This is my biggest concern really in the series. We have slowed down so much that I worry we've negated an asset we had by playing at the high pace we did last year and the first half of this year.
You don't want to get in a track meet with GSW. Rockets playing at a very slow rate and still posting the highest offensive rating in the playoffs. GSW is 4th. Rockets slow pace and small turnover rate is an asset against a GSW team that thrives in the open court.
It would have been interesting to see what Popovich or Utah would have done to slow down the pace vs the Death Lineup, but alas, Curry was out against SAS, whereas we faced Utah's 96 Pace, and Worriers played NOLA who led the league in fastest Pace. I don't think the difference in pace is all that important. A fast team is not going to force a deliberate team who doesn't turn the ball over to increase their pace if they don't want to. I seriously doubt the Death Lineup would have achieved a 114 Pace in the 1st round, if Pops didn't want them to. Besides, Houston can also run with the best of them. GSW might be in trouble by not getting as many fast transition points as they are used to, if we keep executing at the lowest playoff TO% in the last 10 years ( 9.8% )
IMO, the Rockets play the style that is best against their opponent at the time. EG is better at a faster pace like the Warriors...so are Anderson and Greene. I think we will see bigger games from those 3 than we did in the first 2 rounds. Sadly the pundits are basing their opinions on the previous two rounds. I suspect we will see some shocked faces and minds in this round from the pundits and Warrior fans when the Rockets go back to drive it into the paint and pop the ball out to the 3 pt line shooters. At the faster pace, the Rockets hit their threes more naturally...natural shooting is more accurate than pushing the shot. Also, the Rockets must come out blazing in the first half. You get 15 to 25pts ahead of the Warriors, they mentally crumble and start missing their shots...THAT'S GAME. Pop the popcorn, fix the nachos, pour the soft drink or beer, and enjoy the ride. JMO
The only team that ever really looked like they were going to take GSW out was gritngrind Memphis. We are a far superior version with less turnovers, better defense and a significantly better offense.
they need to run back for fastbreaks, I feel like we gave up a lot of layups in transition to both Minny and Utah
This is an example of someone who just don't understand how to use stats. Pace is determined by both teams not just one team. How much the Warriors run depends on what the Rockets do. If the Rockets make shots then the Warriors can't run. If the Rockets don't turn the ball over the Warriors can't run. If the Rockets get back in transition when the shot goes up the Warriors can't run. If the Rockets get offensive boards the Warriors can't run. Obviously easier said than done, and this is definitely an Achilles heel of the Rockets in general. But if the Rockets play methodically and not carelessly, it would automatically decrease the Warriors pace. Of course if the Rockets fail at it then they're screwed, which is definitely possible just because the Warriors defense is so good. But pace isn't something that just magically happen. If you don't give your opponent the opportunity they can't run that well.
Look man we gon be straight. We are just as versatile as them. It's a matter of which team wants it more. We gotta outhustle them.
How will GSW handle Rockets versatility in pace? During the first 14 game win streak or whatever, Rockets had the fastest pace in the league During the other double digit win streak, Rockets had the slowest pace in the league This shows Rockets can play both ways. Take that for data.
Didn't the media always say that games slow down during playoffs and fast pace offense won't work? Now that the Warriors are playing at high pace, the question suddenly becomes how can we keep up with their pace
No matter what angle you analyze this matchup, the only thing you can really determine is that this is going to be a very evenly matched series. I can't wait. I just hope we take them down in six or less, and whoever wins the East takes it to seven so we get some rest. I'm going to make a prediction: if we can get up 10 more shots than GSW (same quality of shot as we've been getting) per game, we win. I just want to put that down for the record.
The Warriors also haven't really faced as strong of defensive teams as we have this playoffs . The Spurs are good but without Kawhi, the Warriors just made them into BBq chicken. Minnesota has butler, teague, and gibson and so forth that we basically turned into a chicken dinner. The jazz also have arguably the defensive player of the year. If we are playing on all cylinders these Warriors and their fans are up for a rude awakening!
They have slowed down because they got several swings that are over 31...... and Chris Paul is 33. Luc, Tuck, Ariza, JJ..... I think the pace in the regular season matchup was about 103 -105?
Just checked out the Hampton 5 lineup stats. It doesn't seem that impressive given they played two teams with big time injuries. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/2018/lineups/
Now if things were reversed and GS played at a slower pace vs us at a faster everyone would be questioning could our faster pace be effective in the playoffs because the game is slower. I tell you boy! I know there the champs and all but any team can be beat to the spot 4 times out of 7.
