Rockets' least favorite referee working Game 2 - ESPN

10:02 AM ET

Scott Foster, the referee most reviled by the Houston Rockets, has been assigned to call Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors Tuesday.

Foster, a 25-year NBA veteran, has not worked a Rockets game since James Harden publicly criticized him after the superstar fouled out of Houston's Feb. 21 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Harden, who was fined $25,000 by the NBA the next day, declared then that Foster should not be assigned any more Rockets games because of his personal issues with them.

Scott Foster, left, has been criticized by the Rockets, but he will officiate their game against the Warriors on Tuesday. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

"It's lingering, and it's something that has to be looked at for sure," said Harden, who described Foster as "just rude and arrogant" when interacting with players. "For sure, it's personal. For sure. I don't think he should be able to even officiate our games anymore, honestly."

There was already an intense focus on officiating in the Rockets-Warriors series, due primarily to Houston's complaints about missed foul calls on several Harden 3-point attempts during Golden State's 104-100 win in Game 1.

As Harden mentioned in February, Foster officiated two of the Rockets' losses to the Warriors in last season's West finals. That includes a 101-92 loss in Game 7, the subject of a report by the Rockets later sent to the league office and obtained by ESPN that argues that incorrect calls and no-calls cost the Rockets an estimated 18.6 points.

Foster also officiated the Rockets' lone loss to the Utah Jazz in last season's West semifinals.

Harden isn't the only Rockets star who has gone public regarding his problems with Foster. Chris Paul mockingly referred to Foster as "the man" and "who they pay to see" after being called for a technical foul by him in a January 2018 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Paul also complained then about Foster's unwillingness to communicate with players. The league office did not announce a fine for those comments.

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Paul, who also fouled out of the Feb. 21 loss to the Lakers and was assessed a technical foul by Foster for arguing a call with 33 seconds remaining in the game, said then that he had met with the league regarding his issues with the referee.

"I don't know what else to do," Paul said.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Foster issued 18 fouls (personal or technical) in the Feb. 21 game -- 12 against the Rockets and six against the Lakers. Seven of the fouls against the Rockets, who blew a 19-point lead in the second half, occurred in the fourth quarter. Houston did not attempt a free throw in the final 20 minutes of the game, compared to 17 free throws for the Lakers during that span.

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http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26639280/rockets-least-favorite-referee-working-game-2

2019-04-30 13:32:52Z
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2019 Draft Grades for Every NFL Team - bleacherreport.com

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Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images

The 2019 NFL draft is over. While this means football fans now face the long lull between the draft and training camps, it also means anticipation of rookie-year impact has begun.

Every team looks better on paper after the draft than it did before, but some look more improved than others. Kyler Murray brings an immediate sense of excitement to the Arizona Cardinals. Though he plays the exact same position, the selection of Daniel Jones does not scream excitement.

Does this mean that the Cardinals nailed the draft while the New York Giants failed it? It's not exactly that simple. Football fans know classes have to be evaluated as a whole, not as a single selection.

Of course, nothing separates the good classes from questionable one like good old-fashioned letter grades. That's precisely what you'll find here, along with analysis of each class and some of the most significant selections.

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Grading players who have yet to take an NFL field isn't entirely fair. Therefore, these grades aren't based on individual players specifically, but rather on the perceived draft value of selections and draft classes as a whole.

Did a team navigate the draft well, add players who will immediately help the team or land talent later than expected? That will reflect positively on its draft grade. Did a team ignore needs, reach in order to fill them or otherwise make head-scratching decisions? Well, things are going the other way.

Let's dig in.

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Kyler MurrayChristian Petersen/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma (No. 1)

Whether the rest of the world believes quarterback Kyler Murray has a brighter future than Josh Rosen, the Arizona Cardinals do. They drafted the Oklahoma quarterback first overall and then moved Rosen for a second-round pick and a 2020 fifth-rounder.

"I'm not scared to make a mistake," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said, per Peter King of ProFootballTalk.com. "That could cost me my career but at the same time, to be great and to have success you gotta be willing to take chances—ones that you believe in."

The Cardinals got their guy at quarterback, and that can't be understated.

In addition, they got him some weapons in the form of Andy Isabella (No. 62), Hakeem Butler (No. 103) and KeeSean Johnson (No. 174). They also landed potential defensive starters in cornerback Byron Murphy (No. 33) and safety Deionte Thompson (No. 139).

This draft will largely be defined by the selection of Murray, but it has the potential to provide Arizona's foundation on both sides of the ball for the next several years. If Murray is able to have the kind of rookie impact Baker Mayfield did in 2018, this class would be nothing short of a home run.

Overall Grade: A+

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Kaleb McGaryMichael Hickey/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington (No. 31)

It certainly wasn't a flashy draft for the Atlanta Falcons, but it wasn't a complete disaster, either.

Yes, Atlanta reached a bit for first-round guard Chris Lindstrom (No. 14). But if he solidifies a spot on the offensive line for the next decade, who cares?

The same can be said of first-round tackle Kaleb McGary, who has the tools needed to play either guard or right tackle. His potential pro versatility makes trading back into Round 1 for him a fine move.

Protecting quarterback Matt Ryan was a significant issue in 2018; he was sacked 42 times. Grabbing two linemen with starting potential was smart, even if Atlanta overdrafted to do so. The roster features enough talent that reaching to fill a massive need isn't going to doom the Falcons.

The rest of Atlanta's draft class consists primarily of projects and depth players, though former Ohio State cornerback Kendall Sheffield (No. 111) has enough athletic upside to eventually develop into a star.

Overall Grade: C

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Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma (No. 25)

Quarterback Lamar Jackson brought a lot of speed to the Baltimore Ravens offense as a rookie. It allowed them to operate with a run-oriented attack that still kept opposing defenses off guard. Adding more speed to the offense will make Jackson even more dangerous, and that's precisely what Baltimore did in the draft.

First-round pick Marquise Brown is a big play waiting to happen. While he may not get a heavy target load in Baltimore's offense, he'll be a threat to take it to the house every time Jackson gets him the ball. The young quarterback is an accurate deep-ball thrower, so Brown will be much more than a decoy.

In the fourth round, the Ravens added Justice Hill (No. 113), a scatback with legit 4.4 speed. He should immediately become the top complement to bruising running back Mark Ingram II. Wideout Miles Boykin is another 4.4 guy who will help the track-team offense explode.

Baltimore also added small-school edge-rusher Jaylon Ferguson (No. 85), who may become the heir apparent to longtime defensive star Terrell Suggs. If he can make a quick transition to the pro game, he'll be a steal in Round 3.

