NBA: What Western Conference Teams Could Beat The Golden State Warriors?
By Drew Clark
5) Houston Rockets
This is an absolute best case scenario. Bringing in Mike D’antoni’s offensive system might be the best thing to ever happen to James Harden’s NBA career.
This tape is from D’Antoni’s time in Phoenix when the Suns were one of the most competitive teams in the NBA. The Rockets may not have the exact pieces that Phoenix had but a ball dominant guard in Harden compared to Steve Nash is the most important piece of them all.
The Rockets are going to be a top five offense in the league. The question is whether their defense will be capable enough to hold teams off the scoreboard. Losing Patrick Beverly creates even more belief that they will struggle on that end of the floor.
The Warriors will be licking their chops when they play Houston. However, they will still need to zero in on stopping Harden or they could find themselves in a tight game in “crunch time.”
Clint Capela will need to be the rim protector many think of him as. He will be key to the games between these two. If he allows Durant, Steph, Draymond, and Klay to finish at the rim at will, it will be a wrap before the first half is over.
Losing in the playoffs back-to-back years to the Warriors gives Houston plenty of reason to be motivated and ready to compete.