There's another option besides "play CP3" and "don't play CP3". You can start the game without CP3 and see how things are going. If we're keeping it close, if it's a close game going into the second half, maybe even not until the 4th quarter, then you use him and go for the win right then and there. If we can't keep it close and the Warriors are destroying us, then not only do you keep CP3 on the bench, you also bench the whole starting lineup early and let the bench (minus Gordon) play the rest of the way. Time for Zhou to shine
I think that would make sense if Chris is 80 percent fit. It's a gamble I would be willing to consider, because of our lack of depth.
There is another possibility, reduce Tucker, Ariza, and Gordon's minutes to 25. Harden still plays 30-32. Worriers won't accuse us of forfeiting. Everyone should be okay, and grind it out in Game 7. Talk sense into Chris Paul : Hey, Chris, we know you are the ultimate competitor but this game we need you to rest, all of it or play bench minutes.
I definitely don't think we should start CP3 even if he feels ready to go. In game 6 I would even minimize Harden's minutes. I think you need to take every game seriously but this is a situation where we have a game in hand..
That would be such a Morey thing to do and I would love to see this. Would they get rolled by 20+? Sure but I'd put our bench up against theirs any day of the week. They most certainly would have to play at least one of their all stars just to guarantee the win due to their bench sucking. I would be 100% for this
Haha I dare to say they would lose only in the 30-40 range opposed to Game 3. It would be a shootout for sure. Gerald Green going for 30 or dies trying.
The more I think about it, this would probably be my NBA 2K MyTeam lineup since I am too cheap to pay real money on VC.
I can't believe I'm sitting here fantasizing about this scenario. It would break the NBA but the reaction by Kerr would be priceless.
Man, I can’t stop thinking about this. Totally unfair that we wouldn’t get a FAIR shot at them to advance. We deserve this. Paul deserves this. D’antoni Deserves this. And dammit, if harden could hit some shots, he deserves this!
If the Rockets start the game thinking CP3 is available, it could have a negative effect psychologically.
I had a flight to Houston last night. Basically had to shut off my phone as the plane was taking off, with 1:20 left in the game. As soon as I was about to touch down in Houston, and I looked up the score and saw we won. I was elated. Went to Clutchfans, and it took me a minute to realize what had happened. Ugh ... of course this is what we'd face. In all the scenarios I had playing out in my head during the flight, it didn't occur to me that a potentially season-ending injury to Chris Paul could happen in that final minute.
Downer alert - He said "oh yeah" because he always always says that prior to jumping in a Maybach and being whisked away. It's a catch phrase type deal.
