Are most of us honest when a player outperforms our low expectations of them?

[inndaskKy]

No to all.

Whether I like a player or not, has nothing to do with how I rate/value them. Let me ask you another question - if the Rockets' role players didn't make a near-insurmountable comeback in Game 6 against the Clippers (when Harden was left on the bench, while having a 5-20 performance), which would effectively ended any hope of him having the opportunity to redeem himself - almost mirroring his performances over last two postseasons - would you be tagging me?

Are you talking about that game where Harden was the leading scorer for the Rockets and responsible for their first comeback in the game, where he was playing with flue symptoms and there was a rare moment where his team was able to get the job done without his help? Why yes, I certainly would have because Harden has already proved that his playing style can absolutely translate to the playoffs, something which you've frequently denied or predicted would not happen.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Are you talking about that game where Harden was the leading scorer for the Rockets and responsible for their first comeback in the game, where he was playing with flue symptoms and there was a rare moment where his team was able to get the job done without his help? Why yes, I certainly would have.

Well now that's a lie. Because that series would have ended and the Clippers would be playing the Warriors right now. And we'd all be talking about how poor Harden's been in the postseason for the last THREE years. So no, you wouldn't be tagging me.

Harden has already proved that his playing style can absolutely translate to the playoffs, something which you've frequently denied or predicted would not happen.

That's another lie too. Especially since it seems like you've moved the goalposts from where they initially were - after I went into GREAT detail during his first season in Houston on how he'd need to develop a midrange jumper in order to take the next step.

Look I've been wrong on quite a few players who've either exceeded or not met my expectations - Harden isn't one of them.

 

[inndaskKy]

Well now that's a lie. Because that series would have ended and the Clippers would be playing the Warriors right now. And we'd all be talking about how poor Harden's been in the postseason for the last THREE years. So no, you wouldn't be tagging me.


That's another lie too. Especially since it seems like you've moved the goalposts from where they initially were - after I went into GREAT detail during his first season in Houston on how he'd need to develop a midrange jumper in order to take the next step.

Look I've been wrong on quite a few players who've either exceeded or not met my expectations - Harden isn't one of them.

Lol. This is exactly why I tagged you in this thread.

One, I think Harden has played well throughout the entire playoffs, even if they had lost that game to the Clippers he would have.

Two, you stated that Harden's game would not work in the playoffs because the refs swallow their whistles (which they haven't) and you forecasted what you would call 'another' poor postseason for Harden. The entire year when he was giving MVP performances you were talking about 'just wait for the playoffs'. Now he's performing well there and it's not contra your earlier statements according to you. It's whatever breh. This is exactly the type of behavior OP was wondering about.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Lol. This is exactly why I tagged you in this thread.

One, I think Harden has played well throughout the entire playoffs, even if they had lost that game to the Clippers he would have.

He played well in the first round against one of the worst defenses in the league, but you can't really use that against him. Then he played poorly for the most part against the Clippers - shooting below 40% and averaging five turnovers a game - similar to his struggles over the past two postseasons. And like I said if the Rockets role players didn't make that comeback against the Clippers in Game 6 - the talking point would be centered around Harden's poor performance(s) and questions would be raised over his ability to lead the team - as fickle as it may be - it would be the third season in Houston where he'd fail to show up in the postseason. And do I need to remind you of the shyt he tried to pull during that series (in order to get calls) -

Two, you stated that Harden's game would not work in the playoffs because the refs swallow their whistles (which they haven't)

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the reason his team isn't fouling Houston Rockets guard James Harden as much is because his players are pulling their arms and hands back when he drives the lane.

Harden has a different viewpoint.

"Do you think so?" Harden said after scoring 21 points in the Rockets' blowout 128-95 loss to the Clippers on Sunday. "I've got a couple of scratches on my arms to show you. But it is what it is."

Harden led the NBA during the regular season in free throws made (715), attempted (824) and was second in fouls drawn per game at 6.7.

During the postseason, Harden has drawn an average of 6.2 fouls per game, fifth in the league. In the Game 4 loss, Harden drew seven fouls, three more than the previous game.

"Like I said, it is what it is," Harden said. His overall game has struggled at times and after making his first three shots, he misfired on his next seven attempts.

Harden played off the ball in Game 4 with the objective of getting involved through screens and pick-and-roll plays. It didn't happen enough as the Rockets' offense was slowed down.

http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-roc...letdown-rockets-faced-with-ultimate-adversity

The entire year when he was giving MVP performances you were talking about 'just wait for the playoffs'. Now he's performing well there and it's not contra your earlier statements according to you.

