Rockets are 30-1 when Harden, Paul, and Capela all play

[Moranis]

Heard that on the radio this morning (which I didn't verify).  That is an insane record and a large enough sample size for it to have some actual relevance. 

[johnnygreen]

That record is definitely impressive, but the idea that Capela could have any impact on a game is just mind boggling. As for Harden and Paul, I'm sure that record will look dramatically different once the playoffs roll around, based on their past playoff performances. Harden is the ultimate regular season player, but loses his mind and cool in the playoffs. Has Chris Paul ever made it out of the second round?

[Donoghus]

West playoffs are going to be entertaining as heck this year.  Especially if Kawhi is back & healthy.

[KGs Knee]

The 30-1 stat is in fact accurate, and quite impressive.  It's also why I continue to believe Houston is a real threat to GSW.

the idea that Capela could have any impact on a game is just mind boggling

It shouldn't be.  Capela is one of the better young centers in the game.  Not elite, but a very soild defensive player.  Capela is also one of the better roll men in the league, and sets very good screens.

[Green-18]

It's an absolutely amazing stat but I still don't view Houston as a legit threat against a full strength Warriors squad.  Mike D'Antoni's best teams have always been great during the regular season.  Their free flowing style of play is infectious.  The problem is that they lack defensive intangibles come playoff time.  Mediocre defense can win as long as you have the ability to get timely stops.  Golden State can win any style of game.   

In fairness to D'Antoni it's probably not his fault if they don't get over the top.  The unfortunate reality is that Rockets SHOULD be the favorite in most years.  Durant's move to the Warriors shifted the balance of power way too much.  Hopefully I'm wrong about this.

[KGs Knee]

It's an absolutely amazing stat but I still don't view Houston as a legit threat against a full strength Warriors squad.  Mike D'Antoni's best teams have always been great during the regular season.  Their free flowing style of play is infectious.  The problem is that they lack defensive intangibles come playoff time.  Mediocre defense can win as long as you have the ability to get timely stops.  Golden State can win any style of game.   

In fairness to D'Antoni it's probably not his fault if they don't get over the top.  The unfortunate reality is that Rockets SHOULD be the favorite in most years.  Durant's move to the Warriors shifted the balance of power way too much.  Hopefully I'm wrong about this.

This current Rockets team has a number of high level defensive players (Capela, Paul, Ariza, LRMAM, Tucker).

I think people sleeping on this team are fooling themselves.

[Green-18]

It's an absolutely amazing stat but I still don't view Houston as a legit threat against a full strength Warriors squad.  Mike D'Antoni's best teams have always been great during the regular season.  Their free flowing style of play is infectious.  The problem is that they lack defensive intangibles come playoff time.  Mediocre defense can win as long as you have the ability to get timely stops.  Golden State can win any style of game.   

In fairness to D'Antoni it's probably not his fault if they don't get over the top.  The unfortunate reality is that Rockets SHOULD be the favorite in most years.  Durant's move to the Warriors shifted the balance of power way too much.  Hopefully I'm wrong about this.

This current Rockets team has a number of high level defensive players (Capela, Paul, Ariza, LRMAM, Tucker).

I think people sleeping on this team are fooling themselves.

No doubt about it.  It's the best defensive squad D'Antoni has ever had during his coaching career.  That's why I mentioned intangibles above all else.  Talent is not the issue.  It will be interesting to see if a D'Antoni lead squad translates these strengths to the postseason.  Will Harden and company be able to execute down the stretch.  Can they score and get stops during the last 5 minutes against elite competition?  I have a general lack of faith in Harden.  Too many random disappearing acts in big games dating back to college.

This is also why I said it's probably not fair to judge D'Antoni if they don't get over the hump in a series against G-State.  The Rockets would be a favorite to win the title in most seasons prior to Durant joining the Warriors.  I certainly like them over the Cavs squad that beat Golden State 2 years ago.

[ChillyWilly]

As a day trader I believe strongly in trends and try to keep emotion out of it.

Every piece of this trend says regular season powerhouse post season fizzle. Until the trend is broken I'm not buying.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I do wonder what will happen if the Rockets are able to launch 40-50 threes a game against the Warriors. That's a variable that we've not seen in NBA history.

That being said, Paul, Harden, and D'Antoni are chronic playoff chokers.

Also, the Warriors have an extra level to go up defensively, especially for covering the three.

[Green-18]

I do wonder what will happen if the Rockets are able to launch 40-50 threes a game against the Warriors. That's a variable that we've not seen in NBA history.

That being said, Paul, Harden, and D'Antoni are chronic playoff chokers.

Also, the Warriors have an extra level to go up defensively, especially for covering the three.

I completely agree.  I think of this series in terms of a tie game with 5 minutes remaining.  The Warriors simply have more flexibility on both sides of the ball.  Can Houston win if you take away their pace?  Harden is probably the best iso player in basketball but his playoff failures speak for themselves.  As for Chris Paul, I think he will be over matched in the closing minutes.  This has more to do with father time than anything else.  G-State has the ability to clamp down on defense when needed, yet still score efficiently in the half court.

[PhoSita]

The Rockets should be a potent opponent for the Warriors, assuming they don't collapse against the Spurs or Thunder or Timberwolves.

Still, it's really hard to see how they're going to outscore Curry, Thompson, and Durant for a seven game series.

The Warriors have a much higher defensive ceiling than Houston (though the Rockets are a good defensive team this year) and three elite individual scorers to Houston's two.

[Erik]

That record is definitely impressive, but the idea that Capela could have any impact on a game is just mind boggling.

Capela is playing fantastic basketball. He accounts for 7.5 of their win shares.

[Moranis]

I do wonder what will happen if the Rockets are able to launch 40-50 threes a game against the Warriors. That's a variable that we've not seen in NBA history.

That being said, Paul, Harden, and D'Antoni are chronic playoff chokers.

Also, the Warriors have an extra level to go up defensively, especially for covering the three.

I completely agree.  I think of this series in terms of a tie game with 5 minutes remaining.  The Warriors simply have more flexibility on both sides of the ball.  Can Houston win if you take away their pace?  Harden is probably the best iso player in basketball but his playoff failures speak for themselves.  As for Chris Paul, I think he will be over matched in the closing minutes.  This has more to do with father time than anything else.  G-State has the ability to clamp down on defense when needed, yet still score efficiently in the half court.

During Houston's current 13 game winning streak they have the slowest pace in the NBA.  In their prior 13 game winning streak they had the 5th fastest pace in the league.  So yeah, Houston can win at any pace. 

[PhoSita]

That record is definitely impressive, but the idea that Capela could have any impact on a game is just mind boggling.

Capela is playing fantastic basketball. He accounts for 7.5 of their win shares.

He's basically a perfect player in his specific role, i.e. set picks, run from one paint to the other, bother shots at the rim on defense, catch and finish near the rim on offense.

There's a lot of value in that given he finishes over 70% within 3 feet, grabs 23% of available rebounds, and blocks 6% of two point attempts that go up when he's on the floor.

[Moranis]

That record is definitely impressive, but the idea that Capela could have any impact on a game is just mind boggling.

Capela is playing fantastic basketball. He accounts for 7.5 of their win shares.

He's basically a perfect player in his specific role, i.e. set picks, run from one paint to the other, bother shots at the rim on defense, catch and finish near the rim on offense.

There's a lot of value in that given he finishes over 70% within 3 feet, grabs 23% of available rebounds, and blocks 6% of two point attempts that go up when he's on the floor.

He also shows that you don't need a center that can shoot the ball from deep to be successful.