As the dude pitching the "break up the core for Giannis" in the yesterday thread, I also agree with Duby's call on Giannis. To really break through to the unstoppable level, he still needs to build a strong counter to "the wall". He's done the Dirk fadeaway a few times during the season, which would be the perfect counter move (a hook shot would be great too, but that's harder), but he's not automatic in that yet. If I were him, I'd call up Dirk and just drill that thing endlessly all summer.
Sep 3, 2020Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Seeing Harden pose up and scream to virtually no one or rather a virtual crowd after a lousy game was pretty funny. I get it. It was a great play and critical. But just too funny.
Sep 3, 2020Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
I've found the last couple of days to be compelling watching - even though I don't care that much about the teams. Maybe it's because my adult kids and their families just left after 3 months (hey, it's better in the mountains than L.A.), but close game 7s going to the wire are always fun.
Duby's analysis is right on. Giannis needs more tools. Compare him to Durant or Leonard - multi-dimensional players who can go to the hoop, make shots from all over the court, and play great defense.
I've never seen Harden so bottled up. Has he gotten slower? Lost his mojo? Or have people just figured out how to guard him? His fade in big games isn't redeemed by this last game. As good as Westbrook is, as dominant in streaks, he is also a turnover when it counts machine. OKC definitely got the better of that trade, although Chris Paul is and will always be a whiner. Instead of fining him for dissing Scott Foster, the NBA should just have announcers add to his introduction before games and on all TV mentions, "and, for OKC, "The Whiner," Chris Paul.
But turn on the TV. The basketball is pretty good.
Prior to the playoffs it felt like the East would be a bloodbath with all the top 6 teams very close. But it turns out, maybe those teams have some very lopsided matchups and the bracket found them.
Meanwhile, the West was always going to be a mess except for the LA teams, and that's certainly true. I'm hoping Denver hasn't spent all its breakout star power to edge past the Jazz round 1, because despite looking like they're coasting the entire time, the Clippers are terrifying. No team should have the two of last season's MVP candidates plus two sixth man of the year frontrunners plus still more talent, but here they are.
I don't expect the Rockets (a team without a true center on the roster) vs Lakers (a team with like 5) to be close, especially given the Annual Harden Playoff Collapse is upon us, but I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise. No way in hell do I watch these games though; I can't imagine a more miserably un-fun matchup. My condolences and solidarity go out to the refs preemptively.
As the dude pitching the "break up the core for Giannis" in the yesterday thread, I also agree with Duby's call on Giannis. To really break through to the unstoppable level, he still needs to build a strong counter to "the wall". He's done the Dirk fadeaway a few times during the season, which would be the perfect counter move (a hook shot would be great too, but that's harder), but he's not automatic in that yet. If I were him, I'd call up Dirk and just drill that thing endlessly all summer.
And the Bucks have to win 4 of 5 now? Sheesh.
Seeing Harden pose up and scream to virtually no one or rather a virtual crowd after a lousy game was pretty funny. I get it. It was a great play and critical. But just too funny.
I've found the last couple of days to be compelling watching - even though I don't care that much about the teams. Maybe it's because my adult kids and their families just left after 3 months (hey, it's better in the mountains than L.A.), but close game 7s going to the wire are always fun.
Duby's analysis is right on. Giannis needs more tools. Compare him to Durant or Leonard - multi-dimensional players who can go to the hoop, make shots from all over the court, and play great defense.
I've never seen Harden so bottled up. Has he gotten slower? Lost his mojo? Or have people just figured out how to guard him? His fade in big games isn't redeemed by this last game. As good as Westbrook is, as dominant in streaks, he is also a turnover when it counts machine. OKC definitely got the better of that trade, although Chris Paul is and will always be a whiner. Instead of fining him for dissing Scott Foster, the NBA should just have announcers add to his introduction before games and on all TV mentions, "and, for OKC, "The Whiner," Chris Paul.
But turn on the TV. The basketball is pretty good.
Prior to the playoffs it felt like the East would be a bloodbath with all the top 6 teams very close. But it turns out, maybe those teams have some very lopsided matchups and the bracket found them.
Meanwhile, the West was always going to be a mess except for the LA teams, and that's certainly true. I'm hoping Denver hasn't spent all its breakout star power to edge past the Jazz round 1, because despite looking like they're coasting the entire time, the Clippers are terrifying. No team should have the two of last season's MVP candidates plus two sixth man of the year frontrunners plus still more talent, but here they are.
I don't expect the Rockets (a team without a true center on the roster) vs Lakers (a team with like 5) to be close, especially given the Annual Harden Playoff Collapse is upon us, but I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise. No way in hell do I watch these games though; I can't imagine a more miserably un-fun matchup. My condolences and solidarity go out to the refs preemptively.