Overall Grade: B+

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Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Most Notable: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston (No. 9)

The Buffalo Bills may have gotten the steal of the draft when they scooped up defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Once regarded as a possible candidate to go first overall, Oliver both fills a need along Buffalo's defensive front and also brings legitimate All-Pro potential.

"The Bills just got my favorite player in this draft class," Doug Farrar of USA Today tweeted. "Make him a 3-tech and get the hell out of the way, Bills. You just drafted John Randle."

Oliver wasn't the only steal of the Bills draft, though. They also grabbed offensive lineman Cody Ford (No. 38) early in Round 2. He was widely viewed as a potential first-round pick and, again, fills a notable need.

In Round 3, Buffalo added Devin Singletary (No. 74), a speedy, shifty back who could replace LeSean McCoy sooner than later. Dawson Knox (No. 96) is a tight end who can contribute in both the running and passing games.

Along with some good depth selections on Day 3 of the draft, these picks give Buffalo one of the year's best classes.

Overall Grade: A+

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Brian BurnsJoe Robbins/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State (No. 16)

The Carolina Panthers' draft has received a lot of attention due to the third-round selection of quarterback Will Grier (No. 100). It shouldn't. Grier isn't going to threaten Cam Newton for the starting job unless Newton's surgically repaired shoulder fails him.

The addition of Grier was about insurance. The addition of first-round pick Brian Burns, meanwhile, was about adding an immediate boost to the pass rush, which generated a mere 35 sacks in 2018 and lost Julius Peppers to retirement in the offseason.

Burns should be an instant starter. Second-round tackle Greg Little (No. 37) might be, as well. Though Little didn't test well at the combine, he has the size (6'5", 310 lbs) and the instincts to play tackle in the NFL.

Former Alabama edge-rusher Christian Miller (No. 115) could prove a steal in the fourth round. Though Miller only produced 11 sacks during his career with the Crimson Tide, he has the athletic traits to be a situational sacker at the pro level.

Overall Grade: C+

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David K Purdy/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State (No. 73)

The Chicago Bears get a decidedly average draft grade—not because the team made poor picks, but because it didn't pick early or often.

Chicago only made five selections in the 2019 draft and only one before Day 3. That pick could prove to be a good one, though, as former Iowa State running back David Montgomery should immediately take over the early-down role previously held by Jordan Howard.

The Bears didn't have many glaring needs coming into the draft, so it comes as no surprise the rest of the weekend was spent filling out roster depth.

The trade for Khalil Mack that cost Chicago its first-round pick isn't being factored into the draft grade because he was a 2018 addition, not a new one. Considering the impact Mack has already had for Chicago's defense, Bears fans should be just fine with an average 2019 draft class.

Overall Grade: C

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Jonah WilliamsAndy Lyons/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama (No. 11)

The Cincinnati Bengals did the smart, obvious thing and took the top offensive lineman on their board with the 11th overall pick. Alabama's Jonah Williams is a polished technician and a solid, safe choice. If he doesn't prove to be one of best tackles in this class, though, Cincinnati's draft is going to look very, very bad.

Williams' selection was a safe one. Cincinnati's pick of run-blocking tight end Drew Sample (No. 52) in Round 2 was a baffling one. Sample is underrated as a pass-catcher and could prove a good player, but the Bengals didn't need to pull the trigger on him so high. 

"You will obviously have a hard time finding somebody with a 2nd round grade on Drew Sample," Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer said, via Twitter. Sample was almost universally pegged as a Day 3 talent.

The Bengals also used a fourth-round pick on developmental quarterback Ryan Finley (No. 104). Maybe they see him as a future starter, but the presence of Jeff Driskel negated the need for a backup quarterback.

Cincinnati desperately needed to add players who could start and contribute significantly in Week 1. Williams is the only player likely to do so.

Overall Grade: D

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Greedy WilliamsSteve Helber/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU (No. 46)

The Cleveland Browns didn't have a first-round pick in this draft, but they still managed to land LSU cornerback Greedy Williams—the top corner on the big board of Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. Williams should be a Day 1 starter and will quickly forge a tremendous young tandem with 2018 Pro Bowler Denzel Ward.

This was a defensive draft for the Browns, who also added linebackers Sione Takitaki (No. 80) and Mack Wilson (No. 155), along with safety Sheldrick Redwine (No. 119). One of the linebackers is likely to be on the field as a starter in Week 1, while Redwine helps replace Jabril Peppers, who was traded in the offseason.

The selection of Oklahoma kicker Austin Seibert (No. 170) shouldn't be overlooked. Poor kicking cost the Browns at least two wins in 2018, and Cleveland will come one step closer to being a complete team if Seibert proves reliable.

Of course, the coup of the draft is the trade that turned Peppers and the 17th overall pick into Pro Bowl wideout Odell Beckham Jr. If Beckham and Williams are viewed as Cleveland's first two draft selections—a perspective the Browns should obviously take—then this is a second consecutive strong draft by general manager John Dorsey.

Overall Grade: A

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Trysten HillDarron Cummings/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Trysten Hill, DT, Central Florida (No. 58)

Even without a first-round pick—it was traded for Amari Cooper during the 2018 season—the Dallas Cowboys managed to make several solid but unexciting moves.

Dallas is a team built to win in the trenches. Therefore the additions of defensive tackle Trysten Hill and guard Connor McGovern (No. 90) are perfect for the Cowboys. Hill, in particular, could prove a stellar pick. He's a disruptive interior defender who racked up 10.5 tackles for loss in 2018 despite only playing a rotational role.

The Cowboys also added secondary depth in the form of defensive backs Michael Jackson (No. 158) and Donovan Wilson (No. 213). If either Tony Pollard (No. 128) or Mike Weber (No. 218) emerges as a consistent complement to running back Ezekiel Elliott, it would go a long way toward extending the two-time rushing champion's career.

Overall Grade: C+

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Noah FantDavid Zalubowski/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa (No. 20)

Give the Denver Broncos some credit. They could have panicked and grabbed a quarterback with the 10th overall selection, but they didn't. Instead, they traded down, added more draft capital and still landed a premier tight end prospect in Noah Fant. That's big because quarterback Joe Flacco will benefit from having a security blanket in the offense.

Denver still came back and got a developmental quarterback by grabbing Drew Lock (No. 42) in the second round. He'll likely sit behind Flacco for a season or two, but he could be the team's future at the position.

The Broncos got a lineman capable of starting early in Kansas State's Dalton Risner (No. 41). He should slot in at guard right away. Dre'Mont Jones (No. 71) is an underrated defensive addition who should contribute as a rotational defensive tackle during his rookie season.

