NBA Playoffs: 5 reasons Rockets can upset Warriors

3. Deep bench rotation

Part of what makes Golden State so dynamic is how deep head coach Steve Kerr’s roster is. Players like Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, and Festus Ezeli come off their bench. Iguodala and Livingston could theoretically start on many NBA teams. Ezeli rarely plays when healthy, but would be an integral rotational piece on nearly every other NBA roster. Golden State has an embarrassment of riches at their disposal.

While the Rockets don’t have the highest upside as a team this year, most notably with poor team chemistry, Houston does have the depth required to keep things interesting in a series with a team like Golden State.

Off the bench, Bickerstaff has players like veteran point guard Jason Terry, the enigmatic forward Josh Smith, and exciting young big man Clint Capela at his disposal. Players like Corey Brewer, K.J. McDaniels, and even Michael Beasley can ignite the Rockets’ strong offense off the bench.

While few teams come close to the depth that Golden State has off their bench, Houston has the ability to create dozens of interesting lineups for Bickerstaff to make in this series. Perhaps he can find a unit that will miraculously solve the Rubik’s Cube that is the Curry/Green pick-and-roll?

The many different looks that Bickerstaff can throw at Kerr may result in a game or two where the Warriors don’t cruise to victory over the Rockets. If Houston can keep these playoff games tight with Golden State using several interesting lineups, Bickerstaff may stick with the Rockets long-term, especially if the improbable upset in round one over the top-seeded Warriors occurs.

Next: 2. James Harden