A scathing review of McHale by Simmons in his mailbag: The NBA isn’t complicated — to blow a series when you have a more talented team, you’d need an offensive game plan that’s two steps below rudimentary, no defensive mind-set whatsoever, a slew of head-scratching rotation decisions, an overall emphasis on aggressively sloppy play, a stubborn refusal to change anything that’s not working, a lack of recognition for basic stuff like “That guy is headed for 40 points again, maybe we try something different defensively,” and the confidence to keep making terrible game-management choices in the final minute without learning from the previous game’s terrible game-management choices. Basically, you’d have to do everything that Kevin McHale is doing in the Houston-Portland series. "
Too bad people do not really value Simmons opinion, but he's right on the money and something most of us have been saying forever.
More in the Mailbag: Q: Are Boston fans allowed to make fun of McHale mangling this Portland series after he helped the Celtics win three titles, clotheslined Rambis, costarred on the greatest NBA team of all time (the ’86 Celts), played on a broken foot in the 1987 Finals, made a cameo on Cheers, got his no. 32 retired, and traded KG to Boston in 2007 over accepting a slightly better deal from the Lakers? Nope. Not allowed.
Right on point of what i said right after game #1. When you see your star player Harden shooting 3 while down by 1pt w/ 40secs left in the game. And knowing the other team is in foul trouble and knowing you have stars that can get to the line AT WILL...why the hell you allow your stars to entertain shooting a 3 pointer. Doesn't make sense under any circumstances...especially giving how crucial and value the possession is....
I read that earlier and just don't agree with all of the assessment. The rudimentary offense worked all season long as one of the best. We have tried 3 different guys on LMA. A good chunk of the shots he has hit have been of the great defense, but better offense variety. Just because we haven't gone to a double team doesn't mean it's the way to go. I mean what happens when we double and our crap perimeter defense doesn't nail the rotations and instead of watching contested long range 2s fall we are watching wide open 3s splash home? Rotations? I guess there are a few things that could be done differently, but the personnel is limited. Defensive game plan I will give him, but I think it's more of a split blame on him and personnel. Bad late game decisions is the one thing I think he got completely right.
His response to Harden's play is actually quite reasonable, but it doesn't mean it's ok for Harden to be that way. I forget how young he is, so maybe that's just it and he'll learn eventually..
Post season is a completely different beast all together. The intensity is much higher. No easy drives to the basket and no easy 3s. If you had been training downhills all season and everything looked good. You would struggle if the competition is held uphills. Every Playoff game is an uphill battle.
His comment about McHale are spot on! I guess Simmons figure's that if he picks a fight with Mchale, Jalen will have his back, I mean Rose caries that bat (club) everywhere! ....... ....... .......
Excellent analysis of both Harden or Howard. Most of what he said is subjective, but I'm glad someone recognizes our pain.
Spot on, I've been saying there is no way you can go THAT far south with the kind of talent on both BENCH and STARTERS. I mean seriously, Harden, Howard, Parsons to start. Lin and Asik on bench. How bad do you have to be at coaching to not get constant production out of this lineup?
McFail failed in game #1 by letting Harden shoot 3 when they're down by 1pt with 40secs. What kind of coach would do that?? When you have the best player in the league in Harden at drawing foul...why wouldn't you tell your superstar to attack the basket especially when the other team is in foul trouble? Why would you even entertain shooting 3?? What kind of ****in coaching is that?? That's not coaching...that's stupid. And when Harden never go to the line ONCE in the 1st Half of game #1....what kind of coaching is that?? Bullshyt. And why would you never even attempt to double team Aldridge AT ALL? OR fake double teaming or do something. How about zone defense?? Ever heard of that term? Bottom line is this coach is pathetic at coaching strategy. Did you see the Portland player attacking the basket when they're only down by 1pt?? They knew it's easy to draw foul and get to the line than shooting where the probably of a shot going in is not as great as getting free throws. Coaching is the reason we suck and failed to live up to our potential. McFail need to go~!! I dont' care how much the players like him.
That entire Simmons article sounds like a neverending jinxapalooza. At least, that's what I'm hoping the article ends up becoming.
