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The mystery of James Harden's Game 7s

1 week ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

James Harden delivered another dud in a big spot over the weekend. In Game 7 in Denver on Saturday night, Harden finished with a measly seven points on 2-of-8 shooting from the floor, an outing that felt wholly unsurprising in retrospect. This, it seems, is what we’ve come to expect with Harden. Covering this league for over a decade, I’ve taken Harden to taskfor his playoff failings in the past. Remember his 10-point win-or-go home debacle in Houston against San Antonio back in 2017?
⭐️ "It felt like 1997" - Tom's Title Tiers #27

3 weeks ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

After Sunday’s 95-85 win in Houston, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said, “It felt like 1997 out there to me, a completely different NBA game than we’re used to.” Physicality was the theme of opening weekend. If the refs are allowing physicality this postseason, which team does that benefit? Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking.
⭐️ Can you hear the Thunder? - Tom's Title Tiers #26

1 month ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

On the eve of the play-in tournament, I have to announce which top title contender I have as the favorite. Sh t: the photo above might give it away. Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit.
⭐️ A Memphis Mystery - Tom's Title Tiers #24

1 month ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

The Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins on Friday. The timing seemed off. But not when you consider the statistical outlier I uncovered. Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit.
⭐️ The Wholesome Wolves - Tom's Title Tiers #23

1 month ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

The Minnesota Timberwolves have quietly regained their Western Conference Finals mojo. Donte DiVincenzo and their improving health is a big reason why. In a league where stars are more absent than ever, that stability is essential. Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit.
⭐️ Denver's elephant in the room - Tom's Title Tiers #22

1 month ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

The Denver Nuggets can’t stop anybody. After the Washington Wizards became the fifth Denver opponent in the last six games to score over 125 points, it’s clear there’s a problem. Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit.
⭐️ The Knicks hit the wall again - Tom's Title Tiers #21

2 months ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

The New York Knicks are in trouble. With sliding efficiency and injuries taking its toll, the Knicks are suddenly looking worse off than last year’s squad. Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit.
Toumani Camara has entered the DPOY chat

2 months ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

“In my personal opinion, when I look around the league, and I’m guarded by all the top perimeter defenders, I think he’s right there at the top. His competitiveness, he has the size and length and energy to do it. He takes pride in it. He’s constantly going. He’s not going to go away. He’s there the whole time.”-Damian Lillard on Toumani Camara“Toumani Camara. He is an elite defender.
⭐️ The Jimmy Butler Effect - Tom's Title Tiers #20

2 months ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

While the Miami Heat sputter in mediocrity, Jimmy Butler has become so essential in Golden State, you would have thought HE took the Warriors to three titles. What does the loss to a barren Philly squad say about the Warriors? Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit.
⭐️ Luka's eyes are his superpower - Tom's Title Tiers #19

2 months ago | tomthefinder.com | Tom Haberstroh

OK, LeBron James and Luka Dončić have arrived. After dismantling the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, all eyes are on the Luka Lakers. But my eyes are on Luka’s eyes. I’ll tell you why. Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Title Tiers! A reminder: This is my subjective list based largely on objective data. This is not a pure, analytical ranking. You’re here because you want to know what I think, to get inside my brain a little bit.