They started Saric at the 4. I think D'antoni would only go to Faried/Capela starting lineup if forced to do so due to injuries or if it makes sense to do so according to the matchup.
I'm not talking about starting. He didn't play at all. I'm glad he isn't injured. I guess MDA thought it was a bad matchup for him.
That, or he is experimenting in the last dozen games with different combinations so he can decide what to go with in the playoffs. This game, he chose to give Shumpert, House, and Nene extended time off the bench.
MDA said in post-game that he was resting Rivers and Faried this game. He wants to periodically rest players in the rotation for the remainder of the season; no different than him sitting CP3 last game
He actually said that he can't play everybody, therefore he is going to piss off some guys. So rather than reduce every one's minutes where they can't get a rhythm, he will just sit a couple of guys and he will alternate who he pisses off on a game by game basis.
In a healthy playoff rotation, we flat out aren't gonna play 10 guys, nor should we. The top 5 guys are locked in. Nene, Faried, House, Green, Shumpert, Rivers, 2 of these guys aren't gonna play. If House is back and playing well as a 3/4, Faried is out of a job in matchups that require Nenes bulk. It's clear that D'antoni feels (and I agree with him) that defenders sagging off Faried at the 4 hurts us more than his rebounding helps us. Until then, we're just gonna keep rotating the 11 guys in and out with off days to see how they perform.
The Beast will be released in the right situation, and come playoff time, he's going to be a deadly weapon. He's going to be our Carl Landry with better hops and rebounding (not the shot), but hell, if he hits that 3, he's going to give us another look. I am pretty confident that the Rockets end up stealing the 2nd seed. I'm predicting a Denver collapse and slightly above .500 finish for the Thunder. The craziest part is the possibility of tying with GS. I can see that happening as well, leaving us back where we were last post-season. ***This is unlikely though. Either way, I'd rather us be the 2nd or 3rd seed. I think it relieves some psychological pressure on the guys to feel like they have to dominate because of the best regular season record out west. I want Utah or the Clips in the 1st round. Utah has DMitch and Gobert, but they'll struggle with us in a 7 game series. Also, there's the "Utah Watch" now. Any nastiness in that DISGUSTING building full of DISGUSTING Utah fans will only help the Rockets get some of the 50/50 calls. For CP3, I want the Clips, but I also think we'd murder them in 7 games, too. Gallo would be stopped by Tuck, Pat Bev would try to take over against his former team and forget who he is and they'd have to rely on Lou for every game. Montrezl has had a great season, but he'd be matched my Faried/Clint/Tuck. **My greatest fear is the Spurs in the first round. You never underestimate Pop, and Derozan has every reason to prove himself. Aldridge abuses everyone in the paint after awhile. **Jealous of whomever plays Denver. They've got a good thing going, but it's a fluke. They're not winning a playoff series. If they do, "coach" has really stepped it up and the Joker plays above so much hype.
Absolutley not. He provided a good spark when we were hurt but defensively he's unplayable. In the playoffs I would way rather Nene get minutes than Faried
It's a reach but it almost feels like last night's roster would be our roster to start next season unless if we can pull a miracle and retain 2/3 or 3/3 of House/Faried/Rivers. I do love the energy Faried brings to us.
Agree with all of this except the Clippers part. The Clippers seem like a team that even if you win 4-0 they exhaust you and maybe even injure your best players from their relentless energy/effort. Of course, any match up in the West is a tough one and there is no such thing as an "easy" series. Ironically, I think Denver would be the least exhausting (not to be confused with easiest).
Denver is going to beat Boston as of right now... What in the helll.... But, SA may beat GS. Is it possible that Denver is #1 and Houston ends up 2? I don't believe Denver, regardless of this amazing season, but damn, to win in Beantown.... We need to grab that #2 seed, or 3 at worst. I don't want the Rockets facing OKC or GS in the 2nd round.
I agree about avoiding OKC, but what's so bad about facing GS in the 2nd round? I confess to wanting to beat GS as much as make the NBA final. Unless you think GS is vulnerable to losing before the Western Conf final, is it really that important to avoid GS before the conference finals?
He improved on defense. Faried didn't...even on the Rockets. You gonna go with the "MCW will become a decent offensive player if you just let him play" argument too?
there is no defense and offense in reality there is only one game, any division is an artificial one, you need a more holistic view here
