When the NBA playoffs started many people, including myself, predicted the Houston Rockets to beat the Portland Trail Blazers. I had a feeling this series was destined to go seven games. When you have two of the best offenses in the league, it doesn’t get much better. Unfortunately, things have not played out well for the Rockets. They are now down 3-1 and will be facing elimination on Wednesday. What’s gone wrong? Can Houston pull a miracle and win this series?
The problems have to start with the team’s superstar, James Harden. Four games have been played, and we have not seen a superstar-like performance from the beard. Maybe it’s Portland’s defense, maybe Harden isn’t playing as aggressive. In game three, Harden did have 35 points, but it took 37 shots to do it. He did do a little better in game four, but fans want to know if Harden can play any sort of defense? Every single time, he lets the defender go right past him and doesn’t seem to give any effort to get back in the play. Someone needs to let Harden know that IT’S THE PLAYOFFS AND SINCE YOU ARE A SUPERSTAR, YOU NEED TO PLAY LIKE ONE. If Harden doesn’t step up in game 5, it’ll be an early exit.
Also, you have to look at the coaching. Kevin McHale has to say something to this team to get them going. This team is too talented to go out like this. McHale needs to work on strategy and defense. The team just doesn’t play defense, and it’s awful. If Houston loses on Wednesday, Kevin McHale will be gone.
If there’s one player I’m very impressed with, it’s Dwight Howard. If it wasn’t for him, there is no way Houston would’ve have had a shot at winning game three. Down the stretch, we saw the real Dwight Howard. We saw the three time Defensive Player of the Year with three huge blocks. But most importantly, the man knocked down his free throws. He is showing Houston he deserves every single dollar in that $88 million deal.
With all this being said, do not assume Houston is going to go down so easily. The next 2 of 3 games will be in Houston. Not only as a Rocket fan, but as an analyst, I feel Houston can and will pull this off. They can win the next three. If they are able to win at home in game 5, then they just have to win one more on the road to have a tie series. With game seven on their home court, they can pull this off.
Rockets fans and non-Portland basketball fans ever are hoping the Rockets can pull this off as the series deserves to go seven games.
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