WCF: P5 | (1) Houston Rockets vs (2) Golden State Warriors | HOU 3-2

[xfactor]

Harden isn't good enough to beat the Dubs without Paul. This is over. Too bad, Houston clearly deserved it.

Um, Harden has already done that. He's been there done that.

[xfactor]

So if the Rockets beat "the best team in history" does that mean the Rockets hold that title now? Lol

They would not.

Why wouldn't it?

[bmurph128]

First the rockets would lose in 5, then lose in 6, now apparently 7..... they have been doing everything people said they couldn't do since before the season even started. Hopefully people keep underestimating them, it's worked so far.

I think you and I are the only ones who aren't underestimating the Rockets. The fact that people still do is mind boggling. I had no idea there were so many casuals who don't know any better.

I'll admit that I had the Warriors winning in 5 games. I definitely underestimated the Rockets.

But CP3 being out changes things quite a bit.

[xfactor]

Read on Twitter

They are not beating the warriors with Paul out. Then again rockets should always assume that Paul will go down at any moment because he is one of the least reliable players in the NBA.

They've already beat us without Paul. That's a non issue.

[dreadhead_htx]

To whoever is still saying MDA runs his players to death by playing a 7 man lineup:
1. Paul and post-OKC Harden both having their career low playoff minutes
2. Compared to last year's playoffs, Harden is having higher PER, higher usage rate, higher WS/48, in less minutes, and his TOV% significantly dropped from 18% to 11%
3. MDA is using more frequent subs to counter the shorter rotation, which gives players more/shorter breaks for rest

He gave some quick "trials" in early games to Anderson, Nene, and Luc, none worked out, didn't hesitate to abandon them. Now he is forced to involve at least one of those guys with the absence of Paul.

I'm guessing he starts Harden/Gordon/Green/Tucker/Capela and rolls with Luc off the bench.

Man I dont think luc is ready. Hes not prepared for this gsw team. hes given up rebounds,been blocked several times etc. They arent getting anything positive out of the minute they gave him. they have won the last two because noone has taken a play off on defense. if they play luc he will give up plays on the other end because he just isnt ready. people talk crap about gerald green but the guy has played well in my opinion. His defense has been good enough to keep him on the floor and he can hit the occasional cluth three. If I were dantonie I would play joe johnson and maybe give ryan anderson some time

[xfactor]

Round 1: Kawhi Leonard
Round 2: Demarcus Cousins
Round 3: Chris Paul

How does this always happen for Golden State?

Curry missed the entire first round of the playoffs. Of course they have the benefit have have 4 all stars on the team so if one goes player down that player isn't really missed.

Iggy says hello.

[xfactor]

Maybe GSW will fall into a false sense of security now and the remaining Rockets will play desperate and pull it off

Cmon man, just stop being in denial. Just take your impending Championship with class. The series is all but over.

[HurricaneKid]

You clearly did not watch the game. Offensively, Harden was struggling but defensively he was good.

Outside of his missed 3s, 5/10 FG with 9 FT, that's around 1.2 ppp which wasn't bad at all. His early dunk on Green set the tone for everyone.

He also set up Gordon for the go ahead 3, came back and recovered well after a late switch onto Curry, forcing him to throw a wild off balance bank shot which ended in a miss. Harden also took upon guarding Curry in game 4 late game situation during that wild sequence where Klay got smothered in the corner. Rather "unusual", he did those lowkey important stuff that wasn't obvious to box watchers.

Harden could play better, but if we eventually ended up losing this series, he is not the one to blame. No one actually, it's been a proud series already. As a fan, I cannot ask for more from any of them.

I like analytics but I am no box score watcher.

I really didn't expect Houston to play as well as they have after that G3 humiliation. But this is insane logic. "If you take away the more than half the shots he took, ignore the terrible TOs, the fact that he was the weakest link defensively (though to be fair that is largely because the other 5 guys were playing at an INSANE def level)", then yeah, he isn't terrible. The problem is those things are what the series is going to decide the series (well that and CP3s hammy).

