The Rockets Are Here

The other side of the Clippers-Rockets series are the Rockets. The Houston Rockets did in fact win this series, and did so almost out of nowhere. We all have heard the story of how they came back, so let's move on. The Rockets now take on the best team in the league. A team that just had their first challenge of the year, trailing 2-1 against Memphis. The Warriors came back, because of the MVP. In contrast the Rockets came back, and without their MVP. Yes, Harden had a lot to do with game five and seven wins, but he was nowhere to be found during the decisive game six comeback.
So, during the regular season the Warriors won all four games by an average of 15 points. You can throw out any regular season numbers, but it was four blowouts, so something to at least keep in mind. The match-up on the surface is simply not great for the Rockets. The Rockets defense is not that great. The Warriors defense is elite. The Rockets can score a lot of points. The Warriors score the most. The Rockets have the runner up in the MVP race. The Warriors have the MVP. Not only of the regular season but also during the playoffs. Stephen Curry has been great for the Warriors, and most impressive during the two closeout games.
To me, the Rockets only have a chance if Josh Smith continues to play the way he has in the past two games, and Harden plays like an MVP. Not the 27, 6 and 8 guy, but a 35ppg guy. Harden must try to score 40 every night. I think he can drop 40 a couple of times, but it won't be enough. My prediction is that Houston will win either game three or four at home, but ultimately lose the series in five games. Houston is a very good team, and I don't want to discredit the amazing turnaround they pulled off against the Clippers, but they shouldn't be here. The Clippers blew it more than the Rockets won it in my opinion, and it will show when Houston gets blown out of the conference finals.

Is Memphis Already Done?

Golden State did what I thought they would, and won by double digits in game four. The Warriors are now tied up in this series, with a game on their home court tonight. Memphis played so well in their back to back wins in this series, but I have a lot of doubt going forward for them. Like many of these second round series, it seems the Grizzlies blew their chance at the series as the underdog. Both Chicago, Memphis and Washington all hosted game fours on their home court. All were up two games to one, and all lost. Most now believe that Cleveland, Golden State and Atlanta respectively, will go on to win the series'. Cleveland took a big step with a game five win at home last night, and Golden State will look to do the same tonight.
On of the main reasons the Warriors were able to pick up the play on Monday night, was the improved play of Stephen Curry. Everyone knew he was not going to go 2-10 or 2-11 from three again, but he also stepped up his leadership. Curry did not attempt a shot in the first eight minutes of game four. He let the game come to him and then proceeded to tear apart the Grizzlies defense scoring 33 points. Curry did it all. He played his game. In game five he must do exactly the same. Not necessarily score 33 points again, but have that same bounce to his step and confident play that has made him so good all season. The energy he has is infectious for this Warriors team, and with the home crowd there to support tonight, Memphis could be in for a long one.
Now, I don't exactly agree with the notion that Memphis is done for good after game four, but its close. If the Grizzlies want a shot they better show up tonight. The team will need something to take back home with them even if they lose this game. I can see Memphis forcing a game seven, and everyone always says anything can happen in a game seven, but come on. More often than not the home team wins a game seven, even if the game is competitive. Especially with the home crowd the bay area has been able to produce all year, I'm picking them in seven.
The Grizzlies could still win this series, but it will have to start tonight. I'm afraid I just can't see them winning these next two games.

Why Tonight is Not Do or Die for the Warriors

Tonight is not a must win for the Golden State Warriors. Although this is a very good Memphis team, that has clearly found a way to beat this high powered offense, the Warriors do not have to win. The team which won 67 games, and has the MVP of the league is capable of coming back from down 3-1. There is reason for concern, but no reason to doubt the ability of this team. I think Steve Kerr needs to challenge the officials. The Warriors have been beaten up the past two games. Not only by the big men down low, but also by the elite perimeter defending of Tony Allen and Mike Conley. Kerr needs to challenge the officials to make more calls. Help give his shooters more space to get shots off. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have been forced to take very difficult shots the past two games, and have not been able to hit most of them.
Its easy to say Golden State needs to simply pick up the pace, and start to play faster, but that is easier said than done. The Warriors will step up tonight. I think Curry is too good to not shoot the ball well again. He will tonight. Game four is going to be a close one, but the Warriors will pull away and tie up this series. Similarly to what happened yesterday to the Bulls, the Grizzlies will miss their chance to win this series tonight.

Have the Warriors Been Exposed?

