2020-2021 Season Discussion

[Jeffx]

^ Plus, he has sick handles to go with his incredible shooting....I've never seen a cat like him before.

If this rumor is true, smart move by Philly;
https://www.si.com/nba/76ers/news/nba-r ... rden-trade

[Andrew]

Agreed. It's not that I think that anyone on the 76ers is untouchable, it's that right now, Harden's a very expensive gamble.

[mp3]

I personally think Embid and Harden would be a horrible pairing.

Harden only plays well (on the stat sheet) with centers hes throwing lobs too which Joel is not that type of player, Harden over dribbles and I just think it will slow down the offence plus and this is a huge thing, Ben Simmons is a great defender... Harden is really bad and I think that will haunt the Sixers

[Jeffx]

I personally think Embid and Harden would be a horrible pairing.

Harden only plays well (on the stat sheet) with centers hes throwing lobs too which Joel is not that type of player, Harden over dribbles and I just think it will slow down the offence plus and this is a huge thing, Ben Simmons is a great defender... Harden is really bad and I think that will haunt the Sixers

I think it would be a disaster because of Harden's style. When has he played well with other stars?

Philly should not break up the Simmons/Embiid duo. Let them 'figure it out'. They will if they're all about winning and put the work in.

[Andrew]

Harden's been paired up with stars who have been able to play with stars elsewhere, yet there are always reports of issues, and the Rockets have stumbled when it matters the most. I'm not saying those other guys are completely blameless because everyone has their ego, but it does seem to be primarily a Harden problem.

[Jeffx]

R.I.P. Paul Westphal

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/306 ... ies-age-70

Had an incredible playoff run in 1976 when Phoenix shocked the defending champion Warriors in seven games, then lost the finals to Boston in six. That triple-OT Game 5 thriller is still one of the best I've ever seen. It was on a Friday, so I was able to watch the whole thing.

[[Q]]

I am not old enough to know him as a player, but i remember he was coach of the Sonics when I was following them.

[mp3]

Oh shit R.I.P Paul

Loved to watch his Suns in the 90's

[mp3]

In regards to Harden I think the biggest problem to point to that he was a problem teammate was Chris Paul's success with not only the Clippers and then Thunder but what he's now doing with the Suns while Harden is acting like a young JR Smith in the club's and not getting on board with how good the Rockets are looking with Woods, Wall and even Cousins contribution.

Ultimately I think the biggest problems were coach Mike D with his horrible horrible lineup's and allowing Harden to play the way he was.

[Andrew]

Saw the news about Paul Westphal. With everything else that happened in 2020, I must've missed the news of his diagnosis, which was apparently reported last August. Cancer sucks; hot take, I know. RIP.

In regards to Harden I think the biggest problem to point to that he was a problem teammate was Chris Paul's success with not only the Clippers and then Thunder but what he's now doing with the Suns while Harden is acting like a young JR Smith in the club's and not getting on board with how good the Rockets are looking with Woods, Wall and even Cousins contribution.

Agreed.

[Jeffx]

I agree with John Collins if this is true. Trae is doing too much hero ball.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/292 ... ng-offense

[mp3]

Pretty sure the Bulls Vs Clippers game is live on YouTube via skysports

[mp3]

I agree with John Collins if this is true. Trae is doing too much hero ball.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/292 ... ng-offense

Yeah I do too, to be fair Trae is doing what Steph Curry did but he also took the critism for doing so.

John Collins is having a breakout season tho and it's not just him not getting touches I get what he's saying about guys not been in a position to rebound or get back in transition on defense.

Depending how he got this message across during the film session it is a mature point to make.

[Jeffx]

Kyrie being Kyrie;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivtXDe0nSlQ

[[Q]]

The loss to the Lakers seemed to have been the last straw as Harden was finally traded.

The Nets managed to hold on to their superstars as well as a few key young players like Dinwiddie (who might not be tradeable since he's hurt now) and Harris, but lose a big one in Allen. Rockets get a treasure trove in picks, get under the luxury tax, and get a good player in Oladipo, who the Pacers were finally able to unload. Cavs seem like the biggest winners in this getting Allen for a Milwaukee late first round pick.

