Wade = washed.
NBA 2015-2016
- Thread starter Eboue
- Start date
Rockets fire Kevin McHale.
They look shit right now but I think it's still harsh. He brought them to the Conference Final just half a year ago and it's not really his fault that Harden is playing like a brainless idiot.
I think it's a bit harsh, and blame for their current slump can be partially placed on the players as well. That being said, there have been complaints about his iso-heavy style for a few years now. It's great when Harden is on fire and Howard can dominate the paint. With the beard's current struggles and Howard's back issues, the current situation is to be expected.
Isn't Beverley injured? He is the perfect fit for Harden. Lawson is great at driving into the paint and kicking out to shooters. But he needs the ball in his hands (phrasing) like Harden. Maybe a bench role would be better for him.
I think they were going to sack him last season, but they got to the CF.
MVP Harden papered over a lot of cracks.
MVP Harden papered over a lot of cracks.
Dwight Howard being average hasn't helped.
Howard has definitely not been the same - since losing to LA and Boston in 09 and '10.
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The most surprising coach firing in a while. Also Dwight Howard is having his best season in a while so far. He is not the issue here.
Of course he is an issue. He isn't the only issue - Harden has had some really poor games and not to mention trying to get Harden and Lawson to co-exist.
Howard -
This season - 15 points - 12.6 rebounds - 1.9 blocks
14/15 - 15.8 points - 10.6 rebounds - 1.3 blocks
13/14 - 18.3 points - 12.2 rebounds - 1.8 blocks
12/13 - 17.1 points - 12.4 rebounds - 2.4 blocks (with Lakers)
So - hard to say this is his best season in a while.
Dwight Howard was brought in to be elite, a dominant force, instead he has been anything but dominant - mind you, he doesn't care...only 4 players will make more money than him this season.
5th highest salary in the league and this is what you get...
So far this season Howard has his highest PER since back in his Orlando days. With his back issues this is as good of a performance as you can get from him at this point. That player he was at Orlando does not exist anymore because of the injuries to his back. The wore worrying things about Houston this season is Harden is back to playing matador defense, Lawson has been a poor fit and Capela and Terrence Jones are the only role players playing well.
Houston would be in a much better situation, if Dwight Howard stepped up- which was the reason he was signed in the first place. He doesn't necessarily have to be the old Dwight - he has Harden, but certainly a more dominant and influential player than he is now.
As for McHale, weren't there reports about his job not being secure as early as last season? i think he only lasted this long because they somehow managed to get to the WCF. Thibs is probably going to be his replacement.
As for McHale, weren't there reports about his job not being secure as early as last season? i think he only lasted this long because they somehow managed to get to the WCF. Thibs is probably going to be his replacement.
Lawson called a players only meeting yesterday, it seems.
It'll be interesting to see who they replace him with.
Pfff. Those improvement percentages:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/stephen-curry-become-even-more-184709664.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/stephen-curry-become-even-more-184709664.html
I hope for their sake they addressed Harden's lack of effort on defence. Everyone knows he's a terrible defender, but putting effort into it would surely improve the team's overall defensive performance.
He hasn't played too much, but we need him on the court for D. But at the same time we can't have both PGs on the court because then it'll probably be Ty-PB-Beard-TA-Dwight. TA and PB have to pick up the deadliest offensive threats, but that leaves James to guard the 4and also praying to god the opposition has a 2 guard we can hide Ty on, otherwise the 3 will just destroy him in the post.
Ty can't really come off the bench because then either Jet has to play the two and we turn super small with zero D, or Jet doesn't play and I'm sure he will be he will be pissed. Then you have to consider Thornton's PT, Jones, etc.
I will start really worrying once D-Mo comes back and we still play like shit. He's probably the most underlooked/underrated player in the L. I'd be glad to see the back of Dwight if D-Mo is as productive as last season and stays healthy.
Right now, our best overall lineup would probably be PB-James-TA-TJ-Dwight.
I rate D-Mo. He always gives us fits in the paint.
So currently in the Portland Houston game,
Harden at the end of the first half is shooting 2 for 9 from the field, 2 for 7 from 3 point range, with a total of 10 points 4 assists.
