The biggest problem with the grizzlies right now and the jazz frankly is that Adam Silver decided that he was going to make sure that defense was not apart of the nba anymore. The grizzlies, probably more than any other team, rely on defense to fuel their offense. There is no good reason that any player (not just james harden) should ever have 27 free throws in life. That is ridiculously stupid but that's the nba we live in right now.
Fun fact: last season the average free throw attempts per game was the lowest in league history at 21.7. This season the average free throw attempts per game is 23.3, which is the sixth lowest in NBA history. In the '57-'58 season the average free throw attempts per game was 38.3. The NBA that we live in now sends players to the line far less than in years past. https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats.html
Look at their roster. Its just bad all over the place, and Conley / Gasol aren't good enough to carry garbage players.
There is not a 1 to 1 correlation here. Because unlike most teams that have given up guarding, the grizzlies and the jazz are two teams that rely on that to win games. More and more, teams are encouraged to win games by outshooting opponents from the 3 point line rather than trying to play defense. This year, for the first time in league history, 3 point shot attempts have broken 30 attempts per game. I also find it interesting that this season the offensive rating is better than last year, but last year the 3 point percentage league wide is a full tenth of a point better from last year. There is no way of knowing the extent of freedom of movement and what effect it is having on the game, however the ppg went from 106 last year to 110 this year.
There's some fascinating stuff in here, but I'm not sure what it says about the NBA. 1958 season: 101.9 FGA/game, 38.3 FTA/game (0.375 ratio of FT/FGs) 2019 season: 88.7 FGA/game, 23.3 FTA/game (0.265 ratio of FT/FGs) However, much of that is the result of the 3pt shot (very few FTs). Today, 35% of shots are 3pters, meaning in terms of 2pt shots, we're looking at: 2019 season: 57.5 FGA/game, 23.3 FTA/game (0.405 ratio of FT/FGs) In 1958, there were also fewer non-shooting fouls, relatively speaking - 1.5 FTs/foul, compared to 1.08 FTs/foul this year.
In theory, it should be the opposite. If more fouls are called on defenders, that *should* incentivize driving to the basket and getting easier free throws. Which could explain Harden.
If I were Bickerstaff what I would do is I'd say to all my players back off from James harden 8 feet and let him shoot wide open threes. He's probably going to make a few but he's he's going to miss a lot too. That's better than the alternative which is every time he drives he gets fouled. I don't even know why James harden even tries to shoot shots just run into people and get fouled.
I don't get your logic. Shooting 3s and playing defense can coexist. A few years ago, the Warriors were the best 3pt shooting team AND one of the best defensive teams. The Grizzlies just suck at offense. The NBA has found a way to score more efficiently. It has nothing to do with whether you are a good defense or not. You are just left behind in the distant past.
LOL. Apart from the missed call on one of Harden's 3 point attempts (so the remaining 24 free throws) exactly how many were freedom of movement fouls VS Harden legitimately being fouled?
Teams are encouraged not to inhabit another player's landing space. That's something Memphis' coaching staff should have a talk about to their players.
Why wouldn't you instead tell your imaginary team to you know, stop fouling Harden instead on his drives? Seems like the logical thing to do, instead of chucking a hissy fit. I'd love to hear your rebuttal to the numerous offensive foul calls that Harden gets that plain and simply are not offensive fouls, far greater than any other star player. That doesn't fit your narrative though does it.
thats a pretty good idea and i thought of it myself but let me tell something else i figured out listening to your opinion on james harden(and tbh i am a bit dissapointed in you) now i know why defenders nowadays just foul the **** out of james harden because its the easiest way to get their fans to forgive them their ineptness just foul harden every time and act as if you didnt foul him in order not to expose the fact that you cant defend him harden become the scapegoat Memphis dont suck because they gave the ridiculous contract to parsons but because the legue is officiating them badly yeah right!
