Im hearing some Clips fans say that they 'can handle Houston without CP3' for a couple of games!! LMAO
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A number of coaches have told there can be a kind of culture shock going from one series to the next if opponent type/quality changes enough</p>— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/594915634342920193">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I worry about that a little w/ HOU after slicing up a DAL D that was, umm, not great. But that's a very minor worry if CP3 can't go G1</p>— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/594915905076879360">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Rockets beat them last two times. I was more worried about the Spurs, but the Clippers offense is much easier to slow down.
To be fair, game 2 & 3 they have no Blake Griffin either. Game 4 Griffin just came back from surgery. Basically the playoffs is completely new. Howard is healthy. Brewer and Smith more comfortable.. so it's totally a different ballgame. But they look to have advantage on rebound with Griffin + Jordan
The key obviously will be if the Rockets can contain Chris Paul. The Clips play Harden well, that much we know. If the Rockets can get Paul to play worse than he usually does we have a fighting chance. This series is all about neutralizing stars. Neutralize Paul and we win. Neutralize Howard and they win. Jordan and Blake are going to be a tough test up front. This is it for Howard, if he can step it up big it will be the difference maker. I expect this series to be a dog fight.
Man...they're searching for reasons to discount us at this point. "Culture shock"? Like...I get what he's saying, but c'mon...
I think what he's saying is right though. There's no comparison between the Mavs and Clippers. Rockets have to be prepared to step it up another level
He's not "wrong" necessarily, but like...you can say that about ANY team. Every series is different and every team plays a certain style.
CP3 will play in game 1 - book it. Just a mind game indicating he may not play. Key to series - STOP CHRIS PAUL. We are versatile and have the ability to limit CP3 with BREWER soaking up more of the minutes JT got against Dallas. Limit CP3 and we're golden. Griffin can create but we're SOLID with our front court. DJ seems menacing but Dwight can limit his effectiveness. We can win this series if we make it a defensive grind; we also have the personnel to do it.
Key to the Series is the Offense of Ariza waking up. If Ariza is back to himself. . . . .. The Clippers will HURT! Smith and Brewer already going to give them fits Smith/Jones/Capella <-- we throwing that three headed monster at Blake Blake will have to work on defense and not help alot Honestly. . . . Capela is like DJ Light .. . neither have much of an offensive game and they are just high energy high effort players so you might see him on DJ while Dwight goes out on Blake Sometimes I worry about CP3 but If Glen Davis cannot go . . that will be a major issue too Rocket River
Idk why people seem to think the Clippers are going to win... They barely had enough gas left in the tank to make it out of round 1
Clippers are a very good team. But if we can't beat them we're not near being a contender. GSW is by far the best team in the league so that's the measuring stick. Can we beat them? Yes. Who will win? I don't know, it's going to be close though. Hopeful that we're better than we were before and can take the first two at home.
Oddly enough, I don't have the same apprehensions as I had going into the Mavs series. The Mavs were a strange concoction of good and bad and potentially explosive, unpredictable in a way. Actually, the Rockets didn't play their best ball and won the series 4-1, but it wasn't as easy as it may have looked. The team seemed tentative at times, anxious, tight. I don't expect any of that in this series. Harden got the monkey off his back and should be more confident and relaxed. That spells trouble for the Clippers along with our bench, their injuries and fatigue, and Dwight Howard. I expect the Rockets to win the series.
