Even if Pop rests the starters. don't underestimate the SAS bench / reserves / role players. That group is still so much better than what NOP, Minny or Denver put out.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sounds like Pop is playing everyone. Said being healthy and sharp for playoffs is key, and have to play to be sharp.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/statuses/455755617722826752">April 14, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If they plan to play their starters for long minutes, I see no reason than to prevent the Rockets from getting the 4th seed and therefore home court advantage. They probably fear us more than Portland so they don't want to face us in the 2nd round. So how do they prevent that?? By helping out Portland.
It's not worth it for the Spurs to try so hard. It's not like New Orleans have a chance to beat this full roster Rockets team.
Have some faith, will you? Will your mentality, how are we gonna face the upper echelon teams even if we advance in the playoffs?
This was pretty much demonstrated by an earlier xRAPM post a couple weeks ago (the xRAPM results said the same thing I believe). Lin's defensive issues aren't nearly as problematic as many on this forum believe. It's his problems contributing to the team's offense that is the primary concern. He may put up good, efficient numbers scoring wise, but somehow his presence makes the team overall less efficient offensively, whether by taking away shots from even more efficient players, or having a skill-set that overlaps with Harden's (allowing the defense to have an easier time guarding them both?), or not contributing enough in terms of assists, or whatever the reason. He needs to focus on being able to complement the starters' (esp Harden) offensive game somehow, MORE than improve his defense. People will keep thinking his defense is the problem though, despite what the RPM, xRAPM stats suggest
He's doing that because he doesn't want us to get home court advantage vs the blazers. We are his worst nightmare.
The Rockets still present unique matchup problems for the Spurs. So I say bring it on...I want the 4-0 sweep fair and square.
Ironically that could be a good thing for the Rockets. They'll probably take this game far more seriously from the opening tip if they see Duncan, Leonard, and Parker on the floor(and Manu waiting on the bench). The one good game they've played over the last couple weeks aside from the massacre in L.A. was against OKC. Not coincidentally, that's the one respectable ballclub they've faced.
Portland has been playing better, but let's not forget they needed a last second shot to beat Sactown at home last week(with the Kings on the 2nd night of a B2B). They also needed OT to knock off Golden State, and 4th quarter runs to beat the Jazz in Utah, and New Orleans at home. They've been winning, but it's not like they're steamrolling over these inferior opponents like the Spurs do. Plus they're at full strength unlike nearly every other team in the Top 6 in the West.
Are you certain? That is real interesting. Something of a demotion for Canaan and a promotion for Daniels at least temporarily.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Rockets sent Covington and Canaan to RGV for playoff game tonight. Daniels stays with Rockets.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/statuses/455736270254141441">April 14, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> I should have embedded the tweet.
