I have Nets the favourite coming out of the East even before the Harden trade. I think on paper we are not inferior but our coaching staff has yet to find a way utilising Harrell and Schroder efficiently. Also for whatever reason AD hasn’t played to his level.
Did not see the Nets beating the Clippers without Durant. With that said, the Clippers laid out the blueprint to hurt the Nets on defense: target Kyrie. Would love to see Kyrie try to guard LeBron and AD over and over again.
Folks, I respect the Nets, but this is only the 40%-ish mark in the season. It's a LONG road to the Finals. So many things can happen in this crazy season. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
What a weird game. The Nets were missing arguably their best player, and most notably their best defender of the big three.
Yet they beat a full Clippers team while shooting 29% from three. The Clippers made DeAndre Jordan look like an MVP last night.
Most of their losses were against teams who had guards who can pressure on them. Reason I think Schro is important as noone on that team can keep up with his speed... PG still coming back from injury and was on minutes restriction.
They are finding ways to win right now. They have a bunch of guys shooting way above their career percentages right now. Unknown right now if those guys can keep it up. But KD and Kyrie will be load managing all season long. Harden is their offensive work horse.
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29280 Location: La La Land
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 8:53 am Post subject:
miggz23 wrote:
PenG_ wrote:
What a weird game. The Nets were missing arguably their best player, and most notably their best defender of the big three.
Yet they beat a full Clippers team while shooting 29% from three. The Clippers made DeAndre Jordan look like an MVP last night.
Most of their losses were against teams who had guards who can pressure on them. Reason I think Schro is important as noone on that team can keep up with his speed... PG still coming back from injury and was on minutes restriction.
They are finding ways to win right now. They have a bunch of guys shooting way above their career percentages right now. Unknown right now if those guys can keep it up. But KD and Kyrie will be load managing all season long. Harden is their offensive work horse.
Schro will help offensively if we play them in the Finals. But at the same time, I see him getting exposed defensively.
It's funny Clippers fans made the "we didn't have Pat Bev" excuse after they lost to Brooklyn the 1st time. Bev was there last night and it still didn't matter.
BRK just swept the LA squads. Arguably the 2 best teams in the league since last year. Without KD. They are the real deal. It's tough imagining someone beating them 4 times in a playoff series.
But hey MDA has found a way to underachieve in the playoffs his whole career. There is a good chance he does it again. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
They have a bunch of guys shooting way above their career percentages right now. Unknown right now if those guys can keep it up.
Would it be surprising if they did keep it up though? They have THREE guys that can't be checked 1-1. That equals easier looks for all of them and the role players.
For comparison, Durant had a career high of 51% in OKC. He shot 54%, 52% and 52% in GS. Harden hasn't had looks this easy in 8 years. It's not shocking to see him have career high shooting. The paint is not packed when he drives. He isn't getting trapped once he crosses halfcourt to get the ball out of his hands. Etc
They have a bunch of guys shooting way above their career percentages right now. Unknown right now if those guys can keep it up.
Would it be surprising if they did keep it up though? They have THREE guys that can't be checked 1-1. That equals easier looks for all of them and the role players.
For comparison, Durant had a career high of 51% in OKC. He shot 54%, 52% and 52% in GS. Harden hasn't had looks this easy in 8 years. It's not shocking to see him have career high shooting. The paint is not packed when he drives. He isn't getting trapped once he crosses halfcourt to get the ball out of his hands. Etc
I’m more talking about the players outside the big 3... Harris might become the first 50/50 shooter in a high volume. Jeff Green shooting lights out right now. He was getting the same looks with the Cavs and Rockets and never shot like that.
Also reason I said it’s unknown right now... See if those 3s continue to drop in a high rate with heavier legs and in the playoffs. But I don’t see anyone beating them 4 times in the East fully healthy and they under perform. Just like with the Warriors, KD put that team over the tipping scale...
Last edited by miggz23 on Mon Feb 22, 2021 10:29 am; edited 1 time in total
Did not see the Nets beating the Clippers without Durant.
Why not? They still have Harden and Kyrie. Harden on your team typically = 50 wins. It’s like folks forgot he’s a top 5 player in the world.
LeBron, KD, AD, Jokic, Giannis, Kawhi, and Steph are all guys that I have ranked higher than Harden. I do not respect Harden (however, i do respect Kyrie) because his entire offensive strategy is reliant on free throws and flopping, which is evident by having more FTM than FGM in his career.
I’m more talking about the players outside the big 3... Harris might become the first 50/50 shooter in a high volume. Jeff Green shooting lights out right now. He was getting the same looks with the Cavs and Rockets and never shot like that.
None of those players have ever shared the court with 3 offensive weapons like the Nets big 3 at the same time.
Did not see the Nets beating the Clippers without Durant.
Why not? They still have Harden and Kyrie. Harden on your team typically = 50 wins. It’s like folks forgot he’s a top 5 player in the world.
LeBron, KD, AD, Jokic, Giannis, Kawhi, and Steph are all guys that I have ranked higher than Harden. I do not respect Harden (however, i do respect Kyrie) because his entire offensive strategy is reliant on free throws and flopping, which is evident by having more FTM than FGM in his career.
Edit: Butler too.
AD that could barely get teams to the playoffs, including the same players Harden won 50 games with (Anderson and Gordon)? Giannis that turns into a liability in the playoffs...in the East? Steph that can barely win games above a .500 clip when the team isn't stacked? Even assuming we agree on all those...we are still talking a top 10 player to go along with Kyrie.
Whether you respect his offensive game, he still routinely = 50 wins, so them winning games with him and Kyrie isn't a shocker. FYI, his game is moreso reliant on shooting 3's, most stepping away from contact. He shoots them at a Steph Curry like volume rate and has been for like 4 years.
Did not see the Nets beating the Clippers without Durant.
Why not? They still have Harden and Kyrie. Harden on your team typically = 50 wins. It’s like folks forgot he’s a top 5 player in the world.
LeBron, KD, AD, Jokic, Giannis, Kawhi, and Steph are all guys that I have ranked higher than Harden. I do not respect Harden (however, i do respect Kyrie) because his entire offensive strategy is reliant on free throws and flopping, which is evident by having more FTM than FGM in his career.
Edit: Butler too.
AD that could barely get teams to the playoffs, including the same players Harden won 50 games with (Anderson and Gordon)? Giannis that turns into a liability in the playoffs...in the East? Steph that can barely win games above a .500 clip when the team isn't stacked? Even assuming we agree on all those...we are still talking a top 10 player to go along with Kyrie.
Whether you respect his offensive game, he still routinely = 50 wins, so them winning games with him and Kyrie isn't a shocker. FYI, his game is moreso reliant on shooting 3's, most stepping away from contact. He shoots them at a Steph Curry like volume rate and has been for like 4 years.
Regardless of whether anyone rates Harden as a top five player (which is mostly subjective when we’re talking about the players who are bunched at the top), Harden was in the top three in the MVP voting for the last four years and five of the last six years, plus he was first team all-NBA for the last six years. This is because he wins games. I understand the criticisms of Harden and his game, and I have no problem with people who rate other players higher. But yes, he wins games. _________________ Internet Argument Resolved
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