Devil Plisken…CMS
Veteran
Houston vs Utah??
Where have you been the past 2 years??
4-1
4-1
Gobert looked unplayable. Mitchell struggled mightily. Utah attempted some dumb form of guarding Harden
Huh????
Random NBA Observations 2019 - 2020
Houston vs Utah??
Where have you been the past 2 years??
4-1
4-1
Gobert looked unplayable. Mitchell struggled mightily. Utah attempted some dumb form of guarding Harden
Huh????
I was talking specifically about how Harden and Westbrook have played against Utah.
In 2018 1st round the Jazz beat the Westbrook/PG13 Thunder in 6 games. Westbrook shot 39.8% from the series, offensive rating of 99 and defensive rating of 106. Gobert played 36 minutes/game and the Jazz were most dominant with him in there, held Westbrook to 41% shooting from TWO-POINT range for the series.
In 2018 WCSF the Jazz lost but not because of Harden. Harden only shot 40% from the series....44% from two and 29% from three. He sucked ass. In the pivotal Game 4 where Jazz were looking to tie it up, Harden was 8-22 with 8 turnovers and only 3 assists, but Rockets were bailed out by CP3's fantastic 27-12-6 with 1 turnover game. In Game 5 when Rockets were trying to close out while Jazz wanted to get back home for Game 6, Harden was again an ugly 7-22 with 3 turnovers and 4 assists, but CP3 bailed out against with a legendary 41-7-10 with 0 turnover game. Gobert played 34 minutes/game that series (124 Ortg and 107 Drtg) but just couldn't stop CP3.
In 2019 1st round Rockets won but once again not because of Harden. Harden shot 37% for the series including a terrible 40% from two-point range. CP3 and Gordon both played better than him and lowkey it was PJ Tucker and Capela that won that series. Jazz should have had a chance but Donovan and Crowder were awful on both ends.
In 3 chances the last two years, Harden and Westbrook have both looked like shyt against the Jazz and Gobert specfically has completely shut them down inside. 41% from two, 44% from two, and 40% from two are just terrible numbers. Westbrook lost despite having a nice squad and Harden won only because CP3 and Capela and others balled out, guys he don't have around to cover for him anymore.
They are running a different offense now, but I'm saying that the Utah coaches should find a way to make it work. Gobert can keep those guys from scoring inside and that's a huge asset if they can figure out how to keep rotating him back to the basket. Might even want to play a modified box-and-1 with a guy on Harden full-time or some shyt like that, or even just stand 4 guys around the perimeter with Gobert in the middle and dare them to try and go midrange off the dribble all game long.
Something everyone with history knows to keep in mind - when a team runs a unique offense, regular-season results are almost always better than playoffs results. In the regular season when opponents come and face that unique look 2 days after playing someone else they ain't ready for it, but show them that same look 5-6 times in a row and they adjust. It's like the Stockton-Malone pick-and-roll - they always lost in the playoffs cause teams would figure them out. It's like Nash-D'antoni run-and-gun teams - they weren't built for playoff basketball.
I'm not saying the Rockets are destined to lose. But they don't look like a team you can trust. Harden always underperforms in the playoffs. Westbrook always underperforms in the playoffs. D'antoni always underperforms in the playoffs. They look hot with a different-look offense right now, but teams will have time to figure it out in the playoffs. To me it looks like the ultimate example of a team whose regular season results ain't gonna hold. I'm a fan of Covington and Tucker and even think that Gordon don't get the credit he deserves...but it'll be really really surprising to me if this team makes the WCF.
I'm not saying the Rockets are destined to lose. But they don't look like a team you can trust. Harden always underperforms in the playoffs. Westbrook always underperforms in the playoffs. D'antoni always underperforms in the playoffs. They look hot with a different-look offense right now, but teams will have time to figure it out in the playoffs. To me it looks like the ultimate example of a team whose regular season results ain't gonna hold. I'm a fan of Covington and Tucker and even think that Gordon don't get the credit he deserves...but it'll be really really surprising to me if this team makes the WCF.
Devil Plisken…CMS
Veteran
The Russ of that series & The Russ Of now are two entirely different guys. He doesn’t look nearly as manic and with the space this offense provides he is beating everyone off the dribble in his advance age because he is still that kind of athlete. On top of that he can fall out of his bed hitting the midrange he’s focused on now
I’m racking my brain to think of a modern precedent to this...but I can’t lol
Russ is playing much smarter, but part of that has been focusing on getting inside, and Gobert is exactly the guy who can limit him inside. He's still an average midrange shooter at best, I ain't gonna believe that's suddenly changed and he's gonna maintain this form under playoff pressure. He might play smarter than previous years but he didn't suddenly become a lights-out shooter halfway through his tenth season.
Harden and westbrook looking like 2012 bron and wade after bosh got hurt
who_better_than_me
Time to go!!
Cuz th a jazz have no perimeter defenders. Rudy said last night After the game that he’s the best matchup for Westbrook’s because he’s a mismatch for every other matchup for the team/ Gobert doesn’t respect any of the perimter defenders on his squad if he can proudly say that after giving up 34pts to the matchup nobody else on his team can handle. Two weeks ago Westbrook’s dropped 39 on him. I guess he believes Westbrook would drop 59 on the other defenses on his teamIt's still the saddest/most hilarious thing to me that for the past 3 years the NBA media pencils him in for DPOY by default every season... only for him to get played off the floor immediately once the playoffs start.Like how you the best defensive player in the entire league when you're literally unplayable when it comes time to actually compete against elite teams for the championship?
DetroitEWarren
Veteran
Bro Woj face is fukkin hilariousSixers' Ben Simmons to get MRI after injuring lower back
ADRIAN WOJNAROWSKISenior NBA Insider9:29 PM ET1 Minute Read
Amid concerns of an injury, Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons will undergo an MRI on his lower back on Sunday, league sources tell ESPN.
There is some level of concern surrounding the possible nature of the injury, league sources tell ESPN. A clearer picture is obviously expected after testing on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Simmons left the Sixers' 119-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks after tweaking his back in the first quarter. Sources described Simmons as emotional upon leaving the X-ray room at the Fiserv Forum late Saturday.
Simmons left the game after playing less than five minutes, which included five points and two rebounds.
Simmons missed the Sixers' victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday with lower back soreness.
Simmons is averaging 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 8.3 assists for the Sixers this season. The 76ers are currently the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
, why does that show up now lol
Do you ever wonder if end of the bench guys know they suck (for NBA standards, obviously they’re better than 99% of the population) and are just fine with getting their checks and whatever minutes they might get once in a while? Or do you think there’s guys that think man I could be as good as (insert all-star) if I got the same minutes as him?
King Jove
King Of †he Gawds
The jazz are food in the playoffs. Nobody is scared of them. The rockets are a nightmare matchup for them.
Even jazz fans understand that.
Utah Jazz lose second straight game, tiebreaker to Houston Rockets
Gobert has no skill. He can't punish nobody offensively.
Only teams in the West beating the Rockets in the playoffs are the Lakers and Clippers.
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Is that Harry Giles who keeps showing up on Jayson Tatum’s Snapchat account?
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Rockets match up favorably against Clips imo so I don't think it's guaranteed if Westbrook/Harden are hitting.
The Nuggets disrespect is crazy tho. You can play this cute no center thing back ya'll are doing when your center has guard skills and can shoot from the perimeter, you're a long ways away from Gobert. Too bad they don't play each other the rest of the way.
King Jove
King Of †he Gawds
but jokic is an awful defender, has extremely poor lateral quickness, and is a poor shot blocker.
The rockets (mainly harden) over the years have abused him when he's switched on guards.