If Lock proves Denver's quarterback of the future, then this grade will shoot up to a strong "A+". Even with his future unknown, this was still a strong draft for the Broncos.

Overall Grade: B+

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T.J. HockensonCarlos Osorio/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa (No. 8)

The Detroit Lions may take a little flak for drafting a tight end eighth overall. They shouldn't. Iowa's T.J. Hockenson has legitimate All-Pro potential and should immediately become one of Matthew Stafford's favorite targets.

Hockenson isn't just a pass-catching tight end, though. He's an all-around polished product who will also help spring Kerryon Johnson in the running game. Could the Lions have used a pass-rusher? Sure, but head coach Matt Patricia knows firsthand just how big a mismatch a standout tight end can be. Detroit added Jesse James in free agency, but he's an average receiving tight end. He's not a special talent like Hockenson.

Detroit spent the rest of the draft getting Patricia pieces for his defense. While no immediate starter may emerge from the bunch, guys like linebacker Jahlani Tavai (No. 43), safety Will Harris (No. 81) and cornerback Amani Oruwariye (No. 146) will give Patricia a ton of flexibility. In his multi-look defensive scheme, that's real value.

Former Clemson defensive end Austin Bryant (No. 117) could also emerge as a situational pass-rusher.

Overall Grade: B-

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Darnell SavageDarron Cummings/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Darnell Savage, S, Maryland (No. 21)

The Green Bay Packers' draft wasn't flashy, but it was good. The Packers probably aren't getting enough attention for the two defensive playmakers they added in Round 1—Rashan Gary (No. 12) and Darnell Savage.

Gary has the skill set to be a double-digit sack artist out of the gate. Savage is a fast, physical and versatile defensive back—the type of player defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is going to love.

"His sticky cover skills and ability to close on throws from all areas of the field are valuable commodities that should not be undervalued," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote of Savage.

By adding those two first-rounders, the Packers have completely transformed the identity of their defense. Pettine's unit is going to have some nastiness to it in 2019.

Elgton Jenkins (No. 44), meanwhile, is a future starter at center. Jace Sternberger (No. 75) is the same at tight end. While Sternberger may not make the immediate impact Hockenson and Fant do, he has enough pass-catching ability to replace Jimmy Graham in the starting lineup by the end of his first season.

Thanks to this draft—and some savvy free-agency moves—Aaron Rodgers finally has something resembling a complete team around him.

Overall Grade: A-

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Lonnie JohnsonJoe Robbins/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky (No. 54)

On Day 2, the Houston Texans grabbed cornerback Lonnie Johnson from Kentucky. As a 6'2" corner with 4.52 speed, he has the physical traits to potentially start as a rookie if he can fix some consistency issues in coverage. This was a solid pick, if not an exciting one.

Where the Texans faltered in the draft was in the selections of offensive tackles Tytus Howard (No. 23) and Max Scharping (No. 53). Both carry tremendous upside, but both are small-school prospects who could take time to develop.

This is a problem because Houston cannot afford to have pass-blockers learning on the job in 2019. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was sacked a league-high 62 times in 2018, and it's not like he has a Ben Roethlisberger body type that can absorb all those hits.

Houston needed to get players who can either protect Watson or take some of the offensive pressure off his shoulders right away. Tight end Kahale Warring (No. 86) may be the only player who actually does so as a rookie.

Overall Grade: D

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Rock Ya-SinDarron Cummings/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple (No. 34)

The Browns have widely been pegged as this year's up-and-coming team, but that distinction really should belong to the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis is already a playoff squad and is thriving with drafted talents such as Darius Leonard, Quenton Nelson and Marlon Mack.

Even after he traded out of the first round, general manager Chris Ballard managed to nail another draft in 2019.

Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin has the potential to step right in and start from Day 1. His addition immediately improves the back end of the Indianapolis defense. Ben Banogu (No. 49) will add some teeth to the Colts' pass rush, while Bobby Okereke (No. 89) brings depth to the linebacker corps.

Adding the speedy Parris Campbell (No. 59) to the receiving corps was a brilliant move. Though Campbell is an unfinished product, he has the speed and explosiveness to stretch the field at the pro level. Opposing defenses will have a difficult time deciding whether to focus on him or fellow speedster T.Y. Hilton in passing situations.

He also instantly increases the value of offseason acquisition Devin Funchess, who will serve as the team's big-bodied possession receiver.

Overall Grade: A-

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Jawaan TaylorSteve Luciano/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida (No. 35)

Pass-rusher was not a need for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, when Kentucky's Josh Allen (No. 7) slipped, it made sense to scoop him up. Getting him there provided tremendous value.

Even more valuable was landing offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor in the second round. He has first-round talent and was likely a guy the Jaguars would have considered at the top of the draft had Allen not fallen. Tackle was a position of need heading into the event, and Taylor has an even better chance to start in Week 1 than Allen does.

Jacksonville filled another need by selecting San Jose State tight end Josh Oliver (No. 69) in Round 3. He's a quality pass-catcher who could eventually develop into a second-tier version of Zach Ertz in John DeFilippo's offense. For new starting quarterback Nick Foles—who thrived with Ertz on the Philadelphia Eagles—Oliver is a huge get.

If he develops quickly, Jacksonville could end up with three significant rookie contributors.

Overall Grade: B+

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Juan ThornhillDarron Cummings/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia (No. 63)

The Kansas City Chiefs traded away their first-round pick in order to acquire pass-rusher Frank Clark. That move ups their draft grade because Clark is both a proven commodity and a strong fit for Steve Spagnuolo's defense.

Second-round safety Juan Thornhill is also a good fit for Spagnuolo's scheme because of his coverage skills and versatility.

"Thornhill's size and cover talent should allow defensive coordinators the freedom to deploy him around the field in a variety of ways depending on the matchups and his running mate at safety," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote prior to the draft.

Thornhill will likely spend a lot of time on the field with Tyrann Mathieu, which should give Kansas City an elite tandem in passing situations.

I'm not as high on receiver Mecole Hardman (No. 56) as most. He has the speed to replace Tyreek Hill as the Chiefs' field-stretcher, but he's an inconsistent catcher of the football and raw as a route-runner. In Kansas City's track-team offense, though, he can be an asset.

Overall Grade: B-

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jerry TilleryGregory Bull/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame (No. 28)

The Los Angeles Chargers had few needs heading into draft week, but defensive tackle was one of them. By grabbing Notre Dame's Jerry Tillery in Round 1, they filled that need while also adding a player with huge upside.

