The Enemy Comes to H-Town, Rockets Fight for Their Lives Against Warriors in Game 6
Deadly Motivation. Stopping the System. Win or Stay Home.
“You’re eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them,” Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker early on in the Star Wars saga. It’s an old adage the Houston Rockets need to take to heart as fight to live another day. The Rockets they battle for their season tonight in Game 6 against the Warriors at Toyota Center. A Warriors team that now lacks their “best player,” Kevin Durant, who will miss the remainder of the series. Houston let another golden opportunity slip away in Game 5, but the season’s not over. The Rockets beat Golden State twice in a row earlier this series, and they can certainly do it again. If the Rockets let any more golden opportunities slip, they’ll be going on vacation sooner than expected. But first, Houston has to get past Game 6. And adjust to a Golden State team, minus KD. Granted, Kevin Durant is a superstar, and arguably one of the best players in the world… but in the Warriors system, is he really the best player?
As much as I hate to admit, the man who started this whole dynasty thing in Oakland, and along with James Harden, revolutionized the perimeter game, is Stephen Curry. And don’t forget Golden State still has Klay Thompson, who regained his rhythm in Game 5, and the most-motivated version of Draymond Green. There’s also Hamptons Five constant Andre Iguodala, the versatile vet who’s been along since the pre-Durant ride. The core that brought the Warriors a title, and then an NBA-record 73 wins the next season. It’s still there. And that “Golden State doesn’t have a bench” thing is false. It’s not the best second unit, but before Durant got injured, their bench consisted of: Iggy, Andrew Bogut, Shaun Livingston, Jordan Bell, Jonas Jerebko, and Quinn Cook. In the playoffs, rotations get shorter. Golden State’s stars have logged heavy minutes, however, the Warriors have enough veterans and guys on their bench who will do what it takes to win. Iggy, Bogut, and Livingston may be washed-up, but they’re smart, and talented enough to win Golden State at least one of the remaining two games. Houston has to be ready for the pre-Durant Warriors. Golden State is better without Durant. A glance at the numbers will show that the Warriors, Durant or not, are still an elite Championship-caliber team.
After winning a record-73 games, Golden State won 58 last season, and 57 this season. A trend that will continue spiraling downward, if Durant doesn’t leave during free agency. In their last 27 games, Golden State is 26-1 when Curry plays, and Durant doesn’t. It’s not a surprise. What you saw in the fourth quarter of Game 5 wasn’t a surprise. For some reason, Steph Curry becomes unleashed, and plays like his old-self when Durant is not playing. Part of it’s the fact he touches the ball more, but part of it is mental. If you think, the saintly Steph Curry isn’t the slightest bit salty about not being “the man” in Golden State anymore, then you have no idea about NBA superstar egos. And, as it pains me to say this, Curry happens to be one of the most unselfish superstars of all. The biggest Houston has to counter with KD out is dealing with, not only how Kevin Durant forced the Warriors into an isolation-heavy offense, but how Golden State in the fourth quarter, with the game on the line, relied on this style of play more than ever. And every single game in this series has been close. The largest margin of victory has been six points, a mere two possessions.
The Rockets need to be ready for a faster Warriors team that uses ball movement to get more possessions on offense. Curry and Thompson, are relieved. Durant’s isolation countered the Splash Brothers shooting rhythm, and resulted in the Warriors going for two points more than three. A style that wouldn’t beat the Rockets last year, until Chris Paul went down. But, no one, absolutely no one, is more relieved than Draymond Green. It’s no secret the two All-Stars personalities clash, and they cannot STAND one another. The feud between the teammates has torn Golden State’s chemistry apart, and resulted in Durant, and possibly others, seeking to leave the Bay. Houston needs to realize, that Golden State chemistry that won them a title and 73 games, is coming right back at them in Game 6. The Rockets are about to face a Warriors team with nothing to lose (knowing they still have a potential Game 7 in Oracle). And a the defending champs are not more motivated than ever before to prove they don’t need Kevin Durant to win a title. Green had his best game of the series last game. P.J. Tucker and the Rockets need to win the hustle-war, or their season could be over.
Win or stay home. That’s become the reality for Houston, as Golden State can play more freely tonight, knowing they don’t have to win this game. When the Warriors play freely, it often results in disaster for the opponent. More ball movement, less pressure, more fun. Houston can’t let Golden State regain that spirit of joy that was contagious throughout the organization, before the Durant-era. For the Rockets, it’s all about wanting it more. It sounds simple. But, that’s all it comes down to. Hustling, exerting every effort on every play to get to every lose ball. Houston has to be everywhere, if they want to be in Oakland for a deciding Game 7 on Sunday. James Harden had a quiet fourth quarter in Game 5. He has a chance to redeem himself, and show the world why the Beard is still the NBA’s MVP.
These next two games, will define the legacies for Harden, and the aging Chris Paul. Everyone sees it. CP3 isn’t quite the same as last year’s version. In fact, he’s a step, or three, slow. Houston has to pray they can get a little more out of CP3. Hopefully, Golden State’s depth will play a factor, and their guards will play even more minutes. If they’re tired, Paul has a chance. He’s not terrible (well, last game was the worst of his postseason career). Expect CP3 to bounce back at home with his best game of the series. And look to for James Harden to be in complete attack mode. With no Durant (Golden State’s best shot blocker), Harden will have ample opportunities to get to the rim. And with the Beard’s full offensive arsenal, there’s no reason for Harden not to drop at least 40 points against this version of Golden State. The only Warrior who could give the MVP trouble, was Klay Thompson. At this point in the series, Thompson’s gassed. As great as a Harden is from deep, if the three isn’t falling, the Beard needs to attack the basket and look for layups or open threes for Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker. Even more crucial, Harden needs to attack to try and find Clint Capela for those signature lobs that were a frequent part of Houston’s offense before this series. Capela has seemed to disappear from the face of the Earth in this series. He’s being outplayed by the inferior Kevon Looney, and Clint looks like he wants to get rid of the ball every time it touches him. Hopefully, the Rockets All-Star backcourt can get Capela’s confidence back up, as he’s been a complete non-factor in this series.
Houston is 5-0 at home in the playoffs. There’s no reason they shouldn’t win tonight’s game and force a winner-take-all Game 7. The Rockets can’t revert to their worst habit of the regular season: playing down to their competition. Houston lost too many games too count against inferior opponents this season. If the Rockets think beating the Warriors without Kevin Durant is going to be a cakewalk, they’re sorely mistaken. Houston needs to be ready, and focus on playing Rocket basketball. Getting to what got them here. The play of Harden, and Gordon. Tucker’s hustle, energy, and grit. Bench contributions from Austin Rivers and more. Most importantly, Houston needs to adjust according to Golden State’s attempted knockout punches. As silly as it sounds, the Rockets can’t afford to watch what they’re saying on TV, as the sports world believes the Warriors are better without Kevin Durant. Tread lightly Rockets. You’re eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them.
Toyota Center: Houston Texas
Jersey Colors:
Golden State Warriors (3-2): Blue
Houston Rockets (2-3): “Earned” Crimson Red
TV: 8:00 PM CT – ESPN