If we though the Mavs complaining to the Refs last series was bad, this series will be on a whole new level. Potentially, we will be facing teams who are notorious for complaining about calls this playoffs. Mavericks: We know how they are. Clippers: Probably most notorious complainers. Warriors: Green and Bogut are notorious for flopping or playing the refs with "savvy" moves (Bogut grabbing player to stop the from rotating) Cavs: Need I explain this? LeBron "I'm sure the NBA will look at Harden's play" James. I hope the Grizzlies stun the Warriors and the Bulls/Hawks take care of the Cavs.
I picked Rockets in 7. This is going to be a tough series, but Paul may be hurt and our team is MUCH deeper (especially with Big Baby hurt). It'll be interesting to see how we try to defend Paul. I wonder if Johnson will get any burn. Terry and Prigioni definitely cannot keep up with Paul.
Rockets in 4, and maybe 6 games I could see it going. Rockets with a healthy playof mode Dwight. The WCF might be a lot closer to us by Wednesday. Go Rockets! Oh I live in LA if you go to any games keep me in mind. Waiting for that thread.
Jones needs to elevate his game, be consistent, and Smith continuing to play at a high level is key, but ultimately it comes down to Howard and Harden. If they play like they can every game, we take them in 7. It's going to be a war.
CP3 and Blake have a lot of commercials. I'm worried about that. Can Harden being a breakfast defector be enough?
I'm looking forward to seeing how Jones does on defense in this series after Portland last year. It's especially disappointing that Dmo isn't playing, so we could see how he would do.
Rockets in 5. Harden. Howard. Deeper Bench. Clips exhausted and beat up. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose.
Maybe Morey will read and make some suggestions for McHale to make adjustments. I mean there are some serious issues with the perimeter defense as it is.
4 - 2 at the worst, Rockets win series! Yall worry about the season being split with the Clippers but with the Rockets current squad, they should have been no worse than 3 - 1. Let's look at the lineups being thrown out there for the Rockets throughout the regular season: Game 1: November 28. Clippers Win 102 - 85 Starters include: Canaan, Black and Garcia DNP: Howard, Jones, Beverley Not acquired yet: Smith, Brewer (No wonder they won that game!) Game 2: February 11. Clippers Win 110 - 95 DNP: Howard, Jones (No interior D) Game 3: February 25. Rockets Win 110 - 105 DNP: Howard, Beverley (Smith and Jones worked the paint, Jones 5 Blocks) Game 4: March 15. Rockets Win 100 - 98 DNP: Howard (Harden explodes, Jones big game and Ariza stops Paul) Therefore, it is obvious that as long as Jones is playing, we will beat the Clippers. . Seriously though, with both Jones and Howard along with Smith and Capela going up against the Clippers front line and being able to shut down Paul at the rim, we have a high probability of winning this series. I love Brewer, Smith and Jones against this Clippers squad! This is going to be fu#king exciting!!! GO ROCKETS!!
The matchup was always going to be an issue, whichever team won. I preferred to face the Clippers and their history of failure, but they seem to have figured out some things because they just won a series with Finals-level stakes. Clippers in 6. But...still excited for this, and it's closer to a toss-up than the pundits or oddsmakers will admit. (Obviously if Paul is legitimately hampered the story is totally different - I think he'll push through with little ill effect though)
I seriously can't believe all these Rockets 'fans' who have the Clippers winning We haven't even played them with Dwight this season
