Hitch2222 wrote: » Harrison Barnes 9PPG in playoffs and 0.2 VORP, basically the average NBA could fill that role.
ButtersSuki wrote: » Re. your comment he hasn't been the best player in the Finals, he should by most commentators revised view and hindsight have been the MVP in their first Finals win in 2015. He had one average game in the Finals last year and going into the last game he had a legit shot at MVP before KD went to the next level again.Fair enough, I remember those series and Iggie carried a massive load on the defensive end. Last year KD was clear cut to me. Either way he didn't get it so hard to know. What you saw last night however in the second half was a freedom to play that he doesn't always get with KD on the court. Part of what makes him so great as a player and a teammate is he's not a "I'm going to get mine" player, the fact he's willing to cede to KD is part of the greatness.Covered this already, he's egalitarian no doubts but to win 2 MVPs and not have an attitude of "I'm going to get mine" to some degree seems very unlikely to me. Don't know don't his mindset, futile to speculate imo To play like that with 3 fouls and zero points at half time and a dislocated finger was incredible, by any standards. As someone who has dislocated more than one finger I can tell you even dribbling a ball standing with that hand hursts every single time you do it, to dribble at game speed, drive aggressively, dribble behind your back is incredibly hard to do just from a pain standpoint alone, and to do it with 2 of your fingers taped together is just an incredibly skilful thing to do.Again couldn't comment on that, assume they have a fantastic medical team so equating it to your experience is hard to determine. Dislocated fingers are sore but I'd refer to my previous point. Its the most desirable scenario for him given injuries are common in sport. You talk about him like he's a little better than average at times, and that's nonsenseNow you're making stuff up. Please read my posts, they're all together, every post acknowledges how great Curry is, he's not as good in the playoffs as he is in the regular season when compared to his peers. That remains my point, a point which I explicitly and repeatedly made. The argument of the core 4 having played together so they should just turn it on is a little disingenuousNobody said they should be able to turn it on but theyre really good together so it doesnt seem a stretch that they perform well together. Referring to Barnes & Bogut as losses makes little sense as their PLAYOFF -the only thing that matters here- contribution was miniscule at the time. KD has been a big part of the rotation for 3 years. Losing him would have been a blow mentally, and a boost psychologically to Houston. Not to mention the habits they'd have formed playing with KD over the last 3 years. It's not just as simple as flicking a switch.As I said, I make an effort not to speculate on the mentality of athletes, too hard to quantify and by in large is a poor position to argue from. I don't dismiss it as a means to buttress an argument but it's weight is limited at best and debilitating at worse. Houston folded under the pressure. D'Antoni was hugely honest in the interviews, saying stuff like "this will leave a mark". In the same way I said OKC choked up 3-1 against GS in 2016, and GS choked against the Cavs in the same position, this was a choke job. At home, in a game against an opposing team down the best player in the league and who have a weak bench is simply a must win game. Houston were the heavy favourites last night in a game almost everyone thought they would win, and they lost.Yes they were favs but favs get turned over all the time especially when playing against teams as good as GSW, it's not Harden is a bottler or folded under pressure-again speculative, they were simply outplayed by an excellent team. BTW, D'Antoni is 0-6 is elimination games in recent years. Harden is 0-10 since 2009.Largely independent events, imo going back 10 years on Harden is a tad ridiculous tbh given he was a small contributor back then
Hitch2222 wrote: » We're clearly discussing playoff contribution and if that was small then why refer to him as reason for why they're "not they team they were". Just seems irrelevant to me that's all
ButtersSuki wrote: » If we're clearly discussing Play Off Contribution then why dismiss Harden's 0-10? Ok, let's limit it to Houston then...it's still 0-7 then, incl. some epic failures - San Antonio springs to mind. Look at the criticism heaped on Curry this week for not performing to his usual standards in Games 1-5. Harden is getting a pass by comparison. Harden's stats are pretty much all down v regular season too, but I'd largely forgive that if they got over the line. They didn't. Paul's post game quote sums it up for Houston "We lost. And that's stupid". They know they blew it no matter how many excuses you or others will offer on this.
Carcharodon wrote: » Ladies behave !!! Always some great info on here, let’s not let the internet get the better of us, we can save the battles for Twitter I think Houston kind of choked last night, maybe choked is too harsh and inflammatory of a word but they definitely missed a huge opportunity to beat the Warriors, it was the perfect opportunity and they couldn’t get it done, if you told me the Warriors had no Durant & cousins, Steph had Zero points at half time and were still tied at the half, I would be shocked. It’s not like Warriors bench players are in heavy rotation, a few have struggled with injuries this year also so if I was a Rockets fan I’d be pissed right now. It was a fantastic series overall with some great basketball and close games. If Paul & Rivers spent less time flopping around looking for fouls and getting players in trouble, things might of been different. Not sure if anyone saw Cousions talk trash to Paul from the bench, Paul was doing some dramatic covering of his eye by warriors bench, Cousions told him “shut up you little biatch” he really dislike him. Right or wrong, questions will be asked if Rockets from office to coaching to roster.Role on western finals, I would prefer Denver as Portland play is hard but as a fan I love watching Lillard play live, he is also from Oakland so he has a connection to Warriors Also, whoever recommended “Sprawlbawl” nice job, iam really enjoying it
LuckyLloyd wrote: » No - one should be surprised that the Warriors got over the line without Durant. They were champions and a 73 win regular season team before he joined and were only denied by LeBron’s singular Final’s MVP performance. Durant is the cream on top, but underneath has always been delicious. I’d say they drop three games absolute maximum the rest of the way now. Houston gave them a great series, really made them dig for it. I severely doubt any of the other remaining five teams can do the same.
LuckyLloyd wrote: » Frank Vogel Lakers HC, Jason Kidd to be assistant.
Carcharodon wrote: » Also, whoever recommended “Sprawlbawl” nice job, iam really enjoying it
Hitch2222 wrote: » Not trying to incite anything but ironic this popped up:
ButtersSuki wrote: » Honestly, is it worth watching?
Angliru wrote: » Denver are humming. Lillard anonymous.
Hitch2222 wrote: » Suspect that's Hoods PCL gone anyway, I think that tends to happen more in instances of extension rather than flexion of the like an ACL.
Osmosis Jones wrote: » Few fun narratives for the WCF now: -Dame vs his home town of Oakland, always plays out of his mind and gets a great reception in the Oracle. -Steph Curry vs Seth Curry -Last summer KD and CJ got at each other on CJ's podcast when KD told him Portland can't be successful and he should stop worrying about what goes on at the top.