Last nights win for the Memphis Grizzlies was a shocking one. We all know how good the Golden State Warriors have been this season, and especially on their home court. So, for Memphis to go into the Bay area and steal a game two on the raod was ultra impressive. The manner in which they did so was the most impressive. They were able to dictate the tempo of the game, and hold the Warriors to only 90 points. Stephen Curry, who had been named MVP earlier that night, went only 2-11 from three adn finished with 19. The Grizzlies had their point guard Mike Conley back in the lineup, and he delivered with a very efficient 22 points.
Now the question is, can Memphis do this again? Because if they in fact can, than the Warriors are in big trouble. They way Memphis won last night is the blueprint for beating Golden State. Slow the game down, be efficient on offense, and limit the Warriors three pointers. Easier said than done, and especially tough to do all three in the same game.
Have these Warriors been exposed? I guess. The thing is we already knew what it took to beat this team, it was a matter of can anyone execute, and the Grizzlies could on Tuesday night. This shows that it can in fact be done, but I still think the Grizzlies win lose this series. The Warriors are too good on both ends, and have been all season both at home and on the road. The "Grind House" won't be an easy place to get a win, but the Warriors have what it takes. Curry will not go 2-11 again, and I can't see the Warriors being slowed down again, at least not as much as they were.
Game three sure will be interesting, and a must watch for basketball fans. We'll see how Golden State responds to its first taste of adversity this season

NBA Playoffs Are Around the Corner

The final four is a little less than 24 hours away from us, and as excited as I am for the weekends games, the anticipation is making me even more excited for the upcoming NBA playoffs. We are just two short weeks away from the beginning of the postseason, and there are a lot reasons to be excited.
One reason is the playoff intensity and atmosphere. Plenty of teams have great fans who show support every game, but even the teams who don't have the best regular season support always have fans come out for the playoffs. While the Warriors are perhaps the standard for the loudest and most energetic crowds in the league, there are many other great ones. The Memphis Grizzlies always have great support in the postseason, as well as the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. Toronto is another great one, we all got to see it firsthand in last years playoffs when the entire country of Canada seemed to show up to each of the teams four playoff games it hosted. The crowd I'm most interested to watch is that of the Cleveland Cavaliers. With LeBron back in Cleveland, these will be his first home playoff games as a Cavalier since 2010, when his team got knocked out by the Boston Celtics.

Western Conference Contenders

Funny how a conference like the west is considered so deep and so good, yet when you really consider what teams can make a run to the finals, the list is short. As of now, because of so many injuries to so many key players, I can say that there are three contenders. The Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs. These teams are experienced (especially the Spurs), and deep teams who play well and as a team on both ends of the floor. Come May the western conference finals will feature two of these teams.

Warriors Dominance

How many games will these Golden State Warriors win? With 13 games to go in the season, the Warriors sit at 56-13 with a healthy 7.5 game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies for the number one seed in the west. A couple of weeks ago I thought that they would finish with 68 wins, but seeing as they will probably give away a game or two i think 65 is probably more likely at this point. The team has been so dominant all season, this is one of the better regular season teams we have seen in a while. Even if the team matches up with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round I believe they would be favored, Durant or no Durant. I really think that this Warriors teams is destined for an NBA Finals appearance this season.

Clippers Playoff Hopes

The Los Angeles Clippers have been playing very well of late, thanks in large part to point guard Chris Paul. Paul has led a team missing one of its best players, Blake Griffin, to an impressive record. The team is currently number one in offensive efficiency, and clicking on all cylinders. I still do not trust this team come playoff time. Even if Griffin is healthy I don't think this team is tough enough on the defensive end, and I believe they do not match up well against the best teams in the west (Golden State, Memphis, and San Antonio). We will see come April, but right now I see this team as a first round exit squad, maybe second round.

Predictions for NBA Regular Season Awards

We have about a quarter of the regular season to go, and the battle for title favorite has really heated up. The Golden State Warriors still hold the leagues best record, but the Atlanta Hawks are hanging around along with the Memphis Grizzlies. Teams like Houston and Cleveland are really starting to catch a lot of peoples eyes because of the teams success, along with the elevated superstar play of MVP candidates James Harden and LeBron James. While the recipients of home court advantage are yet to be determined, individual awards are what is the focus today. I will predict, at this point in the season, who I believe will win the individual awards for the NBA regular season.

Rondo Trade Puts More Burden on James Harden

Now that Dallas has made a blockbuster move to acquire Rajon Rondo, the pressure is all on James Harden. The man has been playing like the MVP of late, especially with Dwight Howard out with injury. Harden has almost single handedly kept the Houston Rockets at the top of the Western Conference standings. His play has been great, but with the Grizzlies, Spurs and Mavs all in their division (not to mention the Pelicans, currently the eighth seed), it will be tough going forward for the Rockets to grab home court advantage. Perhaps this move will spark the Rockets to counter with a trade of their own. Rondo was the target but maybe Houston can grab a Goran Dragic from Phoenix. The Rockets need an upgrade if they want to compete for a title this year.

Warriors Just Keep Winning

Golden State got another win last night over the Houston Rockets. That moves them to 19-2 on the young season, and still the best record in the NBA. The team is one of the best offensive and defensive teams in the league. Last nights win was especially impressive, because of the way they closed the game, leaving no doubt who was still the best team in the league. Now Houston did not have Dwight Howard, but Golden State did not have Bogut either. In the upcoming week the Warriors will be tested by some of the best in the west, including Oklahoma City, Dallas and Memphis. If the team is able to come out of this stretch will just two losses, I may be writing about how good this team could really be.