Tillery was one of my personal favorites in the draft. He's a high-IQ player with the physical skill set to be a disruptive force from Day 1. He had seven sacks in 2018, and that's the kind of production the Chargers can expect to get from his pressures up the middle.

Los Angeles got another defensive standout in Round 2 by scooping up safety Nasir Adderley (No. 60). The Delaware product isn't as polished as some teams would like, but he has the coverage skills to immediately contribute in nickel and dime packages.

Third-round tackle Trey Pipkins (No. 91) should compete with Sam Tevi on the right side of the Chargers line—the only truly questionable spot on the offense.

Overall Grade: B+

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Taylor RappDarron Cummings/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington (No. 61)

The Los Angeles Rams traded out of the first round and still managed to land Washington safety Taylor Rapp. That's a big win, as Rapp was one of the top safeties in this class. He slid because of a poor 40 time (4.76 seconds), but he is a legitimate first-round talent.

"To get a player like Taylor Rapp who we would've felt comfortable with potentially taking at 31," head coach Sean McVay told NFL Network. "A versatile playmaker, very similar in the mold of what you love about Eric Weddle and John Johnson."

The selection of running back Darrell Henderson (No. 70) in the third round could be seen as a warning sign about the health of Todd Gurley's knee, but it really feels more like it's about extending the latter's career. Henderson has the speed and burst to be a change-of-pace back who lightens Gurley's workload moving forward.

Former Michigan cornerback David Long (No. 79) probably won't start as a rookie, but he should be a valuable addition in dime packages.

Overall Grade: B

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Christian WilkinsJoel Auerbach/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson (No. 13)

If we're including the trade for quarterback Josh Rosen as part of the Miami Dolphins' draft—and we are—then we have to move the overall grade higher that it would be based on selections alone. Miami only surrendered a late second-round pick and a 2020 fifth-rounder for a guy who could secure the starting job by Week 1.

"I'm excited and ready for it," Rosen said about his new opportunity.

Landing Rosen at a low price was a coup for this quarterback-stunted franchise.

As far as picks go, the Dolphins nailed the selection of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. A disruptive interior defender, he should quickly become the centerpiece of the defensive front—a role Ndamukong Suh never quite filled in Miami.

Though the rest of Miami's draft largely consisted of players who will provide depth out of the gate, landing a potential All-Pro defender and a possible franchise quarterback in the same draft is huge.

Overall Grade: B

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Garrett BradburyMichael Conroy/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State (No. 18)

It's rarely exciting when a team takes an interior offensive lineman in the first Round. However, the Minnesota Vikings needed to upgrade their line in a big way, and Garrett Bradbury should become an instant starter at either center or guard.

Plug in Bradbury, worry about one fewer spot in front of Kirk Cousins. That's a fair plan.

While Bradbury is the player most likely to make an immediate impact, tight end Irv Smith Jr. (No. 50) should become a starter sooner than later. Kyle Rudolph has been a solid receiving tight end but has yet to develop into a true playmaker. Smith has the potential to do what he hasn't.

The bulk of Minnesota's remaining draft picks were used on depth and developmental players, though sixth-round selection Armon Watts (No. 190) could be an exception. He was a one-year starter at defensive tackle for Arkansas, but he has a tremendous amount of upside. He could potentially be the piece needed to replace Sheldon Richardson, who left in free agency.

Overall Grade: C+

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Chase WinovichCorey Perrine/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State (No. 32)


Grabbing wide receiver N'Keal Harry at the bottom of Round 1 was a brilliant decision by the New England Patriots. His addition gives Tom Brady a target with legitimate No. 1 receiver traits, as well as a potential replacement for Rob Gronkowski as the clutch go-to guy.

However, Bill Belichick and Co. did their best work in the second and third rounds. Joejuan Williams (No. 45) is a tall (6'4") and rangy corner who can fill a variety of roles in the secondary. Chase Winovich is a grinder who can set the edge, rush the passer, chase down ball-carriers and perform as the defensive leader from the defensive end position.

Winovich is very much an archetypal Patriots player.

"I'd rather just wait to dive into that further until I receive further instructions," he said when asked about his predraft contact with New England, per Orion Sang of the Detroit Free Press.

New England also added another utility back in Damien Harris (No. 87) and an offensive tackle with tremendous upside in Yodny Cajuste (No. 101).

Overall Grade: A+

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Erik McCoyMichael Hickey/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M (No. 48)

It was a relatively uneventful draft for the New Orleans Saints, who were without a first- or a third-round pick. The majority of their additions consisted of Day 3 depth players, which isn't a big problem for a team as complete as New Orleans.

However, the Saints did make one standout selection: second-round center Erik McCoy. They had a need at the position because of the surprise offseason retirement of Max Unger, and McCoy has all the tools to be a Day 1 starter in the middle.

"Teams typically hunt for centers with the traits to withstand power or athleticism depending on their divisional competition," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote. "McCoy comes gift-wrapped in a thick, strong frame and proved he could hold up to both power (Dexter Lawrence) and athleticism (Quinnen Williams)."

With McCoy in tow, the Saints should pick up right where they left off in 2018—as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Overall Grade: C

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Deandre BakerAndy Lyons/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke (No. 6)

The New York Giants' draft wasn't a complete disaster. Getting cornerback Deandre Baker at the bottom of Round 1 was a great move, assuming the first cornerback taken in the draft is also the best corner in the draft. Baker is a great man-cover corner—something the Giants need opposite Janoris Jenkins.

Fellow first-round pick Dexter Lawrence (No. 17) should also be a big contributor in the near future, though the Giants may have been better served grabbing an edge-rusher.

New York's big mistake was actually bypassing a pass-rusher such as Kentucky's Josh Allen in order to reach for Duke quarterback Daniel Jones (No. 6). Giants general manager Dave Gettleman insists that pulling the trigger on Jones was the right move, though that's debatable, to say the least.

"Gettleman told me he 'knows for a fact' there were two teams that wanted Jones between six and 17.' I could not find them, though I certainly can't say with certainty that two do not exist." Peter King of ProFootballTalk.com wrote.

Essentially, the Giants traded away Odell Backham Jr., Damon Harrison and Eli Apple over the last year and only managed to grab a second-tier quarterback prospect and replacements for Harrison and Apple. That is not maximizing capital.

Overall Grade: D

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Quinnen WilliamsMark Humphrey/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama (No. 3)

While edge-rusher was a greater need for the New York Jets, general manager Mike Maccagnan did the smart thing and pounced on defensive tackle Quinnen Williams with the third overall pick. The Alabama product is a playmaker on the interior and could become the best overall player in the 2019 draft.

