You're right - Paul will play in game 1. He's not as hobbled as it's being made out to be. He made the game-winning shot - he's fine.
This thread sucks. Too much pessimism. Harden got some rest. Dwight got some rest. Everybody else got some rest. Capela got some practice time. Bev got some healing time. What the hell are the Clips going to do with the Rockets TEAM?
Put Ariza on him and move Terry/Prigs to Barnes. You can live with Barnes being their big offensive option if you can slow down CP3
If there is one thing that hasn't changed in the 20 years since the Rockets last won the whole thing is the fear of the opposing teams PG. During the '94 & '95 runs it was Avery Johnson, Rod Strickland, Kevin Johnson and John Stockton. Those who remember, will recall that KJ was an absolute beast. Inside, outside it didn't matter. But thankfully when he was hot, the rest of his teammates sucked. Majerle and Barkley would disappear when most needed. Hopefully the Rockets will keep this in mind. If CP is going to beat us, let him. Just make sure to take his supporting cast out of the game. Hopefully they can put a mark on the Clipper's Majerle. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
Sorry. Sarcasm directed not just at the post I quoted, but the general sentiment of "Oh noes, we have nobody who can stop Chris Paul! We have no chance to win the series!"
WE'RE not at full strength. One of the reasons this is a big question is that our starting point guard, whose strength is pestering defense, is out for the playoffs. Our only other 7-ft guy? Also out. Nobody in the media talks about the Rockets' injuries. I do get what you're saying, but in the end, all that will ever matter is who advances. That's all that really remains in the record books and most people's memories.
Ariza/brewer/Johnson guarding Paul Terry on JJ Harden on Barnes I would rather watch terry guard JJ than have harden tiring himself out running through screens chasing JJ.
I figure if Paul plays, he'll be troublesome for us. In my mind, you do your best to take his teammates out of the equation and let him see how much he can do himself. For example, don't let the bigs come off Griffin or Jordan if he attacks the basket. Just like how the Mavs stuck Tyson Chandler to Dwight like glue after Smith and he had their lob party. He can't score all their points, but he can get his teammates to do it if the Rockets are too focused on him.
You think anybody wants a roundhouse kick to the face while I'm wearing these bad boys? Forget about it.
If we put say Ariza on Paul, someone then needs to Cover Matt Barnes. Is that Jason Terry? The other problem is Harden expending all his energy chasing around JJ Redick.
for the most part of this series its going to be ariza/brewer on cp3/crawford. pablo/terry/harden on reddick/barnes
keep the grandpas on paul. whoever we put on him will be switched off when they run a PnR. i'd rather ariza shut down redick and harden rest on barnes. paul doesn't go 1 on 1 much, it won't be that big of a deal so long as we can shut down jj, barnes, jordan, and slow blake down.
