It has been a dream season for the Rockets. Splash offseason acquisition Chris Paul majorly panned out exactly as they had hoped, Harden looks to be a sure lock for MVP after too many years of spiteful snubs, and with the timely emergence of Clint Capela, they ripped the first seed in the West right out of the reigning champions injury-riddled hands. And after making swift work of the Timberpups and Jazz, they get the opportunity go toe-to-toe with the perennial sovereigns Golden State Warriors.
Despite being the first seed, the Rockets come into this as sort of an unwitting underdog, confident and bold only because they sit unaware of what they’re in for. While they soared to the first seed, gutting the league en route to enjoying the greatest season in Rockets history and most importantly, went a convincing 2-1 against the Warriors, for most of the season the Warriors generously took the foot off the gas due to injuries and lessons learned. These playoffs have been the first look at the unbridled supremacy of the Warriors this season that we often take for granted.
Really these playoffs have been a return to status quo for the Warriors, which is unprecedented dominance in every facet of the game. They currently lead the playoffs with 110 points per game, 28.8 assists per game, a 99.3 defensive rating, and have multiple 120 point games this postseason. The return of Steph Curry silenced the spunky Pelicans to the tune of 24.1 points on 44.1% three-point shooting and combined with Kevin Durant’s unstoppable 28.0 points per game proves the Warriors as dangerous as ever.
And for the first and only time these playoffs, the league got a glimpse of the vicious Death Lineup. While Kerr has held back in letting the dog off the chain for the majority of the playoffs, the Pelicans endured a brutal eighteen minutes against it, seeing the lineup go +26(!) with a terrifying 130.1 offensive rating and an absurd 66.5 defensive rating. Going into a series against a team they naturally will not be able to steamroll, the Rockets will have their hands full if Kerr implements this lineup as much as we expect.
Hope, however, cannot be lost this easily though for Houston. They still flaunt the most efficient offensive product in the game in James Harden, who averages a smooth 28.5 points on 48.5 percent true shooting and a resurgent Chris Paul, who averages 21.8 points and 6.4 assists and in the midst of the most successful postseason of his entire career. As a whole, they lead the playoffs in offensive rating, are second in defensive rating, and drain a lethal 14.1 threes a night.
Obviously, this series will be a clash of the Titans and a near lock for a seven-game war but if the Rockets want to pull this off, everything falls on the shoulders of the role players. Going into a series against the Mariana trench deep Warriors, secondary stars Clint Capela and Eric Gordon must have the series of their lives.
-
Ep 119: Patrick Mahomes' Top 5 List
by Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2023 at 7:49 pm
While Clint Capela has stepped up big time (more on that later), Gordon has, to a degree, fallen off a cliff. After another strong campaign, parading in his sixth man of the year hangover and furthering three-point prowess, his playoffs really haven’t been up to snuff. He dropped his points per game total from 18.0 to 13.8. His shooting percentages dropped considerably, both in total (42.8 percent to 34.9 percent) and his golden goose three-point shot (35.9 percent to 32.3 percent).
Head coach Mike D’Antoni staggers his minutes with expectations of the secondary scorer to Paul or Harden and after thriving in a spot-up shooting and pick-and-roll role in the regular season, he has hit a dicey slump at the worst time. The Rockets will need his offensive contributions if they want to keep up with a Warriors team currently firing on all cylinders Luckily, Capela elevated his game for these playoffs.
He has hit a career-high 15.4 points per game and has been pivotal in mismatches against defenses. Paul and Harden’s great shooting forces opposing centers to make a choice between focusing on the backcourt or Capela with his willingness to stay in the paint. If they choose to defend the spot-up shot, Capela nestles in wide-open in the paint. Ignore the shot, and they are asking for a 40 point game from either Harden and Paul. Neither Rudy Gobert nor Karl Anthony-Towns had the quickness to defend this attack and it has largely been successful up to this point.
Against the Warriors, however, these shots simply won’t be available. Boasting Draymond Green, armed with the versatility to guard both the perimeter or the paint, to handle these mismatches, the easy layups and lobs aren’t going to come as easy. Even when Green sits, Durant, Kevin Looney or Jordan Bell are all handy for the small-ball five role, exposing Capela’s greatest weakness-his inability to create his own shot. He had a combined 52 attempts in the post-up and isolation game in the regular season, limiting his offensive potential.