The Jets still managed to get an edge-rusher, scooping up Florida's Jachai Polite (No. 68) in the third round. Questions exist about his speed—he ran a 4.84-second 40 at the combine—which is problematic for a guy who wins with quickness more than strength. However, it's hard to believe his 11 sacks in 2018 came by accident.

If Polite develops into even an average pass-rusher, this was a successful draft for New York. The rest of it was about finding depth, not including the second-round pick that was part of last year's trade to acquire quarterback Sam Darnold.

Overall Grade: B

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Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama (No. 24)

Say what you will about the surprise selection of Clelin Ferrell (No. 4), but he has the potential to give the Oakland Raiders a top-tier edge-rusher for the next decade.

The selection of running back Josh Jacobs should be less scrutinized. He was generally perceived as the top running back in this class, and he immediately gives the Raiders a three-down weapon in the backfield.

Grabbing safety Johnathan Abram (No. 27) with a third first-round pick was an underrated move. The Mississippi State product is a thumper who should add a bit of bite on the back end of the Raiders defense.

Oakland got another potential defensive starter in second-round cornerback Trayvon Mullen (No. 40), while tight end Foster Moreau (No. 137) and wideout Hunter Renfrow (No. 149) could prove Day 3 steals. Moreau, specifically, could move into the starting lineup early on as a rookie.

While it's fair to question the Ferrell pick with talents such as Josh Allen and Ed Oliver still on the board, this draft should provide a solid foundation for the Raiders as they make the transition from Oakland to Las Vegas.

Overall Grade: B+

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Andre DillardFrederick Breedon/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State (No. 22)

Were the Philadelphia Eagles in dire need of a left tackle? No. Was moving up to snatch Washington State's Andre Dillard away from the Texans still a brilliant move? Yes.

Dillard has the potential to be a true franchise left tackle. The Eagles currently have Jason Peters in that role, but he's 37 and won't be around forever. This move was about planning for the future and protecting Carson Wentz over the long haul.

While Dillard may not start from Day 1, second-round running back Miles Sanders (No. 53) could. He's a legitimate every-down back who could quickly force offseason acquisition Jordan Howard into a complementary role for obvious rushing situations.

Third-round receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside (No. 57) should also be an early contributor. He gives Wentz another big-bodied (6'2", 225 lbs) target to go along with Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery.

The Eagles didn't have a ton of needs heading into the draft, but they're still better off after it.

Overall Grade: A-

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Devin BushJoe Robbins/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan (No. 10)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have needed a sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the middle of their defense ever since Ryan Shazier's injury in 2017. They finally got one by landing Michigan's Devin Bush at No. 10. It required Pittsburgh trading up 10 spots in the first round, but the move was worth it.

"He's an all-situations, every-down player," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of Bush, per Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Pittsburgh jumped in front of Cincinnati to grab Bush—a cold and calculated move that will impact the AFC North for years to come.

The Steelers also grabbed speedy wideout Diontae Johnson (No. 66), another MAC product who at least has the potential to eventually replace Antonio Brown. At least that will be the goal, fair or not. Justin Layne (No. 83) should compete for a starting job at cornerback, while Benny Snell Jr. (No. 122) will provide more depth in the backfield.

Even though the Steelers lost Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell during the offseason, their overall roster may be even better this year than it was in 2018, thanks in no small part to a strong draft.

Overall Grade: B+

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Nick BosaJoe Robbins/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State (No. 2)

The San Francisco 49ers made the obvious choice at No. 2 and grabbed the top defender on their draft board. While this selection was more about opportunity than draft savvy, it will be a great pick if Bosa becomes the same kind of disruptive force his brother Joey already is for the Los Angeles Chargers.

San Francisco used its second- and third-round picks to get new weapons for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. South Carolina wideout Deebo Samuel (No. 36) won't be the biggest receiver on the field, but he has the toughness to develop into a No. 1 option in the Steve Smith mold. Jalen Hurd (No. 67) has the size (6'5", 226 lbs) to be Samuel's possession complement for years to come.

The rest of San Francisco's draft was about filling in depth—and adding punter Mitch Wishnowsky at No. 110! If Bosa and Samuel emerge as early playmakers, though, this will be seen as a solid draft class.

Overall Grade: C+

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D.K. MetcalfThomas Graning/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi (No. 64)

Landing wideout D.K. Metcalf at the bottom of Round 2 was huge for the Seattle Seahawks. Though Metcalf is relatively unpolished, he has the physical attributes needed to dominate defenses at the next level. His upside is tremendous, and he also potentially fills a big need.

Per Adam Schefter, No. 1 wideout Doug Baldwin may be forced to retire because of multiple injuries.

The Seahawks bolstered their pass defense by adding edge-rusher L.J. Collier (No. 29) in Round 1 and safety Marquise Blair (No. 47) in Round 2. Collier should help replace Frank Clark, who was traded to the Chiefs just before the draft. Blair has the potential to start at free safety sooner than later.

In addition to getting some good players, general manager John Schneider did a terrific job trading down and acquiring additional picks. Seattle only had four draft picks before the Clark trade and finished with 11 selections.

Overall Grade: B

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Devin WhiteAndy Lyons/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Devin White, LB, LSU (No. 5)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers couldn't have hoped for a better scenario than having linebacker Devin White still sitting there at No. 5. White is a versatile defender who can help Tampa's woeful defense—allowed 383.4 yards per game last year (No. 27 overall)—in all phases.

"White is the ideal modern NFL linebacker. He can stack up against the run, chase down outside plays, spy mobile quarterbacks or cover the middle of the field on pass plays," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote.

While White was the only home-run pick of the Buccaneers' draft, Tampa did a nice job addressing its biggest need in volume. The pass defense was atrocious in 2018 (259.4 yards allowed per game), and the Buccaneers spent second- and third-round picks on defensive backs Sean Bunting (No. 39), Jamel Dean (No. 94) and Mike Edwards (No. 99).

If even one of these three pass-defenders emerges as a Day 1 starter, the Buccaneers defense will have a chance to improve significantly in 2019.

Overall Grade: C+

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Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Most Notable Pick: A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi (No. 51)

Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (No. 19) has All-Pro potential, but he's also coming off a torn ACL suffered while training for the combine. The Tennessee Titans took a chance on him in Round 1, and their draft grade will jump considerably if he returns to 100 percent. He's unlikely, however, to contribute at all during his rookie season.

This doesn't mean Tennessee failed to add any immediate starters.

Wideout A.J. Brown should immediately become the No. 2 receiver opposite budding star Corey Davis. With offseason acquisition Adam Humphries manning the slot, the Titans now have the kind of receiving corps that can allow quarterback Marcus Mariota to thrive as a passer.

