I think the intent was a weak shot to the balls. Nothing malicious to injure, but a little cup check to shock and get that extra step. There isn't really another reason to have his hand there. ONeal wasn't reaching, so he wasn't protecting the dribble or using the reach to pull back and get around. He wasn't creating separation. Just a weak tap to the junk. To hit him there, Harden had to have his arm pulled back at a weird angle. If he was trying to create separation or go around, that's not how anyone does it, especially having the arm vertically down rather than horizontally across the waist.AG@RICE said:
Banes was a direct shot to the nuts and his arm went through the opponents legs. Harden was more of a forearm to the lower abs and within his normal motion. Seemed weak to me. No intent, no follow through, and not even sure he hit the jewels.
With Harden shooting 38% for the series and Maxey shooting 54% and the 76ers down 4 at the end of the Third, Doc Rivers probably lobbied for the Flag2 to get rid of Playoff Harden for the 4th Quarter. And it worked! After the FTs, the 76ers were down 6 at the end of the quarter, then won by 7.WES2006AG said:
Intentional or not it is always something with James in the playoffs.
Nurse will immediately become a prominent candidate in the Houston Rockets’ coaching search, sources tell ESPN. He won the 2019 NBA title as Raptors coach, and was voted the 2020 NBA Coach of the Year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 21, 2023
Yes please. Seems like Nurse would be a much better option that Vogel.CFTXAG10 said:Nurse will immediately become a prominent candidate in the Houston Rockets’ coaching search, sources tell ESPN. He won the 2019 NBA title as Raptors coach, and was voted the 2020 NBA Coach of the Year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 21, 2023
That sounds like a done deal. I think Mavs wanted to target him as well.CFTXAG10 said:Nurse will immediately become a prominent candidate in the Houston Rockets’ coaching search, sources tell ESPN. He won the 2019 NBA title as Raptors coach, and was voted the 2020 NBA Coach of the Year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 21, 2023
ESPN Sources: Ime Udoka has agreed to a deal to become the next Houston Rockets coach. pic.twitter.com/xhcDRDfnNJ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 24, 2023
WTF are you talking about. He coached one season in Boston. Tatum had been All-NBA prior to that. Brown had been an All-Star. Both averaged 24ppg prior to Udoka. I'm not saying Udoka isn't a good coach, but Tatum and Brown were all-stars/All-NBA players prior to his arrival. He didn't mold them from a clump of clay.AG@RICE said:
Tatum and Brown were considered raw and full of potential when he took over for Boston, now they are both considered 2-way stars. He brought toughness and accountability to that squad. We desperately need that.
100% agree. The guy knows how to coach defense. Him f**ing around with the Celtics is the best thing that's happened to the Rockets in forever. Haven't been this excited about a Rockets' coaching hire since JVG.Tone2002 said:
My faith in Rockets basketball has been restored. Can't wait
Quote:
The year before they were a .500 team that lost in the first round. The 1 year he coached they transformed into a great defensive unit and made it to the finals.
Boston was 4th in DRTG in 2020 when they made the ECF. Boston was 7th in 2019. Boston was 1st in 2018. Boston was built around defense every year. The year before Ime, they struggled with injuries, Kemba started becoming less effective and was a huge downgrade, Hortford left for Philly, Gordie and Rozier left for Charlotte, and it was a minor rebuilding year. Then they bring back Hortford and trade for Derrick White to replace lost front and back court defensive players and they are back to where they were.Quote:
He continually challenged and built their collective toughness and Tatum/Brown were definitely playing at a much higher level. This was the first time that they were the leaders of a good defensive team.
Tatum in 2021: 26.4 ppg, 7.4rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, 0.5bpg, .459fg%, .386 3fg%, .868ft%Quote:
Tatum had previously finished on 3rd team All-NBA. Under Ime he landed on the first team.
Maybe the voting just sucked, looking at the stats. Tatum was already there as the stats show.Quote:
For the record, I didn't say they were ***** I said "raw and full of potential". Going from third team NBA to one of the five best players in the league is taking a leap.
They were in the ECF for 3 of 4 years prior to that one down year when they lost significant pieces to the team and had a lot of injury problems.Quote:
Going from an average team that lost in the first round to the NBA finals is a big leap.
They were 4th, 7th, and 1st in the three years prior to that one down year.Quote:
Going from 16th in defensive rating to #2 is a massive leap.
