Rockets’ style can can win NBA title
Small ball in the NBA is nothing new. Don Nelson should get credit for it in the modern NBA when he coached the Golden State Warriors back in the 1990s, but Mike D’Antoni has to take that to another level thanks to his management.
And you know what, it could actually work.
The Houston Rockets traded away big Clint Capela right before the trade deadline are going all in with a lineup of no one taller than a generous 6-7. They beat the Los Angeles Lakers with it, but lost to the Phoenix Suns the following night without Russell Westbrook, who rested after his 41-point night at STAPLES Center.
So they can beat one of the league’s best teams, but lose to one that’s far from being a title contender.
The Rockets have less than 30 games to figure out how to make this work before the playoffs so they can have a plan for how to handle size for a seven-game series.
See, they can beat anybody with James Harden and Westbrook. Those two are still taking turns getting theirs, but D’Antoni has to find a way to have them score at least an average of 70 combined points to win the playoffs.
One night, Harden 42, Westbrook 30. Next night. Westbrook 45, Harden 30.
Then they have to hope one of the others can contribute at least 20. Eric Gordon is capable of bigger numbers, can be the leading scorer for a game, but this is on Harden, Westbrook and D’Antoni to make this happen.
They’re not going to win with defense. No matter how good a post defender Harden is or Gordon is or even Robert Covington can be, they’re going to give up endless inside buckets, but that’s OK.
Is there a big man in the game with the mentality to go for 40-plus a night? No.
The Rockets can use the analytics against everyone and force teams to win from 3, but guard the perimeter without mercy. Make teams go inside over and over again and settle for 2s and get 3s back on the other end either with 3s or 3-point plays.
No one draws fouls like Harden. Westbrook gets to the line.
They’ll need help. D’Antoni better be sharp and disciplined with the game plan.
Oh it’s crazy what Houston is doing, but again, it could actually work and lead to an NBA tittle. Probably won’t, but they’ll be entertaining to watch.
Young, brash and bold Grizzlies
Ja Morant’s not scared of Stephen
Curry.
Easier to say that when you don’t have to face the man this season, but can’t hate on the confidence level, either.
Last week, Curry responded to Dillon Brooks issuing a challenge to Andre Iguodala as the trade deadline drew nearer.
“A guy that’s on our team doesn’t want to be on our team,” Brooks said. “I can’t wait until we find a way to trade him so we can play him, and I can show him what really Memphis is about.”
Morant co-signed those comments on Twitter.
Then Curry responded with a tweet with a picture of Iguodala holding one of Golden State’s three NBA championship trophies with three fingers.
Morant came back with a tweet of Kevin Durant holding the finals MVP trophy”. He showed Curry respect in a different tweet, but dropped the mic at the end of it: “I was a fan and still a fan, but (I’m not) scared of him.”
Morant came from a situation much like Curry.
Smaller D-1 school. Made a meteoric rise in college and became a lottery pick.
Now Curry has become perhaps the greatest shooter that ever lived and won three NBA titles. He’s legendary already.
Morant is trying to become that, but he’s having a great rookie year.
Like NBA rookie-of-the-year type of year.
He’s a huge reason Memphis has that eighth spot, but Brooks has played a part in that as well.
He’s mad prideful and competitive as hell, which sometimes works against him, but overall, Brooks is a really good player.
Like a really good player who is bold enough to go right at a three-time champion. Brooks won’t back down from anyone, and Morant’s got his back.
Now the Grizzlies don’t face Golden State or Miami the rest of the season. So it’s all talk right now, but come next season, Brooks and Morant will have an opportunity to go at Curry and Iguodala with the Grizzlies on the rise.
Up Next
Suns at Los Angeles Lakers, Monday, 8:30 p.m., STAPLES Center. Suns (21-32) are 3-7 in their last 10 games after Saturday’s 117-108 loss to Denver. The Lakers (39-12) are coming off a 125120 win Saturday at Golden State.