Guard Nate Davis (No. 82) is a future starter along the offensive line, while safety Amani Hooker (No. 116) should immediately contribute in sub packages.

A lot will hinge on Simmons' recovery, but the Titans had an above-average draft even if he's only 90 percent of what he once was.

Overall Grade: C+

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Dwayne HaskinsJoe Robbins/Getty Images

Most Notable Pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State (No. 15)

Whenever a team lands a franchise-caliber quarterback without overpaying to get him, it has to be considered a huge win. That's what the Washington Redskins accomplished by staying put at No. 15 overall and allowing Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins to come to them.

Yes, Haskins only has one year of starting experience—the same is true of Kyler Murray—but he shined in that season, throwing for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns. He is also familiar with the area because he played his high school ball in Potomac, Maryland.

Haskins isn't the only win for Washington, though.

The Redskins traded back into the first round to grab Mississippi State pass-rusher Montez Sweat (No. 26), who was one of the top defensive prospects in the entire class. They also grabbed former Ohio State receiver Terry McLaurin (No. 76)—a target with whom Haskins is quite familiar. Former Stanford running back Bryce Love (No. 112) provides injury insurance in case 2018 second-round pick Derrius Guice (ACL) doesn't get back to 100 percent.

The Redskins only gave up the 46th overall pick and next year's second-rounder to go up and get Sweat. This means they landed two blue-chip prospects at a fair value while also adding needed pieces and depth.

Overall Grade: A+

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2019-04-30 13:14:30Z
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13 NFL veterans who have been put on notice after NFL draft - USA TODAY

Nate Davis USA TODAY

Published 6:32 AM EDT Apr 30, 2019

The 2019 NFL draft now complete, the roster-building process for the league's 32 teams is basically complete heading into next season.

Sure, clubs will tinker — prominent free agents like Ndamukong Suh, Eric Berry, Michael Crabtree and Ziggy Ansah remain unsigned. But even with the writing on the wall for veterans like the Giants' Eli Manning, Broncos' Joe Flacco and Bengals' Andy Dalton — each of their teams just selected a quarterback — their starting jobs appear safe for Week 1, at minimum, and probably all year. 

However other established players could find themselves on the move. For example, with first-round ILB Devin Bush in the fold, the Steelers cut Jon Bostic, who started 14 games last season, after the draft ended Saturday evening.

Here are a few others whose jobs suddenly look tenuous given the rookies headed in their direction:

Eagles WR Nelson Agholor: For a guy who's never topped 800 receiving yards in a season, the $9.4 million on his fifth-year option might be more cheddar than Philly wants to swallow — especially with second-round WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside entering the mix alongside veterans Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson.

Patriots P Ryan Allen: One of the unsung heroes of Super Bowl LIII, it appears that will be his final game for New England. Bill Belichick didn't spend a fifth-rounder on Stanford's Jacob Bailey with the intent of keeping two punters — especially since only $100,000 of Allen's $1.5 million salary for 2019 is guaranteed.

Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Hope you had plenty of cake during your honeymoon as Miami's starter given the new coaching staff has every incentive to take a long look at newly acquired Josh Rosen in order to determine how he fits into this franchise's future. Fitzpatrick could be an instant trade asset if another team's quarterback goes down in the months ahead.

Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill: There's no performance issue here, Hill garnering Pro Bowl honors in all three of his NFL seasons and named an all-pro receiver for the first time in 2018. But after the Johnson County (Kan.) District Attorney's office reopened an investigation into whether he abused his 3-year-old son — four years after Hill pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery of his current fiancée — it appears increasingly likely he won't be a member of this team. How else to explain Kansas City's decision to spend its first pick (56th overall) on WR Mecole Hardman, whose game is similar to Hill's even if the talent level isn't the same, despite the club's defensive issues and fact WR Sammy Watkins signed a three-year, $48 million contract just last year?

NFL DRAFT: 32 things we learned in 2019

STEALS: D.K. Metcalf, Greedy Williams among best value picks

2020 NFL DRAFT: Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert headline class

Eagles RB Jordan Howard: Acquired from the Bears in a March trade, he's only under contract for 2019 and may find himself fighting for snaps behind second-rounder Miles Sanders, who might be the most explosive and versatile back on a jumbled depth chart. Howard could be another guy who gets moved if another team's starting back goes down this summer.

Patriots QB Brian Hoyer: Tom Brady's 33-year-old backup is under contract for one more year. And though it might make sense to carry three passers, given Auburn's Jarrett Stidham arrived in the fourth round, New England was comfortable keeping only Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014, the latter's rookie season.

Giants CB Janoris Jenkins: He hasn't lived up to the five-year, $62.5 million contract he signed in 2016, and his name was floating around at the trade deadline last October. More telling, the Giants just added two corners (Deandre Baker and Julian Love) after taking Sam Beal in the 2018 supplemental draft. Could this be an odd man out situation given Jenkins' money and performance?

Raiders S Karl Joseph: Over the past six weeks, Oakland signed Lamarcus Joyner to a four-year, $42 million deal, then chose hard-hitting Johnathan Abram in the first round. Where does that leave Joseph, whose fifth-year option has not yet been picked up? "I think that's a conversation we'll have with Karl," GM Mike Mayock said when asked about the former first-rounder's future.

Bills RB LeSean McCoy: He did wonders in a limited offense for several years before suffering a sharp decline in production in 2018 (514 rushing yards in 14 games). With fellow vet Frank Gore now aboard, along with third-rounder Devin Singletary and his fresh legs, it's worth wondering if McCoy might wind up as trade bait or a cap casualty.

Cardinals DL Robert Nkemdiche: He's been a massive disappointment since being taken in Round 1 three years ago. Arizona has yet to pick up his fifth-year option and, after securing Boston College's Zach Allen in Round 3, could decide they don't need Nkemdiche much longer.

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph: He's owed $7.6 million heading into the final year of his contract and didn't play up to that kind of salary last season. Multi-dimensional second-rounder Irv Smith Jr. will take Rudolph's targets (and job) at some point, it's just a matter of when.

Redskins QB Alex Smith: His ongoing recovery from last year's horrible leg injury casts his NFL future in serious doubt. But with Washington taking Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins in the first round — and journeymen Case Keenum and Colt McCoy under contract for 2019 — it's worth wondering if Smith has played his final snap in the nation's capital, or if he and the team are comfortable with the thought of him potentially returning to a backup role in 2020.

