Did anybody else cringe when..

[sasaint]

That's a rhetorical question, right? Yes, we have reached that point.

We've reached the point where an offensive star who wants some space to operate can just plan a hand in the defender's chest and make a full-arm shove.

We've reached the point where an offensive star can made two dribbles with his hand under the ball, so the defense can't tell if he's going to pass or keep dribbling.

We've reached the point where certain bigs can come out and "hedge", by just shoving the out of a much-smaller PG out at the top of the circle.

The effort to call moving screens? Over and forgotten. The effort to call technical for arguing with every damn call? Over and forgotten.

The rules haven't been officially changed, but the game is clearly being called to maximize a certain style of play. The guys who are the best at that style dominate. And, no, it won't get changed.

You forgot the first rule that was allowed to be flouted - traveling. In the days before most of ST can remember, merely changing the pivot point from heel to toe was actually regarded as traveling - and enforced by officials!

[LoneStarState'sPride]

It's a crying shame that we have to make a mockery of NBA defense to counter the mockery of basketball that is Harden's offensive "game."

But, in exaggerating this absurdity, Pop is helping our case far more than just complaining to the refs/media.

Chess, sons. Chess.

[GSH]

It's a crying shame that we have to make a mockery of NBA defense to counter the mockery of basketball that is Harden's offensive "game."

But, in exaggerating this absurdity, Pop is helping our case far more than just complaining to the refs/media.

Chess, sons. Chess.

"Hands up, don't whistle."

It was a lot more subtle than Fizzdale's "take that for data", and probably a lot more effective. One time Danny let his hands down and got called for reaching, and Pop blew up. He directed it at Danny and not the ref. But the refs get the message just the same: "If you don't hold your hands up where the refs can see them, Harden is going to get a whistle. Pop took away all the gray area.

[The_Coyote]

I found it amusing. Harden's kryptonite = jazz hands.

[gospursgojas]

We need to go under that harden screen... I can live with him shooting threes all night

Did you watch game 1?

[SupremeGuy]

Ref actually tried their best not to fall for Harden's tonight.

Yeah, I agree. If we lost we'd be ing more tho.

[DMC]

The foul beyond the 3 should be reviewable. If it's a foul, that's fine, but if the offense initiated the contact then the call can be reversed and even an offensive foul can be called.