 3 officials didn't see the play, they couldn't have.
Anyway, the Rockets James Harden bailed out he officials and the NBA by sinking a 40 foot 3 pointer to win the game with 1 second left.
I'm simply amazed that in 2018, with all the technology available, there wouldn't had been at least a look at that play? It's certainly moot because Harden hit the shot, but if he misses, it's a travesty of the game. This is one of the reasons, people question the integrity of the NBA.
Just stopping by to say the Rockets attempted SEVENTY threes last night.
NBA is unwatchable right now. Nobody plays defense. Everybody launching 3s. It's basically played like the All-Star game now. Cavs/Blazers set an NBA record last night for fewest combined turnovers in a game (not a surprise since nobody actually guards anybody).
Watched the Warriors/ Pelicans last night, both teams combined to make 34 3's and the 3rd quarter wasn't over yet.
That's incredible. The game is so much about spacing the floor and an uncontested 3 is, today, a very good shot. The Nets, who the Rockets played, hit 44% of their 3's last night. You have to shoot over 60% to keep up with that points wise.
I don't know that I can agree with that. I think the ability to space the floor has made defense very difficult. You can play great defense, a player helps on defense and kicks it to a wide open shooter and it's 3 points. Is that bad defense or better offense?
I think we are in a different era of NBA basketball. Just because guys aren't taking charges and he scores aren't in the 80's doesn't mean no one is playing defense. Watch a game and see how many uncontested layups there are? Almost none. Everything is contested at the rim. Therefore, what is a better shot attempt, a shot around the rim with 2-3 guys trying to block it, or an uncontested 3 point shot?
I get your drift. I'm not sure I would call it unwatchable, but it does seem like the game is turning in to a 3-point shooting contest. Right now there is still some balance top the game, but the tendency is clear; the teams that make the most 3's will be the most successful.
Basketball is much more fun to watch when the game is balanced between outside (yes, 3-pointers) play as well as tough play down low and getting the ball into the post. Sadly, this may be going the way of the horse and buggy.
But this is what makes the Warriors so fun to watch. Curry and Thompson spread the floor, but yet they get alot of layups because the lane is open because the defense has to honor the shooters. Even Curry gets more layups than you think because he handles the ball so well and can finish. Durrant and Thompson have great mid range games.
The regular season can be difficult because teams have very little prep time, it's mostly just do what we do and not worry about game planning. Players are sitting some now and there are always a couple of new faces in the rotation. But it's still fun to see basketball played at the highest level. We are witnessing the best shooting guard of all time right now in Curry. His shooting numbers, including the distances he shoots from is simply ridiculous. His game is just on a different level.
So a check on our good friend Lonzo Ball through about 100 games in his NBA career. He's shooting 40% from the field, 33% from 3 point land and 48% from the free throw line. 10 points per game/ 5 and a half rebounds and 5 and a half assists per game. Now these aren't awful numbers, but for a guy who was proclaimed to take the Lakers to a championship level, he's not much more than a below average starting guard.
Absolutely sad to hear that New Orleans star center Anthony Davis has asked for a trade from the Pelicans.
I don't know what the answer is, but when you have the best players from teams, in their primes, moving, it's bad for the league.
They can't carry the load alone,want to hold hands with other BIG TIME players to take the pressure off of them...NBA is no fun to watch.
No one touts individualism more than the NBA. It all started when they started promoting Bird and Magic, then Jordan. Basketball is and will always be a team game. The Warriors win because they are a TEAM.
The Bulls, Lakers and Celtics were not one man shows. They were teams made up of one or two stars, and a bunch of guys who knew how to play. Sadly, today, these young guys just look at the winning, and not what it takes to get there. All NBA teams have talent, it's about playing together and playing defense.
No surprise you missed the sarcasm. Of course those teams werent one man shows. Just laugh at the rose colored memory of the glory days.
Warriors fan here, they won a Championship and then Durant went there and won some more. Now Cousins is there and they have 5 legit All-Star caliber plays in their starting 5. Sure they play as a team but they start 5 extremely good players. Two of them are great. The Warriors win because of their talent/stars and their system.
But here's the elixir...they guys they add WORK in their system. They don't bring in bad apples. Durrant, while a great player, fits in their motion game passing scheme. Don't know yet on Cousins, but the thing he does do is space the floor even more for Curry and Thompson.
I would say most NBA teams have 5 pretty good players that start. The difference is if they have a super star, and what kind of bench they have. NBA games are so long, that you can't win without at least a decent bench. The Warriors and the Spurs have been the two long term dynasty type teams over the last 20-25 years, and they play team basketball.
Going forward, how does the NBA make franchises in smaller less deserved cities relevant?
IMO, they have allowed the players to have too much control and I am afraid the long term effects will not be good.
People act like this is a new issue. Big market teams have always been attractive for a multitude of reasons.
I literally said they succeed because of their star players AND their system. The system is great and sure they play like a team, but they win because of their stars/talent. Plug in 5 other guys into the system, say one All Star and one former All Star and 3 role players - it isn't remotely the same. They don't win each of the last 2 championships without adding Durant.
If I were GS, I'd be looking for the next Draymond. Don't think there's any way you can pay that guy the max. He's too much of a liability offensively as is his overall attitude. His defense is great in that he can play against all 5 spots on the floor but that isn't max level contract worthy IMO.
Cousins is absolutely a hot-head/bad apple, but he'll only be around for one year. I do see him losing it and potentially blowing a playoff game for them at some point because he gets himself tossed. Or something stupid like Draymond going after Bron's nuts in Game 4 of '16.
It may not be a new issue, but players now operate with an AAU mentality more then ever. The approach of taking less money to play in a bigger market or with your friends is not good for the overall game. Sure you may end up with a few stacked teams, but at some point it turns into the Globetrotters vs Generals.
I know the owners in those smaller cities get the revenue splits from luxury taxes and TV deals, but eventually the fans in those markets will stop supporting the teams that have little to no chance of ever winning.
And the Cavs don't win in '16 if Draymond doens't get suspended, making Bogut play more minutes and wrecking his knee in game 6?
Their star players are willing participants. Steph Curry may be the most selfless superstar we've ever seen. He could hunt for stats like Harden and score 40 points per game. But he doesn't. He knows in the long run, he needs Thompson, Durrant, Green, Iggy and Livingston to win titles. In fact, I would say that Iggy and Livingston are the reasons they've won all their titles. They are good enough to start for most teams, but they want to be part of something bigger. Very few NBA teams have that culture. The Spurs had it with Duncan and company.
Yes, it's taking less money, but it's still a ton of money, and this generally happens after they've already had one big contract. There is enough young talent coming in the league that the teams that are down can be competitive, but it takes a year or two. Fans support winners, so if a team wins, the fans will show up. Philly was awful 3-4 years ago, now they sell out. People are always fair weather fans.
Speaking of PHilly, my team, I'll be real interested to see how they stack up with the Warriors tomorrow night. I don't think they can seriously contend for a title, but if they can get a couple more guys to come of the bench, they can get out of the east.
The matchup is interesting because the Warriors have an advantage in the backcourt, and Philly has an advantage