Tristmas Greetings and First Playbook (12/24/20)
In my friend group we have this saying: “everybody eats.” When it was first uttered it wasn’t a command, it wasn’t a recommendation, it was barely even addressed. It was just understood.
Its meaning is versatile but simple enough; the most literal interpretation is that every friend is seated at the table and gets fed regardless of financial contribution. I’m (nominally) Catholic so the sentiment of generosity was instilled in me long ago by Jesus, but it served me well to hear it vocalized from friends. Having met as your standard poor college kids, we were lucky to befriend each other quickly to pool what resources we did have, whether that was allowance from parents or “legally appropriated” snacks from club events we weren’t members of. I was fortunate enough to have a mother that would send me what she could afford, but I always gladly sacrificed a lil somethin’ to do what I could for the squad. It works out because those who know me well enough know that I have a mental block and am very uncomfortable receiving things, but I get absolutely high off giving.
I say all that to say this. In the spirit of giving and “everybody eats,” every holiday season I donate a portion of what little expendable income I have to altruistic orgs in the two cities nearest to my life and heart, Los Angeles and New York. This year I chose the LA Regional Food Bank (found here) and the Secret Sandy Claus Project (here). Food banks could always use as many donations as possible holiday or not, and the SSCP is a most heartwarming endeavor that gives Christmas presents to less fortunate children in NYC (at the time of this article posting, your donation may still be used directly for gift giving). I know it’s been a rough year for all, but I encourage those of you in able, comfortable positions to do a little bit for someone’s holiday.
Sorry for the digression, now back to hoops.
This will be the first test-run of my planned column format, the Playbook. Each Thursday I’ll divide my post into a handful of features nicknamed in the spirit of basketball play terminology I find pun-appropriate. If you couldn’t tell by the article name, I’m a huge fan of puns.
For the quick description:
Iso — I’ll choose a player/topic of the week to isolate
Pick & Pop — I’ll look through the upcoming NBA schedule for winners (picks) and losers (pops)
Throwback Jams — Self-explanatory, in the spirit of TBT let’s remember dope times
2 for 1 — Bonus section for whatever I feel should go there, which will usually not be bball-related (bear with me I’m workshopping as I go)
Onto the Thursday Playbook,
Iso, Iso!
For our very first Iso, I think it would only be appropriate to start with my thoughts on the iso machine himself, James Harden. The Beard, Har_en, Connoisseur of the Pole; call him anything but a 2021 Houston Rocket because there is no way he’s staying on that team.
In case you haven’t been following his story, here’s the sparknotes of key events during his current tenure:
- Oct. 27, 2012 — Harden is traded from the OKC Thunder to the Rockets. They would have years of regular success with him as the alpha, yet would consistently lack playoff results.
- May 28, 2018 — Harden and point-god running mate Chris Paul (injured late in the series) blow a 3–2 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
- July 16, 2019 — The Rockets trade Paul to the OKC Thunder for Harden’s ex-teammate and BFF Russell Westbrook hoping that the brodie connection would yield results.
- Sept. 12, 2020 — The brodie connection yields no significant results. The Rockets are gentleman’s swept by the Lakers in the Conference Semis.
- Oct. 15, 2020 — Daryl Morey, GM and architect of the Rockets run, resigns citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Having accomplished that desire in a super efficient 3 weeks, he takes a job as President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Dec. 2, 2020 — Westbrook, the aforementioned brodie, is traded away to the Washington Wizards.
Now for all the spiciness that has happened since the Westbrook trade:
- Harden trade request rumors pick up steam with most “reports” having the Brooklyn Nets and 76ers as top options.
- New Rockets head coach Stephen Silas gives Harden “space.”
- Taking gratuitous advantage of said space, while the Rockets are hard at work in training camp, Harden becomes Houstatlantavegas incarnate and travels to ATL for Lil Baby’s birthday party then to Vegas for “training.”
- After Harden’s quarantine and return to the team, Twitter explodes with this.
- Harden reportedly yeets a basketball at a teammate, which is only socially acceptable if you don’t run outside the lines during lay-up drills.
- “Next Question”
- UPDATE: He’s now under investigation by the NBA for a possible (*cough* social media self-documented *cough*) protocol breach.
Such a mess and I’m here for it.
The question of course isn’t whether or not he’ll be traded but rather where (with the side question being how much messier can this get on his way out). Not to overreact to one game, but the Nets look dominant enough as is. If new 76ers Prez. Morey couldn’t win it all with Harden in Houston, is he really hoping the jersey color was the problem?
New suitors have reportedly entered the mix. The Miami Heat have decent young trade assets in Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, but do they want to add a huge piece to their cohesive culture that got them to last year’s finals? Are the Denver Nuggets going to sell on the potential of Michael Porter Jr.?