Because of the Warriors’ unmatched versatility on the defensive end, the Rockets’ elite set crew could be completely negated. There is no team deeper in the league and the conjoined efforts of only Harden and Paul honestly won’t be enough. In the case Kerr wields the Death Lineup, the Rockets may not have an answer on either end. In order to escape to their first Finals since 1995, Gordon and Capela will have to heighten their play, have to avoid their weakness, and they have to form a Big Four with Harden and Paul to combat the Warriors. If not, buckle up for Cavs-Warriors Part IV everybody.
In D’Antoni we trust.
-
Ep 157: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2023 at 7:24 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay joins Clark and Ira to discuss his Top […]
-
Ep 156: Karen Guregian Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Karen Guregian of MassLIVE joins Clark and Ira to talk about her near four […]
-
These NFL Players could be released nextby LandryFootball.com on May 28, 2023 at 11:00 am
One of the most frustrating situations for an NFL team executive is when […]
-
Where will be the next stop for DeAndre Hopkinsby LandryFootball.com on May 27, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Deandre Hopkins winding offseason journey took another turn Friday when […]
-
Ep 286: FPC Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 3:01 pm
-
Ep 285: Draft Discussions Dominatingby Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2023 at 4:38 pm
-
Ep 284: Recapping Rookie Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2023 at 12:59 pm
-
Ep 283: 2023 NFL Draft Recapby Full Press Coverage on May 1, 2023 at 7:09 pm
-
Episode 3.10: Commanders Roster and OTAsby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 8:53 pm
On the latest episode of the Command the Mic Podcast, George Carmi hosts […]
-
Ep 173: Jordan Love Contract Extensionby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2023 at 4:35 pm
In this episode of the podcast, co-hosts Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall talk […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 766by Charlie Saunier on May 28, 2023 at 7:01 am
Ep 766 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 2 Preview Game 3 Milwaukee […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 765by Charlie Saunier on May 26, 2023 at 11:23 pm
Ep 765 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 1 Preview Game 2 Milwaukee […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - Thursday, May 25thby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The Carolina Hurricanes are eliminated in four games in the Eastern […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Thursday, May 25thby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Taking a look at Vince Dunn’s season Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, May 25thby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 1:15 pm
What team blueprint should the Blackhawks follow and what is will the […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 764by Charlie Saunier on May 24, 2023 at 5:19 am
Ep 764 The Renegades Of Puck Preview AHL WCF Milwaukee Admirals Vs […]
-
5/26 - Celtics Force Game 6; Mahomes QB Listby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big Game 5 win the Top 5 quarterbacks of […]
-
5/25 - Panthers Advance To Stanley Cup Finals; Celtics/Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and the Heat and welcome in Jim Bringer […]
-
5/24 - Lakers Eliminated, Celtics Force Game 5by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss the Lakers loss to the Nuggets in the Western […]
-
5/22 - Celtics, Lakers Face 0-3 Deficitby Full Press Coverage on May 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics and Lakers being down 0-3 in their […]
-
5/19 - Lakers Down 2-0 To Nuggets, Canes/Panthers Go Four Overtimesby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Ian and John react to the Nuggets Game 2 win over the Lakers and the 4OT […]
-
5/18 - Celtics Fall To Heat, Stanley Cup Playoff Talk w/ Jim Biringerby Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 1 to the Heat and then […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Ep 119: Patrick Mahomes' Top 5 Listby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2023 at 7:49 pm
-
Celtics at Heatby Broken Controller Media on May 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Ep 166: Gene Snitskyby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, May 26thby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep 286: FPC Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 3:01 pm
-
5/26 - Celtics Force Game 6; Mahomes QB Listby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 2:12 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, May 25thby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
5/25 - Panthers Advance To Stanley Cup Finals; Celtics/Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Heat at Celticsby Broken Controller Media on May 25, 2023 at 12:50 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "PPV Predictions"by Boot 2 The Face on May 26, 2023 at 1:06 am
BIG weekend in wrestling and EJ and Rucker are here to predict!AEW Double […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "Backlash Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on May 5, 2023 at 2:43 am
Your boys are back talking WWE Backlash, All In ticket sales, the new […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and Night of Champions Previewby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they preview Double or […]
-
What's Next For CM Punk and AEW, The Bloodline, and the Countdown to Double or Nothingby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they discuss the launch […]