The Warriors are playing him for the drive. They are attempting to PUSH him into his stepbacks. And for whatever reason, those have been a MESS this series.

The Rockets are BUILT around Harden (or CP3) breaking down the D and finding shooters once the D collapses. On Harden ISOs he was like 3/17 (had the breakaway off the stolen inbounds and a nice cut for his other 2 FGs; and I could easily be forgetting another 1+) and had 6TOs. He did go 9/9 from the line but that isn't enough to offset that level of inefficiency. CP3 has been MUCH better establishing offense and now he is out.

[xfactor]

Ive really enjoyed the last few games. full on handchecking, physical d, "low" scoring games in the 90's, teams having to earn every bucket. reminds me of the 90's.

I've got to agree with you. I appreciate good defense more than offense.

[dreadhead_htx]

for all who think rockets have no chance of beating the gsw without paul you guys don't have a clue. Maybe yall was paying too much attention to steve keer when he said his team was okay.. . Not buying it he knows his team is in danger thats why he did that lame hack a capela in game 4 lol!!! This is the rockets series to lose and we have the guys to get it done. these guys are hungry. gsw still have to adjust to our defense and style and they clearly havent yet. Rockets have been crap on offense and we still won the last two. We are due atlest one more great game from our role players.. now If the injury happened in the beginning of the series i would be worried lol but at this point we only have to get hot once. If we get hot and maintain our defensive tactics that I'm loving right now, then its a wrap! I feel very confident about our chances. This rockets team has guts and play with alot of grit.

[hongdayuan]

rockets fans please educated me: who is the third string PG on the team that will be the substitute ball handler for game 6 (and possibly 7)?

[alebaba]

Harden isn't good enough to beat the Dubs without Paul. This is over. Too bad, Houston clearly deserved it.

No player is good enuff to beat a team with 4 all stars alone. A prime Jordan wouldn't be able to do it, let alone Harden. It's a team sport for a reason.

[TinmanZBoy]

for all who think rockets have no chance of beating the gsw without paul you guys don't have a clue. Maybe yall was paying too much attention to steve keer when he said his team was okay.. . Not buying it he knows his team is in danger thats why he did that lame hack a capela in game 4 lol!!! This is the rockets series to lose and we have the guys to get it done. these guys are hungry. gsw still have to adjust to our defense and style and they clearly havent yet. Rockets have been crap on offense and we still won the last two. We are due atlest one more great game from our role players.. now If the injury happened in the beginning of the series i would be worried lol but at this point we only have to get hot once. If we get hot and maintain our defensive tactics that I'm loving right now, then its a wrap! I feel very confident about our chances. This rockets team has guts and play with alot of grit.

this... the Warriors are done...
the only question is if the Rockets will win the Championship since they are going to face an equally tough and grit team in Celtics...

[TommyPoints]

for all who think rockets have no chance of beating the gsw without paul you guys don't have a clue. Maybe yall was paying too much attention to steve keer when he said his team was okay.. . Not buying it he knows his team is in danger thats why he did that lame hack a capela in game 4 lol!!! This is the rockets series to lose and we have the guys to get it done. these guys are hungry. gsw still have to adjust to our defense and style and they clearly havent yet. Rockets have been crap on offense and we still won the last two. We are due atlest one more great game from our role players.. now If the injury happened in the beginning of the series i would be worried lol but at this point we only have to get hot once. If we get hot and maintain our defensive tactics that I'm loving right now, then its a wrap! I feel very confident about our chances. This rockets team has guts and play with alot of grit.

this... the Warriors are done...
the only question is if the Rockets will win the Championship since they are going to face an equally tough and grit team in Celtics...

Respect

[PizzaSteve]

Still felt refs slanted everything they could to help rockets, within rules, even inbound location...that said wont blame them. Rockets played horrible and we didnt win, our own fault.

Look at the refs helping Houston here. How do they get away with this?!?!?

