Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Jazz
By Chris Conner
1. We now have a series on our hands
You knew once the Rockets lost Wednesday the chatter would spread. Mentions of the Rockets’ past postseason struggles or individual letdowns between Chris Paul and James Harden were all on the table.
Panic was already taking place.
The Houston Rockets lost a game to the Utah Jazz, led by a rookie and without their starting point guard. This team is supposed to beat the Warriors?
— Kyle (@_KKamm) May 3, 2018
Guess the @HoustonRockets are who we thought they were in the postseason. Utah gets split in Houston tonite. Hard to trust a team with James Harden, Chris Paul and Mike D'Antoni. Maybe Houston won't even get to WCF. The trio's track record says it's very possible. #problemhouston
— Rob Parker (@RobParkerFS1) May 3, 2018
While those takes are fair, any Rockets slander is also disrespectful to the Utah Jazz. Utah currently boasts one of the best coaches, rookies and interior defenders in all of the NBA. While Wednesday’s performance was a surprise, no one can say Utah wasn’t capable.
Joe Ingles’ 27 points may have surprised some, but not the fans and writers in Utah who know how good of an all-around basketball player he is.
It’s not his fault he has a slight resemblance to a character from the The Office.
https://twitter.com/sbnation/status/991871207334002688?s=21
The series between the Jazz and the Rockets is taking place as it should. The semifinals are supposed to provide tight matchups.
Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft
The Rockets should embrace what’s in front of them. Their road will only get harder, as Utah won’t lie down anytime soon. If you’ve already penciled Houston into the Western Conference Finals, Game 2 was proof that you it was probably good you didn’t write it own in pen. Just don’t go reaching for that eraser yet.