Welcome to another new feature to the site: Warriors World Q+A. Every so often, I will ask a series of questions of our writing staff and some of the group will respond with their honest and explained answers. This time, we are talking about Golden State’s next opponent: the winner of a consistently shocking series between the Clippers and Rockets.
1. How crazy was that Clippers / Rockets game?
Jared Williams (@jaredqwilliams): Not only was Rockets vs. Clippers Game 6 insane, it was a special type of insane. It was one of those games that reminds us why we love sports – why we devote a part of our lives to essentially following our preferred color of laundry. For me, a fundamental reason people love sports is because of its volatility: opinions we’ve held for months, even years, can change in the span of a quarter or even a shot clock. There’s no better example of this then the Game 6 we were all simply lucky witness.
-== Klay Thompson’s Top 5 Dunks Of His Career ==-
I presumed the Rockets were a team of frontrunners. I presumed Daryl Morey’s threes and layups only offense without James Harden would be like if Titanic didn’t have Leo- it wouldn’t be the same. I presumed Kevin McHale wouldn’t have the, as Bill Simmons would say, “testicular fortitude” to leave Harden on the bench during the defining moments of their season. I presumed Josh Smith wouldn’t take over an elimination game on the road! I was totally wrong, and that was the cool part. Sports are the best.
May 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Ramirez (@JRAM_91): I was watching the game casually in the background, looking at previous box scores and highlights from the Grizzlies-Warriors series at the same time. The Clippers expanded the lead, and I was already looking forward towards Blake Griffin vs. Draymond Green and Chris Paul vs. Stephen Curry for at least a four-game series. Then, by the powers of the basketball gods, Josh Smith, Corey Brewer and the James Harden-less Rockets mounted a historical comeback. As much as I was looking forward towards a potential Clippers-Warriors series, seeing Paul, Glenn Rivers and company lay victim to one of the worst playoff losses in NBA history was a sight to behold and enjoy. With the runner-up MVP watching, the Rockets, who looked absolutely embarrassing earlier in the series, suddenly looked like juggernauts. All Warriors fans could do was laugh at all the madness, especially considering both teams would be underdogs against their team.
Daniel Leroux (@DannyLeroux): It was one of the more shocking things I have ever seen in sports and that is saying something. For me, what was so astounding was how the Rockets not only came back- they put the Clippers away and won by double digits. Blake and CP3 hit those circus shots and they were pushing a 20 point lead against a team that had not exactly showed a ton of resolve in the series up to that point so of course that was a logical point for a barrage of points without their leading scorer and primary ballhandler.
Jesse Taylor (@JesseTaylor74): Exxon Valdez, Chernobyl and the Challenger disasters were all caused by sleep deprivation. So I can’t really feel too bad about sleeping through the Rockets amazing run to come back and beat the Clippers. But it was so crazy that I received the following texts while snoozing: “Holy sh**!” “Can you believe this sh**?” “Man, I hope these choke artist Clippers end up playing the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.” Two out of three “sh**” texts means it was pretty crazy.
2. Assuming no further injuries to either team, which team would be preferable for the Warriors and why?
Jared Williams: Approaching this logically, I want the Rockets. The Warriors were 4-0 vs The Beard & Friends this season and won by an average margin of 15 points. But let’s be honest, in our hearts we all want to play Clippers. I want Draymond to bully Blake Griffin for two weeks. I want Bogut to show DeAndre and his promoter Doc Rivers, what the best defensive center in the NBA looks like. I want to learn if a #Clipperstwitter actually exists, and I want State Farm to accept that Steph Curry needs to be in all their commercials. If I were a practical Warriors fan I’d want the Rockets, but sports is rooted in impracticality and so is my desire to smash the Clippers.
Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Ramirez: The Warriors handled the Rockets with ease during the regular season, winning all four matchups by an average of 15 points. Despite his absence in the fourth quarter of Game 6, James Harden is a nightmare for anybody. But Klay Thompson has held his own against Harden in the past with the key being (what else?) foul trouble. Patrick Beverley would have caused some problems for whomever he was guarding, but he is out for the season. Dwight Howard is a hassle for any center, but Andrew Bogut is more than capable — if not likely — to defend him well and get in his head over the course of a series. With all that said, the Clippers would be the more fun series without any doubt. The rivalry, storylines and 1-on-1 matchups presented would make for a classic battle. The Clippers and Warriors are playing the best basketball of anyone left in the playoffs, and there’s no doubt Warriors fans will be well represented at Staples Center too.
My head wants Houston, my heart wants Los Angeles. Flip a coin.
Daniel Leroux: The Rockets. If Patrick Beverley was healthy enough to play, this becomes a much tougher question because Houston has depth and a tough cover in Harden. Without Beverley, the Rockets do not have a reliable defender to put on Curry and a reliable shot-creator outside of Harden which makes them substantially easier to defend. We are also seeing some spectacular play from Blake Griffin thus far which makes the #1 offense in the league even more dangerous.
Jesse Taylor: The Rockets would be preferable for the Warriors, but who wants to talk about Warriors vs. Rockets? Who wants to see James Harden shoot 30 free throws a game while Warriors Twitter implodes and Bob Fitzgerald rushes the court to take out an official? Who wants to see Josh Smith try to emulate Steph Curry from beyond the arc (besides Jordan Ramirez)? Who wants to see Dwight Howard … do anything?
We all need Warriors vs. Clippers.
We need Draymond Green sticking his tongue out like Flick in A Christmas Story while Blake Griffin plays the role of the flagpole. We need Chris Paul psychotically overcompensating for the multiple times Steph Curry made him the brunt of everyone’s Vine jokes. Speaking of Vine jokes, we need more Austin Rivers. We need DeAndre Jordan acting tough enough to fight Andrew Bogut, but not tough enough to break away as J.J. Redick holds him back from fighting Andrew Bogut. We need Matt Barnes, because Warriors fans love Matt Barnes and Matt Barnes is awesome to watch. We need sarcastic banter between Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers. We need Klay Thompson locked up 1-on-1 with Chris Paul in Game 7 and the Clippers down one with 13 seconds left in OT.
I expect a plethora of jumpers from the Golden Gate Bridge when the Houston Rockets finish you off in 5, maybe six. I would tell you to be careful what you wish for, but this is going to be so much fun to see your overrated team lose. This is going to be like San Antonio-Houston in ’94 when the faux MVP gets embarrassed at the feet of the true MVP. By the way, it will be fun to see 25% of your arena full of Asians with Yao Ming jerseys. LOL
Klay Thompson — This season you somehow thought you were the best 2-guard in the league? Laughable. You’re the best 2-guard at dating Instagram hoes.
Andrew Bogut — You thought it was an accomplishment playing Dwight Howard at 50% health evenly…Superman is back and you should be worried.
Stephen Curry — I can’t wait for the chants of “Stephanie” in Toyota Center as you brick 3 after 3 as you nibble on your binkie/mouthpiece. Although, the mouthpiece will come in handy as you get concussed running into Rockets’ picks.
Draymond Green — I won’t even begin here….You will do so much more damage to the Warriors for the next 4-5 years when you get signed to a max deal you don’t deserve.
Harrison Barnes — You only show up 30% of the time. You’ll have 1 good game and then focus on your burgeoning comedy career. You’re not worth the effort of my vitriol. I half way think you’re a zombie with the lack of emotion.
Mark Jackson was right about you guys…you’re soft…you’ve been coddled by Steve Kerr and his leach of an NBA career masquerading around like achievement.
GS has the most white-bread, elitist, annoying fans in the NBA. Your cheers are racist. You can tell they’re like…”at least we have a bunch of bi-racial players…not like they’re really black”. GS is a team loved by 40 yr-old moms with 3 nannies per child.
Idiot!