http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22773218/predicting-nba-playoff-seeds-matchups-win-total According to ESPN, the Rox will likely play the Spurs if they maintain the 1st seed. The Warriors (2) will play the Pelicans.
that has been my fear. we'll get the spurs just as they get back kawhi and vault from a 45 win team to a 55+ win team. and we'll have last year on our mind as an added bonus. too much talk about our matchup with golden state as if it's already happening.
Even if they get Kawhi back, that doesn’t mean he will be in game shape mode. Last time he came back this season he didn’t look good at all. He has been out for a while season. It usually takes guys a couple games to get their rhythm back. Plus players tend to be more cautious when they return. So imo if Kawhi returns by playoffs he won’t be the same defensive or offensive player. Also people like skip keep bringing back last season like if we are the same team. Is like he is forgetting about the other series the rockets played and the previous 5 games where Harden played well. Yes he didn’t played well at all. And who knows the reason, only Harden knows. Maybe he gave up, he was exhausted or had a concussion or he partied too much. I don’t know but the thing is this year is different. Last year we weren’t this focus. The team only had Harden and however Harden played usually that was how the team played. If he wasn’t aggressive and kept shooting with no ball movement it usually meant a Loss. We lost so many games we should have won to teams that were lower seed or losing record. This season we have better defense. We have Chris Paul that won’t just let the team give up on plays or quit on games. So I’m sure we will make sure we take care of the spurs because they don’t stand a chance against this team.
Bring on the Spurs, Thunder, Warriors, and Cavs. Let there be no doubt or excuses on our championship and season. Hell with Steph, KD, Kawhi, Westbrick, LeBron, and Jordan.
Spurs have 13 games left and Kawhi's minutes will be limited initially. If he doesn't begin playing by this weekend, I think he's probably done. At some point, the Spurs must admit he can't return to form this season which means they have no chance to contend for a championship. Wouldn't surprise me if they announce something.
If the Rockets can't beat the Spurs even with Leonard then we aren't good enough. If the Paul/Harden/D'antoni trio is gonna shrivel in the postseason we may as well just find out right away instead of getting our hopes up. I don't think they will, bring on the Spurs, or the Thunder, I don't f**king care, we're better than them.
For anyone saying to watch out for the Spurs if Kawhi comes back, just how good do u think he’s actually going to be after barely playing at all for damn near the entire season? U think he’s gonna come back and get right back to dropping 25 ppg and playing elite defense?
The rockets are historically good. No team but Golden State is good enough to beat us 4 games in 7. They might not be good enough either. The rockets at full strength are winning at a 75 win season pace. I don’t get why some of you guys are scared of the spurs or thunder. I get the warriors their historically great also. But cmon last season the rockets were a 55 win team with a top 15 offense alltime and a bad defense. There point differential was in line with a team that wins in the first round and has a 50/50 chance at winning a second round series. I think they did exactly what the. Umbers said they would do. Which is take 2 games from a 63 win team and have a few chances to force a game 7. This is not years past Rockets. This is hands down the best team since the 93/94 championship team that won 58 games. And the numbers and wins say this team is better. At some point we have to start respectIng the data and numbers. 1st in offense and 2nd in defense during the 17 game win streak. And that’s with Anderson another good weapon out. The other time we were healthy before luc and harden went out we were 1st in offense and 4th in defense. This team is elite on both ends when everyone plays. Since harden has returned from injury were 24-2 and the two games we lost we’re to playoffs teams one be the 3rd best team in the nba and both were lost by one Possession. Rockets are filthy good and can win in whatever way is needed. The warriors are def worried that’s why their resting everyone they know they gotta be 100% to beat us and I love that. The know what’s up and there actions speak loudly. No matter what Espn says. As good as GS is I don’t think it’s possible the Rockets can be beat 4x in a 7 game series. Either way that WCF is going to be something ppl talk about forvever. Because the Rockets will win and it won’t even go 7 mark my words.
Aside from Chris Paul helping Harden. We also lost to the Spurs because Nene got hurt and then we could not rebound enough. It was not all on Harden. Now 1) Capela is better including with rebunding. 2) Tucker is a good rebounder. 3) Black can rebound and mix it up inside. 4) Wright might be available for a few minutes.
excellent post...the Rockets are a GREAT team, yet we have all these people scared of teams like OKC and even the Clippers they’re like 35 and 2 when Harden, CP3, and Capela play How many teams are capable of winning 35 out of 37 when they have 3 specific players in their lineup? I haven’t even checked the point differential, but I bet it’s at least a +11. This team is as elite as it gets. GS has never faced a team this good since they became contenders.
If the Rockets are concerned about facing the Spurs in the first round (I don’t think they are worried), then the Rockets aren’t as good as we all thought. No team will be a cupcake in the playoffs. Everyone will be playing for their respective playoff lives. Rockets will answer and prevail health withstanding.
You and Kawhi both coming back at the same time? couldn't resist the bad joke. sorry. ---------------------------
