When the playoffs begin, people start to elevate the level of teams that were actually just a bit above mediocre during the regular season. It's like we're hoping that some of these lesser teams will make a go of it, and every couple of years, one of them does it, keeping our hopes alive. Here's the reality of teams like Utah and New Orleans vs teams like Houston and Golden State: Both the Jazz and the Pelicans finished 14 games over .500 for the year. That's exactly 4 wins more than the Nuggets, who didn't make the playoffs. The Jazz and Pels are the definition of mediocre: Teams that barely made the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Warriors practically sleptwalked to 34 games over .500, and the Rockets were a blistering 48 games over .500. Utah and New Orleans have practically no chance in round two. Do we stand a chance against the Dubs? We finished 7 games above them over an 82-game schedule and beat them 2 out of 3 head-to-head. I'd say we have an excellent chance. It'll be a dogfight, and the Warriors' stars generally step up in the playoffs. It'll be up to Harden and CP3 not to wilt when the spotlight gets bright.
Only issue I have with your post is this implication that we will win if our stars don’t choke, or wilt as you put it. If both teams show up and play their best ball we probably lose and that doesn’t mean our stars wilted.
And I disagree. I think this year's Rox offense can keep up with the Warriors', and this year's Rox defense is capable of doing enough to win 4 games with our home court advantage. But... If everyone stays healthy through round 2, it's going to be a series for the ages.
Our record and point differential (both overall and against playoff teams) when Harden, Paul, and Capela played this season was better than the Warrior's 73 win season when Curry, Thompson, and Green played. That is to say, I reckon this team is even more special than we tend to think. Of course they have a chance.
Let's be honest here. This thread only exists because the Dubs dominated the Pels in game 1 of their series. So many of you are conditioned to accept this idea of Golden State as being this dynasty that cannot be denied. When they finally play an all-out great game, you pee yourselves. All I can say is: Be prepared to change that perception in a couple of weeks.
we have a chance, but its no guarantee. just because we had the better regular season doesn't mean anything against the most talented team ever assembled. we may still be considered underdogs. it will be a 6-7 game series either way. at least we have HCA where the odds are heavily in our favor for games 5 and 7.
It was one game . NOP got hit in the mouth . Let's see how they respond . The spurs managed to take a game . I don't see why the pelicans can't Also , I believe the rockets still have another gear or two .
Rockets getting HCA is luck or fluke imo. First, because they play Golden State 2/3 times at Houston, not 4 times. Second, Warriors had to play catch up without a fully healthy squad.
Both teams had to deal with injuries throughout the season. The fully healthy Rockets had a better record than the fully healthy Warriors.
That would make sense if we finished a game or two ahead of them. But we finished 7 games ahead, despite our injuries. It was no fluke. The Warriors might have been bored and unmotivated, but so what? In the regular season, we were the better team, plain and simple.
