Support NeoGAF

[diehard]

I know my views on sex and abortion are very different than most in this thread. I was hoping most people would view coerced abortion to be a bad thing, but I guess even that's not the case.

no im pretty sure most people agree with you, but is also sketchy getting pregnant on purpose for money is though.

 

[ratcliffja]

no im pretty sure most people agree with you, but is also sketchy getting pregnant on purpose for money is though.

I'm not saying the woman is a saint by any means. I just think Redick's abortion contract is despicable and I really don't want him on my team. Anyway, this is pretty off topic, so I'll just leave it at that.

 

[Forever]

I know my views on sex and abortion are very different than most in this thread. I was hoping most people would view coerced abortion to be a bad thing, but I guess even that's not the case.

If he slipped her drugs to cause a miscarriage or punched her in the gut then yeah, throw all the books at him. That's what I think of when I hear coerced abortion.

Offering her money though? That's shady, but it remains her choice to accept or reject. If the abortion would have been acceptable without money in the picture, I don't see how money should change anything. If you don't believe in zygotic personhood (and there is no scientific basis for such a concept) then its termination should carry zero moral stigma regardless of motivation.

 

[reilo]

This campaign you have to make LMA a defensive beast is entertaining.

Saying that he's a better defender than Love or Griffin is hardly saying that LMA is a defensive beast. He's better than either of them, that's an irrefutable fact.

I'm just highlighting the fact that DWS is flawed.

Want a better example?

Koufous: 1.4DWS, 915MP, 0.073DWS/48
Gasol: 1.2DWS, 900MP, 0.064DWS/48
Bogut: 3.0DWS, 1319MP, 0.109DWS/48
Lee: 2.3DWS, 1639MP, 0.067DWS/48

Lee > Marc Gasol defensively, according to DWS.

 

[Psychological Intellect]

Gonna go ahead and say that Indiana is gonna lose tonight. They suck on the second night of B2Bs.

 

[Smokey]

Is James Harden someone who can anchor a championship team? Can he pair with Dwight Howard to win rings?

With the exception of a healthy Dwyane Wade, Harden is regarded as the league's best shooting guard. Harden also is one of the top pure scorers in the game today at any position. But there's a darker side to Harden's game, one that does little to engender a team concept and ultimately just makes him look selfish. Because of that, the Houston Rockets and their fans are fair to ask whether Harden is beginning to resemble a player maligned as a selfish, ball-hogging player -- the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony.

And yet, for all the potential negatives evident in that comparison, Harden's skills are good enough to help the Rockets win the Western Conference if he can elevate his overall maturity and leadership to match his on-court skills.

Breaking down Harden

It is important to recognize the various ways we can evaluate Harden. He is a rare talent on a distinct path, a player who began his NBA career as a role player, a "glue" guy, playing as both a ball mover and an assist man/playmaker. In time, his role evolved toward being more of a bench scorer, something he adapted to because his team in Oklahoma City needed it.

But it was clear that he longed to be "the man" for a team, and deservedly so. General manager Sam Presti has been criticized for trading Harden and breaking up his trio of star perimeter players, but the truth is, Presti had to do it. Harden now is proving he could do exactly what he always thought he could; meanwhile, OKC has gone 100-34 without him.

Look at it as a win-win deal. Had Presti not moved Harden and had somehow managed to keep him and pay him, it's entirely possible OKC would not have won as many games as they did last season or this season (even with Russell Westbrook's injury). And Harden certainly would not be the star that he has become.

Harden also has usurped Kobe Bryant's title as the best "bad shot" maker in the game. Harden routinely makes contested shots on drives and jumpers. Remember, LeBron James and Kevin Durant are significantly taller than Harden, so while they might be covered as closely, their shots are not contested as tightly as Harden's. I see an awful lot of bad shots in the NBA on a nightly basis, with many or most of those shots ending up as misses. Harden is the one man who makes enough of these bad shots that they can't even be termed as such. And factoring in the fouls he draws and his production from these bad shots, they're actually just his "average" shot these days.

