Seasoned Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who has seemingly been getting better in each successive playoff game against Golden State, is confident that his young teammates will be prepared for Game 7, writes Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
VanVleet scored 29 points and handed out eight assists while leading Houston to a 115-107 Game 6 victory to knot the series at 3-3.
“We got so much talent just as long as they don’t get sidetracked,” VanVleet said. “Game 1 it was like, ‘Oh my God.’ And then Game 3 on the road was a little shaky. But other than that, they are so good. Just go out there and play your game. I just try to keep them calm and keep them focused on just playing the game. Don’t get worried about all the other stuff.”
The Rockets fell to a 3-1 hole against the lower-seeded, more experienced Warriors, but their youth, size, and athleticism has helped propel the team to consecutive victories. Now, the action shifts to Houston for a decisive Game 7.
There’s more out of Houston:
- Longtime Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who retained his president title while stepping down as coach this week, gave his former assistant, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, some advice that helped him extend the Golden State series, per Sam Amick of The Athletic. Udoka had also played for Popovich on the Spurs, from 2007-09 and then again in 2010-11. While Udoka wasn’t willing to share the details, he said Popovich “gave me some pointers.” Houston is facing off against another Popovich disciple, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who played for him in San Antonio and was a Team USA assistant during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
- The Rockets’ intimidating zone defense is a big reason why they’ve managed to extend this Warriors series, writes Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle (subscriber link). “It’s a weird zone,” reserve center Steven Adams said. “Yeah, I don’t know. It’s just like a bizarre one, but it works.” Per Lerner, Houston is employing a 2-3 zone attack. Two guards are positioned at the top of the floor, with frontcourt players handling the back line. VanVleet previously discussed the efficacy of the zone approach.
- In case you missed it, Hoops Rumors’ Luke Adams recently ran a poll regarding the outcome of Game 7.
Rockets got a good core but it’s not title worthy. The GM could easily ruin things by trying to make the right trades to truly contend in the future. This is what separates high-win-total regular season teams like those fraud Hawks squads or dynasties like the Warriors and Celtics
The GM has managed this rebuild beautifully. He’s always said that he wants to build through the draft and develop players because that’s how you sustain winning. The media loves to throw Durant or Giannis in a rockets jersey, but everything this front office has done points to them staying the course. They have a young talented team, another top 10 pick this year and a ton of good future draft capital. No reason to think that their approach will all of a sudden change because it’s been working
One can only hope. He wouldn’t be the first GM to screw up a good thing!
No matter how much Rafael Stone says he wants to build through the draft he much like the media would love to throw Giannis into a Rocket’s jersey.
I don’t like this roster, but veterans FVV, Adams and Brooks together are pretty much kryptonite for the way this Warriors team is built, if the Warriors get locked by a zone defense led by Amen. If they can break free and control the tempo, they will win today. If they pass too much and dribble too much, its over.
Putting ancient washed up GP2 out there and mids Buddy instead of Kuminga and Moody really turned this 4 game sweep into a 7 gamer. Classic Kerr move.
Game 7 is going to come down to who can out coach the other guy. Rockets have the advantage being at home and momentum. Kerr last 2 games was poor coaching and not adjusting. Maybe he was over confident. Now he most shake things up and out adjust Udoka. Please do not do the hack Adams game again that is one thing that cost them in game 6.
