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 !
I think LA did just fine with sending their Head Coach, Mr. Byron Scott, which was followed up by drafting D'Angelo Russell. Celebrity, like it or not, has a certain influence over individuals; in marketing and in the media. Especially in such a quick-hitting world where we now reside. Twitter might be the fastest moving media mayhem and Laker Nation controls it, seemingly, on ANY given game-night. With over 4.41 Million Twitter Followers, the Los Angeles Lakers have the most of ANY sports franchise.
This can be good. And, this can be bad..REALLY, REALLY BAD.
Dear Jim buss. Please fire yourself. You are doing serious damage to the @Lakers franchise. The fans have had enough.
Many people, no doubt, share the same feeling and sentiments about a lot of different things. Flea expressed himself, and many people agreed. There are even former Laker Greats that have been "demonstrative" on Twitter. WE have all seen or heard Magic Johnson rip into Jim Buss. The drama..the saga they continue in the City of Angels In the meantime, maybe we should choose our words more wisely and be mindful of how certain things can influence people.
NOTES and THOUGHTS on the Lakers: Russell and Randle are going to have down moments. They will fail. BUT, they will also have many moments of success and flashes of brilliance. Temper Expectations. I look forward to seeing how THIS Kobe Bryant relates to THIS team. Does Kobe relish in the role of the wise-one? A chance to influence this young and talented group with his will and philosophy ? Pass the Torch As much excitement as Nance Jr. brings, he and Anthony Brown don't find places to stay with the big squad unless there are moves, injuries or BScott wants to have "that" specialist on the bench. Both NEED development and the Lakers have a great system in place. They use it as it is intended. Look for heavy ACTION from these two in "the D." Robert Upshaw, unless the Lakers' Needs press, should also find himself squared up on the D-Fenders at some point. Bari and JC will be fun to watch and really impact the team if both given the opportunity. (and they SHOULD have that chance) Newcomers: Bass, Sweet Lou ? They are coming here for a reason. Solid veterans that can hopefully catch a mustard-filled pass from Gelo Going Out? The Lakers have stockpiled a bunch of dudes that do the same thing. They definitely have MORE to choose from this season, in terms of "valuable assets," but will this mean the end of the road in LAL for a player like Swaggy P... I think so.. The majority of the minutes in the Summer League went to five primary guys: Randle, Russell, Bari, Clarkson and Black. They will all have spots and will be counted on. By itself, this is a NICE little squad. I would NOT want to face these guys in practice...whatchoo gat buttercup?"
Speaking of Buttercups... Roy Hibbert is a Laker. Well " @hoya2aPacer will have to change his twitter handle. Awkward? Hibbert is welcome to LA who have had some of the worst defensive numbers in the NBA the past two seasons including giving up buckets in tight = BIG ZERO in the middle. Hibbert changes that. The Lakers have another Hibbert-type defender and player in Upshaw. Let's hope he develops and does NOT relate to the Hibbert Head Issues.. Verdict is STILL out on both these guys but the low-risk here has BIGtime reward and the Lakers, literally, have nothing to lose. Sucks to be Ty Lawson..or DOES it? ..and the Lakers. The Lakers were among several NBA team looking to hire dude who just got his second Dewey in the past 6 months. Thank you, Houston, for stepping up to make sure the Lakers didn't get ALL of the guys looking for second and ... "fifth" chances. Ty Lawson saw THIS ad for Houston and narrowed his Focus. Los Angeles NEVER had a chance!
