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NBA Playoffs: Biggest questions in the West’s first round

By Jacob Doole

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 04: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz elbows James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets under the basket in the second half during Game Three of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 113-92. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 04: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz elbows James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets under the basket in the second half during Game Three of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 113-92. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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NBA Houston Rockets James Harden Chris Paul (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets (4) vs Utah Jazz (5)

Can Rudy Gobert stay in the game?

Rudy Gobert is Utah’s most important player, the undisputed anchor of the league’s second-best defense ranked by defensive rating. He is one of the main reasons the Jazz were able to overcome a sluggish 18-20 start to the season and still finish with the fifth seed in the cutthroat Western Conference.

His biggest weakness, though, will meet its sternest test against the Houston Rockets. Any time Gobert is asked to guard on the perimeter, his otherwise impenetrable defensive influence is curbed.

This memorable play from last season’s playoffs basically sums it up;

https://twitter.com/SLAMonline/status/859614966365728773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E859614966365728773&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theringer.com%2F2018%2F4%2F6%2F17204586%2Frudy-gobert-utah-jazz-defensive-player-of-year

The Rockets will constantly put Gobert in the pick-and-roll, with Clint Capela screening and Harden or Chris Paul running the play. Whether the Jazz choose to switch or not on such plays, Gobert will be asked to make decisions on the perimeter.

Whether or not he can still be effective in these situation will be the number one factor in whether the Jazz can seriously challenge the Rockets, as their talent and record suggests they should, or whether a promising season will fall in a heap.

Will James Harden hit “the wall”?

James Harden has had one of the best scoring seasons of all time. His stretch in the middle of the year, with Chris Paul out and a skeleton crew around him, was almost unbelievable.

His entire season, ignoring the roster issues around him, has been better than many might realise. He’s missed just four games while averaging 36.1 points per game, and his league-leading 858 free throw attempts show not just an affinity for drawing the whistle, but a season full of contact absorbed in the paint.

Whether you think Harden is an offensive genius or an overrated flopper, or something in between, one thing is undisputable– his style of play is physically draining and must surely be wearing him down.

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The Rockets have some stellar complimentary pieces in Chris Paul and Clint Capela, but Harden is still the engine that makes their team run. If he is fatigued after such a gruelling regular season slog, could that affect Houston’s title aspirations?

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