After Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, which the Rockets controlled in it's entirety, TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley said,
WHAT DID HE JUST SAY?
"That Team right there, CAN be competitive and beat the Warriors," Barkley then shakes his head "no" at his own comments and quickly adds to those remarks, "They Can't beat em."
Ummm.. IF THAT WASN'T CONFUSING ENOUGH...
This is THE SAME CHARLES BARKLEY THAT SAID, PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SERIES, " The Rockets CAN'T beat the Warriors," and "I'd be surprised if the series goes longer than 5 games,"
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CHARLES: I REALIZE YOU READ MY PREVIOUS POST WHERE I TALK ABOUT THE #BARKLEYCURSE AND THEN PROVIDE YOU WITH TEN REASONS WHY THE ROCKETS WILL WIN IN SEVEN. [click on link to read] AND, I KNOW THIS INFLUENCED YOU IN CHANGING YOUR SELECTION, BUT, YOU PICKED THE WARRIORS IN 5, CHUCKLES, YOU CAN'T CHANGE YOUR PICK AFTER 2 GAMES. WATCH, AND TRY TO FOLLOW CHARLES BARKLEY'S COMMENTS AFTER GAME 2:
"THE ROCKETS CAN'T BEAT THE WARRIORS, " were spoken by Charles Barkley, my fate was sealed. And, it is these words that might also seal the fate of the Golden State Warriors.
But that fate reversed it's course when as soon as the "Rockets" landed in that phrase spoken by Chuckles.
I don't particularly care for the Rockets Team and have disdain for former Lakers' Coach, Mike D'Antoni.
That being said, since Chuckles Barkley said, " the Rockets CAN'T beat the Warriors," and "Warriors in 5., " I am going with HOU in 7, SMH, reluctantly. https://t.co/FLeJOdv8dG
SO, I am going to tell you WHY THE ROCKETS CAN BEAT THE WARRIORS:
1) I have a problem with anyone telling anyone else, especially sports teams on this level, that they "Can't" do something. Rest assured that these quotes have been plastered all over the bulletin boards in H-Town. Anyone can beat anyone on ANY given Day
2) Didn't the Rockets have the best record in the NBA this season?
3) Flukey things happen, ie calls, ejections, or an injury that can change the course of 1 game which may dictate the end result of a series. So, the unpredictable is in play!
4) Chris Paul: CP3 is On a Mission (NOT a NEWS FLASH)
5) The Scoring Threesome of James Harden, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon is going to put a lot more pressure on the Warriors defense than any other team
14.1 (#1) MADE 3-pointers to 9.8 (#11 GSW)
6) To go along with a high powered offense with multiple weapons,
the Rockets actually HAVE A DEFENSE!
(#6 in the regular season (GSW #9) and number 2 in the playoffs (GSW #1)
7) Trevor Ariza vs Kevin Durant: I assume the Rockets will look (mostly) to Ariza to defend Durant. With the talent around the perimeter putting added pressure on guys like Steph Curry (between CP3 and Harden) Ariza and co (Capela) will be able to make things tougher on Durant than most teams have been able to do. If Ariza has an ALL-Star worthy defensive campaign againt Durant, Houston wins.
8) Houston is only allowing 10.7 Points off Turn-Overs to the opposition and Golden State is allowing 15.9
9) Two-In-One stat(s): HOU allowing opposition 8.9 points off second chance opps vs GSW at 12.2, AND HOU allowing 10.4 to opp off Fast Breaks vs GSW 13.6pts
Most ALL other "stats" are comparable except for the aforementioned_ 2018 NBA PLAYOFF sample
and, finally
10) Because Charles Barkley picked the Warriors in FIVE !
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS BIGGEST OPPONENT MIGHT BE STARING RIGHT BACK AT THEM IN THE MIRROR
So Much has been made, this Season, of the Lakers defensive struggles. This (defense) has been topic of conversation for three years running under several different head coaches and completely different personnel on the floor. "Fire Byron" has not only surfaced but has become prominently featured on Twitter during and especially "post" Lakers games as they typically rack another "L." Fans express themselves in a variety of ways.
DO we really NEED to know that Coach has had them on increased defensive and rebounding drills? This has been discussed after recent Losses... Maybe EVERYONE: FANS, Coaches, Management AND Players have ALL had "ENOUGH."
The reality is that the team, in spite of losses, IS making progress.
