CONSOLATION CONF SEMI-FINALS: Trailblazers vs. Rockets
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 3:49 pm
Poll will close on Saturday, 1/27 @ 5PM CST.
(copied from other thread)
The Rockets have possibly hit the reset button after a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the surging Mavericks. One of the oldest teams in the league, many pundits say the Houston vets legs just started to give out from underneath them down the stretch. Hopefully they have a little gas still left in the tank... because they have at least one more round of basketball to take care of!!
The Rockets are very top heavy. Al Horford, Chris Bosh, and Thaddeus Young are 3 starters that are long and can get their opponents fits. The problem is in the guard rotation, with everyone NOT named Ty Lawson. After Lawson, the Rockets struggle with consistency from their other starter and reserves. Cory Joseph has been serviceable for them, but he's not a guy you can count on day in and day out. The biggest matchups between these two teams will be seeing if Horford and Bosh can power through the Blazers' front court while praying that Lawson, Joseph, and Young can hold off the offensive onslaught from Rose, McCullom, and the law office of Tatum and Lamb.
(copied from other thread)
TRAILBLAZERS vs. ROCKETS:
How they got here:
Not to pile on, but talk about one of the more disappointing finishes for a team this season... The Trailblazers, despite going all in, were upset by the Pashitfic Division Champs Phoenix Suns in a 4-1 series. Is it really an upset when going against the 2nd best OP in our league? Not really. But the expectations of it all after going all in with Rose, Faried, McCullom, Ed Davis, Lamb and Tatum was much higher than a first round exit and early season finish.... luckily for the Blazers, their season is NO LONGER OVER!!! The Rockets have possibly hit the reset button after a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the surging Mavericks. One of the oldest teams in the league, many pundits say the Houston vets legs just started to give out from underneath them down the stretch. Hopefully they have a little gas still left in the tank... because they have at least one more round of basketball to take care of!!
Tales of the Tape:
The Trailblazers are one of the rosters in the league. Rose and McCullom are phenoms with the ball, scoring at will. Faried, Bogut, and Davis will grab whatever they do not make. With those 3 up front, it's hard to imagine them struggling in the paint, whether its manning up or creating havoc at the point of attack. The question lies with their SF position. The Blazers have been back and forth on who to give the edge to here. Jayson Tatum has all the athletic and offensive tools to make an immediate impact, but on defense he's more lost than a person driving in a foreign country with no map or GPS. Lamb, on the other hand, can play some defense, make some shots, and fill the role required. Issue with Lamb is size and athleticism. The Rockets are very top heavy. Al Horford, Chris Bosh, and Thaddeus Young are 3 starters that are long and can get their opponents fits. The problem is in the guard rotation, with everyone NOT named Ty Lawson. After Lawson, the Rockets struggle with consistency from their other starter and reserves. Cory Joseph has been serviceable for them, but he's not a guy you can count on day in and day out. The biggest matchups between these two teams will be seeing if Horford and Bosh can power through the Blazers' front court while praying that Lawson, Joseph, and Young can hold off the offensive onslaught from Rose, McCullom, and the law office of Tatum and Lamb.