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OKC Thunder TIP3: Harden MVP chase, LeBron Rockets rumors, CP3 injury history

By Tamberlyn Richardson

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: James Harden
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: James Harden /
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TULSA, OK- OCTOBER 3: Raymond Felton #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Shane Bevel/NBAE via Getty Images)
TULSA, OK- OCTOBER 3: Raymond Felton #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Shane Bevel/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Eric Spyropoulos of Hoops Habit weighs in:

TI Q1 – Chris Paul’s injury history and lack of post season success:

The OK3 have endured constant scrutiny and microscopic dissection. They’ve seemingly turned a corner with their 10-3 run and movement up to the fifth seed. Conversely, James Harden and Chris Paul dealt with initial questions, but early resounding success halted the naysayers in their tracks.

Houston are clearly well positioned to finish as one of the top two Western Conference seeds.  Still, something is nagging at me I’d love your perspective on. This is a multi tiered question focusing on the dynamic backcourt of the Rockets.

Spyropoulos on Paul’s Heath:

With Chris Paul injured once again is there concern in Houston he’ll be able to stay healthy? And, would you estimate the team will be much more focused on getting CP3 to the playoffs than rushing him back for regular season play given how well the team played with him in the lineup?

There should always be concern about Chris Paul’s health for several reasons. First, he has had an injury history in the past, playing in 61 games last season, 74 in 2015-16, and 62 in 2013-14.

Second, if the goal is to win a championship (however realistic that goal is), that will require an additional 20-25 playoff games, which can be very taxing.

And third, Paul is 32 years old, and you never want to over-work him in meaningless regular season games. The team has already been extremely cautious with him when it comes to injuries, and I believe they will continue to do so, especially if they can find another quality guard to pick up 10 minutes or so in each of the games he misses. Maybe that player is Briante Weber, or perhaps it is a guard that is available in the buyout market later in the season.

Spyropoulos on Paul’s history of failure in postseason:

Of the NBA’s existing top talents Chris Paul has never been past the second round of the postseason. Rockets fans are all too familiar with Paul’s poor luck as their last visit to the Western Conference Finals occurred after the historic 19 point comeback Game 6 victory and eventual series win over the Clippers.  How much focus/pressure will be on being the team who takes Paul to the Western Finals (and possibly the Finals)?

There should be pressure on the Rockets to make the Conference Finals, but not because Chris Paul hasn’t been there. Obviously there is pressure on Paul himself, but for Houston as a team, the pressure should be on them because they are a top 3 team (top 2 in many people’s opinions) in the Western Conference and finally have the offense and defense capable of getting to the Conference Finals.

It’s clear the Rockets are focused on beating the Warriors, which places more pressure on them because such a match-up will almost certainly come in the Conference Finals, a spot we all assume Golden State will cruise to.

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