[[Hyperize]]

Dude, the Cavs now have Drummond, Thon Maker, Jarrett Allen and JaVale McGee... holy shit. This is the rim protection we sorely needed in LeBron's final season!!!

[Jeffx]

The loss to the Lakers seemed to have been the last straw as Harden was finally traded.

The Nets managed to hold on to their superstars as well as a few key young players like Dinwiddie (who might not be tradeable since he's hurt now) and Harris, but lose a big one in Allen. Rockets get a treasure trove in picks, get under the luxury tax, and get a good player in Oladipo, who the Pacers were finally able to unload. Cavs seem like the biggest winners in this getting Allen for a Milwaukee late first round pick.

I think it's a horrible move.....reminds me of something the Knicks would do. Nets lose depth, rim protection and they have no future if they don't win a title within two years.

[[Q]]

Mortgaged the team's future for 3 perimeter superstars who need the ball in their hands.

Now you're left thin up front and have to play DeAndre Jordan again

[mp3]

Reminds me of the Nets trade for KG and Paul Pierce.

As for the Cavs, they are looking to offload Drummond more towards the trade deadline, he's an UFA this summer so a huge contract coming off the books.

On to Houston I think they might actually get it together now, never underestimate the power of getting a rotten Apple off your team and everyone wanting to work together which is pretty much what John Wall said after the loss to the Lakers...

And I have to agree with Wall here, I think if James Harden had come back in shape, ready to play and bought into the future then that team would be better than it has been

[Andrew]

The writing was on the wall the moment Harden made those comments after the game. With that being said, I'm both surprised and not surprised at the deal; surprised because it was done and finalised really quickly, but not surprised that it happened in the wake of his remarks. I'd have figured he'd be gone in a matter of days, but that was less than 24 hours.

I'm trying to think of some historical comparisons. Tim Hardaway openly campaigned for a trade in a post-game interview in 1996, which is how he ended up with the Heat. Vince Carter and Allen Iverson's divorces from the Raptors and 76ers were messy and public, but again I feel there was at least a few days before a trade was worked out and agreed upon. Houston really moved fast here.

[mp3]

The Knicks and the KP trade....

I know the "things" said we're behind closed doors but I truly believe that he made Harden like comments and thought he was a bigger star than he was. Iam not gonna say he isn't a talented player but he (and his brother mainly) acted like he was Kobe and the fact that he was out with an ACL injury making demands (if true) I don't have any regrets about the trade seeing how injury prone he is now.

[mp3]

As for the trade, I think the Vic and Wall pairing is a good one, not the best shooting but both our combo guards who like to push the pace. Throw is a rim runner like Woods and iam interested to see how it works out.

I've not being able to watch a Rockets game in years with the way Harden plays and Dumtoni small ball... players stand around watching Harden dribble so iam looking forward to watching some games again... as for the Nets... does anyone watch them anyway???

[Andrew]

The KP drama seemed more drawn out before the eventual split, though. Harden let loose, and Houston were on the phones right away. Good move, too. You don't want to drag it out to the point where other teams are getting cold feet, or gain leverage because they know it's become an ongoing distraction and you want/need to get a deal done.

[Jeffx]

Back in the day, star players pulled diva acts. Magic got Paul Westhead fired, Larry Bird and the whole Celtic team had enough of Bill Fitch, Jordan had issues with Doug Collins, Barkley forced his way out of Philly to go to Phoenix....remember when Don Nelson wanted to center the Knick offense around Mase(R.I.P) instead of Patrick? Ewing wasn't too thrilled about that...exit Nelson and enter Jeff Van Gundy. And of course Dennis Rodman. But why Kyrie & Harden pulled really ticked me off. It goes beyond what other star players have done, IMO.

[Andrew]

There's definitely levels and context to it. Not to completely excuse certain players while staunchly condemning others - past or present - but sometimes the players that pull these stunts and power plays have a point, and it ends up working out for the best.

A star that's giving it their all on a team that's struggling due to inept coaching is still kind of the bad guy for leading an ousting of that coach, but one can sympathise. It's being done to turn things around, and in the name of winning where they are. A star who isn't trying, clashing with teammates, and then forces their way out with some pointed remarks in a post-game interview, is less sympathetic. It's throwing everyone else under the bus and pouting until you get your way.