1. A number of Cavs players left Toyota Center shaking their heads and grumbling about James Harden’s karate kick at LeBron James’ crotch. They generally believed the kick was intentional, and although Harden may not have been aiming at James’ goods, the fact is that’s where his Nike landed.
2. If Harden is assessed a flagrant-2 and ejected, as a number of Cavs players believe should’ve happened, this game obviously could’ve turned out much differently. “I thought it was dirty,” J.R. Smith said.
3. The play was sort of similar to Dwyane Wade’s high leg kick on Ramon Sessions a few years ago. Wade was suspended one game for it and I wouldn’t be surprised if Harden gets the same punishment. But as Charles Barkley once said, “That don’t make it hurt no less.”