Harden: Rockets want Spurs

[TD 21]

“…Today was kind of pointless,” he said. “Four more games left and we’re trying to stay (in the No. 4 playoff seed).”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2014/04/10/houston-aiming-for-spurs-as-possible-second-round-matchup/


Not that I blame him for the sentiment, but I've never understood why players say this, particularly players on inferior teams. That said, it's the latest example of the lack of respect (forget about the usual cliche, fluff compliments) this team has around the league.

[313]

:lol if we when this is going to be a solid bump

Edit: win* lol fail

[spurraider21]

:lol if we when this is going to be a solid bump
:lol or if we get swept

[SpurPadre]

“…Today was kind of pointless,” he said. “Four more games left and we’re trying to stay (in the No. 4 playoff seed).”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2014/04/10/houston-aiming-for-spurs-as-possible-second-round-matchup/


Not that I blame him for the sentiment, but I've never understood why players say this, particularly players on inferior teams. That said, it's the latest example of the lack of respect (forget about the usual cliche, fluff compliments) this team has around the league.

I don't like the guy but I don't think he meant anything by it. He might've done the math wrong and figured there's no way they can get the 3rd seed. Even if they do rather play us in the 2nd round, I don't think he'd make a comment like that to start some shit.

[spurraider21]

I don't like the guy but I don't think he meant anything by it. He might've done the math wrong and figured there's no way they can get the 3rd seed. Even if they do rather play us in the 2nd round, I don't think he'd make a comment like that to start some shit.
had they not lost, they would be one game out of the 3rd seed, so i'm pretty sure he didn't think that the 3rd seed was impossible.

[SpurPadre]

had they not lost, they would be one game out of the 3rd seed, so i'm pretty sure he didn't think that the 3rd seed was impossible.

True but I still think it was just missspeak on his part. He wouldn't willfully disrespect two teams at once before the playoffs even started because if people think he's slighting the Spurs, then you'd have to think he's slighting the Blazers too. I just don't see it.

[TD 21]

I don't like the guy but I don't think he meant anything by it. He might've done the math wrong and figured there's no way they can get the 3rd seed. Even if they do rather play us in the 2nd round, I don't think he'd make a comment like that to start some shit.

He clearly did. If he meant that they were trying to hold off the Trail Blazers for the 4 seed, then he wouldn't have called the game "pointless".

[Robz4000]

Maybe they want the Guests in the first round tbh?

[sananspursfan21]

True but I still think it was just missspeak on his part. He wouldn't willfully disrespect two teams at once before the playoffs even started because if people think he's slighting the Spurs, then you'd have to think he's slighting the Blazers too. I just don't see it.

he's a pretty cocky dude. i think we all remember the stare down (queue gif)

[hater]

I'm beggining to think Pop is not against the idea of being master of his destiny come last game of the season vs. Lakers. He might be seeing that as an ace in his sleeve so to say. He could decide either to throw that last game or win it based on it being the decidor of 1st or 2nd seed

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Did the Rockets start playing defense? How many minutes is Rin getting now that Beverley is toast?

[SpurPadre]

Another reason Harden isn't slighting us is the fact that the Thunder still have a shot to get the 1st seed. Yes, it's not likely but it's still possible depending on how Pop manages the pros and cons and health of the team.

[siraulo23]

It'll be a tough series for sure

It'll be like the GSW series except harden cant really be shut down like curry

[bbarry]

gsw series was easy last season, tbqh. i never feared we would lose, and still don't fear them this season if spurs meet them in the playoffs. we simply have their number, like we do mem.

[SpurPadre]

It'll be a tough series for sure

It'll be like the GSW series except harden cant really be shut down like curry

Warriors were a better defensive team last year than the Rockets are this year, though. And it'll be easy for us to get in Howard's head and draw a couple of timely techs out of him, lol. Beverly might be available by then, though, and Manu needs to be careful around him and not get hurt...that's one of my bigger worries.

[SpurPadre]

gsw series was easy last season, tbqh. i never feared we would lose, and still don't fear them this season if spurs meet them in the playoffs. we simply have their number, like we do mem.

I still got a lot of respect for the Dubs, but we own them. People say we were lucky to win Game 1 vs. them last year but the Dubs were lucky to win Game 4 in the series as well. Combine our history of owning them with the fact that we've beaten them twice this year with our Toros lineup, lol...AT Oakland.

[Beaverfuzz]

I'd worry about Portland first, just a hunch.

[Raven]

they'll get swept fairly easily.

[superjames1992]

:lol Spurfan with the insecurity goods, per par.

[Leetonidas]

lol rockettes. Har_en should be concerned with getting past the guests in the first round at this point tbh :lol

[poeticism707]

:lol or if we get swept

:rollin:rollin:rollin

[HarlemHeat37]

He shouldn't be afraid of the Spurs, they haven't given the Rockets any reason to fear them, tbh..

The Thunder own the Rockets, and Clippers match up decently with them, it's logical that Harden wants the Spurs, it's Houston's best shot at the WCFs..


As for the series, Spurs probably defeat them in 6 IMO..Howard and Beverley's injuries are a concern, too, and they're the only defenders on the Rockets team(along with Asik)..I don't believe McHale can make playoff-level adjustments against Pop, too..

[Hoops Czar]

Hasn't this been obvious for awhile now. This isn't news and Harden didn't have to say it.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I remember when Memphis had the same attitude in 2011 and opted for tanking their last RS game instead of playing the Lakers. They chose wisely.

[sook]

Being taken out of context but would it really be that bad? Some of you guys make a big deal out of the dumbest stuff :lol

Also, lol at the guy that thinks Beverly isn't coming back. The rockets are being smart and taking a page out of the spurs book and going with health in the long term than a couple of RS games. Beverly is cleared to play next game but he probably won't.

