Despite going up against a No. 2 seed as a No. 7 team that required a play-in victory to clinch a playoff spot, the Warriors were considered by oddsmakers to be solid favorites in their first-round series against the Rockets. In a competitive Western Conference, Golden State finished the regular season with only four fewer wins than Houston and was the better team after adding … [Read more...] about Poll: Who Will Win Rockets/Warriors Game 7?
Rockets Notes: VanVleet, Udoka/Popovich, Zone Defense
Seasoned Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who has seemingly been getting better in each successive playoff game against Golden State, is confident that his young teammates will be prepared for Game 7, writes Marc J. Spears of Andscape. VanVleet scored 29 points and handed out eight assists while leading Houston to a 115-107 Game 6 victory to knot the series at 3-3. “We got so much … [Read more...] about Rockets Notes: VanVleet, Udoka/Popovich, Zone Defense
VanVleet, Rockets Have Mutual Interest In Continuing Relationship
After scoring 26 points in Game 5 and 29 in Game 6 to help the Rockets force a win-or-go-home game in Houston on Sunday, veteran point guard Fred VanVleet couldn’t push his young team over the top in Game 7. He made another trio of three-pointers and had 17 points, but it wasn’t enough for the Rockets, whose season ended with a 103-89 loss to Golden State. VanVleet, who signed … [Read more...] about VanVleet, Rockets Have Mutual Interest In Continuing Relationship
Thunder’s Sam Presti Named Executive Of The Year
Sam Presti, the Thunder‘s executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager, has been named the NBA’s Executive of the Year for 2024/25, the league announced today (via Twitter). It’s the first time that Presti, who has run the Thunder’s front office since 2007, has earned the honor. Presti, who built the Thunder around a young core led by Shai … [Read more...] about Thunder’s Sam Presti Named Executive Of The Year
Rockets Notes: Offseason, Durant, VanVleet, Whitmore, Sheppard
Even after winning 52 games and claiming the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Rockets didn’t see themselves as a legitimate championship contender this spring, says Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). The Rockets, making their first playoff appearance since 2020, knew the top-seeded Thunder were much further along in their title chase, according to Fischer, … [Read more...] about Rockets Notes: Offseason, Durant, VanVleet, Whitmore, Sheppard