They were both receiving All-Defense votes prior to Ime being their coach. Tatum was 15th in All-Defense team votes prior to Ime, but only 22nd with Ime. Brown was as high at 19th prior to Ime, but only 25th with Ime.Quote:
They were certainly very talented offensive players before Ime showed up, but he helped them grow defensively. Its just my opinion, but no player can be considered great until they learn how to play D. It might have been 1-year, but it was a damn impressive year and I think it helped Tatum and Brown become true 2-way star players.
I agree that Ime Udoka is a good coach and should be good for this Rockets team. I just think you are giving him WAY too much credit for Brown and Tatum. They were both clearly stars prior to Udoka coaching them. They were 22 and 24 and very well established offensively and defensively before Udoka was ever there. Brown's numbers actually dipped with Udoka as coach. Both Tatum and Brown have better numbers this year than last year and Boston went from 51 wins with Udoka to 57 wins this year. 7th to 2nd in ORTG and 2nd to 3rd in DRTG. #1 overall this year in NET.Quote:
Ime could end up being a meathead POS, but I think its worth the risk because our team could really use what he brought Tatum and Brown.
Celtics F Jayson Tatum on his relationship with Ime Udoka: "Whatever happened, happened and that doesn't have anything to do with me. But I can't take away the relationship that me and him had and the impact that he had on me in that one season." pic.twitter.com/ep60832qU3
— Tramel Raggs (@Raggs_No_Riches) February 18, 2023
Yeah, old ass Harden certainly doesn't seem like a Udoka guy.HotardRat said:
Take a good chunk of that money we'd throw at Harden and throw it at Mikal Bridges instead.
The Houston Rockets have addressed the idea of packaging Jalen Green in a potential trade for a star, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/9L4fKDUQNy
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 28, 2023
Rumors that Trae Young is on the block. Not sure what other players considered a star would be on there. Toronto turned down 3 firsts for OG Anougby and wanted 3 firsts plus a good player. OG is a nice player to have, but wouldn't consider him a star.WES2006AG said:The Houston Rockets have addressed the idea of packaging Jalen Green in a potential trade for a star, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/9L4fKDUQNy
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 28, 2023
Interesting turn to the rebuild.
Saw Khris Middleton's name attached to this rumor as well.Guitarsoup said:Rumors that Trae Young is on the block. Not sure what other players considered a star would be on there. Toronto turned down 3 firsts for OG Anougby and wanted 3 firsts plus a good player. OG is a nice player to have, but wouldn't consider him a star.WES2006AG said:The Houston Rockets have addressed the idea of packaging Jalen Green in a potential trade for a star, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/9L4fKDUQNy
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 28, 2023
Interesting turn to the rebuild.
There has been talk that Jaylen Brown wants to leave the Celtics to be the #1 guy on another team. Brown has one more year on his contract. Bringing in Udoka could add fire there.
There is the Harden rumors, but he's a FA and Houston has cap space, so that wouldn't work here.
I could see everyone wanting off the sinking SS Gobert ship. Minnesota is trash. But Edwards is better and trading KAT for him would give them another young player at Edwards' position.
Lilliard? Is Portland gonna blow up?
Obviously a big fan of Khris, but not sure I think of Khris as a star at this point. About to turn 32, dealing with lots of injuries. He's in the last year of his contract that will pay him $40mm. Doesn't seem to be the guy that would turn the tide for a team that is tanking. He's that glue guy you add to bring together a team that is almost there. All three Texas teams could benefit from a guy like Khris, but I don't know he is a difference maker for where the three Texas teams are at right now.WES2006AG said:Saw Khris Middleton's name attached to this rumor as well.Guitarsoup said:Rumors that Trae Young is on the block. Not sure what other players considered a star would be on there. Toronto turned down 3 firsts for OG Anougby and wanted 3 firsts plus a good player. OG is a nice player to have, but wouldn't consider him a star.WES2006AG said:The Houston Rockets have addressed the idea of packaging Jalen Green in a potential trade for a star, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/9L4fKDUQNy
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 28, 2023
Interesting turn to the rebuild.
There has been talk that Jaylen Brown wants to leave the Celtics to be the #1 guy on another team. Brown has one more year on his contract. Bringing in Udoka could add fire there.
There is the Harden rumors, but he's a FA and Houston has cap space, so that wouldn't work here.
I could see everyone wanting off the sinking SS Gobert ship. Minnesota is trash. But Edwards is better and trading KAT for him would give them another young player at Edwards' position.
Lilliard? Is Portland gonna blow up?