2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #2 Houston Rockets vs #7 Golden State Warriors (GSW leads 3-1)

a8bil · Post #1701 » by **a8bil** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:09 pm

Ice Man wrote:
Wolfgang630 wrote:All the Rockets have to do is hit their free throws and they can win this series.

Well yeah, but the Rockets weren't built to make FTs. The organization favored athleticism over skills, which is why the Rockets were #1 in the regular season in offensive rebounds, #4 in defense, and #30 in FT %.

I mean, this is their weakness, just as the Dubs' weakness is rebounding. Sure, the Rockets are bricking FTs even by their standards, but if they are to lose the series, FT shooting always figured to be one of the reasons why.

Part of it is that most of GSW fouls are on their worst free throw shooters. It does seem to be part of the GSW strategy for this series.

Impuniti · Post #1702 » by **Impuniti** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:17 pm

How did Draymond get 2 PF for one instance? I may have missed it on the TV.

TrueFan420 · Post #1703 » by **TrueFan420** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:28 pm

megarover wrote:How come Houston dont play Smith more? Whenever I catch the game his shooting and defense versatility stand out to me.

It’s baffling to me that he doesn’t play more for them.

Twinkie defense · Post #1704 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:49 pm

levon wrote:
ball_takes23 wrote:
levon wrote:The Wolves are like if the Rockets had offense. But then they also have Gobert so

they are barely outrebounding lakers, they wont kill GSW on the boards the way Houston is. Gobert is big but plays small

I'm not sure about all that but the Warriors are just playing against a defense in these games, not offense. GS has no answer for Ant and no rim protection like LA.

IDK how the rest of the playoffs will play out but Warriors are 3-1 vs. the Wolves this season. Wolves, Rockets, and OKC have been good matchups for the Warriors. Clips have been a bad matchup - solid defense and two elite perimeter offensive players is the Warriors' kryptonite. With the Wolves, not scared of Randle at all. Not scared of Gobert. Donte DiVincenzo is no James Harden. They really got one guy who can light you up but the Warriors have the defense to limit one guy. Lakers don't have the defense to do it anymore. Lakers have historically been a bad matchup for the Warriors but losing Anthony Davis and gaining Luka probably is a net benefit to the Warriors. Honestly IDK if a potential path to the NBA Finals through Houston, Minnesota, and OKC could be any more favorable for the Warriors. Not saying the Warriors will get to the Finals (which would be a huge upset) but if you have to draw up the most favorable potential path I think you want to play the T-Wolves.

Tracymcgoaty · Post #1705 » by **Tracymcgoaty** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:55 pm

What Golden State Warriors are fighting against right now.

Watch on YouTube

Twinkie defense · Post #1706 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 6:15 pm

Wingy wrote:Maybe it’s too “old school,” so just toooo dated for anyone to actually do (sarcasm), but I scratch my head wondering why the Rockets don’t selectively give some more post touches to Sengun on the block vs those awkward, middle of the paint catches farther from the basket. He can be swarmed/swiped at from all directions, and they are weakening his size advantage putting him in position to be more likely to put up some lame shot like his last one on Draymond.

Warriors are packing the paint. They need Jalen Green to hit some threes to loosen things up inside.

Twinkie defense · Post #1707 » by **Twinkie defense** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 6:37 pm

Lala870 wrote:Most manufactured franchise in professional sports post 2010.

Four of five regular starters for the Warriors were drafted by the Warriors. It's really hard to be that homegrown in today's NBA - the NBA even changed the rules with the salary aprons to make it harder for the Warriors to keep it together.

Lala870 · Post #1708 » by **Lala870** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:51 pm

michaelm wrote:
Lala870 wrote:Still feel like the league wanted Butler in golden state.

Now we get to watch another year of yet another contrived golden state team make it far in the playoffs

Most manufactured franchise in professional sports post 2010.

So they changed the luxury tax/apron etc rules after GSW won the title in 2022 just to secretly help them ?.

This is the NBA. Stranger things have happened over the course of several years

Do I believe marquee roster moves are made by sheer GM genius? NO

Lala870 · Post #1709 » by **Lala870** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:55 pm

Twinkie defense wrote:
Lala870 wrote:Most manufactured franchise in professional sports post 2010.

Four of five regular starters for the Warriors were drafted by the Warriors. It's really hard to be that homegrown in today's NBA - the NBA even changed the rules with the salary aprons to make it harder for the Warriors to keep it together.

Cry me a river about the apron. Warriors "lucked out" into all star talent time and time again that pushed them WAY over the top. Andre Iguodala leaving Denver was the first shoe to drop. Now Butler magically getting disgruntled with the Heat and lands with the Warriors kissing currys butt every step of the way.

In addition im talking about how the league has been officiating golden state over the years.

The warriors have been the worst thing to happen to professional sports period.

picc · Post #1710 » by **picc** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:01 pm

Don't know how much its been talked about, but Fred van Vleet as the point guard for this team is a disaster specifically because there isn't anyone else with an ounce of creation skill.

You can get away with Fred if you have perimeter players who can facilitate the offense or score efficiently at high volume well enough to draw double teams and pass out, rotating the defense. But Fred is too short and unathletic to playmake against pressure. He's too short and unathletic to rotate the defense via penetration. His game inside the line is limited too much by his height and lack of speed.

