Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Your Game of Thrones guide to the 2017-18 NBA season

By Jonathan Macri

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 25: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets waits on the court in front of Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers during their game at the Toyota Center on February 25, 2015 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 25: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets waits on the court in front of Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers during their game at the Toyota Center on February 25, 2015 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

"“Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some, are given a chance to climb. They refuse, they cling to the realm or the gods or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is.”"

– The Rockets and Thunder, to the Warriors

Perhaps the most famous non-Jon Snow related quote of the entire series is reserved for the two teams who did something that few others dreamed of doing when this offseason began. They went for it, because come playoff time, the team that ends up at the top of the ladder isn’t always the one you thought would finish there.

You could put any five non-Warriors in the league on the floor at the same time and they still might not be better than a healthy Golden State squad on their best day. That didn’t stop the Rockets and Thunder from making their move.

And why not? Crazy shit happens in the playoffs. Don’t believe me? The ’16 Cavs, ’11 Mavs, ’04 Pistons, and ’95 Rockets (a six seed!) would all like a word with you.

Having a top-seven player in his prime doesn’t exactly happen every day. Rather than throwing a season away before it even started and handing the Warriors another title, the Rockets and Thunder just said “WTF…we’re all in.” Now Golden State at least needs to look at its cards.

That neither team paid top-dollar for any of the stars they acquired this summer should have about 20 of the league’s owners checking to make sure their GM’s aren’t asleep under their desks. Regardless, they shouldn’t receive any less kudos for having the hutzpah to push their chips in the middle of the table.

Speaking of the giving away your best player for $.35 on the dollar…

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