Harden just set an NBA record for triple doubles with 60 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. I’ve never liked Harden for his flopping and flailing, but have to respect this effort.
I don’t think he could get over the Kia if he tried it today. Blake’s game has changed a lot over his career, he’s no longer the high-flying, uber-athletic dunk machine. Compare his 2010 shot chart to this season’s. As his body and athleticism have eroded, Griffin has moved from a low-post isolation threat to a pick-and-pop floor spacer, point forward, and playmaker. If anything, he’s less one-dimensional than ever before.
That said, the problem is this:
Age Salary
30 $31,873,932
31 $34,234,964
32 $36,595,996
33 $38,957,028
Yikes. This is the Albert Pujols deal all over again, and a classical illustration of the principle-agent problem. Stan Van Gundy’s trying to wring a playoff appearance out of this season in order to keep his job, even though taking on this enormous contract for a deteriorating player is contrary to the best interests of the Pistons. When Blake’s making that $39 million in 2021, Van Gundy will almost certainly be long gone, not dealing with the fallout. One more reason to not make the coach and the GM the same person.
In my lifetime, no great player has ever been less fun to watch than Harden.
For me, Curry and Harden are 1 and 1A; neither are relevant to my interests.
Well, Detroit beat the Cavs *without *Blake or Tobias Harris or Avery Bradley. In case you’re wondering if it could get worse for the Cavs, Kevin Love broke his left hand last night, too. So he won’t be around to take all the blame for a while. I have to believe they’re really regretting the Kyrie Irving trade. I know he wanted out, but I would have forced him to stay. Isaiah Thomas scored 19 points and his +/- last night was -25.
I’m really sweating Ed Davis’s future as the trade deadline nears. He is killing it under the basket this season, ranking at #1 or #2 in defense. Portland really doesn’t have anyone else with his court savvy, strength and defensive skills. Aminu is an excellent defender, but Eddy is a monster under there.
It seems to me that Cleveland’s three-year reign as defending Eastern Conference champions may be in serious jeopardy here. Do you concur?
C.J. McCollum just set a franchise record with 28 points in the first quarter against Chicago. They’re ahead by 23 points at the half.
Definitely in jeopardy, yes. But if I had to bet a paycheck on who would win the East, it would be really hard to go against LeBron. Having the best player on the floor is a big deal in the playoffs.