I thought similarly. The biggest surprise for me was that I did not expect Harden to be this good this soon. The leap this guy has made in less than one season is nothing short of amazing.
I think coaching is trusting him more to close out close games. It was still a 5 point game midway through the 4th.
Thank you based Monta! From Realgm forum (3rd quarter): 11:30 49-58 Monta Ellis bad pass (Chandler Parsons steals) 11:00 49-58 Monta Ellis bad pass (James Harden steals) 10:57 52-58 Monta Ellis shooting foul (James Harden draws the foul) 10:36 52-58 Monta Ellis misses 14-foot jumper 8:30 54-60 Monta Ellis misses jumper 7:52 57-60 Monta Ellis misses three point jumper 7:11 60-60 Monta Ellis bad pass (James Harden steals) 5:24 66-62 Monta Ellis misses layup 4:56 66-64 Monta Ellis misses 24-foot jumper
"Fans need to boo the **** out of us for the rest of the game. We deserve it." "This team is complete and total garbage. Bottom three talent in the league. And our so-called blue chip prospects aren't anything special" From: http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1223918&start=525
In a sense yes. Gamescore doesn't factor in defensive contributions beyond steals and blocks. His box score line is pedestrian except for his 18 points of course. Things like miss shots and personal fouls are considered negatives of which TD had 8 and 3 respectively. Would anyone believe that TD shoots the most shots PER36 on the team behind Harden? He averages 14 shots per 36 mins, 2nd on the Rockets. Parson is 3rd at 12 shots PER36. Lin is 4th at 11.5.
McHale starts to realize that Lin is a CLOSER ON BOTH ENDS if he is ready and not tired. Good observation.
Exactly it becomes a norm,but that's how good a team can be if you have player(s) like this,and on some other nights some /the whole team stepped up. Oh dear
