The Blazers series doesn't prove or disprove anything. It's pretty simple, but not B&W. Midrange shots won't net you as many points as the Rocket's shot strategy. There are always exceptions. Players that can generate a higher TS% through midrange shots Times during the game when there is a need to score 1-2 points at the highest possible percentage Times during the game when you need to change strategy because nothing is working The Rockets are historically great at the strategy they employ, and it puts them as a top 2-3 team in the NBA (maybe top 2, but let's see where the Finals go). Other teams are gaining on them, but haven't overtaken them. Stop your whining if you can't accept the Rockets not winning a championship every year. There are 31 other teams that can't do it either, all for 31 different reasons. In my opinion, the debatable issue is that the Rockets don't get much practice at it, so when those limited times come up where it is necessary, they don't instinctively react.
THIS!! Dame has literally had 2 good playoff series...the series against us in 2014, and the one against OKC in the 1st round for the rest of his postseason history, he’s played at a level that would be an utter embarrassment for the likes of Harden
Well doctor, to me it was obvious that what we lacked was the confidence, a solid strategy and leader to take us home and win us games late in the 4th. We struggled in every single game down the stretch, except for game 4. If you can get an easy 2 in that situation, you might make that 3 next time or you just keep taking it if your name is Harden or CP3.
Yes, they were without Nurkic. But without him, they still managed to play well down the stretch, knock out the Thunder in 5 games, and defeat the Nuggets including winning Game 7 on the road. Should they have beaten the Warriors? Maybe not. But to get swept, especially when Golden State was sans Durant, Boogie AND Iggy in the decisive Game 4 which was being played in Portland? That's inexcusable. And the Blazers had leads of 17 or 18 points in each of the last 3 games of this series. I'll say this much about the Rockets. Not only did they push the Warriors harder than any other team in the West(the Clippers went 6, but they were never a threat), but there's no way in hell they would've lost Game 6 had Iggy been out. His 5-of-8 shooting from downtown(not to mention his defense) was the key to that Golden State victory.
What's your point? Refs waved off a probable game winning 3 in regulation and properly called traveling.
I don’t care. I hope the warriors sweep the bucks just so that the media respects us a bit more. Playing against the Warriors, you’re going in to it at a disadvantage. Losing Hardens vision put us in a slightly worse disadvantage we couldn’t afford.
People don't get what a nearly impossible job it is to beat the Warriors if Curry/Klay/Donkey/Iggy are healthy. And apparently, even if Iggy isn't. In the past two years, the Rockets are the only team in the entire league that even had a shot at it, and that's because we were specifically built to beat them. We'll see what happens with Milwaukee in the finals, but I'll be surprised if the Bucks win 2 games.
They had the highest change in shot selection this year than any other team. They drastically went away from long-medium 2 point shots and went to Moreyball. Pushing the pace and personnel is a different discussion. Yes I agree we can push the pace more but the Bucks are playing their version of Moreyball.
Well the Rockets had a few wins at least. That's something.... Hahah, yeah it still sucks and runner ups don't mean ****, but the Rockets didn't get swept (but that they still lost, so... Oh well. Of course the media will act like they just witnessed the best performance ever against the Warriors.
LeBron is special for sure, heck if no injuries in 2015, he'd have had 2 rings with Cleveland, but let's not act like the East ='s the West. LeBron did great against the non Durant Warriors (since then 1 post season win), but if LeBron played in the West back then, he'd be exactly where the Rockets are (semis/WCFs) since Durant joined. And I don't know if he'd have won in 16 swapping with Harden's roster For 2015/2016. He'd probably be stuck in the West because he'd have had to play hero ball all year. Hell swap houston and cavs, Houston makes the finals the last 4 years. Unfortunately I don't think Houston wins against the Warriors though. In the East the last 4 years LeBron (post heat Era) had basically a cake walk to get to the Finals. I will state though 2015 and 2016 his finals performances were insane
The Warriors outplayed the Rockets. Capela sucked all series and CP3 had only one stellar performance while guys like Iggy and Looney stepped up throughout the Semifinals. Harden inevitably gets a lot of crap from the national media, but usually the stars cancel each other out and it's up to the role players to make a difference. Theirs did and ours didn't. Ironically the reverse happened in the Warriors sweep of the Blazers. Lillard stunk up the joint while Leonard played out of his mind.