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The Next 5 Games Mean Everything. I'm f'in serious.

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Mathloom, Mar 22, 2017.

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Record next 5 games?

  1. 5-0

    25 vote(s)
    17.4%
  2. 4-1

    42 vote(s)
    29.2%
  3. 3-2

    58 vote(s)
    40.3%
  4. 2-3

    10 vote(s)
    6.9%
  5. 1-4

    4 vote(s)
    2.8%
  6. 0-5

    5 vote(s)
    3.5%
  1. Mathloom

    Mathloom Contributing Member

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    Throughout the season we've had lots of threads discussing different stretches of games, trying to create a kind of test against what we believe about the team. Those are really informative and puts us in check about what's realistic and what's not.

    These 5 games, to me, are everything.

    3 days rest
    vs NO
    1 day rest
    vs OKC
    1 day rest
    vs GS
    1 day rest
    @ POR
    @ GS


    I couldn't have designed a better exam for this group than these 5 games. Comfortable in our seeding. A few days to practice (the team will have been in Houston for 7 days, and remain there till we face Portland). A great sample of opponents, all of them playing well, except NO who beat us last week. Granted, the Warriors don't have Durant, but they are a great team without him and let's see if we can take advantage.

    We are who we are at this point. The identity of this team is not going to materially change. Players are not miraculously going to do something they haven't done for 71 games. What we do now is we polish our strengths and we MITIGATE our weaknesses. For me, this stretch is definitive.

    Here the most important factors for me:

    1) Does this team respond to opponent runs with sharper player and ball movement on both sides of the ball?
    2) When the stakes are raised, can our bigs give us rebounding above their current averages?
    3) Can our bench consistently beat an excellent opponent bench (special focus on Lou Williams integration)?
    4) How does James Harden react to games where trips to the line are more difficult to earn?

    For me, these 4 things will determine our playoffs. The games in April are easy, we will probably win out even if we rest for the last few. My mindset is:

    5-0: I will bet money on this team lifting the trophy.
    4-1: Lock for WCF.
    3-2: We are a top 4 team, but we will need to get hot and lucky to have a chance at the ring.
    2-3: We will struggle in the second round.
    1-4: We will struggle in the first round.
    0-5: We will make the WCF. I'm serious.

    I think we will go 3-2.

    What are you thinking at this critical point of the season? Are you serious?

    Note: Poll will be closed in 4 days.
     
  2. Pen15clubber

    Pen15clubber Member

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    No matter what happens...the mavs ****in suck @swyyyguy
     
  3. YOLO

    YOLO Member

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    would be more significant to me if GS had KD playing. don't see any reason they don't go 4-1. maybe losing once to GS or Port (just bc they're more desperate for wins at this point)
     
  4. T for 3

    T for 3 Member

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    very fair assessment. I say 2-3, but I have no problem with 3-2. Like you said, we know who they are. If They get hot from 3 they could steal one from golden state. if they are not, they could drop one to either NO or POR.

    Also, don't you think the OKC game is going to tip the scales in the MVP race? One thing I didn't see in your post that I think is important: James is going to have to have his shot in the marquee games.
     
    #4 T for 3, Mar 22, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2017
  5. Mr. Dominant

    Mr. Dominant Contributing Member

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    I miss Yao Ming.
     
    Tfor3 and mac_got_this like this.
  6. samtaylor

    samtaylor Member

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    How do I vote 6-0?
     
  7. Fantasma Negro

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    Important question bro, how serious are you about it
     
  8. FTW Rockets FTW

    FTW Rockets FTW Contributing Member

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    Are you saying we're playing NO contenders or ALL contenders?
     
    No Chill Rocket and Pen15clubber like this.
  9. Y2JT

    Y2JT Member

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    No worse than 3-2. I would love to see us beat GS twice to send a message and make them feel like they need Durant to beat us but beating them at home and going 3-2 would be my minimum expectation.
     
  10. PyroTex

    PyroTex Member

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    We owe NO payback W
    We will destroy OKC. PatBev will embarrass the **** outa Westbrook W
    probably split with GS
    Portland sux W
     
  11. count_dough-ku

    count_dough-ku Contributing Member

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    Hopefully no worse than 3-2. I'd be ecstatic with a 4-1 record.
     
  12. joeson332

    joeson332 Member

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    son of a b*** and these next 5-20 games threads
     
    CK Johnson likes this.
  13. Daddy Long Legs

    Daddy Long Legs H- Town Harden

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    Split against warriors and beat everyone else. I say 4-1

    Fingers crossed
     
  14. Daddy Long Legs

    Daddy Long Legs H- Town Harden

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    Dont post in them if you hate them lol
     
  15. BigMaloe

    BigMaloe Contributing Member

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    5-0

    I'm reiterating my stance we beat gsw both times.
     
  16. Reeko

    Reeko Member

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    I want to see us beat GS with KD not playing at least once. It would be a bad look if they were to slap us around like they did against OKC the other night.

    Also, OKC is a potential playoff opponent, and I want to see us destroy them. We have been in complete control for the 1st 3 quarters in every single game and then all of the sudden turn into a completely different team once the 4th quarter starts which is why the games have been so close. I'm also looking forward to seeing Harden wrap up his MVP campaign with a great game and the W while Westbrook takes his L.
     
  17. mfastx

    mfastx Member
    Supporting Member

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    Should be 3-2 minimum, hopefully 4-1. It's time to start ramping up and getting on a roll for the playoffs.
     
    Pen15clubber likes this.
  18. DavidRocket

    DavidRocket Member

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    I'm a little confused by this. Why would you say Rockets would make the WCF if they go 0-5 during this upcoming stretch of games?
     
  19. BHannes2BHonest

    BHannes2BHonest 2 SOLID FOR WEIRD AZZES

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    I see your points OP and it simply comes down to.... Live by the 3...Die by the 3

    And that will sum up our playoff run as well
     
  20. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    Something to keep in mind, Golden State has a "back to back" at Rockets and at Spurs. I wonder if the Warriors rest their players for the Rockets game since the Spurs game will have more importance via #1 seed and tie breakers.
     

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