The reason why NBA officials are criticized (and known by name) more than refs in any other sport is that they have so much say in the game, and, can in fact singlehandedly change the outcome of a game by calling or not-calling certain fouls. And they can get away with this because basketball has always had a built in leeway for what is acceptable contact-- if you truly called it by the letter of the law, there would be 100fts every game. What I'm saying is that Harden gets a lot more calls that I would consider acceptable contact than his peers, maybe because of his rep, or herky jerky style, beard, I don't know. Tonight's game was a great example. Yeah, by the letter of the law maybe those were all fouls, but then let's call that for everyone else too, eh? Or change the rules so that when an offensive player throws himself into the lane and hits a guy, it's not a foul. This would force Harden and others to change their game but it would make for a better game,
I find it hard to consider anyone intelligent in regards to basketball when they claim Harden shoots undeserved free throws - unless they also acknowledge that Dwight doesn't shoot around 20 legitimate free throws extra each game. It's a two way street. You can hate on Harden all you want. But show some non-bias/hatred and also hate on everything Dwight doesn't get.
What you suggest sounds good in theory. I'm afraid though it would give the defense such a huge advantage that it will NEVER happen. Otherwise now a defender not only can defend his space, he can also mug the offender who is coming his way as long as he's not initiating contact.
You're obviously being sarcastic, and you're correct that Griffin is much more skilled than given credit for, but you have this same sort of attitude towards Harden thinking his game is 100% go to the lane and flail for calls, which is also inaccurate. Let's not be too hypocritical.
I don't think it's that hard. Often in the playoffs they "let them play" which is another way of letting some weak contact go. There's a difference between mugging guys and not sending them to the line for being breathed in. Like I said, if you, the observer, can't even see much contact, it probably shouldn't be called a foul. No way Harden should have gone to the line so much tonight.
That's not what I said. I said his offense is shooting the three and driving to the hoop with the intention of getting calls. He has no post game, no mid range game, and generates a huge percentage of his offense at the stripe. On the other hand, he is an underrated playmaker and has great size for a guard (should be a better defender). But maybe other people see Harden as more complete. I do know that almost everyone thinks Blake is just a dunker which is a joke.
Blake as only a dunker is definitely a joke. Even his rookie year when he got put on the map because of his dunking, he was still more than that. But Harden's 3's/FT's/layups game is by design, I'm sure you know. The Rockets are told not to shoot mid-range shots (for the most part), while being told to focus strictly on 3's and shots at the rim. He definitely doesn't have a post game yet, though, that's true. He tries every so often but it usually just ends up with him drawing a foul.
