'25-26 NBA Thread

[MU82]

It's obviously OK for a coach to support his players, but Kenny Atkinson sounded like a dope for calling Harden a good defensive player after we all watched Harden get torched by Brunson in the 4th quarter and OT.

Every single time Brunson was 1-on-1 against Harden, Brunson attacked. And almost every time, Brunson scored.

[The Sultan]

It's obviously OK for a coach to support his players, but Kenny Atkinson sounded like a dope for calling Hardin a good defensive player after we all watched Harden get torched by Brunson in the 4th quarter and OT.

Every single time Brunson was 1-on-1 against Harden, Brunson attacked. And almost every time, Brunson scored.

And almost every time they decided to double-team Brunson, he found the open guy. Harden is clearly a liability. And if he doesn't score...what's the point?

[MU82]

And almost every time they decided to double-team Brunson, he found the open guy. Harden is clearly a liability. And if he doesn't score...what's the point?

Yeah, but at least Harden had 6 turnovers. He had almost as many FGs (5), and that's good, right?

[wadesworld]

Yeah, but at least Harden had 6 turnovers. He had almost as many FGs (5), and that's good, right?

Only the 48th (I think, I've lost count) career Playoff game that he's had more turnovers than made field goals.  Not too bad.

[MuggsyB]

It's obviously OK for a coach to support his players, but Kenny Atkinson sounded like a dope for calling Harden a good defensive player after we all watched Harden get torched by Brunson in the 4th quarter and OT.

Every single time Brunson was 1-on-1 against Harden, Brunson attacked. And almost every time, Brunson scored.

A "dope" is being quite kind.  When the other team is searching to isolate Harden with their best player, and that player scores like 16 pts in 5 mins (while going 8-9), words such as completely asinine decision are what comes to my mind.  This was a historic choke job from the Cavs coach to his players.  There's no way to sugarcoat it.

In fact upon further reflection, if I owned the Cavs ,  I would strongly consider showing Kenny the door.  There's a difference between coach-speak and unconscionable drivel. 

[Billy Hoyle]

A "dope" is being quite kind.  When the other team is searching to isolate Harden with their best player, and that player scores like 16 pts in 5 mins (while going 8-9), words such as completely asinine decision are what comes to my mind.  This was a historic choke job from the Cavs coach to his players.  There's no way to sugarcoat it.

In fact upon further reflection, if I owned the Cavs ,  I would strongly consider showing Kenny the door.  There's a difference between coach-speak and unconscionable drivel. 

Don't forget Kenny taking either 3 or 4 timeouts to OT with him. I understand his strategy for wanting 1 or 2 for the final minute to advance the ball but 4? Come on man.

[MuggsyB]

Don't forget Kenny taking either 3 or 4 timeouts to OT with him. I understand his strategy for wanting 1 or 2 for the final minute to advance the ball but 4? Come on man.

I didn't even realize that.  I get the guy isn't gonna throw his players under the bus, but you can't have a post-game presser like Kenny did after that cataclysmic meltdown.  What you do is own you fked up, as the coach, and state emphatically you will be better for G2.  That was an absolute clinic of what NOT to do with a 22 point lead, under 8 mins to go, in the ECF.  Tell tbe truth, own your absolute suckage on the sidelines, and be embarrassed at that train wreck we all witnessed. 

[MuggsyB]

You would think OKC responds tonight.

[MU82]

Don't forget Kenny taking either 3 or 4 timeouts to OT with him. I understand his strategy for wanting 1 or 2 for the final minute to advance the ball but 4? Come on man.

Yeah, that was incredible. While the Knicks were having his way with his team, he just stood there with his mouth agape doing nothing. It's as if Joe Biden was coaching the Cavs.

[Uncle Rico]

You would think OKC responds tonight.

Why

[MuggsyB]

Hartensteimn is literally tackling Wenby off the ball. 

[Uncle Rico]

Hartensteimn is literally tackling Wenby off the ball. 

Good

[MuggsyB]

That Castle tomahawk with supreme force was filthy. 

[MuggsyB]

Castle is going to be a superstar. 

[MuggsyB]

Wemby has to be smarter, but you can't allow a guy to hook, grab, and essentially tackle a player all over the floor.  This isn't rugby. 

[MuggsyB]

Turns are killing SAS.

The NBC studio crew is awful btw. 

Amazon Prime is much, much, much, better. 

[MuggsyB]

That's not good.  Harper off to the locker room.  The team that wins this series could be hobbled in the Finals. 

[MuggsyB]

It needs to be said:  OKC gets away with a lot of garbage defensively. 

[MuggsyB]

SA needs Fox moving forward.  Way too many kick aways. 

[Billy Hoyle]

SA needs Fox moving forward.  Way too many kick aways. 

absolutely. 21 turnovers leading to 27 points for OKC. Castle with 20 turnovers in the first two games.

[MuggsyB]

absolutely. 21 turnovers leading to 27 points for OKC. Castle with 20 turnovers in the first two games.

Ya....he's going to be a superstar, but he's not a PG and doesn't have the  tools yet to control tenpo or make sound passing decisions. It seems to me that San Antonio has stretches where they play way too fast.  I think both teams understand they want to get shots up quickly, but when you turn it over at that rate it's usually not going to end well. 

I also think there are many possessions where SA can get Wemby the ball in his sweet spots if they're a little more patient.  Instead, what happens, is Victor is running up amd down the floor, while his teammates launch within 5 secs, and he looks like he's doing sprints for gym class or something.  Long term this isn't good from my perspective and favors OKC.

Now, what we saw off the ball from OKC, particularly from Hartenstein and others on Victor wasn't "being physical", it was downright mugging.  It's not basketball, period.  The young man will get stronger but if you're going to allow this than don't call many fouls throughout the game at all.  It's great they're allowing them to get away with contact on the ball but this is different.  We're talking hooking, bear hugging, clutching, grabbing, basically all sorts of things to inhibit movement.  It's absurd.  Half tbe time Wemby didn't have his arms available to snag rebs or catch the ball. 

[MU82]

From Yahoo Sports:

New York aggressively targeted James Harden on Tuesday night, getting him to switch into nine isolations during the fourth quarter and overtime, and scoring an eye-popping 1.9 points per direct action in those instances.