Watch out, Warriors: Rockets look like winner
Golden State is the gold standard in the NBA, yet Houston won seven more games than the Warriors this season.
That’s not as impressive as winning a seven-game series, but there’s this, too: Against Western Conference playoff teams, the Rockets fared eight games better than the Warriors: 21-5 vs. 13-12.
Timing is everything for a Rockets championship quest. Adding Chris Paul and defensive improvements just as the Warriors became hobbled and bored during an 82-game season improved Houston by 10 wins over last year’s team and created a legit threat to Golden State’s dynastic destiny.
“It’s Houston’s year,” said TNT and Turner Sports analyst Kevin McHale, who coached the Rockets from 2011 to 2015. “They’ve played the same way all year. No drama.”
This might be the Rockets’ best shot, considering they have the NBA’s oldest roster.
In coach Mike D’Antoni’s second season in Houston, the system became second nature as Paul quickly fit alongside James Harden, who likely will be the NBA’s MVP after averaging 30.4 points and 8.8 assists.
“Houston have put themselves in prime position with their length, versatility, their speed, their aggressiveness,” said Kobe Bryant, whose “Detail” show launched Thursday on ESPN’s new streaming service. “They’re a very aggressive team. It’s a more aggressive team than D’Antoni has had. [His former] Phoenix [teams], they play with a lot of speed, but none of those guys are naturally physical. Houston has some real physical players, man. I like where they’re at.”
Teams know the high screen-and-roll plays, isolations and spread-out, high-tempo offense are coming with 42 three-point shots a game. Yet, Houston seldom could be denied. The Rockets had winning streaks of 14, 17 and 11 games while they posted the sixth-best road record (31-10) in league history.
“They play the same way every night,” McHale said. “Golden State has not. They’ve had a lot of injuries. Their ball movement is not what it was. Their body movement isn’t as crisp. Their reads are not as distinct in their speed and everything. And they’ve been hurt. You can will yourself to go get a rebound. You can will yourself to be better on the defensive end. You can you will yourself on loose balls. You can’t will yourself to health.
“Their defense isn’t what it is [reputed to be]. I just think they’re all a little bit older.”
The West offered incredible depth and balance with the other six playoff teams separated by just two wins. But Golden State was the seemingly insurmountable favorite that showed the cracks of apathy and injury even as it again ranked first for offensive rating and ninth for defensive rating. The Warriors will play the first round without Stephen Curry, who’s nursing a sprained knee ligament, but have three other All-Stars to face defensive stalwart San Antonio.
Oklahoma City has the star cache and Russell Westbrook’s ferocity but is inconsistent and took a hit defensively with a seasonending injury to defensive stopper Andre Roberson; also his replacement, Corey Brewer, is questionable for Game 1. McHale sees the Thunder’s potential but believes it is not reliable enough for four series wins.
Utah might be more dangerous with a scoring star in rookie Donovan Mitchell and an elite defense once Rudy Gobert returned after missing 26 games with injuries.
Winning 31 of their last 39 games “means something ,” McHale said of the Jazz. “They have as much confidence [as any team]. I’m not sure anybody has played better.”