The dark side of Harden's game

Harden is now a complete ball stopper. What's worse is he plays on a team with so many of them, which is possibly one reason why he holds on to the ball so long himself.
Many of the bad shots he takes come after Harden catches the ball with more than 12 seconds on the clock. At that point, it's often the case that no one else touches the ball. The Harden we saw in OKC could move the ball fluidly, but that guy would get fewer shots. This version seems wholly afraid that if he passes the ball away quickly early in a possession, he won't get it back.

Possession after possession, Harden catches and holds the ball, maybe adding a shot fake and some jabs or pivots before he makes a move. According to NBA.com/stats, among all NBA players who are not point guards, only LeBron James has had the ball in his hands more than Harden this season. Correspondingly, Miami has the best offense in the league, and Houston is fifth, so it works for each team.

But Miami also ranks third in assist rate, while Houston is 25th. This disparity is a related to the amount of free throws Houston earns, because they don't accumulate assists when getting fouled while shooting unless the shot is made. It is emblematic though of how Houston tries to space the floor and isolate the best matchup even more than Miami.

However, there have been a number of games where the ball just does not move well, and Houston's offense gets bogged down if Harden can't dominate his defender. Coach Kevin McHale frequently asks his guys to get the ball "poppin'," but their instincts are to just take their man and then make a play. Harden leads the charge on this front. Given that he is such a gifted playmaker, it does work well most nights.

But the fact that Harden now is playing more like Anthony should send up a red flag. Anthony's reputation is that of a killer scorer but not much else. Harden is that guy now as well, famously taking off multiple plays -- even quarters or games -- on defense, and completely lacking in his willingness to set an example of how to play hard. Leadership can come in many forms, and Harden, like Anthony, only fulfills the "best scorer on the team" role that some leaders fill. But neither guy is gifted at inspiring teammates, on the court or off of it, which leaders are also expected to do.

Instead, Harden is now known for his moodiness, likely the result of the challenges a new superstar faces nightly on the floor, as well as the weight stars feel when their teams lose. Those issues have plagued Howard for years, and together he and Harden have not figured out how to join forces and become a duo that can overcome them. Not yet, at least.

Harden must take responsibility

Where Harden and Anthony differ is an important distinction. Where Anthony always has been the non-inspiring ball stopper, Harden was once someone totally different. As Harden matures in his starring role -- perhaps after some playoff disappointments -- there is every reason to believe he can learn how to merge the old Harden with the new one.

If he left Oklahoma City to be "the man," get paid like "the man," and garner the attention "the man" gets, he must be ready to assume the responsibilities that come with that title in the NBA. As it stands today, though, he isn't even close.

He has a brighter future than Anthony precisely because we know he has it in him to fit pieces together better, to move the ball better, and to play much better defense. When Harden is locked in, he can be hard to score on and someone who can make plays on the ball with steals and deflections.

We have seen James and Wade mature into men who know how to step up or step back, depending on the situation, in order to help the Heat win 11 of their 12 playoff series since coming together in South Beach. They were able to survive some of those tight series when all seemed lost. That can be attributed to chemistry as much as talent.

However, Houston currently does not have that kind of chemistry. That doesn't mean they won't ever develop it. It could even manifest itself this season at some point. It won't be Howard that makes that happen -- it must be Harden. He's the guy who must make more passes when teammates have better scoring opportunities, especially Howard. He's the player who needs to prove to his teammates he can be counted on to defend as well as score in crunch time.

Harden must step up and be the star who takes the blame sometimes after a loss, rather than let Howard or a lesser player take the criticism. To be a leader, Harden must be a scorer, a screener, a passer and a defender. Indeed, he has the talent to do all that and be the best player on, arguably, the best team in the league.

We saw LeBron accomplish this in recent years, and we are seeing Durant doing it now. Harden needs to aspire to be this kind of player, because only then does Houston have a chance to stand up to next to San Antonio, Oklahoma City or Miami in a seven-game series.

.