D'Angelo appears to be maturing on the floor in terms of his confidence and overall play. The team has reduced the ridiculous amount of turnovers they were rolling out not to long ago. And they have been consistently "in games" especially after a series of good "starts."
How is the left side of the floor?
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Try Loading the left with Randle, Russell, and... BROWN? Are we going to see the sharp-shooter from Stanford actually get a handful of minutes when it counts? [He just rolled out 18 points a game on decent efficiency for the D-Fenders] I suggest it happen tonight. Who in the hell is going to guard Steph? If Brown can fill a much needed role, in terms of specialist off-the-bench, then roll him out there tonight and let the long, lean forward take a crack on tracking Curry. Let's see if his athleticism and frame (length) CAN bother Curry a bit. The reality is that NO ONE is slowing Curry down so there really isn't ANYTHING to lose. Perhaps another game, but "we" are used to it by now. And, although any team can beat anyone on any given day, Kobe Bryant is probably NOT going to see a pretty improbable feat happen tonight when the Warriors face the Lakers at 7:30 pm.
Tarik Black has gotten buried on the bench and Nance has not been able to capture more PT in spite of his energy and positive attributes. In limited PT and chances he (Nance) looks like a great pick up who could perform BETTER than MANY drafted ahead of him. In fact, in the game against Orlando this year his play and numbers were BETTER than the previous year's number 4 pick (Aaron Gordon_ UofA).
The numbers between GSW and LAL do NOT compare. One team is resting at the top in ALL categories, including wins at 15-0. and the Lakers are bottom-feeding once again.
There is one category, however, that might make a huge difference for the Lakers this season.
Faith is complete confidence or trust in a person or thing; or a belief not based on proof. It may also refer to a particular system of religious belief.
The Golden State Warriors have it. They have FAITH in one another as teammates and many have a strong faith in God.
I am not suggesting that the Lakers all "find God" and that this IS the answer. However, if one does not trust his teammate, or the Coach it will ONLY be an uphill battle regardless of whomever the opponent is.
The Lakers MUST beat their BIGGEST opponent FIRST:
THEMSELVES
BTW... Did Kobe REALLY preach ball movement and THEN roll out a 6-22 FG and 0-5 on three point attempts? With continued lack of efficiency and poor shot selection it will become more and more clear that Kobe's deficiencies as a player (currently) will continue to hurt the Lakers. I can make the easy argument that Kobe IS the "GOAT" simply based on the fact that the guy is still playing at a relatively high level in spite of having two season ending injuries. Most people would not be able to function/ walk the same let alone play in the NBA like he is. That being said: If the volume shots keep going up which then take shots from more efficient players in any given game, this will not ONLY produce more Losses but will breed a culture of negativity and animosity. THIS is a dangerous game that "Old Kobe" is playing. The Youth may only have patience for SO long.... And then you have a self-manifested "Culture" of ALL THINGS NEGATIVE which ONLY adds to why TOP FREE AGENTS are reluctant to come this way. "I've had Enough..."
N.B.A. 2014-2015 POWER RANKINGS ZERO OPINION; 100% statistical By N.P.Misso
1/18/2015 (Prepared prior to games played on Sunday, January 18th, 2015)
Half of the 2014-2015 N.B.A. season has concluded & Golden State remains strongest thus far. But, unlike 1-month ago, Atlanta is #2, moving up 3-positions and remaining the strongest team in the East.
Power Rankings here are based upon current Conference position & 18 statistical categories, including Offense (Points, Assists, Field Goals, Free Throws & 3-Pt FG’s), Defense (Opp Pts, Assists, FG’s, FT’s, 3’s, Rebounds, Blocks, Steals, Turnovers)& Point Differential’s (Point, FG, FT & 3-Pt FG Differentials).
