[WSJ] The Houston Rockets Have a Warriors Hangover

It's probably shame shame shame for putting up a goose egg.

 

I'd buy a condensed version of this theory: What the Rockets learned in Game 7 vs. GSW was that in eight minutes you can blow the home-court advantage you spent 82 games fighting for. That makes it a lot harder, in the season afterward, to get pumped up and focus every night.

 

GSW faces a similar problem that we have.

They have a very mediocre bench and their stars are more or less injured half the time.

Not much cap space to operate with.

Of course they have a couple more Allstars to carry the load but their declining regular season record tells that exact story.

 

HEAR THAT, MINNY MANAGEMENT? What a bunch of pear-shaped losers...

 

I think one key fact hidden in this article (which I generally agree with) is that so many teams' offenses are historically good this year. The entire league is an offensive anomaly this year, pretty much. The league has changed more in one offseason than it almost ever has.

I think two major phenomenon are multiplying what was already a Rockets regression:
1. The 'freedom of movement' rules and new adjustments in referee bias
2. The 3's-and-rim volume offense taking over the league. There's not a unique advantage in style

You wonder how much of the Rockets success was really because they had more talent than other teams vs they were running a better system. Now, systems being more equal, they're struggling to compete.

 

Pacers didn't fold after they lost to Jordan's Bulls in 7.

 

I have always felt that this is a factor in the Rocket's failure. The inability to adjust with changes and physical injuries is a big factor too.

 

Doesn't explain how Paul and Gordon are having their worst years. Paul has just flat-out sucked a lot this year ... real head-scratcher for me.

CP3's play is either decline or hangover. Less to do with inability to adjust, unless we frame it around one of the smartest players in the history of the game becoming stubborn.

 

True, but we have to go on fighting. Don't give up.

 

I think CP3's decline is partly due to his wrist injury. Harden probably isn't at his fittest. I admit I'm surprised as to why Eric Gordon is struggling so badly. I think the vets are having trouble adjusting to Ariza's and Luc's absence on defense. Ennis has good form on shooting and he is a good finisher at the basket, but his defense is average. Clint is playing more out on the perimeter as a result, and this is affecting his rebounding. Opposing teams have also worked hard on adjusting to the Rockets. They are making it harder for them to score easily.

 

We also don’t have the rings and one of the best coaches ever to fall back on

 

Ariza and Luc currently showing off the 3&D mentality...

 

Maybe due to his got-to hangover cures

Strippers and pizza

 

Like most things in the real world, there are multiple causes.

 

Yep!

 

It's sad to see him declining slowly. I love Harden when he is at his best. Opposing teams still fear him. I think winning the MVP title took his focus away from basketball.

 

Whoa, pizza has taken various shapes.

 

There is clearly a hangover. They said all the right things at training camp. The sound bytes were great. It appeared they had momentum. But the "on court" results tell the tale.

The opening night loss to the Pelicans.....it basically was foreshadowing of the season so far. The "lack of urgency" and "fight".....the missing "mojo" and "swagger." It has been a constant struggle.

 

Well when the NBA openly and blatantly cheated in favor of the warriors in game 7, what's the motivation? I've been a hard core NBA fan and put up with the bad calls but last year really left a stain on the league for me. It's been made even more obvious now with their alliance with Vegas and allowing betting.