couldn’t even get out da first round

 

[Tony $now]

Russ is not good at basketball man. Sure he’s athletic, etc, but as far as skill, nah, he’s been getting by soley off athleticism. His decline has already started. If he can find a jumper he will be ok, but if not it’s gonna be ugly. He already looks archaic on the floor with him being a guard that can’t shoot.

 

[antidope]

he was a team low -14 and somehow the game was tied going into the 4th. The stars washed each other tonight and Rondo and Kuzma were better than Gordon Tucker and Covington. That’s really all it boils down to.



Take away all his free throws and he’s 13th in the league in points per game on 44/36. Wrong hill to die on.

He makes 38 million dollars. The first paragraph shouldn't be typed much less two games in a row of the same experience. It's inexcusable.

 

[Brosizzlew30.23]

Lol idk man Tmac couldn’t even get out da first round

It's kinda close as far as who the better scorer is but I think TMac more skilled than James. It all depends on their respective supporting casts but I like what TMac can do overall on both ends compared to Harden

 

[pums]

I’m not gonna get on Harden for not shooting over double teams.

The adjustment should be on the off ball movement. No one is cutting.

 

[MVP]

The game was tied at the end of 3. Harden gets inserted back into the game and his team is down 4 points. Far from a hole or insurmountable lead. In the next 8 and a minutes he hits 1 free throw. He has to be held accountable for that. Inexcusable for the greatest scorer of his generation.

 

[trynafeelmink]

Harden off ball stuff, BENCH WESTBROOK, and play though EG as soon as the Lakers break out the double.

After last game I did EG needed to be out there alongside Westbrook when Harden Sat but when I watched Westbrook not pass the ball and do a bunch of nonsense. 38 million dollars and multiple knee surgeries glad it's not my team.

Your team traded arguably the best player on Earth for Demar Derozan & declined a much better offer from the Lakers out of spite..... Watching Westbrook go 8/24 on a nightly basis would be much better than what your gonna see for the next few years

Bless Up

 

[T0INE]

Not sure which is deadlier, AD's length or his D.

Rockets looking exactly like the Blazers so far. That Laker D is long and stiff.

 

[MVP]

I’m not gonna get on Harden for not shooting over double teams.

The adjustment should be on the off ball movement. No one is cutting.

Ahem...James Harden does neither of those.

 

[gentrification]

This **** ain't new with Tony from blue chips. Homie always is trash when the playoffs come around. Literally every year, his best playoffs was the 6th man for okc. Still has the best moves in the game, changed the game really. But he dont got it, got it.

 

[moe200069]

Mike D'Antoni is the:

Of Basketball coaches. Great in the regular season and makes guys like Nash & Harden regular season MVP's. But NEVER can get their teams to the NBA Finals or Superbowl.

if it weren't for mahomes, d'antoni wouldve been the andy reid of the nba.

 

[P C H]

I’m not gonna get on Harden for not shooting over double teams.

The adjustment should be on the off ball movement. No one is cutting.

Right. He shouldn't be shooting over doubles.

But if your offensive system actively makes it tougher for your best player to score and shoot then something needs to be done about that. It's a primary reason why best players on championship teams aren't point guards. He never gets mid post iso's or elbow iso's, it's all DHO's and PnR's which are easier to trap and double.

But because Russ can't be trusted, Harden has to play the point. It's why the CP3 pairing was so ideal.

IMO.

 

[dman14]

Doc scouting and thinking who is going to guard rondo. Kiwi, pg, and bev going have to be ready

 

[B Sox]

I’m not gonna get on Harden for not shooting over double teams.

This is what they want him to do though. Be THE GUY!

And guess what happens when he doesn't make said ridiculous shot over double teams?

 

[antidope]

Your team traded arguably the best player on Earth for Demar Derozan & declined a much better offer from the Lakers out of spite..... Watching Westbrook go 8/24 on a nightly basis would be much better than what your gonna see for the next few years

Bless Up

If you seriously believe this my condolences.

 

[antidope]

Real friends do stuff like this. Respect it.

 

[DCAllAfrican]

The game was tied at the end of 3. Harden gets inserted back into the game and his team is down 4 points. Far from a hole or insurmountable lead. In the next 8 and a minutes he hits 1 free throw. He has to be held accountable for that. Inexcusable for the greatest scorer of his generation.

Who isn't holding James Harden accountable?

Are yall purposely creating this arguing point for pure joy or something?

Literally everyone here, even Harden "defenders", has said he didn't do much in the 4th.

Not sure what this, "He has ti be held accoubtable" talk is coming from.