2013-2014 NBA Season

[jim]

They won more games than anyone in their conference in 11-12 and had the league MVP. They had a chance that year. Maybe I don't know what you mean by "Championship Caliber", but surely they had a shot that year.

[thrill]

They won more games than anyone in their conference in 11-12 and had the league MVP. They had a chance that year. Maybe I don't know what you mean by "Championship Caliber", but surely they had a shot that year.

I never thought for a second they could beat the Heat in a 7 game series. So second or third best team in the league, sure, but I never thought they'd raise a banner.

[lukethedrifter]

Thibs to the Lakers?

[thrill]

Don't think he takes it, but there is no love lost between he and Gar Forman.

[lukethedrifter]

Kevin Ollie is a marquee name?

[MrSaigon]

Screamed so loud my son started crying.

[jim]

They won more games than anyone in their conference in 11-12 and had the league MVP. They had a chance that year. Maybe I don't know what you mean by "Championship Caliber", but surely they had a shot that year.

I never thought for a second they could beat the Heat in a 7 game series. So second or third best team in the league, sure, but I never thought they'd raise a banner.

That's crazy. If Rose stayed healthy they had a chance. Hell the 76'ers beat the Bulls that year.

[MrSaigon]

Any list that has Lillard (before the shot, even) at 1 and Aldridge at 13 is questionable, but I did appreciate the writeup on Harden from Grantland:

He embodies all of the worst stereotypes people have about NBA players:
• Lazy on defense? (Check)
• Chucking horrible shots? (Definitely)
• Flopping and begging for whistles? (Yep)
• Indignant when someone criticizes him for all of this? (YEP)
It sucks. He can still change everything this weekend, but watching what he’s become has been a brutal reality check.

He plays absolutely no defense, he throws himself into people hoping for whistles, he jacks 3s at will. It works — it worked in the regular season, anyway — but it’s miserable to watch.

I honestly think you can add 'shrinks from the playoffs' to the list after watching that series--but some of that is definitely on McHale. I know everybody flops, but Harden really is the worst. Players like Aldridge put on moves to get their shot, and if you eff up and foul them they'll happily take their free throws and your foul trouble (Asik and Howard had six between them in the first half in Game 6). At least Dwyane Wade was wildly attacking basket when he was at his floppiest. LeBron has some pretty ridiculous gifs as well, but I wouldn't say it's a big part of his game. No star does it quite as shamelessly as Harden.

As much as I enjoyed watching Wes Matthews (who isn't even very good at it) embarrass JH by posting him up, I actually like Harden. I hope he figures some stuff out this offseason.

I can't believe McHale kept his job. Does not adjust. Houston led by 10 in all but one game this series (which they led by 8). Their fourth quarters were atrocious. A decent coach and a more often engaged Howard (who I gained some respect for, actually) and Harden, and Houston takes that series pretty easily.

[MrSaigon]

In my last post I was disparaging Harden's defense. Watching SA carve up Lillard again and again makes me feel a little disingenuous about that. At least Lillard is trying, but maybe that makes him even worse than Harden.

Anyway, quite the reality check from the Spurs.

[jim]

Clippers/Thunder game was unreal. Crazy comeback from LA.