NBA 2014-15 Thread

**TahoeJ** · 05-21-2015, 02:31 PM

Nice breakdown in those links. That's what was so impressive about Harden in the 4th quarter - I thought Klay was playing good defense on him and he was still dropping shots. I can't stand Harden's game in some ways - particularly how he forearms his defender when he drives (almost every time) and the refs never call it - but those jump shots were legit.

Yes, I agree, you can't keep taking that many contested shots and expect to make that many.

**Adolf Allerbush** · 05-21-2015, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by TahoeJ

Nice breakdown in those links. That's what was so impressive about Harden in the 4th quarter - I thought Klay was playing good defense on him and he was still dropping shots. I can't stand Harden's game in some ways - particularly how he forearms his defender when he drives (almost every time) and the refs never call it - but those jump shots were legit.

Yes, I agree, you can't keep taking that many contested shots and expect to make that many.

Seemed like that was the best the Rockets can be expected to play and they still lost. That's got to be devastating for them...I wouldn't be surprised if they get swept.

**IVplay** · 05-21-2015, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by TahoeJ

Like almost every other season in the NBA. It's difficult to look back at any season that didn't have a massive impact due to someone getting injured.

Nothing like this year. Kelly olynyck and the NYPD may have the biggest impact.

What ever happened to that club incident? Completely covered up by the league.

**IVplay** · 05-21-2015, 08:33 PM

I don't think I've ever seen ariza miss.

**54-46** · 05-22-2015, 07:45 AM

Dubs fans exhale after they almost blew an 8 point lead at the end. We'll take 2-0.

Harden didn't even get to take one of the tough shots he had been hitting most of the night. Bad choice not to call a timeout once his initial thrust had been blunted. Chances of making a shot you can't get off? 0

BTW, did anyone see the clip of McHale talking to the HOU players, like Dwight Howard, after the game? He was saying all the "right things," but it seemed pretty phony/manipulative to me based on his tone and delivery. It was like McHale knew he was on camera and wanted to make a record of saying the right things.

OTOH, Kerr came off more genuine. You could see that he was also being a puppet master but it came off less tinny than McHale to me.

**guroo270** · 05-22-2015, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by TahoeJ

I can't stand Harden's game in some ways - particularly how he forearms his defender when he drives (almost every time) and the refs never call it - but those jump shots were legit.

Not to mention that every time he sticks his beard out it triggers the part of the brain that thinks he got fouled (which is almost every drive).

**TahoeJ** · 05-22-2015, 09:22 AM

It's fun when Andrew Bogut starts slamming down alley-oops.

I don't think there's anything phony about McHale - I think he's just a bit awkward is all. As a coach he deserves more credit.

One thing these playoffs have shown is the argument that Harden has to do it all and his teammates suck was never true. And yeah, I don't think Ariza has missed a single open look.

PB · 05-22-2015, 10:10 AM

Chances of taking one in Huston?? If they don't I fear this will go the full 7.

**AKbruin** · 05-22-2015, 10:42 AM

I almost miss the crappy Warriors teams who played with house money. I was happy whenever they won regardless of how they won. It's weird to be a Warriors fans and have not just expectations, but high expectations. Last night's win brought relief . . . but little joy.

That said, the Warriors are 10-2 and have won five straight in the playoffs in the very strong Western Conference. They've also beaten Houston six times in a row.

Anyhow, Harden and Curry are playing almost as well as they can play. Both are due for "off" games. When they have such games, I think the Warriors can survive an off-Curry game better than the Rockets can survive with an off-Harden game. At some point, Klay is due for a solid offensive game, although I worry that his mostly stellar defense on Harden is causing him to suffer in that regard.

I'm reluctantly yet optimistically agreeing with Adolf: I think the Houston has played nearly their best game and still come up short, which doesn't bode well for them.

**Adolf Allerbush** · 05-22-2015, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by flowing alpy

Bogut lulls Howard into sleep then exerts 3 seconds of flash and Dwight is out of position by then. Bogut playing possum:-)

Howard should've taken it to the hole when Harden passed to him and either tried to score or given it back...maybe he's scared to shoot free throws though.

**TahoeJ** · 05-22-2015, 11:45 AM

I think the Rockets will win game 3, since if they lose it's pretty much over (coming back from 3-1 is one thing, but no NBA team has ever come back from down 3-0). Sticking with Warriors in 5.

