Skip Bayelss: Will Rockets storm back to win series with KD sidelined?

I have always really liked Shannon and really disliked pompous Skip, BUT they are spot on with their analysis on the remainder of the series. Either team could win both games. Yes, Chris Paul has looked more like Cliff Paul, and Harden DID disappear late in game five. Harden and Paul could come up big in the remaining games or, well, you know. The pressure could not be greater.

 

I can't believe MDA didn't draw up a play for Harden just to tell him, you didn't ask for it but you now got it

 

Well, the offense was actually working just fine. We were 8 of our final 11 shots if I remember correctly. It was the defense that couldn't get stops when we needed them. Between that and turnovers, it doomed us in the 4th.

 

As a devout Rockets fan and a consistent James Harden defender, I honestly do not know of how he and the rest of the Rockets will respond in these last 2 games and that says a lot.

James has without a doubt put together the best 5 game stretch of his playoff career in this series, and the Game 5 loss was really more on CP3 and MDA in my opinion.

However, we have yet to see him perform big in Games 6-7 in any series as a Rocket. Remember, the only Games 6-7 he played since the 2017 Spurs meltdown was last year against GS, which were just subpar.

Has he improved his conditioning to play consistently throughout a 6-7 game series? Is his mental toughness at the level needed to become an NBA champion?

The current scenario is eerily similar to the 2017 playoffs, Rockets lose a close game on the road in Game 5, the other team loses their best player and we come home only to lay an egg in Game 6. Granted, the level of competition is significantly greater but our supporting cast is also better. We will find out over these next few days what James Harden, and these Houston Rockets are really made of.

 

BASKETBALL BACK HATERS GO HOME

 

I still love James no matter how he does, but I can't also shake that I'm worried.

Big reason is because Chris was supposed to be That Second Star. It's okay to ask for help, but Chris is starting to look like he's fallen and he can't get up.

 

Ya I feel you, I'm probably more concerned about how CP3/Capela/MDA will perform in this game, though I do still have some doubts with Harden.

 

They're right. These last 2 games are about James Harden.

 

Being a realist does not constitute being a hater...

 

At second glance you’re absolutely right

I’ll just stick with HARDEN HATERS

 

We have to win.

 

I would mute this basterrrd till the series is over. Ingloriously.

 

31-7-8 vs CP3’s Clippers 2015 Game 7 playoffs.

 

True, I poorly worded my previous post, I meant specifically after the 2017 spurs meltdown.