Rockets vs Blazers

Yes he is, and great at flopping also

DaniellieeE

Thx! for the breakdown and analysis - Enjoyed this

DaniellieeE

harden is a dangerous man

Thats going to be fun when this comes to fruition!

Athletic Alchemy

I think Steph has to give us 30 in the series. Ariza PJ and EG do very well on KD and Klay. At this point Steph should own CP.

Athletic Alchemy

Finally getting some time to watch this. Living with my hubby being a Rockets fan has been absolutely unbearable! Your analysis is amazing as always!

I honestly don't think this Houston style of play will work in the playoffs. They play with the slowest pace in the league, by far. They are heavy ISO-ball. They try to find the mismatch on every possession and put that man in the PnR. Do people honestly think doing this over and over again is gonna work against a team as smart as GSW? We are already seeing NBA defenses like Portland adjust to how Houston plays. They are putting pressure on Harden way up high, above the 3 pt line and keeping their big camped out under the basket. So they're taking away the lobs/dunks for Capela and conceding everything mid-range, the shot Houston hates to take. Portland should've easily beat Houston and they don't have a single guy who can guard Harden. Then look at GSW. We can defend Harden with Klay, Draymond, Iguodala, Mccaw, Livingston. When we go small with Draymond at the 5 and even Looney, who can defend on the perimeter, we will be able to defend Houston very well. Meanwhile, they don't have an answer for Curry/KD/Klay.

Great catch there with the CP3 interview at the end. He seems really emotional. D'antoni says he's fine but history is not on his side... it would suck to see him break down at the end again because this potential WCF could be amazing.

thomas

Thanks Kyle! It was a nice change up for me as well.

Athletic Alchemy

yeah Im ready!

Athletic Alchemy

I really don't know...its not an injury I am familiar with. Like how easily is it reaggravated? Seeing the video it looks more like it was blunt force, not an overextending injury or outstretched type of thing. Those are usually the type that lingers.

Athletic Alchemy

He is basically not in the rotation, but the spot minutes I have seen he looks to be done. Green & Anderson are ahead of him on the depth chart. So it looks like he would really only play in the playoffs if someone goes down.

Athletic Alchemy

Hey alchemy, how is Joe Johnson looking on the rockets so far? Have not watched any of their more recent games. I was initially worried about that pick up but I haven't heard much about it since it's happened.

Yeah both of their defenses stuck out to me. Unfortunately a lot of Houston's offense will come down to how the refs are calling it.

Athletic Alchemy

Happy Birthday my dude!

Athletic Alchemy

appreciate the extra video watched some of the game I watched a some of the game, maybe it's the defense on both teams is better than I thought, but to be honest neither offense worries me as much I thought it would against the warriors. As long as curry's ankle's fine I think its a lock in 5 regardless of the team. Actually its OKC I think is the biggest possible upset just cuz the intensity Russ brings in the KD matchup, but I don't think that can sustain itself for a 7 game series.

Stevie Ray

nothing like pasta, wine, and an alchemy video for a laidback birthday dinner

Great stuff Alchemy! Hella appreciate you taking the time to break down non-Warrior games once in a while, especially on potential playoff opponents!

Kyle Walker

Great report, as always.. Thanks Alchy! With the playoffs looming, I've got my eyes out for these guys. April, come on down!

Mitch Moyers

Hey Alch, are you concerned at all on KD’s rib injury? I know what is being said is it is not “serious” and he can come back in the coming weeks but I’m worried that this can linger into the playoffs and he may not be as aggressive going to the paint potentially getting hit in that rib section.

They are so easy to hate lol

Athletic Alchemy

Houston does find ways to close games. I think teams scramble against them in the last minutes trying to throw up 3s because they know Houston can hit a 3 at any minute. Either way warriors better find a way to close them out, can’t lose to those bitch ass floppers.

Go a two threads down Mark and I have a good debate on this subject.

Athletic Alchemy

@ 6:55 how Mo fights to stay on CP, Nurk holds him and then challenges late. When Cappella is off the floor Bell can be a demon recovering out to shooters.

Athletic Alchemy

The local sports radio in the bay brought up the topic of cutting Casspi in favor of Cook just this morning and those guys are always in communication with the Warriors front office. I'm not saying they were given some inside info, but maybe you called it in your last post game breakdown? Also I'm gonna call it now, the Rockets aren't coming to the WCF fully healthy and everybody is going to cry about how the Warriors got off lucky, but it'll be the Rockets fault for being tryhards in the regular season. Glad we already learned that lesson.

carlosd93

Looney has shown me that we can play him when Capela is in there. Heck I might even say we should start Looney right off the bat. But I guess it will probably have to be JaVale. Where do you see Bell in all this? Bell will really need to run the floor at all times whenever he is on the floor, and he cannot get switched on Harden. It’s just too much to ask from the rook.

McCaw can give him a different look, but I think he will just bully by him. Klay with help from Looney West and Draymond when he is at the 5. Your right tho, Stephs reaching can be a real problem.

Athletic Alchemy

A HOU-GSW matchup I think will all depend on Stephs defense. You know when Steph is out there, Harden or Gordon specifically will try to get the mismatch. We’ve seen Steph play good defense but he is also relentless at reaching which leads to foul trouble. Steph will need to get in offensive rhythm early. Also, McCaw I think will be the main guy to defend Harden, but we will need help defense so West needs to play very tactical when Harden or CP3 is driving down so West won’t give up the lob but at the same time clog up the driving lane.