GaryRedSoxxWarriors ——
Now explain to me why Kuminga is behind in player development. Compared to his lottery class. Imo none of these players have peaked yet. Where is Kuminga to you. And you have already stated you won’t give any blame to Warriors. Which to me means. You’d rather someone else. A do over …
First Round
1. Pistons draft Cade Cunningham
2. Rockets draft Jalen Green
3. Cavaliers draft Evan Mobley
4. Raptors draft Scottie Barnes
5. Magic draft Jalen Suggs
6. Thunder draft Josh Giddey
7. Warriors draft Jonathan Kuminga
8. Magic draft Franz Wagner
9. Kings draft Davion Mitchell
10. Pelicans draft Ziaire Williams (officially traded to Grizzlies)
11. Hornets draft James Bouknight
12. Spurs draft Joshua Primo
13. Pacers draft Chris Duarte
14. Warriors draft Moses Moody
15. Wizards draft Corey Kispert
16. Thunder draft Alperen Sengun (officially traded to Rockets)
17. Grizzlies draft Trey Murphy (officially traded to Pelicans)
18. Thunder draft Tre Mann
19. Knicks draft Kai Jones (officially traded to Hornets)
20. Hawks draft Jalen Johnson
21. Knicks draft Keon Johnson (officially traded to Clippers)
22. Lakers draft Isaiah Jackson (officially traded to Pacers via Wizards)
23. Rockets draft Usman Garuba
24. Rockets draft Josh Christopher
25. Clippers draft Quentin Grimes (officially traded to Knicks)
26. Nuggets draft Nah’Shon Hyland
27. Nets draft Cameron Thomas
28. 76ers draft Jaden Springer
29. Suns draft Day’Ron Sharpe (officially traded to Nets)
30. Jazz draft Santi Aldama (officially traded to Grizzlies)
Everyone else is saying Kuminga is behind in player development. I’m saying he’s not a good player.
He’s a consolation prize for falling out of the top six. Of course Franz Wagner is very good but after the top six Jonathan Kuminga is a big drop off with the rest of the 1st round.
But to answer your question, it’s not the Warriors fault. It’s not a player development issue.
It’s because Jonathan Kuminga is not a good player.
People are mesmerized by his incredible athletic ability. The man can jump and match eyeballs with the rim. That doesn’t make him a great player or even a good player.
Again, you talk about player development, but “IF” the guy is no good, you could spend a decade developing him and it’s not going to happen.
Look at Bouknight in your list here at 11, look at some of the failed draft picks of the Hornets and the kings and the Warriors the last 15 years. If a guy can’t play, he can’t play.
I think Jonathan Kuminga is that guy. He simply is not good enough.
It’s not about development with him as so many say, and blaming the Warriors for his lack of ability. That’s wrong.
It’s poor drafting is what it is. Not player development.
While looking at this list again, and thank you for providing it Al, I could ring Bob Myers’s neck. He could’ve had Franz Wagner instead of Kuminga and he could’ve had Alpie Sangun instead of Moses Moody? My goodness, take a look across the pond sometimes.
The Wiseman factor hurt them. If they did not have Wiseman that means they draft a center instead of drafting Kuminga. Warriors were actually looking to draft Giddey but he was taken right before Kuminga.
Rockets nailed that draft. Kuminga and moody instead of Wagner and sengun seems like malpractice. Imagine them with one of those guys. Awful draft. Set them way way back. Hindsight is 20/20.
Meyers screwed up a couple of drafts. Those second round picks they purchased with Joe Lacob’s money? Wasted.
Allen Smailagić, Jordan Bell, then Jacob Evans at 30, now Kuminga and Moody. Yikes. And that’s without looking it up to see the other names.
This list doesn’t prove anything about player development or lack Therof. Not seeing the link.
Lot of picks, as it is every year, will end up being trash.
Year after year. Malpractice. Sengun is forgivable. Kuminga is such a disappointment. Maybe Davey’s right about Kerr developing talent? I’d rather think the front office botched the picks.
There’s 27 coaches sitting behind Steve Kerr on the bench during games. It’s not a player development issue. It’s a lack of talent issue.
Marty WarriorsFanInKentucky is not right about Steve Kerr and the player development question.
Player development happens in practice, before practice, and after practice.
Steve Kerr manages the game plan and decides who plays and who doesn’t. Player development is up to the guys with those words in there job titles lol.
Blaming Steve Kerr for lack of player development is just wrong and shows a lack of knowledge of how coaching staff are designed.
Yes, Bob Myers lacked in skill when drafting players.
Completely worthless opinion but I was never a fan of any of those picks. I get why they made them, but personally speaking I’m not overly surprised none of them have really worked out. So, naturally, I don’t put most of that on Kerr, although his rotations leave something to be desired at times.
Oh please!! Despite scoring 13, Moody was a MINUS 16 in twenty two minutes Friday nite! While the coach (aka Kerr) with the all time highest winning % in the NBA playoffs isn’t perfect. There’s nothing he can do about missed shots & foolish turnovers. Thus far, it seems the GSW’s “future” (Moody, Post) is hurting the team. Especially defensively in game #6. I think Looney needs to play more tonight.
