2018-19 Rockets review: Chris Paul(自接)由Chauncy_Hui 发表在RED 4 EVER https://bbs.hupu.com/681
Tenth in a series
The Rockets would have no complaint if Chris Paul could be the guy they saw in Game 6, minus the loss. The more realistic expectation, however, and perhaps even the hope might be that they will get the player that was vital to the Game 4 win against the Warriors.
That, too, would be a recalibration from the expectations from when he was acquired in the blockbuster trade nearly two years ago or from his first season with the Rockets when he was an unquestioned star, irreplaceable when he was lost for the final two games of that season's Western Conference Finals. It could also work.
Paul was outstanding in the Game 6 loss nearly two weeks ago, scoring 27 points with 11 rebounds and six assists. But in Game 4, when the Rockets won to even the series with Paul getting much more modest numbers of 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists, he repeatedly came up with the big plays down the stretch to put them over the top. He had a steal, a key offensive rebound, a jumper for the Rockets' final field goal of the game.
He did not dominate as he had in his final game of the previous season. He did not get switches and burn defenders ill-equipped to defend him as he had in his first season with the Rockets. It remains to be seen if that part of his game is gone. He could be a player that is better in his second season back from a significant injury than in his first, though at 34 the Rockets won't count on that. He did show, however, that he can be a key to their success even without the level of play of his first season or the last game of this season.
The Rockets would seem to have little choice but to make the best of whatever he will bring. Just one season into a four-year, $160 million contract, Paul seems certain to be entrenched in the Rockets' backcourt for the remainder of his career. The Rockets believed that he could excel through the final seasons as a player because he does not rely on explosive quickness or leaping ability that he would lose.
If last season indicated he had lost a step to beat opponents off the dribble, he also showed he could be effective. That was particularly clear defensively where he had the best defensive rating of any of the Rockets' regulars (though with others generally assigned to defend opposing star scorers) and where the Rockets' defense turned around when Paul returned from his December hamstring injury.
The more difficult part of his game to assess could be the duty that will remain important and perhaps increasingly so in the coming seasons. On his way to career lows in scoring (15.6 points per game) and shooting (41.9 percent) Paul made just 35.8 percent of his 3s, just 27 percent in the post-season.
He took 42.6 percent of his shots from beyond the 3-point line, the largest percentage in his career. The Rockets believed Paul and James Harden could effectively share a backcourt because Paul had been such a reliable catch-and-shoot shooter. That panned out in his first season and was backed by excellent range shooting off the dribble. That slipped last season, especially in the playoffs, but should not be a problem related to playing into his late 30s.
Since Paul is effectively the Rockets' backup point guard, the Rockets could also get more of his customary playmaking with upgrades to the second unit.
There were signs that he had slipped in some ways, but Paul also produced and still showed his potential value going forward. He had his third season in the past four averaging at least 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds in fewer than 33 minutes, the only player in NBA history to reach those numbers in so little playing time in NBA history. The Rockets were 18-0 when he had at least 10 assists.
That did not measure up to his first season after the trade, the contract that came with it or the final games of each of his first two seasons in Houston. It could work, perhaps with some adjustments to expectations.
Tenth in a series
The Rockets would have no complaint if Chris Paul could be the guy they saw in Game 6, minus the loss. The more realistic expectation, however, and perhaps even the hope might be that they will get the player that was vital to the Game 4 win against the Warriors.
That, too, would be a recalibration from the expectations from when he was acquired in the blockbuster trade nearly two years ago or from his first season with the Rockets when he was an unquestioned star, irreplaceable when he was lost for the final two games of that season's Western Conference Finals. It could also work.
Paul was outstanding in the Game 6 loss nearly two weeks ago, scoring 27 points with 11 rebounds and six assists. But in Game 4, when the Rockets won to even the series with Paul getting much more modest numbers of 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists, he repeatedly came up with the big plays down the stretch to put them over the top. He had a steal, a key offensive rebound, a jumper for the Rockets' final field goal of the game.
He did not dominate as he had in his final game of the previous season. He did not get switches and burn defenders ill-equipped to defend him as he had in his first season with the Rockets. It remains to be seen if that part of his game is gone. He could be a player that is better in his second season back from a significant injury than in his first, though at 34 the Rockets won't count on that. He did show, however, that he can be a key to their success even without the level of play of his first season or the last game of this season.
The Rockets would seem to have little choice but to make the best of whatever he will bring. Just one season into a four-year, $160 million contract, Paul seems certain to be entrenched in the Rockets' backcourt for the remainder of his career. The Rockets believed that he could excel through the final seasons as a player because he does not rely on explosive quickness or leaping ability that he would lose.
If last season indicated he had lost a step to beat opponents off the dribble, he also showed he could be effective. That was particularly clear defensively where he had the best defensive rating of any of the Rockets' regulars (though with others generally assigned to defend opposing star scorers) and where the Rockets' defense turned around when Paul returned from his December hamstring injury.
The more difficult part of his game to assess could be the duty that will remain important and perhaps increasingly so in the coming seasons. On his way to career lows in scoring (15.6 points per game) and shooting (41.9 percent) Paul made just 35.8 percent of his 3s, just 27 percent in the post-season.
He took 42.6 percent of his shots from beyond the 3-point line, the largest percentage in his career. The Rockets believed Paul and James Harden could effectively share a backcourt because Paul had been such a reliable catch-and-shoot shooter. That panned out in his first season and was backed by excellent range shooting off the dribble. That slipped last season, especially in the playoffs, but should not be a problem related to playing into his late 30s.
Since Paul is effectively the Rockets' backup point guard, the Rockets could also get more of his customary playmaking with upgrades to the second unit.
There were signs that he had slipped in some ways, but Paul also produced and still showed his potential value going forward. He had his third season in the past four averaging at least 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds in fewer than 33 minutes, the only player in NBA history to reach those numbers in so little playing time in NBA history. The Rockets were 18-0 when he had at least 10 assists.
That did not measure up to his first season after the trade, the contract that came with it or the final games of each of his first two seasons in Houston. It could work, perhaps with some adjustments to expectations.
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