Sorry if this has been posted somewhere else, I searched and couldn't find anything.
Ben Taylor used to post here at RealGM, under the alias "El Gee". Great analyst.
His YT channel has over 250k subscribers. Check out his videos, very good & informative.
So do yourself a favor and watch this 11 minute video.
"Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
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"Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
- GSWFan1994
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
- Lunartic
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
For those that don't have 11 minutes to spare - here's a the TLDW:
Refs stopped giving floppers freethrows
Refs stopped giving floppers freethrows
Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
- Dubious Handles
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
Overall the rules are definitely better now than the monstrosity we have seen the last 5 years, but the refs are still inconsistent. Case in point Embiid's 21 FTA just yesterday.

Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
Dubious Handles wrote:Overall the rules are definitely better now than the monstrosity we have seen the last 5 years, but the refs are still inconsistent. Case in point Embiid's 21 FTA just yesterday.
Did you actually see a bunch of inconsistent calls and fouls called that should not have been called (especially with the new points of emphasis)? Because having 21 FTA in itself does not say anything about inconsistency or bad calls from the refs.
Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
So it was the refs who made Harden slower and fatter? Who knew...
Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
- Dubious Handles
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
The-Power wrote:Dubious Handles wrote:Overall the rules are definitely better now than the monstrosity we have seen the last 5 years, but the refs are still inconsistent. Case in point Embiid's 21 FTA just yesterday.
Did you actually see a bunch of inconsistent calls and fouls called that should not have been called (especially with the new points of emphasis)? Because having 21 FTA in itself does not say anything about inconsistency or bad calls from the refs.
Most of the calls were legit, but wouldnt be whistled if it were any other center. I dont mean to criticize Embiid, just that the inconsistency is still there and the whistle is different depending on the player and on the reffing crew.

Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
Dubious Handles wrote:Overall the rules are definitely better now than the monstrosity we have seen the last 5 years, but the refs are still inconsistent. Case in point Embiid's 21 FTA just yesterday.
Yeah but sometimes it's the other way as well. I've seen plenty of games (and I'm not speaking about Harden or Lillard here) this yr where the refs were almost too conservative with calls. Guys hacking and whacking away
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Re: "Thinking Basketball": How the referees slowed down James Harden, Damian Lillard & other stars
The-Power wrote:Dubious Handles wrote:Overall the rules are definitely better now than the monstrosity we have seen the last 5 years, but the refs are still inconsistent. Case in point Embiid's 21 FTA just yesterday.
Did you actually see a bunch of inconsistent calls and fouls called that should not have been called (especially with the new points of emphasis)? Because having 21 FTA in itself does not say anything about inconsistency or bad calls from the refs.
90% of his free throws are stuff harden has been singled out for. Embiid was hooking arms and jumping into defenders all night,