Missing KD isn't a health advantage? Steph played but battling a sprain and dislocated finger isn't an advantage? The only reason they missed only 1 game is because the Rockets lost 4 games before it became a 7 game series. So its actually Rockets fault KD only missed one game. Ok so missing a player isn't a big deal so why 2018 Rockets losing Cp3 is a big deal? Losing one guy isn't a health advantage according to you.
Kd missed one game. Their other starters played every game. Yes, the rockets had a health advantage in 1/6 games, though the warriors without kd still had way more talent than the crappy 2019 rockets. 2018 has nothing to do with 2019 those are different teams (if you weren’t aware). You don’t need to lie and make up crap just to put down harden or whatever your goal is.
Again you don't think sprain and dislocation don't count? How are the 2018 and 2019 different teams they still had Harden and Cp3, Capela, PJ Tucker? Only Trevor Ariza was gone replaced by Melo/James Ennis. You are right I don't need to lie to put down Harden and Cp3, they couldn't get it done 2 times even when they had the health advantage or the seeding advantage.
The only way I'd do it, and the only way the Warriors would do it, is if they were tanking, which isn't going to happen. That said, I'd be willing to trade FVV, Jock Landale, and Aaron Holiday plus all of the Suns picks for Curry and Santos (to make the money work). Maybe we turn it into a 3 team deal with the Suns so the Warriors get Booker and the Suns get some of their picks back. Either way, it's not happening, but if it did, the Rockets win the next 3 championships.
2019 CP3 was a lot worse than 2018 CP3. Capela had the respiratory illnesses and wasn't really himself in that series. Ariza was a big loss. Given that in 2018 there were basically 6 guys on the Rockets who could play real minutes against the Warriors that makes a pretty big difference. Also, no Mbah a Moute was a big difference for the 2018 vs 2019 team, even though he didn't play in the 2018 series. Everyone always talks about CP3s hammy and to a lesser extent Iggy getting hurt, but Luc jacking up his shoulder on that dunk is one of the bigger "What If?" moments that's gotten lost. Having another guy who could play real minutes that series would have made a huge difference.
hardens greatness was a gift and a curse, if he didnt play out of his mind that year we likely are a bottom 8 seed mostly due to injuries.. the rockets finishing with 53 wins was not reality of how great the team was. 2019 harden was very similar to 2022 jokic in that jokic had injuries to his best players and still led the nuggets to a top 6 seed. Nobody called jokic a "choker" for losing to the warriors in the first round and he was still given an mvp. Whereas with harden many media members said the only way harden would get the mvp is if he carried the rockets to the 2nd seed in the west ( i still dont believe they would have voted for him to win it) it was just more "moving the goalpost" when it came to harden this is what harden had to deal with after losing in the semifinals now keep in mind not even 5 years later this same media member voted for steph curry for mvp in which he finished in the top 3 of the final voting.. DESPITE NOT EVEN MAKING THE PLAYOFFS
The reverse DD curse on Jalen seems to have reaped good result. I'm holding my breath about Cam and Reed.
rockets were not winning in 2019, they were not as good defensively as the year prior i dont care what anyone says.. the 2018 rockets should have at worst made the finals that year with copetent officiating
While Steph would be a clear upgrade in talent over FVV, you can't throw 7 draft picks away to make that upgrade. In the new CBA that would be borderline reckless because we are going to need a pipeline of draft talent on cheap rookie scale deals after we pay Amen. ...also - you can't assume the contracts of Steph/Hield/Draymond $95mil a year for the next 2-4 years when the salary cap is around $140mil. There isn't any money left to pay the rest of our guys.
What would it take for just Curry? I would FVV, Reed, picks, and my left nut for Curry to be playing point on this team. Probably Tari if they ask
Not giving the Warriors picks or young important players, not going to help them rebuild for their retread players. We are already better than them, and getting better, stay the course. No SHINY OBJECTS in the stream. DD