Wonder what might happen if some of us routinely blasted dj on a constant basis or as much as he rants about Steve Kerr? Then again, is the constantly wrong self proclaimed “knows ball” misinformed troll worth the time and space??!! smh lol
I’ve blasted him routinely for years. He blocks me then starts a yet another new burner in 6-months to a year.
Terrible half huh. Look tight. I really can’t believe Green is this quite. Disappointing
I guess the Rockets didn’t learn how to win a game 7 after all.
Green doesn’t even want the ball. I wonder if he’s hurt. Cause otherwise he should sit. Wasting space gir someone who wants to play. Smith, Sengun, FVV, Amen, Brooks sit Green down …..
Davey J wont let me respond to him but this take made me LOL “Putting ancient washed up GP2 out there and mids Buddy instead of Kuminga and Moody really turned this 4 game sweep into a 7 gamer. Classic Kerr move.”
Meanwhile, Buddy is saving their season and Kuminga looks like a bad draft decision(as he usually does.)
Moody and Kuminga were a combined 0-9 in game 7!
Warriors got lucky. Buddy Hield won game 7 because he got hot.
That defense played extremely well, I wouldn’t call it luck. Buddy played great. Very streaky shooter but when he’s on, he’s dead on.
Buddy couldn’t have done it without Steph controlling the game.
Steph had 5 ast in the 1st half to the Rockets’ entire team’s 3.
Then 14 pts with 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl in the 4th Q.
Buddy played the role of “splash brother” that helped the Warriors win four rings recently.
What we saw was a glimpse at the past and it was amazing.
Hield’s defense has really improved since becoming a Warrior. It would be great if he could be less streaky on offense, but his stepping up like that in a game 7 was as phenomenal as it was unexpected.
Nobody ever talks about it, but I see Buddy Hield’s defense and hustle when he’s out there.
The guy is really trying to be a complete player even though he may lack some of the physical tools necessary. I think he still gives it 110%.
Kudos for predicting the Warriors win btw.
How do you think they’ll do against the Wolves?
Kind of you to say, and kind of you to overlook my 10 wrong predictions and compliment my one correct guess lol.
Not sure yet on the wolves.., I have to watch game one. Haven’t had time to see them in the playoffs so far.
Do you have a feel for the wolves Warriors series yet?
The Wolves are peaking at the right time – after Randle came back after missing 13 straight games in February they’ve gone 21-5.
Sometimes the short time between games for the road team (vs a rested and potentially overconfident home team) helps them to steal game 1.
GSW’s defense is way better than the Twolves, but the offense is worse.
I also think Kerr is better than Finch overall.
That said, the Wolves’ depth is far superior and the scheduling for this round is tough for the older Warriors – they play every 2 days until 1 extra day after game 5!
If they can get a split in the 1st 2 games they have a chance, but if not I think it will be a short series.
Wolves should advance but I expect(and hope for) another long series!
Amen really stepped up. This kid is going to be serious. If only Green had his mojo. Green has said all the right things. Has done all wrongs things. Besides gm2. He was a no show. Looking back I can’t believe Rockets took it to 7. Buddy did what he’s suppose to do. Hit open looks. Still you can’t let him go for 30. Experience won out this series.
Not going to judge on one series. I really like Jalen. But right now today. I keep Thompson and move Jalen. Youth and talent is a funny thing. This series can push you to be great. Or you can just become another D Russ. Disappointed in Green. Still pushing for Kuminga. ….
Amen Thompson is going to be great. You can see the dog in him already.
Tough in the attitude department and also a great basketball player. Soon as that jumper comes around he’s going to be amazing.., or even more amazing than he is now.
Buddy HIELD!! Looney contributed some key Game 7 minutes. Steve Kerr 3-0 in Game 7’s on the road! GP2 in Game 3! I love it and couldn’t resist taking another jab! Take that “knows ball” troll! “It should have been a sweep.” Seriously??!! You’ve been exposed again as irrational!
While certainly not an ideal series for GSW and fans. It’s a step forward. Where’s your big mouth now?