THUNDER(1) vs ROCKETS(8): 2013 First Round

[_Steve_]

I don't know whether this might have been just a bad season, or the whole Linsanity was just a fluke. What I know is that his per 36 min averages and his PER sucked compared to last season and he continues to struggle in the playoffs...

Maybe "fluke" was a bit too strong. But he clearly has his struggles right now and I think he was overrated when people just looked at that phenomenal stretch he had a year ago. I wonder how his numbers would be if he'd be instead of Felton (who had a pretty good year) in NY.
Still the Rockets went better as I imagined. They might have benefitted from those injuries in Dallas and Minesota, but they played a decent season after all.

[shadowgrin]

If i see Durant do that fucking swing through move one more time, i'm gonna sock him in the face. the league needs to do more than make it an "on the ground" foul because Durant will just wait until they're in the penalty to get cheap free throws. It's so frustrating to watch it's like playing against a cheeser online. he's exploiting the rules of the game.

Deal with it.

[xzisted]

[Andrew]

A team effort in drawing charges. That's a keeper.

[_Steve_]

We have a series now. Great effort by the Rockets. Harden was back on track and Asik had a huge game again.

[Axel The Great]

As Steve said, great game by the Rockets. I love how they held Durant to 0 points in the fourth quarter. Really excited to see how they will play in Game 6. They win that game, and shit will get real.

On a side note, Omer Asik and Francisco Garcia for the fucking win.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Also, if they win the series it will be the first time in playoffs history a team will win after being down 3. But hey, that's not going to happen. People say that the momentum was taken away from OKC but I don't think so. It's just the overwhelming facts of Harden having a big game and HOU not getting a sweep(builds up).

[benji]

OKC does have to reimagine their entire offensive setup. They aren't really treading familiar ground. When Westbrook was unproductive they used to have Harden to bail things out. Now they're really focused in on Durant. One player is a lot easier to match than three.

And the Rockets have the manpower to throw waves at someone.

[Alpha_]

LOL. Synchronized flopping.

[Stress Fracture]

Francisco Garcia has played some terrific defense on Durant these past games. And scoring, too.

I hope Delfino's sore foot heals just in time for Game 6.

[[Q]]

OKC does have to reimagine their entire offensive setup. They aren't really treading familiar ground. When Westbrook was unproductive they used to have Harden to bail things out. Now they're really focused in on Durant. One player is a lot easier to match than three.

it was funny to see Scott Brooks panic towards the end there and go with the Hack Asik which i thought was a bit desperate and uncharacteristic of them. it's a pretty good strategy of (attempting to) deny Durant the ball and let Reggie Jackson, DeAndre Liggins, Thabo Sefolosha, etc. try to beat you

Francisco Garcia has played some terrific defense on Durant these past games. And scoring, too.

it's also interesting to look back at a relatively insignificant trade at the time and see how big of an impact it's made. the trade was primarily Morris & Patterson for Robinson and Garcia was a like a throw in

[NovU]

Kevin Durant after getting Omer AssIsKicked, calls him "whatever his names is". Hah!

[Stress Fracture]

it's also interesting to look back at a relatively insignificant trade at the time and see how big of an impact it's made. the trade was primarily Morris & Patterson for Robinson and Garcia was a like a throw in

Morris was traded to Phoenix, not Sacramento. Or was it made to clear up some more cap space for that trade?

I'm pretty sure the Rockets will pick up the option on Garcia's contract in the off-season.

[Axel The Great]

And so ends an above average season. With all that cap space in the offseason, things can only improve if the Rockets sign a key free agent.

I'm actually kind of glad the Rockets didn't win this game or the series, as unlikely as that was. Sure would not have wanted to watch them get crushed by the Grizzlies frontcourt, that's for sure.

[[Q]]

And so ends an above average season. With all that cap space in the offseason, things can only improve if the Rockets sign a key free agent.

I'm actually kind of glad the Rockets didn't win this game or the series, as unlikely as that was. Sure would not have wanted to watch them get crushed by the Grizzlies frontcourt, that's for sure.

yeah i wanted to see them win, but they would've got wrecked on the boards by gasol & randolph.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8589693/nba-free-agents-2013-2014
who do they go after with all that money? do they go with a big name like dwight? josh smith? do they go solid big man like david west? al jefferson? <- his post-up game would be really beneficial considering asik doesn't have one. i think for the way they play right now, the best player for them would be like a ryan anderson in a trade, or maybe signing a jamison or rashard lewis for cheap.

[Axel The Great]

In my opinion, the inside game of either Al Jefferson or David West would definitely complement James Harden. I'll take either of those over Josh Smith or even, yes, Dwight Howard. Having a big man that can shoot from mid-range would be a change, especially since it's something neither Asik nor Greg Smith can do. Ryan Anderson definitely isn't a bad option either, but I don't know who they could possibly trade for him.

Upgrading at center really isn't necessary, for I think Asik filled his role very well this season: defend inside, rebound, and dunk the ball when given the chance. A true power forward is necessary though; we can't continue to start Parsons there since he's not big or strong enough to guard other fours, and I don't think Greg Smith is starting caliber at all. So by that logic, I think Josh Smith or David West are priority options, especially since I think Al Jefferson is likely to re-sign with the Jazz, and I don't really see Howard wanting to play for Houston.

[[Q]]

i wouldn't want josh smith though. he'll get caught up in shooting 3s which is something he should definitely do less of.
i've always been a big fan of david west, he could play the same role as he did in indy. i think he will be a good fit. esp in the mid-range, he's fucking money from there. i'd say top 3 pfs from mid-range with dirk in the mix. but it doesn't fit this year's strategy of 3s & layups. but that may also be the key to becoming an elite team. they could always trade cap room (exceptions) to the pelicans for a big-money player they signed to play backup to their #1 pick.

[Stress Fracture]

How much cap space does the Rockets have this off-season?

[Andrew]

Hats off to the Rockets for giving the Thunder a bit of a scare. Without Westbrook, they've got a tough road ahead, though.

As for the Rockets' future, if there's any chance of getting Howard then I think they absolutely need to explore that. Asik has panned out well for them though, so they needn't put all their eggs in that basket. Al Jefferson, David West or Paul Millsap would all be fine players to go after as well.