Can't say I really disagree with what he's saying. Dwight is averaging 26 and 12 over this win streak. When they play through him they are much better than when harden jabs the fuck out of the air for a step back 3. Parsons directly called him out on this BS a few weeks ago. Talking about how the offensive flow is much better whenever Harden is out.

 

[Vic]

Alex Kennedy ‏@AlexKennedyNBA
ORL defeated OKC and IND back-to-back. First time in 47 years a team at least 20 games under .500 beat top 2 teams back-to-back, per Elias.

 

[giri]

Saying that he's a better defender than Love or Griffin is hardly saying that LMA is a defensive beast. He's better than either of them, that's an irrefutable fact.

I'm just highlighting the fact that DWS is flawed.

Want a better example?

Koufous: 1.4DWS, 915MP, 0.073DWS/48
Gasol: 1.2DWS, 900MP, 0.064DWS/48
Bogut: 3.0DWS, 1319MP, 0.109DWS/48
Lee: 2.3DWS, 1639MP, 0.067DWS/48

Lee > Marc Gasol defensively, according to DWS.

Oh, i'm not disputing that DWS is flawed.

But you've been on an LMA is good defensively thing all year.

 

[reilo]

Oh, i'm not disputing that DWS is flawed.

But you've been on an LMA is good defensively thing all year.

He is. Not fantastic. Not All-Defensive. Above average, at least. Just watching him play, that much is evident.

Better than other premier big-men PFs, for sure. That's all I'm saying.

 

[Forever]

Speaking of Melo,

Flawed NY Knicks Still Paying Dearly for Carmelo Anthony's Original Sin

Good read.

All around him, the foundation is crumbling, from the decaying roster to the besieged head coach to the befuddled front office. Carmelo Anthony can take every shot, break every scoring record and thrill the masses, but the New York Knicks remain on a ruinous course, barreling down a road to nowhere.

This season is already lost, whether the Knicks fire Mike Woodson or keep him, whether they sneak into the playoffs or just miss them. The infrastructure is broken, and everyone at Madison Square Garden knows it.

Blame is being cast in every direction, much of it anonymously, with players faulting the coach, and Anthony’s backers indicting his teammates. At some point, before this woeful season ends, Anthony should consider how this all began—and take the blame himself.

Three years ago, Anthony forced the Denver Nuggets to trade him to New York, rather than wait for free agency. It cost the Knicks a bounty in players and draft picks, creating a talent deficit they have never overcome.

“I knew we took a step backwards as an organization for me to get here,” Anthony acknowledged in December interview with NBA TV's Ahmad Rashad. “So we had to rebuild.”

The honesty was laudable, but rebuilding was never the goal. The Knicks wanted a superstar to lead them to glory, immediately. They are no closer to a championship today than they were on Feb. 22, 2011, the day of the trade.

 

[Mahonay]

You won't even see these kind of facials on a porn set.

When they were down by 18 in a losing effort. I hate this shit (the celebration at the end).

Destroy him with the awesome drunk, and then just get back on defense, you're not special Quincy. Not in the least.


In other news, still can't believe that ridiculous Clippers - Sixers game. Holy fucking shit. Great to see this kind of welcome back for Paul. But of course, it was on the tanking Sixers. That was a Globe Trotter caliber game. I'd love to see them keep this momentum going forward now. With Paul now back, Griffin's resurgence this year, and Redick coming back at some point, they should be the scary team everyone predicted they would be preseason.

 

[LuchaShaq]

I know my views on sex and abortion are very different than most in this thread. I was hoping most people would view coerced abortion to be a bad thing, but I guess even that's not the case.

Paid off? A okay with that.

Threatened with a knife to get one? No.

 

[LuchaShaq]

He is. Not fantastic. Not All-Defensive. Above average, at least. Just watching him play, that much is evident.

Better than other premier big-men PFs, for sure. That's all I'm saying.

I'm with you 100%

Assuming the best pfs in some order are

Love
Blake
LMA
Bosh
Brow
Millsap

Lma is def better than love/blake/millsap bit not a shot blocker like brow or a pick and roll trapping machine like bosh.

