Not to be a Negative Nancy, but...

[magnifier661]

It's not going to be a sweep.

I also didn't find the OP to be entirely negative.

I just want game 3. If we can come out and win game three in a dominant fashion, our chances for a sweep greatly improves. Even if we don't sweep, winning game 3 would 99% ensure us the series.

 

[Natebishop3]

It's not going to be a sweep.

I also didn't find the OP to be entirely negative.

If we win game three.... I don't know. Did you see the body language of the Rockets at the end of game 2? They looked completely deflated and beaten.

 

[maxiep]

It's not going to be a sweep.

I also didn't find the OP to be entirely negative.

My point in making the thread is we need to develop a killer instinct at the beginning of games. We make life much harder on ourselves when we give teams hope. The best teams crush that hope shortly after the opening tip. Houston is really close to quitting. Let's give them that excuse.

 

[RoyToy]

I had similar thoughts last night

Despite being down 0-2, the Rockets still have the stars to make this a series again

Howard has already demonstrated he's going to dominate for good stretches of the game, and Harden can snap out of his slump at any moment. He is a top 10 player in the league and impossible to stop when he's on.

Get game 3. Shit, dominate game 3. Give them absolutely no hope.

 

[magnifier661]

I had similar thoughts last night

Despite being down 0-2, the Rockets still have the stars to make this a series again

Howard has already demonstrated he's going to dominate for good stretches of the game, and Harden can snap out of his slump at any moment. He is a top 10 player in the league and impossible to stop when he's on.

Get game 3. Shit, dominate game 3. Give them absolutely no hope.

I agree. We need to step on any confidence they have left. We win game 3, then the series is over.

SWEEP THE LEG! Put em in a body bag Johnny!

 

[Strenuus]

I just want game 3. If we can come out and win game three in a dominant fashion, our chances for a sweep greatly improves. Even if we don't sweep, winning game 3 would 99% ensure us the series.

I wrote that in a break from my class... I realized I had forgotten to put " We just need to focus on 3 before thinking of the sweep". I am in full agreeance with you.

 

[Mediocre Man]

...this series isn't over yet. We have them down, but they still have a ray of hope. We need to kill that ray of sunlight like a Pacific Northwest January.

They gave us their best shot out of the blocks with Howard in Game Two. We need to find a way to step on their necks in the first quarter. Kill any hope they had of winning this series, and they'll fold like a cheap suit.

We haven't demonstrated that killer instinct at the beginning of games all season. We have played with teams--both good and turrble--for three quarters, only to pull away in the fourth. This time, we need to come out storming, to let them know that we're not overlooking them for a second.

I know the crowd will be amped, let's hope the Blazers aren't too satisfied with their trip to Houston.

You know this makes you a Rockets homer now....right?

 

[Eastoff]

I agree. We need to step on any confidence they have left. We win game 3, then the series is over.

SWEEP THE LEG! Put em in a body bag Johnny!

[video=youtube;4kr24G8jQpM]

 

[magnifier661]

[video]

Lol

 

[LuckyShot]

The player interviews I've heard so far lead me to believe the players have their heads on straight. I've heard them say things like they still feel like underdogs, they expect Houston to give everything they have so we have to be ready to fight them, every game will be a fight, etc. They don't seem to think this will be easy.

 

[magnifier661]

The player interviews I've heard so far lead me to believe the players have their heads on straight. I've heard them say things like they still feel like underdogs, they expect Houston to give everything they have so we have to be ready to fight them, every game will be a fight, etc. They don't seem to think this will be easy.

the way it should be! Play every game like its your last!


Go Blazers!

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Yes! Can you imagine their local writers if we beat them despite Ames Haren getting 30+ and DHo getting 30+?

I think Howard will be the scapegoat if they lose.

 

[magnifier661]

I think Howard will be the scapegoat if they lose.

I actually think Harden will be the scapegoat. He hasn't defended well, so he is only valuable if hes scoring. Since he cant do that so far, i suspect the media and fans will turn on him quickly, especially since hes a max player and superstar.


Go Blazers!

 

[Sedatedfork]

Howard and Harden just don't work that well together. Harden needs space to bull rush to the basket. Howard should try to get low position, but he doesn't do that very often. ISO basketball with no defense is not a great recipe for success.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Houston should trade Howard to Portland for Lopez and a 1st-rounder.

I like Lopez, but I think if you're Portland, you have to consider this.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Houston should trade Howard to Portland for Lopez and a 1st-rounder.

I like Lopez, but I think if you're Portland, you have to consider this.

I like it; I'm just not sure that I love it.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I like it; I'm just not sure that I love it.

Clearly, Houston would be crazy not to make this move. Dwight doesn't quite fit in there. Lopez would fit in very nicely.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Clearly, Houston would be crazy not to make this move. Dwight doesn't quite fit in there. Lopez would fit in very nicely.

You're right, this is lopsided in their favor--we should squeeze them for Parsons as well.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

You're right, this is lopsided in their favor--we should squeeze them for Parsons as well.

Sounds about as fair as the Aldridge-for-Asik deal that they believed was an equal trade, no?

 

[Strenuus]

I actually think Harden will be the scapegoat. He hasn't defended well, so he is only valuable if hes scoring. Since he cant do that so far, i suspect the media and fans will turn on him quickly, especially since hes a max player and superstar.


Go Blazers!

They've already started drilling him and turning on him. He's just not a playoff basketball player. He tries too hard to create the contact... did you see that one play in the 4th where he was sideways and just trying to create contact and Matthews didn't bite. Then, bam, 24 second violation. I felt justice was served right there.