Fansided

5 reasons we won’t get a Cavaliers-Warriors Finals rematch

By Chris Stone

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shares a hug with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shares a hug with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 3: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets congratulates James Harden #13 after a three point shot in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center on April 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 3: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets congratulates James Harden #13 after a three point shot in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center on April 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2. Out West, the Rockets are ready to ruin a dynasty

Houston general manager Daryl Morey once said his team’s goal against the Warriors was to increase variance by shooting a slew of 3s as a way to close the talent gap. Well, the Rockets have certainly followed through with the 3-point barrage — they take almost half of their shots from behind the arc — but after Morey swung a trade for point guard Chris Paul and signed a number of defense first free agents, they’re ready to compete in the West. It’s not just Cleveland who could miss out on making the NBA Finals.

Houston was the league’s best team during the regular season, finishing with 65 wins. The Rockets also led the NBA with a +9.0 net rating and featured its most efficient offense despite adopting an isolation heavy attack long derided for its historic lack of efficiency.

There will be an obvious rush to cite Golden State’s various injuries as a reason Houston was able to surprise it in regular season success. Not so fast. The Rockets had their own injury problems, too. They’ll play the first round of the playoffs without Luc Mbah a Moute after he suffered a dislocated shoulder. Paul also missed 24 regular season games. Houston was 44-3 when he started alongside James Harden and Clint Capela.

Early season prognostications about the Warriors ability to run rampant through the Western Conference appear to have been premature. In a series with the Rockets, they’ll have to figure out how to defend the mismatches Paul and Harden generate. For its part, Houston is ahead of schedule with the potential to disrupt another Cleveland-Golden State NBA Finals.

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