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

gsw series was easy last season, tbqh. i never feared we would lose, and still don't fear them this season if spurs meet them in the playoffs. we simply have their number, like we do mem.

Well then you are cocky. It wasn't until about game 4-5 I felt confident against GS.. especially after the first two games.

[DatBoyGood]

Forgot all about Devin Harris

[jimbo]

The Grizz also wanted the Spurs in 2011

[EVAY]

You know I just want to win this game in front of us right now, tbh. Worry about the playoffs when we get there.

[RD2191]

You know I just want to win this game in front of us right now, tbh. Worry about the playoffs when we get there.

[Sean Cagney]

gsw series was easy last season, tbqh. i never feared we would lose, and still don't fear them this season if spurs meet them in the playoffs. we simply have their number, like we do mem.

If we lost game one that series we would have lost TBQH. It was that close.

[SpurPadre]

If we lost game one that series we would have lost TBQH. It was that close.

Well, we should've won Game four in that series, tbqh. It was close but we were clearly the better team and the double-digit win in game six cemented that fact. Props to the Dubs, though.

[Sean Cagney]

Well, we should've won Game four in that series, tbqh. It was close but we were clearly the better team and the double-digit win in game six cemented that fact. Props to the Dubs, though.

Yes we were the better team, but games one and two they were on FLAT OUT FIRE! I still can't believe we stole that game one. I have not seen a team that hot shooting in a while, it was kind of scary. Pop adjusted though, game over.

[tmtcsc]

The absolute best run to winning a title includes us beating Dallas, Houston and Okc. How can folks not want to see that happen? Finish it off by beating Miami on our floor.

[dg7md]

The absolute best run to winning a title includes us beating Dallas, Houston and Okc. How can folks not want to see that happen? Finish it off by beating Miami on our floor.

Cause it's doubtful that we can win against OKC. It's possible, but not likely. OKC is our biggest problem, everyone else in the West I don't really have any fear of.

[tmtcsc]

Cause it's doubtful that we can win against OKC. It's possible, but not likely. OKC is our biggest problem, everyone else in the West I don't really have any fear of.

No need to fear Okc. Playoffs are a different animal and payback is coming. If Spurs don't give them an opportunity to run, Thunder will be toast in 5 or 6 games.

[Fireball]

Yeah, we should take it day by day, but after seeing Harden as one typical Spurs killer I still would be interested to see what the Spurs do defensively against him in a playoff series. They probably need to get the ball out of his hands by double teaming much, but the Rockets are shooting threes pretty good, so the rotations have to be fast.

[playbonner15]

Spurs are vulnerable to upsets, fluke or otherwise. It's their reputation around the league for quite some time now

[SpurYank]

For TD21: I have watched the Spurs play in several arenas in the northeast and read every commentary made by sports writers and players, and also listened to fans up here. There is nothing but HUGE respect for the team, Pop, and the local fan support. Since they don't read SpursTalk, they know nothing of the cynicism of Spurs "supposed fans" like you.

[superbigtime]

Man I hate that guy.

[elbamba]

He probably just wants home court in the first round. I doubt he really wants the Spurs. I think OKC is the only team that has confidence they can handle a playoff Spurs team. I can assure you LAC, the Grizzly, Dallas and the Suns want no part of SA.

[FromWayDowntown]

had they not lost, they would be one game out of the 3rd seed, so i'm pretty sure he didn't think that the 3rd seed was impossible.

They've long ago lost the tiebreaker to the Clippers, so they would have had to pass LAC to get to #3 and with LAC's soft finish (after the OKC game the other night, they have home games with Sacramento and Denver and a roadie at Portland to finish), I feel pretty confident that Harden's statement had more to do with ensuring that the Rockets have home court in the First Round than with looking ahead to a WCSF matchup with the Spurs.

McCarney's muckraking.

[DesignatedT]

They've long ago lost the tiebreaker to the Clippers, so they would have had to pass LAC to get to #3 and with LAC's soft finish (after the OKC game the other night, they have home games with Sacramento and Denver and a roadie at Portland to finish), I feel pretty confident that Harden's statement had more to do with ensuring that the Rockets have home court in the First Round than with looking ahead to a WCSF matchup with the Spurs.

McCarney's muckraking.

Exactly

[313]

The absolute best run to winning a title includes us beating Dallas, Houston and Okc. How can folks not want to see that happen? Finish it off by beating Miami on our floor.

Same

[TheyCallMePro]

Obviously he was referring to staying in the 4th seed so as to get home-court advantage over Portland in the first round.

Knew from the moment I clicked the link and it said "blog" that it was going to be some made up BS from an innocuous quote.

[BatManu20]

Not sure why this is surprising to anyone. The Rockets give the Spurs fits and have had success against us this season. Not saying they'd beat us, because I don't think they would, but if I were them I'd rather face us tbh, who they've gone 3-0 against this season, rather than OKC, whom they went 1-3.

[wildchild]

0-2

:lol

Be careful what you wish for...

[timtonymanu]

Dallas/Portland 2nd round :cry

[Horry Hipcheck]

0-2

:lol

Be careful what you wish for...

The Spurs loss tonight was unpleasant. But at least they're not down 0-2 to the team widely considered to be the one to get swept aside like a first round bye.

[RD2191]

Dallas/Portland 2nd round :cry

:depressed

[Prime Time]

This reminds me of the time Dwight wanted to play the Spurs over OKC, just to end up being swept. Oh Dwight, how you've made it so far since.

[Sybok]

Dwight still hasn't won a playoff game through 2 teams.

[dallasmaverickslose]

Dwight still hasn't won a playoff game through 2 teams.


poor dwert