[FiveThirtyEight Pod] This Might Be James Harden’s Year

Nate Silver has a tendency to make Charles Barkley look like Nostradamus

 

That's highly debatable, and likely a D&D issue. But that aside, Silver is not part of this podcast, so you're not really on topic.

 

i dont go to math people to get answers like 'might be' or 'could be'. 'might be' moochie norris's year too.

 

This podcast is strictly about Harden's stats. They are making the case that he's pretty much the same, just finally has better players to open up his numbers more...basically trying to find the story behind the numbers.

I find it stunning that ppl can't actually see that he's faster, straight-line driving and his shot is noticeably smoother....all-around more fockass'd and comfortable. That is, a story that is greatly contributing to the numbers.

I say this all aside from any MVP talk. They were fair in that. Just saying that these guys seem to be pure stats without the interest to discuss eye test factors ... like James is just better this year.

[Edit] they do change discussion away from Harden to talk of Rockets chances. They are pretty bullish.

 

One of the guys quoted Anderson as making the comment that he doesn't like shooting in Toyota Center, as reason for his 33% shooting there last year.

Am I taking crazy pills, or has Ryno never actually been quoted as saying he doesn't like TC...McGrady used that excuse once, though.

 

Was it a depth issue?

 

McLady used a lot of excuses. I want to say that Ryan was quoted saying something of the fact that the backdrop was too dark or something.

 

Did you listen to the comment/podcast? Do you think Ryno addressed the question of Home Ryno by saying he doesn't like TC, per the paraphrasing comment in the podcast. I recall nearly the exact opposite, that he thinks there's no reason in particular and more random, if he even answered the question.

Seems an excuse (especially saying he doesn't like TC) would have been an IDIOT thread for sure. If he said it, our trend to bury really juicy news and quotes in mega-threads is showing it's weakness, again.

Yes, but it was just a lame TMac excuse in one year, and I think only said in one interview. He never had a discernible problem over remainder of his TC career, and don't think he used the excuse in following years. Hell 13 in 33 was at TC.

 

We need @The Cat or lurker CA to get to the bottom of this.

 

Copy the color of Sun's color scheme.

 

No. With a title like "Can Hardens MVP campaign survive Chris Paul", it really turned me off. Did Stephs MVP campaign survive playing with a super team?

 

You have to analyze the plus/minus when Harden and Paul are on the court together a little further. They play together at the beginning and end of games against the best the other team has to offer. That is why their numbers together are lower than when they are playing apart.