It helps when you play against one of the worst defenses in the league. Hell, both of them are bad defensive teams. Hence, I'm extremely shocked Harden sucks balls in this series. Durant averaged 33 points, 8 boards, 6 dimes v. this same Rockets D last playoffs for a reason. LMA/Lilard are good. But bad defensive makes them look even better.
I don't know if it's dumb luck those two are shooting out of their minds or if the Rockets D is just that bad. The sad thing is it still should be 3-1 Rockets (flipping games 1 & 4).
I could discuss this at length, but if you want to talk stagnation, Lillard represented exactly that this season except for his 3-point shot. He's still a chucker who takes bad shots that too often kill his team. I don't think he learned one thing from his rookie season. But he has the heart of a lion and goes for the throat when it's exposed. Right now, the Rockets backcourt is one giant choking throat. I disagree entirely with the bolded. If the Rockets had taken care of business and LMA and Lillard weren't unconscious compared to normal, the comments on Lillard in this thread from some would be very different.
From Espn app : Damian Lillard joins Oscar Robertson as the only two players in NBA history with at least 79 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists in their first three career playoff games.
Arbitrary numbers are arbitrary. If we had a starting point guard that can penetrate and get into the paint, Lillard would be sitting on the bench for most of the game. His defensive deficiencies aren't being exploited versus the Rockets.
The issue is the NBA is gonna ride this out and he'll get hyped through the roof going forward and into next season as a 26/8/6 guy because of this. Just like they did with Rose going into his mvp season. I'm not saying we'll see a similar outcome but the transition from here will probably be the same.
This Spurs series has shown me a lot of Lillard's flaws. Makes some very poor basketball decisions / turnovers. Still not sure if Irving is better, but its close.
I think Kyrie is grossly overrated, but I'd still probably take him over Lillard. Lillard hype train went of the rails after facing an injured and sick Pat Beverley and the Jeremy Lin. Not to mention he's old for a 2nd Year Player. He mostly is what he is at this point.
I believe Kyrie is better, but Lillard is outshining him because of the team he is on. Kyrie is playing with bums (outside of Deng), and have to carry most of the scoring on himself.
I consider Kyrie Irving a true point guard and Damien Lillard to be a combo guard. Lillard is going to be an elite scorer who handles the ball, but Kyrie is a better ball handler who may one day be the heir apparent to CP3 leading the league in assists and steals. I sort of think these two are apples and oranges. Much like comparing CP3 and Steph Curry. Curry and Lillard should both be playing the shooting guard position honestly. I think Curry will eventually be converted.
