Nice analogy. I wanted to avoid Denver by all costs and I picked them as my Darkhorse to come out of the West over OKC but this was prior to Lawson's foot issues and Gallo's season ending injury. I think Denver is still dangerous but if Lawson is only around 80% I'd like our chances against them. Lawson is the engine that makes that team run and if he's not 100% that team just isn't going to run as smoothly. Factor out Gallo who's their 2nd leading scorer, best 3 point shooter, decent rebounder with good size and length. Now I know Denver has other guys to step up and make up for Gallo's production but this is a huge blow to their depth regardless and puts more pressure on guys like Iggy, Chandler and Brewer to step up and play well on a regular basis. Basically the Nuggets losing Gallo in terms of impact is similar to us without Parsons. It's a big deal. Aside from a healthy Lawson I'm most worried about kenneth Faried but I think Greg Smith would be the perfect answer to try and slow down Faried from beasting. Nuggets will have a harder time stopping Harden than we will trying to stop any of their players and we're equally deep with the emergence of some of our younger guys like Bev, Smith, Jones.
The correct answer is NOT on the poll. The Answer is CONSISTENCY We need James Harden to play at the superstar level he has all season. I think we can rely on James to do that and I think he will truly make a name for himself amongst the leagues elite this year in the Playoffs. However, the other guys need to be consistent and play well. The recipe for success in the playoffs is usually 2-3 guys that you can always rely upon and having other players step up in addition to that. Since we only have 1 in Harden we need our other 3 main pieces to step up and be on point on a regular basis. I'm talking about Lin, Parsons and Asik. If 3out of those 4 guys are playing their best basketball and we have someone off the bench come in and step up such as Delfino, Garcia, Jones, Bev etc we'll be in great shape. We need Lin to play at a high level and he can't disappear. We need Parsons to do what he does well which is a little bit of everything. We need Asik to average 10+ rebounds per game.
Defense and lack of depth are the two most viable choices. The Lakers have all the superstars and experience in the world, but that hasn't stopped them from being horrible... and not doing well in the regular season almost never translates into a successful playoffs. Those two things aren't the Rockets Achilles heel. Inexperience can largely be overcome with solid fundamentals, a good coach, and a genuine desire to win. Likewise, the answer isn't offense. This team theoretically has enough firepower to take down any NBA team, and our offense still works decently against strong defensive teams. Not playing consistent defense is this team's greatest weakness, followed by a lack of depth which includes an unreliable bench.
We have the depth. Especially if this last month has shown anything it's proven that the depth is there. We just need that depth to perform on a consistent basis. Smith, Beverly, Jones, Garcia etc. If Smith bangs, finishes around the hoop, rebounds like he's capable of. Beverley continues to play every game as if it were his last. Jones continues to hustle, scrap and show that emergence. Garcia consistently knocks down his open shots. All these guys have shown they can contribute. It's just contributing on the regular which is key.
pretty sure tough defence will make our shots brick and then it all gos to hell. gotta keep moving the ball, play decent defense and keep scoring like a mad man, get those easy layups, tips, tons of foul shots, 3s etc etc
I wish that were true! Us, Cleveland and New Orleans would be set for the next 5 years. Unfortunately past teams have shown they're more prone to play stressed than loose and carefree. We shall see Dangit, I can't edit the poll. I shoulda added that one! Because I didn't feel the need to taint another thread/vote. I could poll "who's responsible for 9/11" and some peeps here would vote "Mcfail" just because they hate him for Lin-reasons. Plus he's not on the floor with the ball in his hands. Good point, I guess I just view "inconsistent" as synonymous with youth/inexperience, after hearing those words in the same sentence all the time.
Achilles' Heel = ball handlers consistently getting double teamed forcing the Rockets into endless Harden ISO's.
Jocar brother I am not joking:grin: i truly believe this IS and WAS our achilees heel from the start of the season...whenever we managed a good ball movement the good things happened and paradoxically thats when the harden had the most and the easiest points and other ways to 'pad' the stats:grin:
I'll be more than happy if these guys can win one game in PO. Then I'll watch the game again & again before the next season starts.
Low post scoring as evident in this game. Insert D12 for Asik and see how good this team can really get. Great defensive teams know, shut down Harden and the rest will play itself out.
Defense and paint presence, is what I put. Youth and inexperience? Nerves and pressure shouldn't even be an issue. Compare us to FGCU in this year's NCAA tourney. Don't worry about losing the game too much - just go out and ball.
