Technically it ain’t over until it’s over and we still have a slim chance. However, the way I felt when I woke up this morning gave me a different message. It’s not a good feeling. Watching last night as our guys were making 61% of 31 free throws while watching as the opposition hits 91% of theirs isn’t helping. We lost by 3. If we’re as bad at a fundamental basketball skill next season, maybe some changes need to be made. Sure, it isn’t the only reason we lost last night, but in a game this close it could have been the difference.
Yeah I full think we're cooked tbh. As great as the fantasy was, we'll never beat the Warriors in the playoffs.
If it goes back to GS, the pressure is on 'em to close us out and both of these games could of went our way. Maybe thats the game that it will
Good point about the turnovers. Though I will say it was only really a problem last night. IIRC he only had 1-2 turnovers in each of the other games. My biggest concern is the way he's allowed GSW to completely take him out of his game. I understand that they're gameplanning to stop him from getting going and it's always going to be a lot harder to score when that's the case. But it's not just that he's playing below his usual standard, it's that 3 out of 4 games so far he's been putrid. Like below half of his career averages. I guess the thing is--I'm okay with him just being a "good starter". I don't need him to be Steph Curry or Anthony Edwards or whatever. But he doesn't really fit the "good starter" profile in today's league. On average, sure, his numbers look fine for that, but it's so often like this with him--it's 30+ points or it's like 7 points. He's not a guy who you know night and night out is going to knock down three pointers for you and churn out a steady 14 to 20 points on good efficiency, he will literally miss every or nearly every jump shot on his off nights (which are like half of his games) and shoot like 20% from the field. To his credit, he's turned himself into a solid defensive player. But he's not a lockdown defensive specialist and he never will be. It just drives me nuts. I flip back and forth between thinking "I'm okay with him starting for us, the positives outweigh the negatives" and "he absolutely sunk us tonight, I think he needs to go be a 6th man for a different team". He's so bipolar with his play. Drives me crazy trying to evaluate him.
Jalen makes no sense on this team if he's not a star. Not at the salary he's about to be making and the amount he dominates the ball. I'm fine with a "good starter" as you put it playing shooting guard if we have an All-Star alongside him at point guard or small forward. Like someone whose job is to play defense and make open threes. Maybe that's the direction the Rockets go in this summer if they give up on Jalen.
Math suggests we have a chance. But I think this series is over. I'm gutted & furious at the same time. I'll say it again. This GSW is trash. They're getting way too much respect cuz of their past. Ant-Man will sweep 'em if Rudy doesn't mess up in the PnR. How do we get a potential gentlemen sweep from a trash team? We're playing horrible and still within the striking distance. Errrrr. Fire someone from Ime's staff to send a message, get JG & Fred out of here, tell Amen and Alpi to fix their mid-range. This summer is about moves. The time has come for Stone to go to work and build a balanced roster.
I believe too, like a cake-carrying toddler who is well-rested; a childlike faith in all hope. However, (AI) " Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Steph Curry have a strong record when leading a playoff series 3-1. Kobe Bryant had a 17-3 record when his team was up 3-1. Michael Jordan's record was even better, going 15-0 when up 3-1. Steph Curry has a 15-3 record in that same situation" So the Game's best-level closers have a 47-7 record when up 3-1. Steph to me is one of the best. It's one thing to be down 3-1. Another to be down to an all-time. We'd better be ready as no doubt he'll put on a cape in at least one of these three games, so there's that. Not to say it hasn't been done... he's lost 3 of 18 series when up 3-1. Time to circle the wagons and roll out the trash cans.
This whole series has been when Jalen shows up we win. When Jalen doesn’t show up we put up a fight but barely lose because we just can’t survive without his scoring. That’s why people put the blame on Jalen. That’s why the media bashing Jalen 24/7 now. His main role on this team is to score and he has failed miserably in 3/4 games. I hope I’m wrong but Jalen’s confidence might be crushed for game 5. Wouldn’t be suprised if he flamed out again
At this point, I sincerely doubt Jalen will ever get paid a higher percentage of the cap than he is right now, which is pretty much "good starter" salary. Stone wasn't crazy enough to give him the max the first time, and I doubt he will be the second time--same goes for other teams. Otherwise I agree, regarding how he dominates the ball / doesn't do enough off the ball. Pretty much the main issue with him; he's become a two-way player, but he has not become a great connective passer, nor a knockdown movement shooter, nor an elite cutter. So what do you do with him? He's probably a better defensive player than a Jordan Clarkson or a Jamal Crawford, but on offense, that's still basically his skillset.
After the big win in game 2, people were posting on the game 3 thread that they thought we would win in 5 games. What? They thought we would go to Golden State, win both games there, and then come home and win the last game. It's technically not over, but it's over.