 

[Psychological Intellect]

Meanwhile at Miami Heat practice : LeBron Dunk Show

 

[Dominican Power]

Meanwhile at Miami Heat practice : LeBron Dunk Show

Not impressed.

 

[exarkun]

.

Can't say I really disagree with what he's saying. Dwight is averaging 26 and 12 over this win streak. When they play through him they are much better than when harden jabs the fuck out of the air for a step back 3. Parsons directly called him out on this BS a few weeks ago. Talking about how the offensive flow is much better whenever Harden is out.

Fantastic article, thanks Smokey. What they talk about is why I can't watch some quarters of the games this year.

Its a wonder how much better the Rox look in the third and early 4th quarter when Lin is in and Harden is out. Or when Lin is in and P Bev is out and Lin is clearly assigned ball handling duties. The offenses works, and it works great. Parson's will slash, lin will either do an entry pass to Howard or dish it to Harden after cutting (which usually forces him out of the Iso-Step back 3 nonsense).

And I believe Houston radio/fans and some beat-writers have noticed it. Especially after the Milwaukee game, where the offense was stagnating with Harden not feeding dwight in the post towards the end of the second/beginning of the third. McHale takes PBev out, puts Lin in and boom, 8-0 run and they never look back.

 

[Vic]

Fantastic article, thanks Smokey. What they talk about is why I can't watch some quarters of the games this year.

Its a wonder how much better the Rox look in the third and early 4th quarter when Lin is in and Harden is out. Or when Lin is in and P Bev is out and Lin is clearly assigned ball handling duties. The offenses works, and it works great. Parson's will slash, lin will either do an entry pass to Howard or dish it to Harden after cutting (which usually forces him out of the Iso-Step back 3 nonsense).

And I believe Houston radio/fans and some beat-writers have noticed it. Especially after the Milwaukee game, where the offense was stagnating with Harden not feeding dwight in the post towards the end of the second/beginning of the third. McHale takes PBev out, puts Lin in and boom, 8-0 run and they never look back.

Harden right now is like young Jordan/Kobe: "I can do it all by myself!"

 

[Psychological Intellect]

Harden right now is like young Jordan/Kobe: "I can do it all by myself!"

except half the skill

 

[Mahonay]

except half the skill without the defense

There we go.

 

[Zep]

Harden right now is like young Jordan/Kobe: "I can do it all by myself!"

LOL...Hes not even on young Wade's level.

 

[giri]

LOL...Hes not even on young Wade's level.

Eh i'd disagree with that.

Young wade was great, but he had some flaws.

I think the main thing is that Harden is allowed to get away with it. If Harden iso's 3 plays in a row, for no good reason, he should be benched. I think some of it he let the numbers from last year, get to his head, and he now thinks that is who he is. Instead of being what allowed him to get those numbers.

 

[diehard]

the Jazz actually have a winning record against the Heatles..

how

 

[lawlohwhat]

Oh, i'm not disputing that DWS is flawed.

But you've been on an LMA is good defensively thing all year.

He's got pretty quick feet, is a good defensive rebounder now that he can defend his own position and get the benefit of rolo's boxouts, is pretty successful at stripping opposing big men in the post, and plays the pnr pretty well. He's not amazing, but he's probably underrated.

 

[giri]

He's got pretty quick feet, is a good defensive rebounder now that he can defend his own position and get the benefit of rolo's boxouts, is pretty successful at stripping opposing big men in the post, and plays the pnr pretty well. He's not amazing, but he's probably underrated.

I think the progression you're looking for is from liability to adequate.

 

[Dominican Power]

Young Wade is ten times better than Harden.

 

[Colonel Nasty]

Oh shit, #BeWell at the Rox-Wolves game

 

[ratcliffja]

Oh shit, #BeWell at the Rox-Wolves game

What's the big deal? I'm sure he just caught a flight there.

 

[reilo]

I think the progression you're looking for is from liability to adequate.

Eh? He's never been a liability defensively. That's really unfair to put that on him, especially given that he had to play a ton of Center the last 3 seasons or so.