He's been exceptional in this series (arguably the best player), yet this is still an anomaly for him - this doesn't negate how he performed last round and the circumstances of how they made it through. Because 99 out of a 100 times - players don't get that second chance when their play costs their team a series. We would've been left with more-or-less the same outcome of how he performs in the postseason for the third year in a row.

 

[I.V.]

Harden is averaging damn near 30/8/6 in these playoffs.


Anyway... people do this in general, you have to exceed expectations by A TON for somebody to give an inch of thinking somebody is a bum, or an empty stats guy, or a system guy, or whatever. Likewise, we're always making excuses for guys we see talent in...

Plus the moment-to-moment reactions to sports, compound the problem.

Like last year, Lance had skyrocketed beyond just about anyone's expectations... now he had a bad year on a crappy team with a shytty coach... and he's a bum again.

There have been a BUNCH of guys I was way wrong on. Boogie and Al Jeff come to mind... and on the flip side, deep down I still think Ricky Rubio is going to show out.

Spoiler

 

[MostReal]

Gayron Rodgers really out performed my expectations

Dude was supposed to be garbage, look at how he looks

 

[OG Talk]

What is it about many in here where we find it difficult to admit a player we may dislike or expected to fail outplays our expectations?

For many in here, rather than admit they were wrong, they'd rather raise the bar from their initial expectations in order to save face and to satisfy their never can be wrong egos.

Plenty of players I thought would be trash have outplayed my expectations and I had to fall back and acknowledge so. I get it....it's hard to admit one can be wrong. But it's equally retarded to decide to stay stuck on stupid and raise the bar past the initial expectations one has for the player in question because your ego refuses to admit you were wrong.

This mentality seems to reflect the make up of most of the board.

Dudes love being right in their original argument more than they love sports....

 

[Regular_P]

He played well in the first round against one of the worst defenses in the league, but you can't really use that against him. Then he played poorly for the most part against the Clippers - shooting below 40% and averaging five turnovers a game - similar to his struggles over the past two postseasons. And like I said if the Rockets role players didn't make that comeback against the Clippers in Game 6 - the talking point would be centered around Harden's poor performance(s) and questions would be raised over his ability to lead the team - as fickle as it may be - it would be the third season in Houston where he'd fail to show up in the postseason. And do I need to remind you of the shyt he tried to pull during that series (in order to get calls) -

He's been exceptional in this series (arguably the best player), yet this is still an anomaly for him - this doesn't negate how he performed last round and the circumstances of how they made it through. Because 99 out of a 100 times - players don't get that second chance when their play costs their team a series. We would've been left with more-or-less the same outcome of how he performs in the postseason for the third year in a row.

I knew you wouldn't let me down.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I knew you wouldn't let me down.

Look I've been wrong on quite a few players who've either exceeded or not met my expectations - Harden isn't one of them.

 

[Regular_P]

So you thought he'd make two straight All-NBA first teams and finish second in MVP voting? That's not mentioning averaging 28/6/8 on 45% shooting during these playoffs.

 

[GoddamnyamanProf]

Nah, it´s about @Gil Scott-Heroin.

He dapped the op too, like he isn't exhibit A

Unbelievable

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

So you thought he'd make two straight All-NBA first teams and finish second in MVP voting? That's not mentioning averaging 28/6/8 on 45% shooting during these playoffs.

The problem with that is, most of those accomplishments were gained from scenarios that you can never foretell (injuries, trades + other players getting better). The questions should be did I think that Harden COULD one day be an elite player in Houston? Yes. Do/did I think that Harden can be a #1 option on a contender? No.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

He dapped the op too, like he isn't exhibit A

Unbelievable

Why are you always on my dikk?

Look I've been wrong on quite a few players who've either exceeded or not met my expectations - Harden isn't one of them.

 

[GoddamnyamanProf]

Why are you always on my dikk?

I didnt make the thread, stupid.

I didnt call you out, stupid

Several posters each individually read the thread about stubborn a$$holes that refuse to admit when they're wrong and you were the first person that description conjured up. Not interested in your pleas and explanations after the fact.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I didnt make the thread, stupid.

I didnt call you out, stupid.

You're still on my dikk you fakkit when you referenced my name in your post. Don't play dumb.