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CHICAGO — James Harden didn’t wish to communicate concerning the refs after the Nets’ loss to the Bulls on Monday night. Irrespective of. His on-court demeanor spoke volumes.
After repeatedly driving into contact and never getting calls — he took simply three free throws all evening — Harden was so vexed after one occasion he stared incredulously on the ref, then plopped down on the stanchion wanting the opposite manner. When he lastly did get a name after getting raked throughout the arm, he threw his arms aloft and seemed to the heavens in mock thanks.
Following the sport, he deflected any questions concerning the calls on Monday or on the brand new so-called Harden Guidelines basically.
“I don’t wish to speak about it,” Harden mentioned. When it was identified the Bulls appeared to take him out of his driving recreation, he replied, “No, I don’t wish to speak about it. I by no means bought … it didn’t take me out of my recreation. I felt like I performed effectively to the fourth quarter. Within the fourth quarter, none of us performed effectively. It positively didn’t take me out of my recreation.”
Different Nets have been extra forthcoming. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 19 factors, however solely 4 within the second half when he admitted he may’ve dealt with the brand new guidelines higher.
“I used to be slightly rusty on the block and the second half … so I’m positively disillusioned in my play attempting to regulate to this new, ‘We ain’t making no calls’ guidelines or no matter it’s referred to as,” Aldridge mentioned. “However I believe it was a few performs I usually get the foul. However it’s what it’s.”
That wasn’t the one think about Aldridge cooling off. After utilizing the pick-and-roll and his computerized midrange recreation to reap the benefits of the Bulls’ drop protection with Nikola Vucevic, the Nets went away from that technique.
“It was all pick-and-roll [early]. Their bigs have been in a drop and I made my profession off of taking that midrange shot, so I knew I used to be going to have time to shoot it or put it on the ground and get some house to shoot it. That’s why I used to be a giant issue within the first half, and within the second half I don’t suppose we did it as a lot,” Aldridge mentioned.
“However Kevin [Durant] was going and James was attempting to get to the rim. I’m not saying it’s a foul factor, however that’s why within the first half I used to be capable of influence slightly bit extra as a result of we simply bought their bigs in pick-and-rolls.”
Nic Claxton (non-COVID sickness) was out. James Johnson returned after lacking the Raptors recreation with left knee soreness, however didn’t play.
The Nets additionally referred to as up rookies Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe from their G-League stints. Each logged 3:14 with Sharpe having two factors, a rebound and a steal whereas Thomas went scoreless with an help.
Patrick Williams (wrist) and Coby White (left shoulder) have been each out for Chicago, however Zach LaVine was again after having recovered from a thumb damage.
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