When request about the Houston Rockets after Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green responded vehemently: “I don’t care about the Rockets.”
Well, Green might want to change his mind because the Rockets are now officially within striking distance of the Warriors for the tenth seed in the Western Conference.
Houston comfortably held off the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half at the Toyota Center on Monday, earning a ninth straight victory that propelled them past a .500 record at 36-35 this season.
This also ties Golden State for wins, meaning the Rockets are one loss behind the Warriors after being tied for the tenth seed. Green may not be paying attention to Houston, but Golden State fans certainly are as their team’s grip on a spot in the Play-In tournament loosens.
The former Defensive Player of the Year may be right: Green and the Warriors should focus on themselves first and foremost. But any excellence or disappointment is also relative to competition and right now, the Rockets pose Golden State’s biggest threat to making at least one Play-In game.
Green’s response is almost indicative of the franchise’s arrogance this season: They have long said they were capable of turning things around to make a deep playoff run, but have failed to deliver on those promises to the point where They are unlikely to make the playoffs.
Maybe Golden State just isn’t good enough, that much of the competition has passed them by to the point where they can’t keep up. Does this extend to the Rockets? Over the last 10 games, they are second in the league in offense, eighth in defense and second in overall net rating, while the Warriors are tenth, 17th and 14th in those respective areas.
Golden State will travel to Houston for a crucial battle on April 4 – a matchup that could well determine the fate of both teams. The Warriors have five games left between now and then, starting with a back-to-back at Miami and Orlando on Tuesday and Wednesday.