NBA POWER RANKINGS (Previous Ranking)
1. Golden State Warriors (1)
2. Atlanta Hawks (5) 3. Portland Trailblazers (3)
4. San Antonio Spurs (4)
5. Los Angeles Clippers (8)
6. Memphis Grizzlies (2)
7. Dallas Mavericks (9)
8. Washington Wizards (6)
9. Chicago Bulls (10)
10. Milwaukee Bucks (16)
11. Toronto Raptors (7)
12. Phoenix Suns (15)
13. Houston Rockets (11)
14. New Orleans Pelicans (14)
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (11)
16. Indiana Pacers (19)
17. Denver Nuggets (18)
18. Detroit Pistons (27)
19. Boston Celtics (21)
20. Cleveland Cavaliers (12)
21. Charlotte Hornets (29)
22. Miami Heat (22)
23. Brooklyn Nets (20)
24. Sacramento Kings (22)
25. Utah Jazz (24)
26. Orlando Magic (25)
27. Los Angeles Lakers (26)
28. New York Knicks (23)
29. Philadelphia 76ers (28)
30. Minnesota Timberwolves (30)
Each category is weighted the same, irrespective of how a Fan, Player, Trainer, Agent, Coach, G.M. or Owner may revere a stat category, injury or current streak. Scoring, handling-the-ball, (or not turning-it-over), rebounding, and blocking a shot is just as important/relevant as Free-throw Shooting Percentage, Points/Field-Goal Differentials, stealing the ball or holding the opposition to fewest points per game.
Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors and their success this season. These NBA playoffs have seen some very competitive First Round series and this one with the Clippers was one of the best first round N.B.A playoff series played. This season or in seasons past. The two teams went in very evenly matched after splitting the regular-season series 2-2.
[ Doc Rivers had this to say about his opposition:
"Mark Jackson is a great COACH and he did an exceptional job."
" Draymond Green was phenomenal this entire series." ]
Every other statistical category for the regular season, between these two teams, went back-and-forth in terms of who the slight edge went to. And that is how this series went. Back-and-Forth to the very end.
The closing seconds of this game 7 Between the Clippers and Warriors done as "play-by-play" style:
Game 7 is coming to a close and it is coming down to the wire at the 12.1 second mark in the fourth quarter. The score is 120-118 Los Angeles leads. Draymond Green fouls J.J. Redick for his 6th personal and fouls OUT of the Ball-Game. Ouch. Draymond leaves the game having 24 pts, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. He leaves second in scoring to Steph Curry. Redick on the line shooting two. He breathes. The crowd silences. Reddick makes. He sets for the second. 122-118 now in the ball-game after J.J. attempts to put the game on ice here. 12.1 remaining.
Golden State Warriors sideline out of bounds. Curry catches the inbound . Dribbles quickly and fires an off-balance two. It's off the rim. Rebound- Clippers, Chris Paul gets fouled and he's at the free-throw line shooting two with 8.2 left.
"This may just seal it.." _ Kevin Harlan, TNT Broadcaster
124-118.
After the made free-throws, Steph Curry gets the inbound Curry dribbles the length of the court, pulls up top of the key and hits a 23 foot jumper to bring the game to 124-121 with 2 seconds left. What a shot and I bet, right now, Mr. Curry who now has 33 points wishes he had that one go in not that long ago. WOW! Too little too late. Foul Golden State. Jamal Crawford goes to the free throw line to close this thing out.
Makes two free throws: 126-121
Game Over
After the game Kenny 'The Jet" Smith said that he thought the Warriors did not have enough guys to "get over the hump." That they "don't have enough players on the team."
There might be some truth in that in terms of getting over that hump as they are definitely on the cusp of advancing in the playoffs in the highly competitive Western Conference. They have actually built a really nice ball club over the last few years. Personally, I think the talent IS there, Mr. Smith. They have a good, young roster that is ONLY getting better and anytime you have this guy
YOU HAVE A CHANCE! The Warriors also have a nice collection of talent on their NBA D-League squad, the Santa Cruz Warriors, who finished second to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the championship game. Splash Bros 2.0 are on the squad, brothers of Klay and Steph (Mychel and Seth), along with Hilton Armstrong and Kuzmic who were called up for the playoffs. Santa Cruz also has a nice assembly of guards besides Splash 2.0 in Nedovic (call up to NBA playoffs), Kiwi Gardner, Stephon Hannah, Cameron Jones and Daniel Nwaelele. For a look at their FULL ROSTER CLICK HERE.
So, after three years of building this team up and having two consecutive playoff runs for the first time since 1990-91 and 1991-92. This team is NICE and their COACH, Mark Jackson has really laid a solid foundation.
I will let these TWEETS speak for themselves:
I would like to say THANK YOU, Mr. Jackson, as a basketball fan first. Having watched you play as a player and then see you succeed as an NBA coach has been a pleasure. As a Laker fan since 1979 I have appreciated what the Warriors have been doing with you as their COACH. I have nothing but respect and admiration for you, sir! I found this in Mr. Jackson's list of Tweets (I hope you don't mind the post but I found it appropriate)