Lawson is shooting 1 for 8 from the field, 0 for 2 from 3 point range, with a total of 2 points and 1 assist.
Howard has 8 rebounds but only has 2 points (!!!!!).
They scored only 35 points in the half and are trailing by 11. Abysmal stuff.
Harden at the end of the first half is shooting 2 for 9 from the field, 2 for 7 from 3 point range, with a total of 10 points 4 assists.
Lawson is shooting 1 for 8 from the field, 0 for 2 from 3 point range, with a total of 2 points and 1 assist.
Howard has 8 rebounds but only has 2 points (!!!!!).
They scored only 35 points in the half and are trailing by 11. Abysmal stuff.
Rockets turned it around - 17 point deficit wiped and get the win. Harden with a big numbers in the end.
He's been absolutely terrible defensively this season from what I've seen. I noticed that Harden improved a bit last year and actually put in a bit of effort while still putting up numbers, but I'm not sure if he actually kept it up as I didn't watch enough games. The point you're making is true though. Only freaks of nature like MJ, LeBron and Kobe (to some extent) could keep it up on both ends every single night. One of the reasons why I really appreciate Kawhi this season.
George is currently playing brilliantly on both ends, too. At least from what I've seen.
I'm putting Westbrook above Curry.
Really? I'm a Thunder fan and even I wouldn't do that (as much as I love Russ).
I love Russ too. Watched the Grizzlies Thunder game, and he was unstoppable. Curry is a better shooter and all but I have more confidence in a team stopping Curry than Westbrook.
This is where Eboue comes in and throws some advanced stats on the table.
He'll probably tell you that Curry is currently more difficult to stop than Westbrook.
I'm not convinced. Curry is on an insane streak now and if he keeps it up I'll re-evaluate.
One thing is certain though, both are better than Chris Paul.
1. Curry
2a. Paul
2b. Westbrook
4. Trey Burke
2a. Paul
2b. Westbrook
4. Trey Burke
This was a good team victory, Wade stepped up. Sixers on sunday (lol).
Good to see Rondo is back to being a solid PG.
Good to see Rondo is back to being a solid PG.
Impressive fightback from the Warriors.
The choke job by the Clippers is just as impressive.
It's really amazing how Doc Rivers rarely ever gets criticised.
Just like his point............nevermind.
Just like his point............nevermind.
In what circles do you hang? He gets ripped for being a less than average GM.
Talking about the media, they respect the feck out of him.
Only Celtics fans still djckride.
He used to work in media, so maybe that plays into it. I've not heard anyone rate him higher than what he is rated at now, but it is a bit disconcerting that he has not taken this team further than Vinny Del Negro did.
Doc gets genuine love for being one of the top coaches in the league - which he is.
He can't help it - if established stars simply freeze when the heat is on...or that Jordan offers nothing offensively expect for dunks and that his abysmal FT shooting is such a liability in close games - he has to be taken out of the game.
I mean you have a Big 3 - but one of the big 3 can't be out there in crunch time??
Not to mention - specifically against the Dubs - they can't match up with them when they go small (Cavs had the same problem in the Final. Once Kerr decided to bench Bogut - Mozgov was getting his points, but the Dubs were a different animal).
Clips will be one of the top seeds again - and they might make it to a conference final, but if the Warriors are in the way - they won't beat them to the Finals.
He can't help it - if established stars simply freeze when the heat is on...or that Jordan offers nothing offensively expect for dunks and that his abysmal FT shooting is such a liability in close games - he has to be taken out of the game.
I mean you have a Big 3 - but one of the big 3 can't be out there in crunch time??
Not to mention - specifically against the Dubs - they can't match up with them when they go small (Cavs had the same problem in the Final. Once Kerr decided to bench Bogut - Mozgov was getting his points, but the Dubs were a different animal).
Clips will be one of the top seeds again - and they might make it to a conference final, but if the Warriors are in the way - they won't beat them to the Finals.
The run ends tonight.
Hey! at least Chicago lost.
Hopping on this Curry bandwagon.
Hopping on this Curry bandwagon.
I'm blaming you. Bastard.
Still early days, but it's amusing to see OKC, Clippers and Houston fall short of massive expectations entering the season. Overall apart from the Warriors, the rest of the West is still trying to find their feet.
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