He was elbowed in the face earlier in the game. He seemed really sluggish after that. Although he was sluggish before that too.
I don't know man. I'm not looking for an excuse but holy **** something was off. 2 shots at half without kawhi?
I think this is probably the most interesting question in the aftermath. Several national commentators have mentioned it, too. I don't know how long medical examiners would have at this point to make a definitive assessment. It would be eye-opening, though, if he indeed was playing with a concussion, because that would a) pretty much be the only way he gets mostly absolved from last night's crime, b) it would probably open up the concussion talk in the NBA, which would be a much bigger deal. I hope they look into it.
Probably not. He didn't look uncoordinated or anything. Just looked unsure of himself. I guess it's possible, though.
How many times was he elbowed above the neck during the series? The officials didn't seem to care. Who remembers the Julius Randle game? Zero reviews, zero flagrants.
He said the right thing at the press conference, so he wasn't concussed. If he said, "Rockets are a better team than the Spurs," or "Hakeem is this year's MVP," you better check him out.
I think he was concussed. Here's why: He didn't look like he'd lost the support from either his teammates or MDA. If they knew he was drunk/hungover/high/disposed, they would've been furious at him but I didn't see any ill-will in body language specifically towards him. I have a theory (no research or backup so appreciate I'm purely speculating but acknowledge it as that): He was concussed — he knew it and other players knew it. And MDA suspected it but turned the other way. They all knew they'd definitively lose without him playing, but there was a chance that he could play concussed and still maybe win. But he can't claim now that he was concussed because he broke protocol, MDA and the players aren't mad at him because he tried, etc. Just my guess.
There's a concussion protocol in place, though. If Harden was allowed to play, that means the decision was signed off by everyone.
LOL then I guess Harden has been concussed more often than NFL players then. He's just 28 and yet has been concussed in 2012 against the Heat, 2015 in game 6 vs LAC, 2015 game 5 vs GSW, and then 2017 vs SA since game 5 OT.
