The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets both have one thing in common — inner turmoil has overtaken these West powers.
Before the 2018-19 season started, many pundits had the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets on a collision course to meet again in the Western Conference Finals.
While that has remained true for the Warriors, the Rockets are a different story. However, both teams have one trail that they share in common as they approach the first of four regular-season rematches between the two Western behemoths:
Inner turmoil.
Ironically, both bubbled to the surface at around the same time.
In Golden State (12-3), it became clear that some players in the Warriors locker room were growing worried about Kevin Durant’s impending free agency, and his commitment to staying in the Bay Area. The main voice, as it seemed, was Draymond Green, who brought up the issue in a postgame conflict that flared up after a 121-116 overtime loss to the L.A. Clippers.
Draymond was suspended for their win over the lowly Atlanta Hawks for “conduct detrimental to the team,” and there are some whispers that the Draymond/Durant beef could spell doom to the Warriors dynasty.
To add injury to insult, Stephen Curry is projected to miss the next five game as he recovers from a groin injury, which means he’ll miss the team’s trip through Texas that starts tonight in the Bayou City.
As for the Rockets (6-7), where do we begin?
The main issue is their underwhelming start, which, we now know, was due to pieces that didn’t fit, namely, Carmelo Anthony. Melo has missed the last three contests due to “illness,” but it was revealed earlier this week that the Rockets were looking to part ways with the declining forward.
Both GM Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni denied the reports that Houston was moving on from Anthony, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the Rockets would soon release him, as he doesn’t fit their system.
Warriors at Rockets live stream details
When: Thursday, Nov. 15
Time: 8 pm EST/7 pm CST/5 pm PST
Where: Houston, TX
Venue: Toyota Center
TV Info: TNT
Live Stream: Watch TNT, FuboTV (Sign up for a free trial), NBA League Pass
The Melodrama has overshadowed a resurgence for the Rockets, who are victors in five of their last seven games, and head into their tilt with the Warriors with a two-game winning streak, and a chance to improve at home during a three-game homestand.