49ers DL Solomon Thomas: Even after picking DE Nick Bosa second overall, GM John Lynch said Thursday that Thomas, the heretofore underperforming No. 3 overall pick in 2017, was "absolutely" part of the team's plans going forward despite a glut of high-priced players on San Francisco's D-line. Lynch is a pretty straight shooter, but it wouldn't be shocking if things changed — especially if he gets an offer in, say, training camp and decides the team and Thomas could both benefit from a change of scenery.

***

Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

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2019-04-30 10:32:00Z
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Lillard: Blazers' jawing at refs reveals distraction - ESPN

4:57 AM ET

DENVER -- It was a source of pride for Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers the way they held their composure with the officials in a heated series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In some ways, they believe that's why they won the series. They kept their cool. They maintained their focus and concentrated on themselves and no one else.

In Monday's 121-113 Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Lillard conceded that the Blazers might have gotten distracted at times.

"I think it was a little bit more of that, probably more than we needed," he said. "Maybe we needed to not say as much. Any time you see guys wanting it that bad, you're going to say stuff sometimes, but we might've had a little too much of that tonight."

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2 Related

Lillard was more animated and agitated with the officials in this game than he was at any point in the previous series, showing frustration after not getting calls driving to the rim. The Blazers also were visibly frustrated with some of the calls that went Nikola Jokic's way as he scored 37 points, including going 12-of-12 from the free throw line.

After Game 4 against the Thunder, Lillard said he told his team not to talk to anyone unless they were wearing black and gray jerseys, and the Blazers held true to that through Game 5.

Officiating has been under intense scrutiny this postseason, boiling over in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors that had both teams upset after Golden State's win. Chris Paul was ejected with four seconds left. Game officials have ejected 12 players from games this postseason, equaling a record set in 1994 and 2003. The playoffs have averaged 6.3 ejections in 28 seasons since ejections were first tracked in the 1991-92 postseason. There were only three ejections in last year's playoffs.

"It was a little bit of a heated game when it came to the whistle for us. We'd say something when something needed to be said," Lillard said. "Nobody got a tech, so it wasn't anything disrespectful. But when your season is on the line, you've got to be willing to challenge what's happening out there and try to put your team in the best position to win."

Lillard led the Blazers with 39 points, and for a minute, it felt like a "Dame Time" moment was on its way. One possession after he hit a straightaway 3 to cut the Nuggets' lead to nine with 2:23 left, Lillard rolled off a high screen some 30 feet from the basket and was clear to launch another. Everyone in the building felt it; it was about to be a two-possession game with two minutes to go, and Lillard was ticking.

Instead, Gary Harris stopped the clock, chasing down Lillard's 3 and blocking it from behind. Two more Jokic free throws 20 seconds later, and the Nuggets had Game 1 in hand.

It didn't help Lillard's frustration with the amount of attention the Nuggets gave him basically any time he had the ball. They made it a priority to try to get the ball out of his hands, trapping and blitzing him on pick-and-rolls.

"I think it was more similar than I thought [it would be]," Lillard said of Denver's defensive approach compared to OKC's.

The Nuggets picked Lillard up full-court at almost all times, using multiple defenders -- Malik Beasley, Torrey Craig and Harris -- to hound him. Lillard finished with six turnovers, and the Blazers had 18 as a team -- two areas they thought were significant factors in their losing Game 1.

"That was a huge part of it. I know I had six myself," Lillard said. "As much as I have the ball, I'm responsible for valuing possessions. On the road, against a team that plays much faster, much better at home, especially when they get out in transition and shoot 3s and get the ball moving, just gave them too many opportunities. Twenty-three points off turnovers, that's always going to hurt you."

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2019-04-30 07:38:21Z
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Nikola Jokic & Damian Lillard Square Off in Game 1 | April 29, 2019 - NBA

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2019-04-30 05:50:35Z
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The 76ers reset their defense to steal home-court away from Raptors - ESPN

2:40 AM ET

TORONTO -- Playoff basketball is an exercise in problem-solving. The Philadelphia 76ers came into Game 2 of their series with the Toronto Raptors with several problems, but none more imposing and urgent than Kawhi Leonard.

Following Toronto's 108-95 win in the series opener, Raptors players and coaches were shocked that the Sixers opted to send precious few help defenders at Leonard as he revved into high gear, navigating the court at will one-on-one. Had the tactic achieved the intended effect of neutralizing Toronto's other threats, perhaps the Sixers could've lived with Leonard's 45 points. Raptors weapons made themselves useful all over the floor, however, from Pascal Siakam's exploits in the half court to Kyle Lowry's surgical management.

On Monday, Philadelphia unfurled a new blueprint and went about the work of diligently repairing its broken defense in a 94-89 win to even the Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Sixers scrambled the matchups, with four of their five starters receiving new assignments. Most notably, Ben Simmons drew Leonard.

"They did a good job, honestly. Got to give them credit," Leonard said. "[Simmons] is long."

Find everything you need to know about the playoffs here.

• Schedules, matchups and more
• Experts' picks for second round | Forecast
• 'The heat is on' for Embiid and the Sixers
• Will officiating define Warriors-Rockets?

In addition to contending with Simmons' size, Leonard saw multiple bodies on Monday night -- sometimes immediately on the catch, at times when coming off a screen and almost always when he made his approach to the rim. The Sixers' coaching staff empowered defenders to help unpredictably, encouraging them to make judicious defensive reads.

For example: If Siakam were parked in the corner, where he was a 42 percent shooter in the regular season, be careful. But if he were above the break, where he converted only 26 percent? By all means, let him take it.

"I think Ben did a really good job on him, and we tried to have different looks at times where we doubled him, and we did," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "By and large, it was Ben's assignment, although other people inherited him if he got switched out or Ben was out of the game."

For all of the damage exacted by Leonard in Game 1, the Sixers were bludgeoned by Siakam as well. On Tuesday, Brown handed Siakam off to center Joel Embiid, who was administered an IV drip pregame for a stomach ailment he shared with scatological glee in his postgame media conference.

Brown was inspired to make the swap by Embiid's comparative success defending Giannis Antetokounmpo in recent matchups with the Milwaukee Bucks. Like Antetokounmpo, Siakam is an agile, lanky and explosive forward whose long strides propel his dribble attacks. Forced to contend with Embiid's size in Game 2, Siakam was tempered, missing 16 of his 25 attempts from the field. Whether he was rerouting Siakam left or providing traditional big man services in the basket area, Embiid anchored Philadelphia's defense.

"That was my job to slow him down," Embiid said. "We feel like we followed whatever we had planned."

