The thing that has not been stressed enough by the media is that, differently than Harden, Curry is incapable of playing good enough D against CP3 and Harden. He doesn't have the physical tools, period. He won't be facing PBev this time, he already got exposed in the last game we faced them. CP3 and Harden will eat his soul during crunch time in the playoffs, if we meet. They can't hide Curry, whoever he's guarding will set the pick for James or CP3. If they put, let's say, KD on James and Iggy in CP3, with Klay guarding EGo and Curry on whoever is playing the 4 (Ariza/LMM/Tucker), we'll call for a pick from the 4 spot, no doubt. If they leave Curry on CP3, it's one on one on the mid range and James can rest for that possession. Man, it's going to be great! On the other end, Harden doesn't have to fight through screens to keep up with Thompson, we're switching everybody, even Capela. That goes in our advantage comparing to their switching D, which means a lot since their way of switching put so much pressure. Our only weak (really weak!) spot is Ryno, but he won't see the court in crunch time. They may be forced to iso Durant or Curry against Capela, which is good enough for them but it's not their game. We, OTOH, will iso CP3 or Harden against Curry and call it a day. They're literally by far the two best iso scorers in the league this season in PPP! https://stats.nba.com/players/isola...sonType=Regular Season&CF=PossG*GE*1:GP*GE*30 Let's concentrate on getting up there to face them. If we're able to get to the WCF against these Warriors, I'll be pretty confident we'll make it very tough for them, to say the least.
Surprisingly bearable sports talk show. Carter and Wright are a solid combo it seems. As far as the WC goes, Harden is about to spitroast everything in sight with a certainty since Leonard and Roberson are done. No team is equipped to defend this team until GS. Literally none of the teams have the on-ball athleticism and team defensive competence as well as frontcourt mobility. Towns, Jokic, Jordan, Adams, and Gasol are going to be automatic net negatives against the Rockets. Draymond, Bell, Durant, Davis, West and maybe Aldridge are the only guys who can do a more than bad job in space and in the lane defensively. Albeit, Durant and Draymond have played far worse defense this season.
FAKE NEWS! The ESPN talk show guys told me that Curry plays "servicable" defense, which is better than Harden, who NEVER, EVER, EVER plays defense.
Cris makes a good point with the Rockets surrendering a high Opp 3PT%. It's a little worrisome. Still time to improve. Nick did well bringing facts to light, including Warriors luck with opponents being injured in the playoffs.
Teams will have problems with OKC if Westbrook decides to stop chucking, and I say this seriously. The problem is Westbrook cranks his shot attempts sky high in the playoffs, and his efficiency is atrocious to pair with it. Just last playoffs, he averaged 30 shots per game at TS 51%. For his career he averages over 21 shots in the playoffs at TS 52%. There is no reason so far to believe this number will change anytime soon.
Nick Wright is probably the smartest basketball guy on TV right now... BUT, he retweeted Shaun King in a non ironic way earlier.... Yikes
I'd say IDIOT. All we need is another thread on a certain ESPN talk show guy's rehearsed opinion during a ridiculously staged debate! His argument's stupidity level is so great that listening to him is lobotomizing a great number of our fellow clutchfans...
I dont buy this OKC is closer in the standings to the Lakers than they are to the Rockets. They have absolutely no depth and have a collection of inefficient chuckers. Its a really poorly designed team that I am not at all worried about
Oklahoma City is one of those teams that, for whatever reason, people are desperate to believe they are better than they are. Houston is one of those teams that, for whatever reason, people are desperate to believe they are worse than they are.
Sorry Sherwood Strauss is no longer and ESPN and can't pump his "Curry is great at defense narrative."
People desperately want OKC to be great so the media can pump the Westbrook vs Durant narrative. Perhaps the the Rockets would get more run if Harden had a villain counterpart.
That could've been Dwight, if Harden had played along and publically outed him as the one who single-handedly sabotaged an entire season by being a selfish, devisive presence. Beard took the high road, knowing it was best for the franchise to move on from the Dwightbacle as quickly as possible.
Honestly, the key to beating OKC is liming their rebounding. Adams offensive rebounding (and boxing out for Westbrook) is CRITICAL to that team. You limit their 2nd chance opportunities and it really reduces their offense.
Defense is key to defeating OKC. Slow Melo down, Paul and Westbrook won't be able to get the job done. Westbrook will start making mistakes.
Wow, actual intelligent discussion and analysis. I actually feel smarter after having too much First take and Undisputed in my diet.
