NBA Playoffs 2018: Top Storylines for Warriors vs. Rockets, Cavs vs. Celtics
After a few days off for all four teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics tip off Sunday for Game 1 at TD Garden. The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors start their series Monday at the Toyota Center. What's the buzz around the remaining clubs in the playoff hunt?
Can Boston shock everyone again? Whether you feel they're undermanned or talented backups have taken advantage of extra opportunities, we can all agree the Celtics overcame adversity with the pressure ramped up. What made their run to the Eastern Conference Finals possible? Will they slow down LeBron James?
Some teams need extra motivation in big moments; though, it shouldn't apply to the conference finals. Did Warriors head coach Steve Kerr backhand the Rockets with a comment about rings? Is it arrogance or confidence?
Aside from leading the Rockets in an elimination game, how did guard Chris Paul save James Harden from criticism?
What's Fueling the Boston Celtics?
It's been said many times, but the Celtics have overcome so much hardship over the past several months. Forward Gordon Hayward goes down in the first few minutes of the regular season and expectations slightly dropped.
In March, a knee injury sidelined Kyrie Irving indefinitely. At that point, there's no way Boston wins two playoff series, right? Yet, the group has defined the old sports adage "next man up." We hear players and coaches across sports speak it every year, but the Celtics have put the words into action.
Behind every resilient team, there's a brilliant head coach. Brad Stevens has helped expedite growth spurts for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He's elevated backups Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier while reminding people why Al Horford is an All-Star caliber player. The 31-year-old has been clutch late in the fourth quarter during the postseason.
Take a look at former Celtics players with their new teams. They haven't performed to the same level of play during their time in Boston. Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder all took a step backward in production this year.
Don't take credit away from the players, but Stevens has a flexible system in place that has been effective for this team over the past few years.
How Do You Slow Down LeBron James?
Sideline reporter Rosalyn Gold-Onwude asked Tatum the million-dollar question shortly after the Celtics' Game 5 win over the Philadelphia 76ers:
We can comfortably admit the league doesn't have a LeBron-stopper. However, Indiana Pacers forward Lance Stephenson has found success irritating him.
Boston doesn't have a player who would go out of their way to blow in James' ear, but Stevens can use Morris to bang bodies with him in the paint. Smart has a reputation as a pesky defender. Neither player brings the same antics as Stephenson, but both have the ability to make the star player uncomfortable.
Morris actually put his name in the same sentence as San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard as the best defender against James:
At the very least, it's a positive for Boston to see Morris isn't going to back down when matched against arguably the best player in the league.
In addition to the mental aspect, Boston should take a look at James' three-point shooting. He's increased the volume in his shots beyond the arc but shoots 29 percent behind the line. Defenders must force him to settle for those low-percentage shots whenever possible.
Are the Golden State Warriors too Arrogant?
At times, social media will take a quote and blow it way out of proportion. When asked about the Rockets' hunger to win a title, Kerr responded with confidence in his team as two-time champions:
When extracted as a standalone quote: "I like where we are. Our guys have rings. That's a good position to be in." It sounds a bit condescending, but it's more about experience and knowing the players in the locker room have done what it takes to win the ultimate prize.
The narrative about the Warriors' boredom with the regular season and cameras picking up players drawing up plays against the Phoenix Suns have put Golden State in a smug bubble:
In reality, it's a team in need of motivation when we all know the postseason serves as the measuring stick as opposed to a midseason game before All-Star Weekend. As far as Kerr's quote, it's public assurance for his players—justified with three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. If the Rockets want to use his answer as bulletin-board material, it'll add some fireworks to an already intriguing series.
James Harden Feeling Under the Weather or the Pressure?
Paul saved his backcourt buddy from heavy criticism after Game 5 against the Utah Jazz. Immediately after scoring 41 points to propel the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals, he mentioned Harden felt "under the weather" for the contest.
Perhaps there's truth to the statement, but Harden also struggled with his shot in Game 4, converting on just 36 percent from the field. In last year's semifinal series against the Spurs, he no-showed for Games 2 and 6, combining for 23 points and 5-of-28 shooting from the field.
There's a healthy skepticism about Harden once it's time to pull through in a big moment. It's also warranted given his play in pivotal games over the past two years.
Golden State will travel to Houston with four All-Stars to open the series Monday. Regardless of his condition, the Rockets need Harden playing at an optimal level. Paul can't bail this team out as the lone playmaker against an offensive juggernaut.
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