I don't want him to get hurt compensating for a bum knee; whether we trade him in the offseason or run it back with him still on the team, that would obviously be a terrible outcome. Although apparently this isn't the type of injury that's likely to get made worse by playing through it. Of course I'd rather beat the Lakers and KD may be necessary to do so. Facing up against OKC would be good experience for the young guys even if we get the sh*t kicked out of us.
We traded for him for exactly this. If he doesn't play, the trade was basically for nothing. He has to play, even if they are almost certainly going to get swept by OKC anyway.
Yes, because I enjoy watching him play. How often do you have a top 20 player of all time on your team? Also, I need no further data on the other guys. They are pieces that don't fit together, playing for a coach who doesn't have a clue. Anyone who wants to see more of what we saw on Saturday night is masochist.
I only want him to play so we get beat with him on the court and don't have to hear the excuse for Ime and Stone that we didn't have KD (enough) to beat the Lakers. I mean, no FVV & Adams already gives them an out, but not having KD would make a lot of Houstonians a lot more willing accept defeat. And consequently we are going to run it back since we didn't sign KD just to not have him show what he's got in the play-offs, let him show his value and still loose would be perfect IF lessons are learned. But personally I don't give a rats ass. Rather we flame out now.
I want KD back so the youngsters can advance and play in a second playoff series. They need the experience and we must see how they respond to the higher stakes of a second round against the best team in the NBA. No doubt some of them will get exposed once and for all and hopefully others will rise to the occasion. Evaluating which of the young players is worth keeping is the one and only thing that matters at this point.
Winning playoff games is always fun. KD gives us a better chance to do that. But...given the circumstances, I have a slight preference to just see what the young guys can do on their own. The truth is that KD was fantastic this year, but father time is undefeated. There's no guarantee he'll be as productive next season. It also feels like, if the season ended today, we'd have more questions about our young guys than we did on opening night. We need as many meaningful data points as we can get, because some of these players need to be moved this off season. And on top of it all, winning this series doesn't truly matter. It's just a ticket to get embarrassed by OKC.
we're not winning the championship this year. rigging is always against us, and we didn't have the clear-favorite to win this year anyhow. makes it really tough for me to care what happens this post-season. i'm more looking to see how we're going to improve after the playoffs. i'll watch the game, but as a real casual fan.
I can see both sides but I’d like to see the young core sink or swim against the lakers. I think that’s more meaningful than beating this Lakers team with KD. Let’s separate the men from the boys. It’s time to see what this young core is made of. KD is superfluous to the future of this team and we are not contending anytime soon.
There's no option for me. I'm checked out but don't give a damn about getting data on any young players. Don't care if he plays or doesn't play.
Hmmm, what's the point of making the playoffs if he doesn't play. These dudes get all summer and fall to F off, get them asses cranking. Lol
Yes, as long as he can safely play with it without higher likelihood of getting hurt. Winning is fun, gotta get the young guys experience, you play to win, etc. I feel like it's a very defeated attitude to say "what's the point?" when the point is to play the games and see how the guys grow and how much they can achieve. Otherwise, just keep on becoming a bandwagon fan and just watch the teams likely to win it all, switching allegiances as they get eliminated. Because if the only purpose to watch is to win it all, you've really just wasted your life for the last 30 years as a Rockets fan. Enjoy the process ya'll!
I don't want to play him if he's not ready. I don't think "w/o KD" we'd be getting good data on the young guys by putting them at a major shooting disadvantage.
I’d almost rather have Amen, Jabari, Sengun, and slightly Reed sink or swim to see who needs to be traded Also don’t want the organization to pat themselves on the back for making the 2nd round. Really don’t care if he plays at this point
The whole point of sports is watching your team win so, yea, I hope he plays. I don't understand why a fan would say, I hope KD doesn't play. It's a twisted way to view the world. I don't understand the mentality that if you don't win a championship, the whole season was a failure. Some of ya'll need to relax and give someone a hug.
