I don't know why you omit the most important part of the equation. Our supposedly main scorer will never have the mentality it takes to win games in the playoffs.
The opportunities were there in Game 1. Obviously we know how big of a hole Jalen puts us in when he's in shell-shocked mode, but I thought there were a few times Alpi made the wrong read and should have taken shots instead of forcing passes too. I'd prefer him to take 35 shots over FVV take 13 3's any day of the week. The team will adjust, and hopefully have more in-game counters to what GSW throws at us. This was always going to be a tough match-up for us both from a personnel standpoint as well as the mental part of the game. But I do think the mental make-up of our team is strong, and these guys are resilient. This is exactly what we wanted for them to experience this year, and ultimately this is all a positive for the future growth of this team.
Winning this series won't change my view about what we need to do to win. We could get lucky. But I think we'd need good 3 point shooting and FTs which is my point. Winning the championship with this team as constructed would blow my mind. And I'm not sure what "normal level" of play means. I think at least two of Fred, Jalen, and Amen need to play great for us to win this series (with Sengun playing great as usual). Their normal level of play isn't good enough to win this series unless someone plays out of their mind (35 points fro Sengun, 25 points for Jabari, etc).
If it is over, then go ahead and start Reed Shepperd Game 2, start Jabari to get him going early as an offensive threat, he needs to be taking more shots and less from FVV. Have Amen come in off the bench and still play 35-38 minutes. Ime will likely just stay the course the entire series, he may not make changes until its too late.
Dude. Really? Did anyone think we were going to win every game? That we might not struggle knocking off the rust? But hey, when the going gets tough, the tough melt down, right?
Guys, this is GSW we're playing. The most successful team of the last decade, with their superstar, coach, and best defender still there. And on top of that - Jimmy effin Butler. It was never going to be easy, much less a sweep. But remeber, this is only the first game. I remember how we started series by completely dominating the opponent, but still managing to lose (the infamous Spurs series for example). The Warriors are old, and we can wear them down as the series moves forward. For that to happen though, Jalen and Fred can't keep shooting this poorly. They need to keep the scoreboard moving and tire out Steph on defense a little. I refuse to accept that Jalen can't get by a 36yr old Steph. Go at him, it can't be worse than jacking up an off balance 3. The positive take would be that we still kept up with them until the 2 min mark, despite shooting like ass and Steph hitting his bullshit cheat code 3's. I still think we can take them down, and game 2 is a must win. We've shown that we can come back after their flurries, and Alpi/Steve/Bari will destroy them down low. We need our guards to play smarter, and Ime to mix it up with Holiday if they continue playing Minecraft on offense.
Meh, we probably aren’t beating golden state which sucks considering Curry has owned us for a decade but the season has been an overwhelming success and we are positioned to do well in the coming years. Excellent young players, a treasure trove of pics, cap space, and an elite coach who has actually built a culture. Also dont count us out too soon. We didnt contain curry and the rest of their players played like crap. We gotta stick to curry and force the rest to beat us.
Since April 6 -20 The Rockets have been resting Players. The Rockets haven't played competitive basketball since April 6 vs the Warriors. The Warriors are non stop playing basketball. The Warriors Quentin Post said they wish they would rest more. Jalen Green was being limited and resting since April 6 because he is on a Consecutive Seasons with 82 games played. Since April 6, 15 min, 15 min, 21 min. Jalen Green was limited, The Rockets players were resting. The Players all together need to step it up after this game.
I think the Warriors will feel tired if it goes Games 6, 7 Stephen Curry 37, Jimmy Butler 35, Draymond Green 35 Rockets have to chip away and keep grinding, the Rockets Players have to Trust each other and pass the ball to the open man. Make plays for each other. Keep playing hard defense, hand checking is back. On offense Jalen Green needs to play with more force, use shoulder tackle and use arm bar, arm chop if they are pushing you.
Even if we lose the next one there is always a chance. Everyone needs to remember what led to the Choke City / Clutch City headlines back in the 90's. That is why this site is Clutchfans and Dave is @Clutch.
Read your previous post and then you tell me Rockets winning wont change your view? lol Winning the championship at this stage was never an option, but that different from all the "rockets wont win the series, we cant beat GSW, Steph is our master" stuff you've been saying.
The longer the series goes, the more it benefits the Rockets. After Game 3, the series shifts to every other day. And there'll be travel days on top of that between Games 4, 5, 6, and 7. That'll take a toll on the Warriors.
I wish you had been at The Toyota Center several seasons back. CP3's first season here. We were playing the god*amn Lakers. Probably 30% of the attendees were wearing purple and gold, which was sickening enough. But there was one particular purple-and-gold mongoloid shouting at Harden the entire game ("you're a choker, you choke", among other gems). It was getting to the point where I was thinking, I want to follow this dude out of the arena after the game (the Rockets won, btw). I want to see him get a beatdown. Beaten severely around the head and neck. I want to see it. Would I have participated? No. I'd be that one prosecuted for inciting the beatdown. Prosecutor: "Mister ****, is it not true you stood to the side and screamed, and I quote, 'Stomp his ass, and tear that Lakers jersey from his fat ass'?" Me: "Well, you had to be there." Pro-Rockets judge: "Case dismissed. Lakers fans have no rights. You're free to go."
