[Sly Fox]

Tillman Fertitta may be the billionaire most affected by the pandemic. His finances are in tatters thanks to being leveraged heavily on casinos and restaurants. He created this situation last summer when he allowed D'Antoni to go into the lame duck season.

There will be no shortage of candidates wanting to take the reins of the Rockets. The grand experiment of small ball has yet to produce a true verdict on whether it can carry a team to the title. The Rox live by the three and die by it.

Hate on James all you want. He remains the best pure scorer the game has seen in a very long time. In the midst of all the doubles this week, he showed what he is capable of creating. He just needs the timing to be right.

[Purple Haize]

Tillman Fertitta may be the billionaire most affected by the pandemic. His finances are in tatters thanks to being leveraged heavily on casinos and restaurants. He created this situation last summer when he allowed D'Antoni to go into the lame duck season.

There will be no shortage of candidates wanting to take the reins of the Rockets. The grand experiment of small ball has yet to produce a true verdict on whether it can carry a team to the title. The Rox live by the three and die by it.

Hate on James all you want. He remains the best pure scorer the game has seen in a very long time. In the midst of all the doubles this week, he showed what he is capable of creating. He just needs the timing to be right.

He’s a tremendous scorer. He’s virtually unstoppable 1 on 1. That’s not hate. You can’t win a championship with him either. Also, not hate.

[thepostman]

Kobe agreed with you @Purple Haize

[Jonathan Carone]

MJ was a better scorer than Harden is and even he had to learn it couldn’t be about just him.

[thepostman]

It took Phil Jackson to be the voice of reason. Which is why I said earlier, with the right coach Harden can be a champion.

[Sly Fox]

Not sure where this "all about him" talk is coming from in the last few posts. Harden lobbied hard to get both Paul & Westbrook to run with him. His assists numbers actually exceed MJ. But no one is suggesting James is on Michael's level. Different eras.

[Jonathan Carone]

I’d argue the assist numbers are because of the era.

The MJ comparison comes in because Michael was such a great iso scorer. He’d take on any defender and dare them to try and stop him. That’s what Harden defaults to.

As for wanting Chris Paul - there’s a reason they don’t like each other.

[Sly Fox]

There is a reason why Chris Paul is despised by teammates everywhere he departs. In spite of his State Farm persona, he is generally disliked by most in the league. But Harden lobbied Morey hard nonetheless to make that deal.

Comparisons to Michael are fair to a degree. MJ never led the league in assists in his storied career like James did a few years back. But again, no one has ever been as great overall as Jordan.

[Purple Haize]

I compare Harden more to AI than MJ

[thepostman]

The MJ comparison wasn't meant to say that Harden is somehow the next MJ. The point is, even MJ had to learn and be taught how to win championships in the NBA. Harden is really good and I honestly believe if the right coach comes along, he will win championships.

Who that person is? Who knows.

[Sly Fox]

Billy Donovan?

[Jonathan Carone]

Heard this stat today and it’s another reason why it’ll be so hard to win with Harden:

He currently has 8 playoff games where he shot under 20% from the field.

Between MJ, LeBron, Kobe, and KD, they have two.

[Sly Fox]

With the possible exception of KD, all the rest played in a game of higher percentage shots for a guard. But I see where you are going.

[Purple Haize]

Heard this stat today and it’s another reason why it’ll be so hard to win with Harden:

He currently has 8 playoff games where he shot under 20% from the field.

Between MJ, LeBron, Kobe, and KD, they have two.

Under 20%. Ouch. I don’t care if that’s Play Offs or pick up. Ouch.

[JK37]

With the possible exception of KD, all the rest played in a game of higher percentage shots for a guard. But I see where you are going.

But he’s still choosing to take the lower percentage shots.

Seems simply (but never easy) to me. Maybe I don’t understand your comment? I’m a little tired from moving the past three days.

[stokesjokes]

Another thing Harden has going against him is that, like it or not, the game is officiated differently in the playoffs. Part of Harden's game is built around drawing contact, creating fouls, etc., which works really well in the regular season, but refs start swallowing their whistles more in the playoffs. Along with that, the guy defending you for the 5th game in a row is going to be a lot less likely to lunge after a head-fake or get caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

[Purple Haize]

Another thing Harden has going against him is that, like it or not, the game is officiated differently in the playoffs. Part of Harden's game is built around drawing contact, creating fouls, etc., which works really well in the regular season, but refs start swallowing their whistles more in the playoffs. Along with that, the guy defending you for the 5th game in a row is going to be a lot less likely to lunge after a head-fake or get caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Yeah. You hate guys like him in pick up games. Every drive to the basket they call a foul. Ugh.

[thepostman]

Then you just foul them harder.

[Purple Haize]

Then you just foul them harder.

There’s a reason I was always picked 3rd or 4the when choosing teams. And it wasn’t for my ability to create off the dribble

[thepostman]

This Miami/Boston series is going to be so much fun to watch.

[Jonathan Carone]

My goodness that was a block by Bam.

[thepostman]

Just amazing. I thought for a second that 3 from Tatum was going to go in.

[Jonathan Carone]

For him to get that close on the last second shot after falling down was pretty incredible.

[thepostman]

I just want that series to go 7. I'm a huge Kemba Walker fan so will root for the Celtics but if it goes 7, that's really all I care about.

[stokesjokes]

I’m a big Kemba fan too, but the Celtics need him to be better. He’s had a rough 4 game stretch.