NBA Western Conference Finals Preview

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Another late night, another NBA Conference Finals preview for you dear readers! So let's not waste any time; I'm low enough on chocolate milk as it is. Damn you Kevin Love for stealing it away; you couldn't have found something else to do with your rehab? Dammit, getting distracted again. ON WITH THE SHOW!

NBA Western Conference Finals Preview

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets

Major Storyline: Why is no one giving Houston a chance in this series? Seriously, every time I look in any direction, it seems that someone knew is picking the Warriors to squash the Rockets like Muffy in Antz. Why is this the case again? Have we forgotten that the Rockets have the runner up MVP in James Harden, a All Star center in Dwight Howard who appears to be focused, and a solid supporting cast in their own right? I don't understand it. Certainly the Warriors are the better team overall, and they should definitely be the favorites for this series. But to sweep? Come on guys. I know the Rockets looked bad at times against the Clippers, but they did win the series in the end, and not just because Blake Griffin and the Clippers choked like Leo at the Oscars. They're a legit team with legit depth that plays the same style as Golden State does. A cake walk this will not be, if I can use my best Yoda impression.

Secondary Storyline: How often will Stephen A. Smith foolishly try to bring up Mark Jackson on First Take? Seriously Stevie, let it go already. We get that you like Mark Jackson, and hey, I don't mind him either; the dude is an entertaining catchphrase machine on ESPN when he's not foolishly agreeing with every call the referee's make. But I think the results speak for themselves that he deserved to be let go, seeing as Steve Kerr has only made the team better in every single way since taking over. Never fear Stephen, he'll be brought back to the sidelines before you know it. Till then, stop whining over what was clearly the right move for the Warriors, and please don't bring that stupidity up again if the team falls behind in this series.

Warriors Player to Watch: Klay Thompson. Steph Curry is going to show up in this series no matter what, and I'm fairly confident the rest of the Warriors will too. Which makes Thompson the X factor. He's played very well this postseason, and despite troubles against Tony Allen in the last round had a solid series overall against Memphis. But for whatever reason, Thompson's play always worries me. His shot, at least in my opinion, comes and goes far more than Curry's does, and there were times in big games the last few years where I thought he disappeared when the Warriors needed him. Obviously, Thompson is a much better player now than he was before, and he is coming into this series hot. He'll need to stay that way though if the Warriors want to make their first Finals since George Lucas' last great film.

Rockets Player to Watch: James Harden. The Rockets will only go as far as their star takes them, and how he performs is of great interest to everyone. This will truly be Harden's greatest test thus far as an NBA alpha dog, and it will be against the guy who some feel (including Harden himself) stole the MVP trophy from him. Don't underestimate how much that last point will affect this series. I can see it working in one of two ways; a motivated Harden puts on a herculean effort and carries the Rockets to the NBA Finals, or the motivation makes Harden try too hard, takes his teammates out of rhythm and allows the Warriors to Speed 2: Cruise Control their way to the finals. What Harden will we see? I'm not sure. But like Kevin Bacon in A Few Good Men, I can tell you that it's gonna be entertaining.

Winner: Warriors in seven. Yup, I'm going all the way on this one. Not for one second am I buying into the Warriors being a vastly superior team than the Rockets, not when they're coming in with a ton of momentum, a star player with something to prove and a bench that's just as deep as Golden State's. It'll be a dog fight, it'll be fast paced and it'll be fun, and in the end the Rockets will prove they belong. Alas, the Warriors will prove their slightly better, and make it to the Finals for the first time since the year That 70's Show, Season One was set. Here's another bold prediction for you; whoever wins this series, wins the NBA Championship. Sorry Cleveland/Atlanta fans, it's happening, unless the Hawks morph into a group of super saiyans or Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving choose the right grail.

That's it guys. Off till tomorrow, where there will be Community and quite possibly a comic book review. Till then, read this, watch that, listen to this, #FreeGamblinMatt, pizza pizza, and damn, it's hot in here, MUST BE SUMMER!

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