Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
In a mirror image of what’s happening in the East, the Western Conference Finals feature a #1 seed against a #2 seed. After a pair of grueling second round series, though, there were no guarantees that the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets would make it this far.
In fact, in an alternate universe far, far away, the Clippers are taking on the Grizzlies right now and the alternate NBA fans are equally as happy, but in this universe, you should be overjoyed at the chance to see two offensive juggernauts square off on the hardwood. You may not get to sit courtside, but investing in Western Conference Finals tickets would be wise as the sharp-shooting Splash Brothers try to prove their scoring superiority against James Harden and the never-say-die Rockets.
What to Expect
Buckets. So many buckets. James Harden, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson are absolute scoring machines and when they’re rolling, they’re all nearly impossible to stop. Get ready for a barrage of three-pointers, deadly quick cuts to the basket, and triple-digit scoring on both sides of the scoreboard.
Storylines to Follow
- The Post-Season MVP Race
Steph Curry won the MVP crown this year in one of the most hotly contested campaigns in NBA MVP history. Second place in the voting? James Harden. Truthfully, it could have gone either way considering just how valuable each player was to their respective teams. Now they’re both battling to be more valuable to their teams in the playoffs and only one man can carry his team into the NBA Finals. Harden? Curry? They’re each going to make statements during this series. This question is, whose will be loudest?
- Which Dwight?
Dwight Howard isn’t the immovable force he once was back in his Orlando days, but he’s come alive during the playoffs this year and the Golden State front court is no match when D12 is playing at the height of his powers. Will the Superman of yesteryear continue to show up for the tip or will the disinterested, free throw-clanking anti-hero make an appearance? Rockets fans are crossing their fingers that Vintage Dwight will don his cape for at least four more games.
- That Championship Pedigree
Both Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Rockets coach Kevin McHale were part of NBA dynasties over the past three decades. McHale tasted glory three times with Celtics in the ’80s while Kerr earned three rings as part of the Bulls’ second three-peat and two more with the Spurs. Can they use their collective championship experience to prepare their teams to visit the promised land?
- Will the Real Josh Smith Please Stand Up?
There are few players in the NBA more infuriating and unpredictable than Josh Smith. In the Rockets’ first round series against Dallas, he averaged over 17 points per game. In the second round against the Clippers? Not even ten. Just like Dwight Howard, J-Smoove gives you anything but consistency. If he can stay locked in and avoid those possession-killing threes that he seems to love chucking, then he may help the Rockets move forward. If he reverts into the Pistons-era Josh Smith of six months ago, then the entire city of Houston could be whistling Dixie as Golden State goes to the Finals.
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by Jason Kessler
