You could make that argument for the regular season, because Igoudala wasn’t playing much and Mbah a Moute was setting plus-minus records.

But if Iggy and Mbah a Moute were both 100% healthy for this series, Golden State never loses game 4, no matter how far you back up into the statistical universe. And they probably win the series in five games. Durant was incredibly passive for long stretches in the series, shooting fall away jumpers over Eric Gordon or Chris Paul. If he had used his advantage to go to the rim all the time, maybe it would have made a difference to have a healthy Mbah a Moute.

Houston’s great defense was totally predicated on the idea that they could guard three players with five. They ignored Looney and Green any time they were not directly under the basket. They also Quinn Cook, who shot 46 of 104 3-pointers during his 33 regular season games, and has been a shoot first guard his entire career. If Cook makes one of his wide open 3’s in game 5, Houston still loses the game, in spite of Chris Paul playing out of his mind.

Golden State is the better team and I’m glad Harden was rewarded for all his flopping, travelling and foul searching.