I know it’s easy to think that the Houston Rockets will be sitting on the banks fishing in the next week or so, but not so fast my friend. Steph Curry is hitting video game like shots and even Andrew Bogut had a dunk that may be on ESPN’s Top 10 Highlights, but it’s not the time to pull the plug on the Rockets. The Houston Rockets are currently sitting 0-2 in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, but this series still has a lot of life in it. This is not the first time the Rockets have had their backs against the wall as they faced a 3-1 deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers in the previous round. Despite being down 0-2 the Rockets have a lot of life left in them due to them having the next two games at home.
James Harden has been great outside of one careless mistake at the end of game 2, but that may have occurred due to the brewing of a curse between West coast Rapper Lil B and Harden. In games 1 and 2 both teams have proven they can come from behind large deficits. Golden State received big games from Steph Curry in the opening games, but it has been role players such as Shaun Livingston and Andrew Bogut who stepped up. History has proven that role players play better at home, which means it’s time for guys such as Jason Terry, Corey Brewer, and Josh Smith to have big games as the Rockets return to Clutch City.
Head Coach Kevin McHale made the proper adjustments against the Los Angeles Clippers, and it’s up to him to pull out the Bobby Fischer chess moves to help salvage the Rockets’ season. It may start with limiting the shot attempts from Josh Smith. Smith shot 17 shots in game 2, and he had 1 assist. The Rockets are at their best when Harden is being Harden and when Josh Smith is used as a Swiss-army knife. Smith plays his best basketball when he shots about 10 shots a game to combine with a few blocks and 4 to 6 assists. With Smith shooting 33 shots in 2 games you are prone to lose, because that means he is taking away shots from James Harden and Dwight Howard. Smith has gained trust with McHale, so I don’t think it’ll be hard for him to adapt.
The Rockets have to understand that Steph Curry will get his points. It will be vital to stop Draymond Green from being a floor general on the court. Most of Green’s assists lead to three-pointers and timely big plays.
It may be easier said than done, but the Rockets can make this a new series by winning the next two games. Steph Curry and the Warriors will give the Rockets all they can handle, and it will be interesting to see if the Rockets have another comeback in them. Just when you think the Rockets are lifeless they tend to play their best basketball, let’s see if they can continue that trend in the Western Conference Finals.
