NBA: Monday game thread

[ElNono]

wtf griffin

[midnightpulp]

Clippers never fail to make it interesting.

[ElNono]

utah

[Clipper Nation]

That "Jazz core"
STdalamon

[z0sa]

I agree. Especially if the Grizzlies' bench and rebounding continues to suck.

Also the Grizzlies have struggled against the Pelicans the past 2 season. They were 3 minutes away from taking out the brooms on the Grizzlies last season.

Damn, Grizz are on a roll. Amazing sig btw

[Jacob1983]

Did the fans ever show up at Staples tonight? I saw a lot of empty seats in the first quarter.

[Venti Quattro]

You just described Durant too

Nope. Kevin Durant is pretty solid when he's on video game mode

[Sportstudi]

How did Portions not get called for that violent elbow to Smart's face???

That was a flop on NBA vets level...

https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/3ED...QuG5Y0rq5wYRpJ

[GuerillaBlack]

18 ing foodstamps. SMH. Most unwatchable player in the league, I ing hate his game. I really hope the Spurs catch the Rockets in the playoffs this year and expose this got.

People act like Harden flops all the time. He does it no more than other top players in the league. He doesn't do that rip through that Durant does either where a defender has his arm out, and Durant just swings his arm through it trying to get a call on a jump shot. Harden is getting grabbed and hacked as he sticks his arms out and defenders go for the ball. It's obvious when they do replays of his drives. Haters will continue hating, and its hilarious. He just needs to hit his open shots in the playoffs.

[Killakobe81]

People act like Harden flops all the time. He does it no more than other top players in the league. He doesn't do that rip through that Durant does either where a defender has his arm out, and Durant just swings his arm through it trying to get a call on a jump shot. Harden is getting grabbed and hacked as he sticks his arms out and defenders go for the ball. It's obvious when they do replays of his drives. Haters will continue hating, and its hilarious. He just needs to hit his open shots in the playoffs.

agree with most of what you posted but his moves are very similar to what Durant used to do. Personally he is smart to take advantage and that is on thew refs not on Harden. People are always biased towards who they "like" Lebron flops but because he is the best player in the game most ignore that fact. I like both guys and I do think Harden more than "flops" he initiates the contact but refs give him the benefit of the doubt. In addition to opposing fan irritation he also gets hated on by "hoopers" How mad would you be if you played HS, college or compe ive rec ball and some dude kept driving in to you and almost always got the call for FT's?

[GuerillaBlack]

agree with most of what you posted but his moves are very similar to what Durant used to do. Personally he is smart to take advantage and that is on thew refs not on Harden. People are always biased towards who they "like" Lebron flops but because he is the best player in the game most ignore that fact. I like both guys and I do think Harden more than "flops" he initiates the contact but refs give him the benefit of the doubt. In addition to opposing fan irritation he also gets hated on by "hoopers" How mad would you be if you played HS, college or compe ive rec ball and some dude kept driving in to you and almost always got the call for FT's?

That's the thing though. Harden is actually pretty quick and strong, so when he barrels down the lane he is hard to stop. He turns defenders around with his dribble in the lane, so they try to slap at him and end up hitting his arms. Like you said, it is what LeBron does. Rockets play on ESPN today and I want folks to watch the Harden drives where he goes to the line. Check the replay and you will see him constantly get hacked. When he extends his arms out, defenders often can't help themselves. I have played against people who can almost drive at will in pick up games and once they do it a few times, people start hacking to try and stop. If it was a real game, there would be and1s. When you can't guard somebody, desperate measures get taken.

[Killakobe81]

That's the thing though. Harden is actually pretty quick and strong, so when he barrels down the lane he is hard to stop. He turns defenders around with his dribble in the lane, so they try to slap at him and end up hitting his arms. Like you said, it is what LeBron does. Rockets play on ESPN today and I want folks to watch the Harden drives where he goes to the line. Check the replay and you will see him constantly get hacked. When he extends his arms out, defenders often can't help themselves. I have played against people who can almost drive at will in pick up games and once they do it a few times, people start hacking to try and stop. If it was a real game, there would be and1s. When you can't guard somebody, desperate measures get taken.

I have watched him been watching him since college and even heard about him in HS. Great player. And i agree half of the time they are legit fouls. harden in many ways is Manu 2.0. a great ball handler, amazing driving left very southpaw. Unorthodox moves. Like you said he is quick but it's the great ball handling and strength that makes him unique. Of course when he (like Manu) drives in to his man and gets the call or the and 1, it is very frustrating to opposing players/fans.

[djohn2oo8]

Free throws or no free throws, he still needs to hit his goddamn shots in the playoffs Guerilla. And be committed to playing D.

[Killakobe81]

Free throws or no free throws, he still needs to hit his goddamn shots in the playoffs Guerilla. And be committed to playing D.

And he did a mostly solid job for team USA on that end we will see if he stays with it. having Ariza, howard and Beverly really helps. Love what the RZa is giving you guys so far he is nailing the corner 3 and providing good defense. so far a upgrade over chandler even if he is more limited on offense ...

[100%duncan]

Lebron being a flopper is overblown by the media and haters tbh. He can score at will and no one can really stop him. Been like that since 09(?)

[GuerillaBlack]

Free throws or no free throws, he still needs to hit his goddamn shots in the playoffs Guerilla. And be committed to playing D.

That's the only thing that counts now, but he is going to break out some more this season. His defense has been better. Weak teams, but guards of any team use to go off against him. Like killa said team usa helped out.

[djohn2oo8]

And he did a mostly solid job for team USA on that end we will see if he stays with it. having Ariza, howard and Beverly really helps. Love what the RZa is giving you guys so far he is nailing the corner 3 and providing good defense. so far a upgrade over chandler even if he is more limited on offense ...

Looking forward to seeing how Jones progresses too.

[Killakobe81]

Looking forward to seeing how Jones progresses too.

I was just telling a buddy that Jones is the type of player the Lakers need to target and steal ... and stop dreaming of durant etc.

[ElNono]

People act like Harden flops all the time. He does it no more than other top players in the league. He doesn't do that rip through that Durant does either where a defender has his arm out, and Durant just swings his arm through it trying to get a call on a jump shot. Harden is getting grabbed and hacked as he sticks his arms out and defenders go for the ball. It's obvious when they do replays of his drives. Haters will continue hating, and its hilarious. He just needs to hit his open shots in the playoffs.

he does flop all the time... you neglect to mention he actually initiates contact himself with the whole "arms sticking out", then flails around like somebody killed him. It's no different than the rip through, and just like the rip through it shouldn't be a shooting foul (but it is). As a matter of fact, if he didn't flop around and sell it, they would likely not even call a foul. A hand on the ball is part of the ball, hacking at it isn't a foul. Now, this isn't hate on Harden, he does a terrific job at selling those calls, and he obviously has a talent for doing that, and I would concur some other players (not the majority, but a small minority) actually does do the same consistently (Kevin Martin immediately comes to mind), so it's silly to single him out (although that's definitely one of Harden's signature moves).

Lebron is a different animal, tbh... he has otherworldly physical strength and athleticism, yet he averages about the same or less FTA per season compared to Harden... sometimes the Kang just doesn't sell the foul well enough.

[Clipper Nation]

Griffin has shat all over Utah's front line.

CN should be pleased that Paul is not also trying to play hero in the 4th. The line Paul has tonight is what it should look like every game.

Choke's still hogging the ball like a true heroballer... leading the league in touches per game with 108.