-Clutch block in game 7 saves his reputation -Beats Chris Paul to advance (huge) -No more Dort I think we see Hargod this series. I give us a puncher's chance, winning in 7 (if Russ shakes off the rust) and Ego finds his touch again. Should be fun.
I agree. You could see the relief in his face in the post game interview. Pressure does get to him, there's no question, but I think a bit was lifted after tonight. He always plays well against LeBron to boot (I think because he's not the favorite and it pushes him to match LBJ). So it should be a good recipe for the Rockets.
lol no the pressure is not off. not even close. dude has absolutely struggled for 2 close out games straight in the 1st round. the stage only gets bigger
It's definitely not all off in general...but I think he personally feels some relief. And that's the most important considering how mental it is for him.
yep from hear on out we will be underdogs and not playing those stacked warrior teams that used to give everybody trouble helps too
The pressure is off because an old ass Chris Paul, and a team full of 22 year olds took him to game 7?
This game could be a growing experience for the Rockets. They proved to themselves for the first time in the Harden era that they don't have to live or die by Harden's performance. Harden can be the focus of the offense, but we know now that there are other options than 30 foot step backs at the end of shot clock. Rockets can be special if James buys into following the team's lead and not the other way around. Maybe even play off the ball and get the occasional assisted 3.
Pressure is off with us Rockets fans.... If they lose to Lakers, the media gonna have a field day crucifying him... Pressure is still on to go to win(as it should be)
agree with OP. maybe i'm just projecting but i thought before the series and do now that okc was a bad matchup because of the pressure from the trade. it felt all year that they had a chip on their shoulder and we were worried about looking stupid, and it showed in this series in close games. helps to shoot 50% more ft's than the other team also, but i think that pressure was there. not having "oh crap, what if we lose to chris paul" over our heads will be good. and not having chris paul on a revenge tour, making every clutch shot, and getting ticky tack holding calls with seconds left in a game 7 will be good. biggest worry, other than obviously lebron, AD, and just how many calls the lakers are going to get, is i thought danny green was the original dort in being good at defending harden. green better not be on fire in our series.