To finally stop burying the lede, in my humble opinion, every contender should pay whatever it takes to trade for James Harden WITHOUT giving away their best player (meaning if it comes to it, bye-bye second star). I think at this point it’s safe to say having Harden as a primary is a recipe for regular season wins and playoff exits, but if (big IF) he’s been humbled enough by his resume so far, he would be the best Scottie in the history of Scotties.
Imagine trying to beat Kyrie Irving, Harden, and Kevin Durant in 7 games (see ya bench mob). Imagine Joel Embiid having four floor spacers for the first time in his career (wish you all the best Ben). Imagine stopping a Nikola Jokić-Harden pick and roll/pop (thanks for the legendary run Jamal).
The Heat presents a unique case. As touched on earlier, it is widely accepted that they have the most unmatched team chemistry in the league. However, I think Pat Riley is Pat f’ing Riley for a reason; he will get Harden to buy in. And before this spin gains any traction, absolutely NO one is usurping Jimmy Buckets’ authority in that locker room. As for giving up on a Herro, developing prospects is important but championships supersede it by a mile if you’re in the window. Do you think the Lakers are mourning the loss of All-Star Brandon Ingram while wiping away tears with their bejeweled ring fingers? Are the Celtics regretting the lost opportunity of developing Jeff Green and Al Jefferson in acquiring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in 2008?
I don’t want to reward the misbehaving toddler by giving him what he wants, but the Rockets’ hand has long been forced. I feel awful for Rockets fans whose hearts have repeatedly been broken by unfulfilled promises. I feel awful for John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins for their overshadowed redemption seasons. I feel awful for Coach Silas after finally getting a shot to lead an NBA team after 20 years as an assistant paying his dues — an opportunity few black coaches are lucky enough to find themselves in.
But I also feel sorry for James Harden. He is one of the best, most unique offensive players this game has ever seen, but his potential still somehow feels squandered even with the video game stats and MVP.
His game isn’t about athleticism, hustle, scheme, none of that; rather, it is predicated on defender manipulation. No one can stop him from doing what he wants on the court because he knows how to trick you. Play him up close and good luck guessing what his herky-jerky movements mean. Play off and he won’t hesitate to shoot 15 step-back 3’s a game. Switch the screen and he’s euro-stepping your big man to a basket and/or free throws. Go over and he has you on his back so GGs. Hedge and he’s licking his lips at the options you’ve just gifted him. He’s not the best passer but his gravity creates passing lanes. He’s not faster than you but he will catch you off balance with his gear changes. He’s not the most efficient shooter but the sheer volume makes you respect it.
His game is very formulaic, but he has every detail mastered. Conventional wisdom would tell you that attention to detail is what separates champions from also-rans; that irony is not lost on the detail-oriented, ringless James Harden.
I’m a fan of good players playing good basketball, so here’s to the ghost of Christmas future showing him the right path (I’m hoping to BK!).
Pick & Pop
No games tonight for Christmas Eve, so onto the Christmas day slate:
Pick: Denver Nuggets
Granted a lot of this prediction is based on what I would find absolutely hilarious (Paul George pls pls pls brick the backboard again so I can live a life fulfilled), but I do think the Nuggets have the Clips number. They have more continuity on their side. They have the psychological advantage of their recent 3–1 playoff comeback. They have the Clips coming down from the high of beating the defending champs. And for an added advantage, the game will be played in Denver so while homecourt means much less without fan attendance, the altitude could play a factor for the visitors who might still be playing themselves into shape.
Pop: Los Angeles Lakers
Starting the season 0–2 may seem disastrous for a defending champion, but we can call these scheduled losses. The Lakers are only ~70 days removed from the end of their previous season, and they’re still working in their new pieces as shown in the Clippers loss. Not to mention Lebron’s Christmas Day record isn’t impeccable (is peccable?). This conveniently goes well with my Luka for MVP prediction, but my gut is also telling me the Mavs take it in a close one. Last night’s performance against the Suns wasn’t pretty, but I think Luka is built from the right stuff to bounce back. It’s going to require a monumental effort, but he’ll put the S on his chest and give us a show.
Throwback Jams
For sh*tting on the SF Warriors in my previous post, here’s a gem if you need a WE BELIEVE pick-me-up today:
My lord Oakland deserves better.
2 for 1
The holiday music timeframe feels too short. To commemorate the final days we’re allowed to listen to ’em shamelessly, here’s a list of my personal fave Christmas songs:
5. “The Christmas Song” — Nat King Cole
4. “Street Lights” — Kanye West
3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” — Frank Sinatra
2. “This Christmas” — Donny Hathaway
- “What Christmas Means to Me” — Stevie Wonder
I’ve been accumulating some of your questions so expect a mailbag within the next few posts. Thanks for the time, stay healthy, and to you and yours, have a great holiday.
