Fansided

What did we learn from the Warriors escaping the Rockets?

By Jeremy Lambert

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Chris Paul
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Injuries suck, man

Chris Paul took an extremely tough shot in face of the King of Extremely Tough Shots. Drilled it. Then, drilled a shimmy in the face of the Prince of Shimmy. This was Chris Paul’s series. After years of being unfairly labeled as a choke artist because he had never made it out of the second round, Paul was minutes away from being one game from the NBA Finals.

The half-joking truth all year was, “None of it matters. Paul will get hurt in the playoffs.” He survived the first two rounds. He survived the first four games and 47 minutes of Game 5. His hamstring gave way in the final minute of Game 6.

Tangent: Hamstring is a dumb name for a body part because who wants to play basketball on something perceived as being a string?

Paul deserved better than this. Even if you’re not a fan of guy and his on-court antics, you had to feel bad for him. He’s 33-years-old and this was as close as he’s ever been to reaching the Finals. He may never get back to this point in his career.

Not only did the injury suck for Paul and the Rockets, the Warriors now have to endure more asterisk talk. It’s possible the Warriors beat the Rockets with Paul in Games 6 and 7. Just like it’s possible they beat the Cavaliers with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in 2015 and it’s possible they beat the Spurs with Kawhi Leonard last season. But we’ll never know the truth. And as a basketball fan, that sucks.

Yes, Warriors fans, I know Andre Iguodala was injured. No one feels sorry that your fifth-most important guy got injured while other teams were losing All-Stars.

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