Especially after the playoff series he really has it out for them. He also seems to have those games against the Warriors, Thunder, Spurs in his tenure here. I see a pattern. He needs help though (obviously) but still is amazing to see. Gotta start learning how to beat those teams now is the major key.
As great as it was to see James Harden carry us offensively down the stretch...we WON the game when we learned we can play defense. Holding a very unselfish team to 12 4Q points turned the outcome. When Ariza and Brewer completely amp-ed up their defense on Lillard and McCollum, the Blazers fell apart...
Well it's easier now that they don't have Wesley Matthews. Harden (understandably) has issues with defenders who can match his quickness and strength. Specifically, Matthews and PJ Tucker; Harden can't push those guys around like he can a CJ McCollum. Although he seems to have found a way to score against those two now.
He's not looking to draw the foul as much this year... which is good because the refs have consistently shown that they won't give him those calls in playoff games. His post-up game has evolved some... he's moving more without the ball too as of late. As I said earlier, he's as deadly as ever offensively... but he has to bring it on the other end of the court for this team to have a chance, and when he does do that you gotta hope that he has enough stamina to keep up his offensive efficiency and limit turnovers.
You're in complete denial about Dwight's decline. If we had a legitimately good rim protector this team's defense would be much better.
That 2nd half was last year's Harden, the relentlessness and efficiency on the offensive end, always attacking and not settling, plus a respectable to good effort on the defensive end, he brought it like this almost every night last year, there's a reason why he was voted MVP by his peers.
Save some props for Jason Terry too. It would be nice if we could have that shooting from him like once in every three games.
and you're ridiculously kidding yourself if you think one player in the middle can fix this teams defensive struggles. it doesn't work that way. this is real life.
The Dwight apologists are ridiculous. Dude was 7th on the team in +/- but he "murdered" Portland LOL. His missed FTs at the end could've easily sabotaged the game. Thankfully Portland gaffed and fouled him at 01:59
Interesting theory. You're telling me one player is not responsible for the entirety of the defense? Interesting, indeed!
He had massive games against Portland eating Wes Matthews alive during 2014 regular season. He had crud games in the playoffs, however lost in the Lillard shot over Parsons infamy - was that he was having a monster game that night.
Ok...then that's the difference. Last year the supporting cast was far better than they are this year. That's what I was saying.
Can someone point out the last time Dwight actually carried the team to a win? Meanwhile, Harden has shown since last year that he can carry this team to big wins - with or without Dwight. Are we really going to act like last year didn't happen? We lost him for a huge chunk of the season and didn't miss a beat, even from a defensive standpoint.