If all you ask is for him to dribble upcourt and shoot threes, that's great and something he can do. But you need players to take him down in the totem pole. Houston does not have those players.

chrisab123 · Post #1711 » by **chrisab123** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:05 pm

Tough blow for the Rockets to draw GSW. Good team but unfortunately they’re finding out that Playoff Jimmy is very real much like every did in the east. Very glad Boston doesn’t have to go through him anymore.

danbanger · Post #1712 » by **danbanger** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:11 pm

Impuniti wrote:How did Draymond get 2 PF for one instance? I may have missed it on the TV.

I think it was a mistake when they called him for the flagrant.

Post #1713 » by **floppymoose** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:00 pm

Ice Man wrote:I mean, this is their weakness, just as the Dubs' weakness is rebounding.

Is rebounding really a weakness for GSW? They are above average. HOU is elite so GSW is at a disadvantage in that matchup, but I wouldn't call it a general weakness.

whatisacenter · Post #1714 » by **whatisacenter** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:27 pm

Lala870 wrote:
Twinkie defense wrote:
Lala870 wrote:Most manufactured franchise in professional sports post 2010.

Four of five regular starters for the Warriors were drafted by the Warriors. It's really hard to be that homegrown in today's NBA - the NBA even changed the rules with the salary aprons to make it harder for the Warriors to keep it together.

Cry me a river about the apron. Warriors "lucked out" into all star talent time and time again that pushed them WAY over the top. Andre Iguodala leaving Denver was the first shoe to drop. Now Butler magically getting disgruntled with the Heat and lands with the Warriors kissing currys butt every step of the way.

In addition im talking about how the league has been officiating golden state over the years.

The warriors have been the worst thing to happen to professional sports period.

I never thought during the late 80's, 90's, and early 2000's that my Warriors' would one day have haters!

It's good to be a Dubs fan!

Handlez · Post #1715 » by **Handlez** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:35 pm

Is Podz the next superstar?

Sheesh what a player and hair. There's a lot of curly haired people that feel marginalized; maybe Podz can give them hope for a better tomorrow.

Reminds me of a smaller Chris Mullin.

Dubnation · Post #1716 » by **Dubnation** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 11:03 pm

michaelm wrote:
Sealab2024 wrote:But I also don't wanna crap on Houston. Working your tail off all year to secure the #2 seed and getting the Steph and Jimmy Warriors as your reward is nasty, nasty work. Great season for them, there's just more work to be done roster wise.

They are way ahead of where anyone could possibly have expected them to be.

Exactly. Obtaining the 2 seed is nothing to sneeze at. The Rockets are no joke.

Dubnation · Post #1717 » by **Dubnation** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 11:05 pm

Twinkie defense wrote:
Lala870 wrote:Most manufactured franchise in professional sports post 2010.

Four of five regular starters for the Warriors were drafted by the Warriors. It's really hard to be that homegrown in today's NBA - the NBA even changed the rules with the salary aprons to make it harder for the Warriors to keep it together.

And the NBA succeeded.

Zvaart · Post #1718 » by **Zvaart** » Tue Apr 29, 2025 11:26 pm

whatisacenter wrote:
Lala870 wrote:
Twinkie defense wrote:Four of five regular starters for the Warriors were drafted by the Warriors. It's really hard to be that homegrown in today's NBA - the NBA even changed the rules with the salary aprons to make it harder for the Warriors to keep it together.

Cry me a river about the apron. Warriors "lucked out" into all star talent time and time again that pushed them WAY over the top. Andre Iguodala leaving Denver was the first shoe to drop. Now Butler magically getting disgruntled with the Heat and lands with the Warriors kissing currys butt every step of the way.

In addition im talking about how the league has been officiating golden state over the years.

The warriors have been the worst thing to happen to professional sports period.

I never thought during the late 80's, 90's, and early 2000's that my Warriors' would one day have haters!

It's good to be a Dubs fan!

What a douche :lol:

Worst thing in professional sports, lol. Talking about rent-free....

TrueFan420 · Post #1719 » by **TrueFan420** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 12:32 am

Lala870 wrote:
Twinkie defense wrote:
Lala870 wrote:Most manufactured franchise in professional sports post 2010.

Four of five regular starters for the Warriors were drafted by the Warriors. It's really hard to be that homegrown in today's NBA - the NBA even changed the rules with the salary aprons to make it harder for the Warriors to keep it together.

Cry me a river about the apron. Warriors "lucked out" into all star talent time and time again that pushed them WAY over the top. Andre Iguodala leaving Denver was the first shoe to drop. Now Butler magically getting disgruntled with the Heat and lands with the Warriors kissing currys butt every step of the way.

In addition im talking about how the league has been officiating golden state over the years.

The warriors have been the worst thing to happen to professional sports period.

To start that rant with “cry me a river” then proceed to cry a river is wild.

TrueFan420 · Post #1720 » by **TrueFan420** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 12:37 am

danbanger wrote:
Impuniti wrote:How did Draymond get 2 PF for one instance? I may have missed it on the TV.

I think it was a mistake when they called him for the flagrant.

I’ll say this as a Warriors fan. It wasn’t a flagrant in any sense of the word but was a T for how he got up. Ref should have either owned it as a T or let it go as they let the series be physical. I also think they called it the way the did because they knew the first T was BS and didn’t want to kick him for some BS. Having said all of that, league has an issue and it’s not new. Consistency from one game to the next would be amazing but at this point I’d settle for it from the start to finish of a game and the refs aren’t capable of that which is sad.

Who wins?