By Justin Batiste
Will the Rockets be able to beat the Warriors at their own game?
In the western conference finals, we have the match-up that we’ve been anticipating all season. The Golden State Warriors vs. The Houston Rockets. This season the Rockets have defeated the Warriors two out of the three times the two have played each other. However, that was the regular season, this is the playoffs. There’s more than just the best record in the west on the line. A chance to play for a NBA championship is at stake. That’s enough said.
Although, this is Chris Paul’s first time making it to a conference final. We shouldn’t expect the moment to be too big for the 6”0 guard. Paul will have the MVP, James Harden on his side, and a team full of three-point snipers. The question is, will this be enough to beat the defending champs?
Personnel wise, the Rockets can match-up with the Warriors. Star players, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green make for a tough match-up, but the Rockets have shown that they’re still capable of beating this loaded team, by going 2-1 during the regular season. Even with all these stars. Star power is one of the main reasons why the Warriors should be heavily favorited to win this series, but that’s not the only reason.
This Warriors team is an all-around great team on both sides of the ball. The only thing this team is missing is another versatile big man. However, the strength of the Warriors perimeter players is so dominant that it makes up for their missing inside presence. So, a versatile big man isn’t really needed.
The Rockets can match the three-point shooting of the Warriors, the pace of the Warriors, even to a certain extent the star power of the Warriors with Harden and Paul. What separates the Warriors and the Rockets from each other is the Warriors ability to defend at a high level, ball movement, player movement and a consistent inside scoring presence like Kevin Durant for when the three ball isn’t falling. If the Rockets three-pointers aren’t falling it makes it hard for them to win, because their game is so defined by three-point shooting. If the Rockets remain on fire from three all series, this series can go the mile, but if the Rockets can’t find their stroke. This series can end sooner than we think.
Harden is the best isolation player in the game, but this alone won’t get them to the next round or maybe it can. Depending on how many fouls Harden can draw, and depending on how effective Harden and Paul can be in isolation situations. It starts with them. The Warriors are so great defensively that it’s hard imagining that isolation ball will beat this team in a series. It’s going to take a team effort to beat this Warriors team. Three-point shooting will have to be at its best. The Rockets are an offensive team, they’re trying to outscore you. The question will be can the Rockets beat the Warriors at their own game.