Jimmy Butler held his Raptors counterparts to 3-for-12 shooting as a primary defender. Kawhi Leonard went 1-for-5 against him. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Throughout the first half, the Sixers defended the half court with precision and urgency. When Lowry sliced through stagger screens, Jimmy Butler (30 points, 11 rebounds, five assists) slalomed his way through the bodies to meet him on the other side. When Leonard swung around a handoff with a hard dribble, he'd meet a third defender at the doorstep of the paint. When Embiid or Greg Monroe sank low to pick up a baseline driver, communication was decisive, and rotations were prompt.

Philadelphia's stifling defense lulled the Raptors into one of the most ineffectual halves of offensive basketball in recent NBA playoff history. In the 20 years that more advanced stats have been tracked, no team had done the following until the Raptors in the first half of their Game 2 loss:

• Compiled in a single half an effective field goal percentage fewer than 36

• Collected fewer than 7 percent of their offensive rebounds

• Logged a free throw rate (which measures how effectively a team gets to the line) of fewer than 12 percent

Because points are scored either from the field or at the line and offensive rebounds are the primary means to get a mulligan on a missed shot, the results were disastrous for Toronto.

"We'll watch the film and see where we can get better and see how differently we can play," Lowry said. "You just can't have that type of first half."

• 

The 76ers have existed in a state of flux for the better part of the season -- the starting unit, the bench units, the front office, the coaching staff, the heightened expectations -- so it's easy to forget what brought Philadelphia to the postseason last year: a defense predicated on the idea that a team with multiple giants can wreak havoc on its positional matchups.

In evening the series with Toronto, the Sixers played to their strengths. Embiid and Simmons were put in positions to succeed; Butler, an expert on-ball defender, was given the opportunity to match wits with Lowry; Brett Brown, an experimentalist at heart, assumed healthy risks in unconventional fashion. As is often the case in the NBA postseason, the team that stayed more faithful to its identity achieved its desired result.

"I'm telling you, whenever we let our defense dictate our offense, we're such a great team," Butler said. "We can't let it be the other way around."

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2019-04-30 05:42:04Z
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NBA Playoffs 2019: Basketball gods use referees for payback on James Harden, Rockets in Game 1 loss to Warriors - CBS Sports

There will be people who believe the Houston Rockets' Game 1 loss at Golden State on Sunday was the basketball gods exacting their revenge on the NBA's reigning MVP, James Harden, for his sins against beautiful basketball.

More on NBA Playoffs

As you well know, Harden's game is predicated on an array of weapons: A stepback 3 that's one of the most terrifying shots in today's NBA, a stop-and-start feel for the game that may be second to none, a newly instituted floater, and – this is the part that has so offended the basketball gods – an ability to draw fouls.

Harden has led the NBA in free throw attempts for five of the past seven years. In the two seasons where he didn't lead the league, he finished in second and in third. This is typically a category dominated by bruising big men who fight in the trenches down low, but Harden's done it mostly on the perimeter. And plenty of people – perhaps even a few of the basketball gods – think that's playing the game the wrong way. Sometimes, it feels like Harden isn't even trying to get to the rim, or attempt a shot. It can just feel like Harden is using his acting abilities in concert with his impossible-to-guard basketball skills to bait a referee into calling a foul on him so he can get two or three free shots from the line.

For people who feel this way about Harden, Sunday's 104-100 Warriors victory was the basketball gods taking their pound of flesh.

The basketball gods' instrument was the referees. At least four times in the first half – and at least two more times in the second half – Warriors' defenders encroached in Harden's or in one instance Chris Paul's landing space as they descended back to earth after launching a 3. Usually, the perpetrator was Klay Thompson. All season long, that's been a point of emphasis for NBA referees. If a defender doesn't let a shooter have a clean landing, it's been called a foul all season. And that's for good reason: Those plays can often result in injury. (See: Zaza Pachulia vs. Kawhi Leonard, Game 1 of the 2017 Western Conference Finals.)

And yet on Sunday, again and again and again (and again and again and again), referees neglected to call those plays as fouls. When officiating analyst Steve Javie, an NBA referee for 25 years, was brought onto the game telecast, he had a pretty clear take: "They should have been fouls." According to Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni, the referees came up to him at halftime and admitted the missed calls. "They missed four of them – that's 12 foul shots," D'Antoni told reporters. "We could've easily gone to the line another 20 times." Harden himself voiced his displeasure afterward: "I just want a fair chance," he said. "Call the game how it's supposed to be called."

There are a couple of caveats to be tossed in here. One is that the game was poorly officiated on both sides. The entire fourth quarter seemed to be one big makeup call: The fifth foul on Steph Curry with a little more than eight minutes left, where he clearly got all ball…the phantom call on Andre Iguodala a few seconds later, after which Warriors fans chanted (somehow without irony) while Harden shot his free throws, "Refs you suck!" And even a call on Kevon Looney earlier where he sure didn't seem to make any contact with Harden on a jump shot.

The second caveat has to do with the irony of Harden saying refs should call the game how it's supposed to be called. Plenty of basketball purists would say Harden doesn't play the game how it's supposed to be played. A big chunk of his game is predicated on the referees seeing a defender make contact with Harden, whether real contact or imagined contact, and calling a foul. Harden is a genius. He has hacked the system. He finds glitches and exploits them. But much of his style of basketball depends on referees continuing to have the same interpretations of fouls that he believes they should have. And so Sunday was then a live-by-the-foul/die-by-the-foul moment for Harden. The referees missed plenty of calls: About this, there should be no dispute. But that's what happens when your game depends so much on the referees. Overall, NBA referees are excellent at what they do. But they are human. And they miss calls.

If you don't like how Harden plays basketball, I get it. He flops. A lot. So does Chris Paul. And so do plenty of NBA players. And so do plenty of professional athletes across all sports, trying their damnedest to get any possible edge. There are two ways to look at Houston's loss in Game 1: One is that the referees screwed the Rockets. And that they did, not calling a handful of calls relating to defenders encroaching in the landing areas – calls they've made all year long.

The other way is that a significant portion of Harden's greatness – a significant portion of his MVP award from last season – is based on convincing referees to see the game the way he wants them to see it. Sometimes he is, in fact, fouled when he does his arm-flailing thing. Other times he's not fouled, yet he's able to convince the referees otherwise.

Look at it that way, and James Harden on Sunday was the boy who cried wolf. Did referees miss a whole bunch of calls against Harden in Game 1, enough missed calls that they might have swayed the outcome of the game? Absolutely. A foul should be a foul, no matter if it's in the regular season or the playoffs, during the opening minutes of the first quarter or the final seconds of the game, in a play that involves the reigning MVP or a journeyman bench player.

But if you cry wolf to the referees too many times, sometimes the referees won't be there to save you when you need it most.

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2019-04-29 13:56:00Z
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