Why is that?? no, imean, why is it that playoff games are more half-court oriented and slow? I know that it is a fact, but noone has ever told me the reason. And i can't think of any. THanks
Quite simple. 1. Playoff games are much more intensive. Coaches/players are much more careful about each posession to maxmize their chances of winning. 2. Playoff are 7-game series, which gave time for both teams to adjust to each other. Defense will adjust to fully to stop opponents offense, especially easy points in transition. Reduced fast break points = more half-court game.
Pretty much what lancet said. Defense is all about desire and effort. Over the course of an 82 game schedule teams effort tends to come and go. Once you get to the playoffs, it's "do or die", so both teams are giving maximum effort every game, which means cranking up the defense. Likewise, due to the importance of the game, teams tend to protect the ball better and value each possession more than they do during the regular season.
As long as Steve Francis is a Rocket, you won't have to question our leader's intensity and will to win, which would be followed by the rest of the team. The Rockets will play a lot better in the playoffs, they've gotten up and played better in the "big games" all season long.
Well I was just referring to the turnovers, because that's really the only thing that's keeping this team from being a championship contender. The defense is there, and we got an emerging superstar. Can we protect the ball, is the big question.
This is a big if, but what if Steve turns out to be one of those guys that light it up in the playoffs for no explicable reason ala Horry? I'm just really curios to see how he will play in the playoffs. And I'm very curious how Yao will react going up against the same opponents for several games. We really could make some noise, and I agree I wouldn't want to play us either. My (very) dark horse in the playoffs is Memphis. I can really see them wearing just about any team out with their depth in a long series. Other than the 1 & 8 matchup I think the rest of the series are going to be great in the WC. I don't forsee any sweeps.
