2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #2 Houston Rockets vs #7 Golden State Warriors (Series tied 3-3, Game 7 Sunday!)

[Castle Black]

Rockets vs. T-Wolves will be a good series. I got Houston in 6 though. If Jalen Green actually plays like he's capable, it could be over in 5.

[Castle Black]

Sengawd

Read on Twitter

[Sane]

So about that Fred Van Vleet contract? Let's have a discussion peeps.

Still too much for his level of play and consistency. But like I said, if Houston had a better lead guard instead of Green, Fred would look better night to night IMO.

That's not what's going on at all. I understand it's hard to understand the details without keeping track of a team all season which is not fair on other teams' fans.

The Rockets have Amen and Green on the wing - both capable of running a large chunk of offense along with Sengun. Amen and Green only excel in fast pace. They attack backtracking defenders, they attack in transition together, they wear the other team out, they get to the basket from the perimeter a lot more often this way. That's when these two have their big games.

FVV only excels in a slow pace game. So what you're asking is for the other two to step up at Fred's pace to prove they deserve to take the ball out of Fred's hands. That's not really fair - you've neutered your best drivers with low pace and poor spacing so they go to their 2nd, 3rd and 4th best shots while Fred is playing his ideal way. In this kind of system against set defenses and a crowded paint, Green becomes nothing but a role playing jump shooter and Amen becomes a guy who sits in the dunker's spot and gets dirty work points.

Sengun excels in both offensively. He's better defensively in the slow pace.

This presents a roster construction problem that will be addressed in the summer. Why we've gone with Fred so heavily is Ime is neurotically obsessed with keeping TO's low at any cost > even if it means fewer assists and points for the team overall. Even if it means taking away the best things Amen and Green do on offense. Even if it means fewer assists for Sengun. Doesn't matter, he's on the very extreme end of this belief for better or worse.

What we need is to replace Fred with a younger version of him who's more adept at playing fast and doing damage off ball (that's where drafting Sheppard comes in, who may be ready to take minutes next season). For the time being we kind of go with whichever system works for our particular opponent. That's why the mantra "sometimes you, sometimes me, always us". The team has no ego about which system to go with and who's night it's going to be. Fred is happy to play off ball in a fast pace system and Jalen/Amen are happy to focus more on their roles in a slow paced system. It's a special team that way. Typically this kind of problem splits a team but these guys love each other.

[Wolfgang630]

Rockets and Wolves are the future. We want the Rockets to move on. Curry had his time.

[MoreyWins]

So about that Fred Van Vleet contract? Let's have a discussion peeps.

Still too much for his level of play and consistency. But like I said, if Houston had a better lead guard instead of Green, Fred would look better night to night IMO.

That's not what's going on at all. I understand it's hard to understand the details without keeping track of a team all season which is not fair on other teams' fans.

The Rockets have Amen and Green on the wing - both capable of running a large chunk of offense along with Sengun. Amen and Green only excel in fast pace. They attack backtracking defenders, they attack in transition together, they wear the other team out, they get to the basket from the perimeter a lot more often this way. That's when these two have their big games.

FVV only excels in a slow pace game. So what you're asking is for the other two to step up at Fred's pace to prove they deserve to take the ball out of Fred's hands. In this kind of system against set defenses and a crowded paint, Green becomes nothing but a role playing jump shooter and Amen becomes a guy who sits in the dunker's spot and gets dirty work points.

Sengun excels in both offensively. He's better defensively in the slow pace.

This presents a roster construction problem that will be addressed in the summer. Why we've gone with Fred so heavily is Ime is neurotically obsessed with keeping TO's low at any cost > even if it means fewer assists and points for the team overall. Even if it means taking away the best things Amen and Green do on offense. Even if it means fewer assists for Sengun. Doesn't matter, he's on the very extreme end of this belief for better or worse.

What we need is to replace Fred with a younger version of him who's more adept at playing fast and doing damage off ball (that's where drafting Sheppard comes in, who may be ready to take minutes next season). For the time being we kind of go with whichever system works for our particular opponent. That's why the mantra "sometimes you, sometimes me, always us". The team has no ego about which system to go with and who's night it's going to be. Fred is happy to play off ball in a fast pace system and Jalen/Amen are happy to focus more on their roles in a slow paced system. It's a special team that way. Typically this kind of problem splits a team but these guys love each other.

I'm bought in on the pace Fred plays with. It's really good for playoff basketball.

[Beethoven]

Beautiful game.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Rockets vs. T-Wolves will be a good series. I got Houston in 6 though. If Jalen Green actually plays like he's capable, it could be over in 5.

Thanks for the laugh

[Black Jack]

Kerr needs to loosen up the rotation and run guys like TJD and JK in there to inject athleticism.

Nobody thinks the Warriors can win but I think they can pull it out. C'mon Playoff Jimmy


Rockets young guys are great so if they win it's well deserved!

[metalinguss]

Read on Twitter

He might be my favourite player-as-a-person ever.

Zaza Pachulia him maybe

[Raps in 4]

If Steph chokes another 3-1 lead, how will this impact his legacy?

[Raps in 4]

Can we all agree that FVV is Steph's father?

[KingFox]

I'm old enough to remember the Mavericks changing their lineup in 2007 before the Warriors finished off the upset. Always a bad sign when coaches tinker with their lineups this much

[Mrakar]

Kerr needs to loosen up the rotation and run guys like TJD and JK in there to inject athleticism.