Watch on YouTube

Agreed. Bad calls both ways. The non calls when warriors attacked pain were what struck me. Still, anyone can find a bad call both ways.

[LouisLitt]

for all who think rockets have no chance of beating the gsw without paul you guys don't have a clue. Maybe yall was paying too much attention to steve keer when he said his team was okay.. . Not buying it he knows his team is in danger thats why he did that lame hack a capela in game 4 lol!!! This is the rockets series to lose and we have the guys to get it done. these guys are hungry. gsw still have to adjust to our defense and style and they clearly havent yet. Rockets have been crap on offense and we still won the last two. We are due atlest one more great game from our role players.. now If the injury happened in the beginning of the series i would be worried lol but at this point we only have to get hot once. If we get hot and maintain our defensive tactics that I'm loving right now, then its a wrap! I feel very confident about our chances. This rockets team has guts and play with alot of grit.

I want Harden to smack that grin right off Kerr's face.

[xfactor]

for all who think rockets have no chance of beating the gsw without paul you guys don't have a clue. Maybe yall was paying too much attention to steve keer when he said his team was okay.. . Not buying it he knows his team is in danger thats why he did that lame hack a capela in game 4 lol!!! This is the rockets series to lose and we have the guys to get it done. these guys are hungry. gsw still have to adjust to our defense and style and they clearly havent yet. Rockets have been crap on offense and we still won the last two. We are due atlest one more great game from our role players.. now If the injury happened in the beginning of the series i would be worried lol but at this point we only have to get hot once. If we get hot and maintain our defensive tactics that I'm loving right now, then its a wrap! I feel very confident about our chances. This rockets team has guts and play with alot of grit.

I want Harden to smack that grin right off Kerr's face.

Nice violent take. Slap a guy with half a back. What's next? Punch an old lady?

[dreadhead_htx]

for all who think rockets have no chance of beating the gsw without paul you guys don't have a clue. Maybe yall was paying too much attention to steve keer when he said his team was okay.. . Not buying it he knows his team is in danger thats why he did that lame hack a capela in game 4 lol!!! This is the rockets series to lose and we have the guys to get it done. these guys are hungry. gsw still have to adjust to our defense and style and they clearly havent yet. Rockets have been crap on offense and we still won the last two. We are due atlest one more great game from our role players.. now If the injury happened in the beginning of the series i would be worried lol but at this point we only have to get hot once. If we get hot and maintain our defensive tactics that I'm loving right now, then its a wrap! I feel very confident about our chances. This rockets team has guts and play with alot of grit.

this... the Warriors are done...
the only question is if the Rockets will win the Championship since they are going to face an equally tough and grit team in Celtics...

exactly what I told my best friend last night, he believes if the rockets advance they will go straight through the celtics. I'm like naw bro idk lol I think they would give us some trouble because we haven't scouted for them.They play with alot of grit and have young legs.so we may drop a couple games if everything falls on hardens shoulders.

[ken6199]

Can we stop this "screw you guys who predicted GS in 5/6" posting? I know the feeling of over performing the prediction, but dwelling on this only shows weakness and insecurity. Predictions are called predictions for a reason - they were made given the situation at the time, and they can be proven wrong.

Winning is the best way to hit back at those predictions. So let's stop acting almighty with these "screw you predictions look who is the boss now" mentality. Take game 6 on their home soil is the best "I got this" note to Paul.

[Freefloater]

This wasn't the sentiment when he was bricking open shots in the finals or when GS ran through the league last season.

this was always my sentiment...the only advantage i see in getting durant is you have another superstar if one is injured...

That's a great advantage though, but you were likely in the very, very small minority

it is a great advantage but i wouldn't messed up with the chemistry gsw had and all the crew they had, those bench guys they had always stepped up for them and it was a thing of beauty PLUS it did cost them steph's out of this world play... he is not MVP steph anymore... i would rather have steph out of this world(aka 2015/2016 steph) than Durant