Rockets Fend Off Warriors, 112-108, Even Series in Game 4
Luck of the Eye-Rash. South Beach Five. Encore.
“None of you understand. I’m not locked up in here with you. You’re locked up in here with me,” Rorschach asserts his control in the 2009 film, Watchmen. 2009 also happens to be the same year James Harden was drafted by a Thunder team housing Kevin Durant. Ten years later, the two are facing off in their primes, the stakes at an all-time high. After the first two games in the series, Houston looked bound to be locked up as just another Golden State victim. Another opponent defeated in the playoffs by Durant’s Warriors, the most talented team ever assembled in NBA history. Since the Warriors acquired Durant, it’s no surprise they’ve won back-back titles. Golden State, with their copious, unfair amount of superstar talent. If you’re Durant’s Warriors, the “greatest team of all time”, with the so-called “best player in the league”, you should win every season. It’s like Golden State’s cheating the game of basketball. Stripping the league of its parity and competition, the most important aspects of sports. Because, if you know who’s going to win every year, what’s the point of even competing? Well, the Rockets decided they were going to give it a go anyways, because when you’ve got the best player in the series, he’s not just going to let you’re team lay down and die. Especially when his name is James Harden. And the Beard is playing the best postseason-ball of his entire career.
After a dominant performance in Game 3, Harden’s brilliant Game 4 showing lead the Rockets to a 112-108 win to tie the series, and make things very, very interesting. It’s now a best-of-three series, and the Rockets have all the momentum heading into Oracle Arena for Game 5. Leaving the arena after Game 2, Houston looked to be facing issues. But, it turns out Game 2, changed the tide of this series. After a poor shooting night in Game 1, Harden has been the best player in this series. And it all started by getting poked in the eye. Draymond Green slashed Harden across the face, forcing Houston’s star into a blurred-vision state in a game where court-vision is essential. Who could have possibly seen this coming? James Harden, last season, or any season prior, folds in these situations. Down 0-2, needing to beat the best team of all time four out of five times, all while struggling to see. If this scenario happened last year, the Rockets wouldn’t have lasted for seven games. But, this isn’t last year. This season is Harden’s magnum opus. Getting slashed in the face only motivated Harden to fuel the Rockets, tying the series with two wins in Houston. The Beard averaged 39.5 a night over the last two must-win games for Houston, with the season on the line. Grab a seat. The Unguardable Tour is back for an encore showing during these playoffs.
The reigning-MVP is proving why he deserves the award again, asserting his control and dominance, and putting that “Harden doesn’t show up in the playoffs” moniker to rest, for good. In Game 4, the Beard scored 38 points, and had 10 boards as he continues to go toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant. KD had a typical playoff performance, and the Snake is still in a groove. Durant had 34 points, a typical performance from the NBA’s sensitive superstar. KD has three (four, including DeMarcus Cousins) All-Stars along his side. Harden, meanwhile, has an aging Chris Paul, whose championship window and ability to perform at high levels are slowly closing. Harden and Durant’s numbers are nearly identical: Harden’s had 143 points, 29 rebounds, and 20 assists. Durant has had 144 points, 20 rebounds, and 8 assists. Harden and Durant remain in a class all their own. This is the first time in league history that opposing players have averaged 35 points per game apiece through the first four games of a playoff series. The Beard’s outplaying the best player on the planet, with not nearly the same amount of help.
You’ve probably heard about the “Hamptons 5”, the Warriors most lethal lineup consisting of their 4 All-Stars, and Andre Iguodala. Allow me to introduce, as Houston coach Mike D’Antoni coined, the “South Beach Five”, consisting of Harden, Paul, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, and Austin Rivers. Gordon and Tucker continue to prove they’re just as good as Golden State’s second and third options in this series. EG and PJ are both playing the best basketball of their respective careers, as the South Beach Five has outplayed the Hamptons Five so far in the series. Tucker brought the usual gritty hustle and defense, but had 17 points and 10 boards for the Rockets. Always a bonus when P.J. gets in the box score. Houston doesn’t need him to, as Tucker is the definition a true warrior on the court. It’s no coincidence Houston outscored Golden State by 22 when Tucker was on the court in Game 4. The South Beach Five are starving… hungry to reach the light at the end of the tunnel: the Championship. Every team’s ultimate desire.
You probably think Golden State has the advantage. Two of three remaining potential games will be in Oakland, but Houston’s solved the NBA’s dynastic problem. After Game 2, the Rockets seemed destined to be locked up in another series failure with Golden State. All it took was a return home to Houston, inspired by the revved up crowd, for the Rockets to gut out two gritty victories in a row to even the series. Two of the three remaining games are in Oakland. Golden State retains the edge, but if you think the Rockets are locked in a battle with the Warriors… none of you understand. Houston’s not locked up in a battle with Golden State. The Warriors are locked up in a battle with the Rockets. It’s the Rockets war to lose. Momentum has swung, and they’ve proved to be the hungrier team in the series. These last two (or three) games will be an all-out war for the NBA title, and Golden State finds themselves locked up with the hungriest team they’ve ever faced. If you think the Warriors are going to win, I can’t argue with you. The evidence clearly shows Durant-led Golden State teams don’t lose in the playoffs, or at least haven’t yet. However, Houston and the South Beach Five will have something to say about it this season. On paper, everyone sees a loaded Warriors team, with two of three games in their house. But these people, none of them understand the central force driving this series. Golden State campaigned for the NBA’s Tour of the Decade. And, it’s returned: The Unguardable Tour is back. In their process and slashing, the Warriors awakened His Beardness, the best player on the planet who doesn’t have ring. The Rockets head West for a crucial Game 5 showdown in the Bay. Houston will be surrounded by Golden State fans in Oakland, but don’t be mistaken… the fans won’t understand. Harden and the Rockets may be headed back on the road, but Golden State’s fans will be locked up in a room with the South Beach Five, along with the best show on court: The Unguardable Tour… don’t poke the Beard.