Great Questions Arise When The Rockets Collapse Again Against The Warriors

The last time they drank champagne in this city, when it was poured by the great Hakeem Olajuwon, they adopted a slogan that defined their enthusiasm, composure and desire for championship.

But the term "Clutch City" took on a completely different meaning this time for the Rockets. Instead of grabbing a trophy from Larry O'Brien, and we're going to put it as delicately as possible, the Rockets put their hands around ... something else. Like, a certain part of the body under his chin. How else can you describe what happened in the stretch of this playoff series against the Warriors, why they could not beat a team without Kevin Durant in the last five quarters, and especially how they crashed in difficult times? in your house floor Friday?

Yes, it's true that the Warriors showed for 48 minutes that a champion's heart should never be underestimated, with a nod to former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, and Steph Curry awoke from her lethargy in the first half without goals and without annotations. The victory of the Warriors 118-113 in the Toyota Center. This was a testament to the experience of two defending champions and, above all, their pride. Give that to the warriors.

But the Rockets lost this series as much, if not more, than the Warriors won. This was, purely and simply, a colossal collapse; a missed opportunity that Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni rightly said would "leave a mark", perhaps in the throat of the franchise.

They had every reason to win the last two games and did everything possible to lose them. More unforgivably, they were at home on Friday, before their audience, with the healthiest team, and possibly better, given the circumstances, and they failed in every way. What was that exactly?

"We're going home," said Chris Paul. "That is what it is."

Immediately after the Warriors' victory in Game 6, the scene in the hallway leading to each locker room turned out to be revealing. On the one hand, the Warriors shrieked like children in the playground, with five flying bugs, shared makeshift hugs and a lot of strut and sashay.

At the other extreme, a stream of zombies walked somberly in a single file. A state of complete shock. James Harden wore a stone face like the Moai statues on Easter Island. Austin Rivers was in tears. PJ Tucker never looked up, and somehow, he did not run into something or someone.

Paul dressed in record time for him, did he bathe? - and quickly made his way through his postgame press conference before quickly sliding through the door.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.nba.com/news