ClutchFans Game Thread: Thunder @ Rockets 3/26/2017

Maybe because he has proved the analysts and "experts" wrong almost every season except the last one?

He was a 6th man who is doing things that all these guys are prolly dreaming off now - Jalen Rose and doing things guys are envious of - Reggie Miller

He has already surpassed whatever former Rockets did for this franchise - TMAc

He is proving the people who wrote him off wrong - Idiot Max, Chris inside sauces Brouassrd, Skip Bayless

Some are jealous that he refused to give them the D while giving it to others - Michelle Beadle

And on and on...

 

Harden leads in all stats that:

a.) account for team wins in their formula; and
b.) have a % behind the number.

It's too late pretty much at this point. People who are swinging based on a superior performance by one guy or another this afternoon are closet Westbrook fans. Both sides are pretty much hunkered down in their positions, and the rest is just identity politics. Were you an auto-Harden hater before the season started? One of the pundits who helped perpetuate the "literally Hitler" meme on reddit? Because you probably aren't voting Harden no matter what.

 

Not to be so critical, but this question keeps coming up in clutchfans when the answer is obvious. Not many people are fan of Harden's style of play (especially the way he draws fouls) and lack of defensive effort. I'm not saying these are legitimate reasons to dislike Harden, because a lot of those accusations are over-blown and not fair. But at least that's the perception, and is the reason why some people don't like him. It's not a conspiracy.

 

media conspiracy

 

"Roberson is useless"

Anyone who can slow down an MVP candidate like that is at least as valuable as a 20 PPG scorer.

GIve me Roberson over Ariza all day.

 

Finally.... a big game that's doesn't start at 9:30, bring the second always in back to back games.

Sure, espn will be watching every step Westbrook and Harden take, but these are the games that Beverley shows why he's so valuable.

Looking forward to another Cavs like game from Bev.

 

Per Feigen on twitter, Anderson is out until after the road trip. That is 5 games.

Per Ackerman on twitter, Gordon to start today,

 

ouch. losing Ryno gonna hurt

 

**** .

Man I wish we would start Dekker .

I like Gordon, bev, James , Trevor , and Clint ... But I like to close with that vs open . Playing that small kinda forces us to bump our effort level up to the max ... Which is fine , but I don't wanna see guys going too hard in the first quarter . Against good teams we have to pace ourselves a bit more intelligently

 

Sports media shouldn't love or hate anyone.

 

I love Gordon starting. Crazy to suggest but I could see this starting lineup sticking into the playoffs. Really hope Gordon steps up.

 

As long as he is 100% to start the playoffs, I don't mind him missing the last 10 games of the regular season.

We just need 4 more wins to clinch the 3rd seed anyway.

 

This really speaks to the reality of Sam's hitting the wall...I guess.Taking EG out of his role is not cool, esp. with the downside risk.

 

Gordon better hit some shots

 

I wanted to see Dekker start, but I'm cool with EG starting too. Giving him more minutes can get him ready for the playoffs. He is a scoring threat, and a additional ball handler, who can take pressure off from Harden. EG could prove to be very helpful against OKC.

 

the $80M mosaic glass decorative showpiece on the bench

 

One side effect of Anderson's injury and D'Antoni starting Gordon in his place is that he may have just handed Sixth Man of the Year to Lou. Gordon will have started too many games when you factor in the beginning of the year when Bev was out to be seen as a true bench player in the eyes of voters.

 

Here at the game!! Section 407

 

But honestly why don't we let Kyle air it out for a few, see what he's about

 

Kobe Bean in the house