32 replies to this topic

[thejohnnygold]

As there is now a DMo thread, I'll shift this back to His Beardness.

 

Do you think there should be a minutes restriction on Harden this season to keep him fresh for our next potential playoff push? How do you feel about him playing in the Olympics? I would personally like to see him take more of an LBJ stance and save his body for the 'ship. I don't know how players weigh Olympic medals versus NBA championships, but it seems to me that Harden already has an Olympic and FIBA gold, the only jewel left to add to his crown is the Larry O'Brien trophy.

 

Discuss.

 

I think Harden's minutes will be reduced this season...closer to 33 mpg.  I don't think there will be a hard limit, but the coaches will be mindful to get him as much rest as possible.  Ultimately, we have to fight for playoff seeding and that may require extra time here and there.  I think having Lawson will help us in creating more "comfortable" wins that allow us to sit Harden more in 4th quarters.  

 

As for the Olympics--that's his business.  If he wants to do it then who can say, "No"?  Besides, last I checked we all unanimously agreed that his time playing for those teams has been nothing but beneficial for his growth/development.

[Losthief]

I'd rather worry about game limits than minutes. Say...75 games giving him rests down the stretch and back to back sometimes. Any 4 in 5 nights he needs to sit at least one, etc etc.

[slick shoes]

Besides, last I checked we all unanimously agreed that his time playing for those teams has been nothing but beneficial for his growth/development.

 

Yes, the time with those teams has been great for his game, but at what point does it become detrimental to his body? Would he have had more gas in the tank in the GS series if he had not played with the FIBA team over the summer? Would we even be in that series had he not played with the FIBA team over the summer?

[slick shoes]

I'd rather worry about game limits than minutes. Say...75 games giving him rests down the stretch and back to back sometimes. Any 4 in 5 nights he needs to sit at least one, etc etc.

 

I agree more with a game restriction that a minutes restriction. 2nd night of B2B's and tanking teams should be almost automatic games off for The Beard. I would like more pressure to be put on the rest of the team against some of the "lesser talents" of the NBA to grow as players and as a unit. Maybe this would prevent a lot of the playing to the level of the competition I have seen in the past. Guys who don't get much floor time being given an opportunity while we rest our franchise players will want to take advantage of their minutes and push their deveolpment in an almost D-League situation.

[rockets best fan]

I agree more with a game restriction that a minutes restriction. 2nd night of B2B's and tanking teams should be almost automatic games off for The Beard. I would like more pressure to be put on the rest of the team against some of the "lesser talents" of the NBA to grow as players and as a unit. Maybe this would prevent a lot of the playing to the level of the competition I have seen in the past. Guys who don't get much floor time being given an opportunity while we rest our franchise players will want to take advantage of their minutes and push their deveolpment in an almost D-League situation.

I too agree with game restrictions over minutes restricted. the NBA is supposed to curb the 4 games in 5 nights stuff and cut down on B2B's. while seeing is believing it should lead to a better quality of ball being played. I don't know if anyone else is noticing, but the Texas teams are always on the high end of B2B's in the scheduling. I wrote and ask the NBA why this is so and was told they did not see any disadvantage in the way the scheduling was done and basically brushed off after that. hopefully since they are making an effort to curb all B2Bs we will be one of the teams to benefit the most because of the amount we play. I think that can also play into how well we play and the injury picture.

[thejohnnygold]

Here is a fun graphic a Reddit user made.

 

First, nice job, James.  Getting the 4th highest ppp on iso's while attempting so many per game is impressive no matter how one feels about iso plays in general.

 

Second, it will be interesting to see how it shifts this season with Lawson.  I would expect to see 2-3 fewer iso's per game with an uptick in efficiency.

[redfaithful]

Here is a fun graphic a Reddit user made.

 

 

Nice to see that even when he's injured most of the season Kobe is still in a world of his own.

[timetodienow1234567]

Kobe is the most overrated player in the history of the NBA. I truly believe that.

I have Kobe as a top 10-15 player all time. However, some people rank him 2nd behind Jordan. It's ridiculous.

[slick shoes]

Kobe is the most overrated player in the history of the NBA. I truly believe that.

I have Kobe as a top 10-15 player all time. However, some people rank him 2nd behind Jordan. It's ridiculous.

 

Who do you have at #2? I am on the fence about Vino. Really great player, just not sure where I'd rank him. If were talking all time, he's definitely in the lower portion of top 15.

 

 

Also, Roll Tide.

Edited by slick shoes, 25 August 2015 - 12:38 PM.

[timetodienow1234567]

1) Jordan
2) Kareem
3) Hakeem
4) Duncan
5) Shaq
6) Magic
7) Russell
8) wilt
9) Oscar
10) Bird
11) Dr J
12) Kobe(earliest I could put him).

[thejohnnygold]

This is where I'm supposed to say, "let's keep this thread on topic"; however, it had been long dead until I put that graphic up so I don't think anyone minds.

 

I don't know about Shaq at #5....  I think I deduct points for his lack of skill.  Honestly, there are many people on this forum who likely have more basketball skill than Shaq.  I'm not denying his dominance nor his accomplishments--he was nearly unstoppable.  I just can't put him that high on a list of "best/greatest of all time".

[slick shoes]

This is where I'm supposed to say, "let's keep this thread on topic"; however, it had been long dead until I put that graphic up so I don't think anyone minds.

 

I don't know about Shaq at #5....  I think I deduct points for his lack of skill.  Honestly, there are many people on this forum who likely have more basketball skill than Shaq.  I'm not denying his dominance nor his accomplishments--he was nearly unstoppable.  I just can't put him that high on a list of "best/greatest of all time".

 

Shaq has no business on any top all time list (maybe big men in the 90's), especially yours with all that talent you have below. Better than WIlt? Dr. J?! Bird??!? Come on, man.

Edited by slick shoes, 25 August 2015 - 04:32 PM.

[txtdo1411]

Shaq has no business on any top all time list (maybe big men in the 90's), especially yours with all that talent you have below. Better than WIlt? Dr. J?! Bird??!? Come on, man.

 

I don't know, I disagree that he doesn't belong. He might not necessarily be top 5, but he was certainly one of the most dominating big men to ever play the game. Whether it was because of his sheer size or his "skill" really is a moot point when you have a career like he did. Almost every player in the top 25 of all time had/has elite physical gifts. I'd argue Lebron benefits from his freakish size/strength/speed combination just as much as Shaq did. He definitely has more skill as well, but that is why he is considered 2nd best or the best, whichever your preference. That is why it is so hard and impossible to agree on a list like this. Everyone has their own personal criteria they go by. I personally think it is unreal to have the sort of size, strength, and footwork Shaq had, so I still personally rank him high regardless of his perceived lack of "skill".