Eerie how similar the end of the Rockets and Bucks games were last night. Harden and Giannis both closing out on a 3 point shooter in the same area of the floor on a shot that would lose the game if its made. Harden brings the defensive play of the year for the Rockets with perfect timing, positioning and body control to get a clean block, winning the game for the Rockets. Giannis is late and misses the block, has poor body control and bumps the player after the shot resulting in free throws that lose the game. Despite being superior to Harden physically in almost every way, Giannis fails on a defensive play which Harden succeeds on because Harden wanted it more and perfectly executed to the maximum of his defensive ability. Skill wins over Talent.
Giannis getting exposed in the playoffs yet again, and I love to see it How the hell do u go 4-12 from the line in game 1? Game 2 he commits the game losing foul. Bucks were down 3, and of course they had to give it to their real closer Khris Middleton because Giannis is a joke from the perimeter.
I'm just thankful Dort didn't think to fake that shot and let Harden fly by. It easily could have ended up in disaster for us. It's funny how little things can completely change the perception of a player/series.
Giannis was exposed again in the playoffs. His defensive mistake cost the Bucks the game. It is a complete mockery that he is voted the defensive player of the year, and likely voted the MVP
I know its hard to give Harden credit but at least give him the benefit of the doubt not to fall for those pump fakes.. we all know he's smarter than that
Smarts don't have much to do with it. He anticipated that Dort wouldn't do the pump fake and accordingly made a winning play. Making smart gambles is part of the game, and you can't be 100% in control of everything. If his decision ended up being wrong, who knows what would have happened.
he was having a good game but I doubt he is good enough to fake a shot, re-establish position and shoot/make a 3. Every 3 he made, he was wide open with feet completely set with 0 contest.
To further your point, since Gallinari missed the free throw at the end of the game, everyone forgot about that foul before the ball was inbounded.
It’s about youth. Giannis will learn from that mistake. Meanwhile, we win because Dort hasn’t learned to shot-fake as the would-be blocker flies by, and because SGA didn’t see the wide-open lob he should have thrown. When Harden was young, he didn’t take defense as seriously as he does now. Experience is a great teacher.
Dort doesn't have the mechanics for that. His release is too slow, and he basically has his feet stuck in concrete. Re-establishing his feet, squaring his shoulders, and launching a shot after a defender flies by isn't in his arsenal.
it definitely does. you need bb smarts to make the right decisions on court harden made the right decision and play which won the game
No idea why the thunder even went to him, he isn't a good offensive player. The rockets left him wide open for most of the game. If your you ever watch pregame even NBA scrubs are swishing all their shots.
It won't happen (the NBA is at least partially rigged), but him winning MVP/DPOY and losing to the heat would be almost as good as a Rockets championship to me (not really, but you get it).
None of that is necessary. Get your defender in the air, jump into him, and then shoot 3 free throws.
Ain't no way, no matter how hot he was, that Dort is going to nail a dribble pull up 3 from deep. He git his wide open catch and shoots and props to him, but he doesn't have the talent to hit a dribble pull up after a fake. Harden knew it as did I. Its also why he tried throwing it off the legs of Harden instead of re shoot it. He doesn't pocess that level of offensive talent.