**54-46** · 05-22-2015, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by TahoeJ

I think the Rockets will win game 3, since if they lose it's pretty much over (coming back from 3-1 is one thing, but no NBA team has ever come back from down 3-0). Sticking with Warriors in 5.

I'm hoping the Rockets' desire/need to win game 3 makes them tight, causing them to clang 3s, and leading to many Warriors run-outs...so many scenarios left to play out, but that's my favorite...

**plugboots** · 05-22-2015, 03:03 PM

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but part of why the W's/Rockets series has been so fun to watch is there has been almost zero hack a shaq.

**nwslider** · 05-22-2015, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by plugboots

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but part of why the W's/Rockets series has been so fun to watch is there has been almost zero hack a shaq.

Agreed. The nba needs to do something about it. If not for the enjoyment of the fans, then for the money they are losing when people tune out during the hack-a-Shaq

**Adolf Allerbush** · 05-22-2015, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Nwslide

Agreed. The nba needs to do something about it. If not for the enjoyment of the fans, then for the money they are losing when people tune out during the hack-a-Shaq

Disagree...these dudes need to learn how to shoot free throws. If you want to hire DJ or Howard or you name it, to paly hoops for your team it's something you have to factor into their compensation. Giving them a free pass makes them more valuable because they become less of a liability on the court...plus it's counter to playing hoops...the goal is to get it in the hoop...if you can't do that, completely unguarded, and are merely a defensive specialist/dunker, then great, but don't expect to get out of one of the most basic parts of playing basketball just because you're unwilling to put the time in to figure out how to shoot a free throw.

**nwslider** · 05-22-2015, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Adolf Allerbush

Disagree...these dudes need to learn how to shoot free throws. If you want to hire DJ or Howard or you name it, to paly hoops for your team it's something you have to factor into their compensation. Giving them a free pass makes them more valuable because they become less of a liability on the court...plus it's counter to playing hoops...the goal is to get it in the hoop...if you can't do that, completely unguarded, and are merely a defensive specialist/dunker, then great, but don't expect to get out of one of the most basic parts of playing basketball just because you're unwilling to put the time in to figure out how to shoot a free throw.

Fuck that. Why should my viewing pleasure suffer because the rules allow this annoying strategy?

**nwslider** · 05-22-2015, 04:09 PM

There are a multiple different ways they could make the situation go away. Move the threshold from two minutes to say 6. Make off the ball fouls committed in the back court 2 shots and the ball. Make off the ball fouls committed in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock 2 shots and the ball. Number two would be best IMHO but all would remedy the problem. Number two would also force them to become better ft shooter unless they wanted to play 4 v 5 on offense

**IVplay** · 05-22-2015, 09:05 PM

I say if it's an off play foul let the team choose the shooter of the free throws.

**54-46** · 05-22-2015, 09:06 PM

ATL had nothing tonight. Seem intimidated.

**IVplay** · 05-22-2015, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by 54-46

ATL had nothing tonight. Seem intimidated.

If I'm the cavs I sit kyrie this whole series. Not worth tiring him out. Surpised they had shump in for so long.

**Adolf Allerbush** · 05-23-2015, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by IVplay

I say if it's an off play foul let the team choose the shooter of the free throws.

That's fine...it's the ideas being thrown around for the equivalent of a DH in hoops for free throws for on the ball fouls that bugs. Learn how to shoot a FT...not that hard.

**IVplay** · 05-23-2015, 07:29 PM

I hate the handcheck headsnap offense of harden.

**plugboots** · 05-23-2015, 08:20 PM

Not right now. Maybe second half.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 05-23-2015, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Nwslide

Fuck that. Why should my viewing pleasure suffer because the rules allow this annoying strategy?

Agree with Adolph- learn to shoot free throws; also, there's really only 7 or 8 guys in the league who are so bad at FTs as to be worth hacking. Not worth changing the rule over so few instances. I mean, I see why DeAndre Jordan's agent is for the rule change- but for his client's inability to be on the court in close and late situations, he's one of the top 10 players in the league. Second, I totally disagree with the above; I love it when a guy gets hacked and then makes both. I root for dudes I otherwise staunchly dislike when they're getting hacked and like watching coaches coach. No complaints here.

Also Houston might have to join the eastern conference after this game, hole up for a while, think some things over.