JJ Hickson? Now that's a liability defensively.

 

[Syphon Filter]

NBA Rumors: Bulls Talking Carmelo Anthony Trade with Knicks

http://hoops-nation.com/nba-rumors-bulls-talking-carmelo-anthony-trade-knicks/

 

[Matrix]

What's the big deal? I'm sure he just caught a flight there.

lol

 

[lawlohwhat]

I think the progression you're looking for is from liability to adequate.

If anything, the liability is at the point guard position where so much pressure is put on the front line to stop penetrating guards, and of course, stotts' strange, sagging pick n roll defensive scheming.

Lma does have some weird rebounding lapses (like @ind), but overall he's more than adequate at challenging shots, man defense in the post, and getting boards. Dunno why you'd consider him a liability.

 

[Future PhaZe]

Harden gets the benefit of the doubt all the time wtf

Clear charge

 

[CrookedRain]

Again, I'm not arguing that Dudley is much better than Redick... honestly, Redick is easily the better of the 2, but that's really not saying that much. Dudley started out disappointingly and has only gotten worse. I'm not going to lie. The biggest reason I dislike Redick is I think he's a disgusting person. From a playing standpoint, he annoys me because he seems to feed off Blake and doesn't do much to create for himself. He's like Crawford with less effort and more boneheaded plays.

Don't let your personal hate for him cloud your judgment of what he does on the court, man. He's definitely not lazy. He's always zooming around the court without the ball to set himself up with open shots. There are plays that Doc just doesn't run at all when Redick is out because no one else on this team can do what he does. Saying he makes more boneheaded plays than Crawford is crazy talk.

 

[Matrix]

Dmo against Love is hilarious

Dmo can't look any worse.

 

[Diprosalic]

Gonna go ahead and say that Indiana is gonna lose tonight. They suck on the second night of B2Bs.

I hope you didn't make a bet.

 

[Psychological Intellect]

I hope you didn't make a bet.

Lol ikr. Guess they were upset at the loss in Orlando.

 

[Vic]

Harden pls

 

[Matrix]

Rockets simply suck at holding double digit leads.

 

[Forever]

NBA Rumors: Bulls Talking Carmelo Anthony Trade with Knicks

http://hoops-nation.com/nba-rumors-bulls-talking-carmelo-anthony-trade-knicks/

I actually think that this could make both teams better.

I hope it doesn't happen.

 

[Psychological Intellect]

Rockets simply suck at holding double digit leads.

It's the first quarter.

 

[pilonv1]

Saying that he's a better defender than Love or Griffin is hardly saying that LMA is a defensive beast. He's better than either of them, that's an irrefutable fact.

I'm just highlighting the fact that DWS is flawed.

Want a better example?

Koufous: 1.4DWS, 915MP, 0.073DWS/48
Gasol: 1.2DWS, 900MP, 0.064DWS/48
Bogut: 3.0DWS, 1319MP, 0.109DWS/48
Lee: 2.3DWS, 1639MP, 0.067DWS/48

Lee > Marc Gasol defensively, according to DWS.

Can you look up Lee without Bogut? Guaranteed he's propping him up.

 

[Matrix]

Asik... wut :O

 

[Vic]

Couch surfer!

 

[Matrix]

It's the first quarter.

They do it every game against bad teams/injured teams. Its why the starters play so many mins and I can't remember the last game where the Rockets truly blew a team out from start to finish.

 

[Zep]

Pilonv, are you joining the chat tonight? We can point and laugh at the 6ers speights together.

 

[The Frankman]

Royce White chiming in, sitting courtside … RT @Highway_30: Fun to be back home and at a @MNTimberwolves game. Also good to see old friends.

... Royce trolling.

 

[Matrix]

Really... Shevd taking it to the Rockets smh

Royce can go fuck himself.

 

[Dark Stalkers]

are the wolves playing still dre

 

[Vic]

lmao @ Dwight yelling "Hollywood" at Rubio

 

[Vic]

HARGOD!