2015 NBA Playoffs: Positional Breakdowns Between Warriors-Rockets

May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard

(30) hoists the MVP trophy before game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guards:

Warriors: Stephen Curry & Shaun Livingston

Rockets: Pablo Prigioni & Jason Terry

Let’s start first and foremost by saying that if the Rockets were able to use Patrick Beverly in this series (out for season with torn ligaments in his wrist), it would’ve made a difference. But the Warriors would still get the nod in this one simply because of the man pictured above and the piece of hardware in his hand.

Stephen Curry is the newly crowned NBA MVP. He’s one of only three point guards in the past 25 seasons to take home the prestigious award (I refuse to count Allen Iverson as a point guard). He has arguably the smoothest and most effortless jump shot of all time, and he’s damn near impossible to defend because his ball handling ability is in the discussion for best in the NBA today.

Shaun Livingston is an excellent number two option at the point for Golden State. His size and ability to play off the ball allows him to be on the floor with Curry or another primary ball handler like Andre Iguodala (who could probably be added to the list of point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards for the the Warriors).

On the Rockets side of the court you have two older, under-sized, role players looking to defend one of the top offensive threats in the NBA in recent memory. Prigioni is certainly a pest defensively and Terry can fill the role of a floor spacer while James Harden attempts to create offense for the Rockets on essentially every trip down the floor. But that’s where their contributions to this team end.

Advantage: Golden State Warriors

Next: Shooting Guard