Nobody thinks the Warriors can win but I think they can pull it out. C'mon Playoff Jimmy


Rockets young guys are great so if they win it's well deserved!

Literally everyone thought Warriors would win, and majority still thinks Warriors will win...

Udoka is such a great coach, i really wanted him on the Pelicans bcs he holds his players acountable and they really have respect for him. But no, Pelicans went for Willie Green(who, they are keeping btw), a nice guy. No wonder we sucked even when everyone is healhty. Pels really needed someone like Udoka to put the fear into they players.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Extended minutes from adams, extorting length advantage is the play against gsw.

[Los_29]

As a Wolves fan I'd rather face the warriors, the Rockets aren't a joke if they got their heads on straight. I think we can match up well with the Warriors.

I think you guys would destroy the Warriors. Way too much size and athleticism at the wings. Rockets would be more competitive but you beat them too.

[Johnny Firpo]

If Steph chokes another 3-1 lead, how will this impact his legacy?

It doesn't, in any way. He is old as dirt, so is Green, so is Butler for that matter, everything is a plus, and not much of a minus can happen.

[cpower]

Can we all agree that FVV is Steph's father?

no, more like Udoka is Kerr's father. Imagine FVV is face guarded and Curry shoots 15 wide open threes.

[picc]

So about that Fred Van Vleet contract? Let's have a discussion peeps.

Still too much for his level of play and consistency. But like I said, if Houston had a better lead guard instead of Green, Fred would look better night to night IMO.

That's not what's going on at all. I understand it's hard to understand the details without keeping track of a team all season which is not fair on other teams' fans.

The Rockets have Amen and Green on the wing - both capable of running a large chunk of offense along with Sengun. Amen and Green only excel in fast pace. They attack backtracking defenders, they attack in transition together, they wear the other team out, they get to the basket from the perimeter a lot more often this way. That's when these two have their big games.

They clearly aren't. Contrarily, this series has shown neither is capable of such in a playoff type environment where nerves can run high and teams can prepare for you.

I'm sure Green/Amen/Sengun can competently run an offense on a Thursday night in January, but they can barely dribble the ball or make basic passes in April. So respectfully, what they've done all regular season isn't relevant to the Rockets ultimate chances of success.

FVV only excels in a slow pace game. So what you're asking is for the other two to step up at Fred's pace to prove they deserve to take the ball out of Fred's hands. That's not really fair - you've neutered your best drivers with low pace and poor spacing so they go to their 2nd, 3rd and 4th best shots while Fred is playing his ideal way. In this kind of system against set defenses and a crowded paint, Green becomes nothing but a role playing jump shooter and Amen becomes a guy who sits in the dunker's spot and gets dirty work points.

That's not what I'm asking at all. I'd like the two of those guys to do less -- not more. In fact the only time I feel comfortable with the Rockets offense is when FVV has the ball. Anyone else and i'm just waiting for a turnover.

The players I'd like to see do more are whatever better players the Rockets can get for Green + package in the offseason.

What I'm seeing now, and throughout Fred's career, is him being tasked with things his physical deficiencies make difficult for him to do consistently and efficiently. Namely, create scoring opportunities off the dribble for himself or others inside the 3 point line. FVV is a deadly, streaky, 3 point shooter, but I'm consistently underwhelmed by his ability to score and playmake off the dribble, and its mostly because of his height and lack of burst.

Fred being the Rockets only reliable ballhandler in postseason type environments puts a burden of ballhandling and creation on him I don't think is optimal for his game, nor efficient for the team. With a better lead guard, these limitations wouldn't be as visible because he'd have less to do. My opinion has nothing to do with pace, but rather with role and usage. I think FVV is a very good player, who is extremely valuable when used in his optimal role.

Green and Thompson being so raw and inexperienced takes him out of that role.

This presents a roster construction problem that will be addressed in the summer. Why we've gone with Fred so heavily is Ime is neurotically obsessed with keeping TO's low at any cost > even if it means fewer assists and points for the team overall.

Agreed. Which goes to what I was saying, right...? That FVV's usage has to go up to keep the offense from sputtering into the total and complete chaos it would be if you let Green/Thompson/Sengun handle the ball and make the decisions more. Which they are clearly incapable of competently doing at this present time.

What we need is to replace Fred with a younger version of him

For sure. I think the Rockets would benefit greatly from FVV being a bench guy too. Houston acquiring an all-star SG or SF who can handle and create, or a PG who could allow Fred to come off the bench would be amazing for the team. And I hope you guys get it.

[RunOKC]

Warriors were a bit fortunate in 2/3 of their wins while Houston has dominated in all 3 of theirs

Game 1 - the Rockets couldn't make a lay up or open 3 to save their life

Game 4 - bailed out by Brooks stupidity/weak call (imo)

Seems like the Rockets have them figured out but never underestimate the heart of a champion as they say...

[davidv2001]

who the hell thought this was going 7?

Those who actually have watched the Rockets all season and understand styles make fights in the playoffs. The Rockets have the perimeter defenders and athletes to bother the hell out of Curry and Butler. They are also the best rebounding team in the league facing a team that is at its best playing small.

Once the Rockets got over the Warriors dominance of them in the regular season and won in Oracle in April, it should have been obvious that this series was going six or seven games.