lol. Coaching tournament ball for the last 4 years makes me appreciate coaching so much more than I did before. I’m blown away by how some people just see the game in the moment so much better than others. My older son is that way and it’s so impressive to me.
My theory about Harden's bad playoff games is that they're mostly fatigue-related. They seem to happen when there's only a day of rest between games, or on the rarer back-to-backs. By that theory, Game 2 could see Harden coming back down to Earth. But then again the playoffs just started, so fatigue should be less of a factor. Also, Leonard is returning this game, which should take some of the burden off of Harden's shoulders.
Hardens struggled have always been about officiating and his popularity. They didn't want to see him win so he was the only super star that shot less free throws in playoffs than in regular season. Funny how that is cuz Luka plays just like him and is loved..... He was getting blatantly hacked driving the hoop with no whistle so he then settles for only threes and if he's on it's great and when it's not on he lays those dud games. Especially when Klay can undercut him 3 times in the same game with no call.
Whenever Harden has a big game in the playoffs it's memory holed within about 5 minutes. Like Zac Lowe who is normally pretty even handed has spent the last 11.5 months referring to a Harden meltdown vs the Celtics last year - of course the only reason why the Sixers were even in a position to beat Boston in game 6 was 2 epic games by Harden literally dragging the team to victory in game 1 and 4 with 40 point games and huge clutch shots. This is kind of a fundamental thing I have with Lowe and other commentators in general - games 1-4 never seem to count, but according to my math they count as much as 7.
Harden's game in the playoffs is determined if his shot is falling. If it is, its lights out, he's a monster, everything is going his way, but if it isn't, he looks like a role player. Problem is you'll get those 2 games outta him per series. In the regular season he went to the free throw line (if his shot was off), but he just couldn't find a way to be dominant in the playoffs even if his shot is off.
It’s going to be a lot easier for Harden this year with PG and Kawhi as his options if his shot isnt falling. I think this is really Harden’s year if Clippers stay healthy.
Agreed, but the problem is Kawhi's health. I don't think he can make it throughout the playoffs. We'll see game 2, Kawhi should play, Luka has to step it up. All he did today was stat padding. Scored 20 points when they were down 29
I'm rooting for a sweep of Dallas for the following reasons: 1. I still have love for James Harden. I know. 2. I always root against Dallas in all things. 3. Please, Luka. Get so angry you demand a trade. We'd love you in Houston. I'd gladly do something like Fred, Jalen and a boat load of picks for Luka and Maxi Kleber. (Kleber is a throw in to make it work). I know Amen can't shoot, but being able to surround Luka with Amen, Dillon, Jabari and Sengun? Savage. Replace Dillon with Eason or Whitmore or whatever. Hell, replace Amen with Whitmore to surround Luka with shooters and have Amen come off the bench and wreak havoc. I know it won't happen, but I'm going to keep on dreaming.
I'm anti-Dallas more than anything They act like Embiid and the rest of the 76ers were MONSTERS Rocket River
