From a Spurs perspective, the Houston Rockets are the I-10 rivals. A number of the most heated battles have taken place between the 2 South Texas groups. However some issues have modified.
For one, the Rockets head coach is Ime Udoka, who performed two stints with the Spurs and gained an NBA title as an assistant coach in San Antonio. Udoka acquired his first head teaching place in Boston because the Celtics have been rising towards their 2024 championship. Sadly, private issues despatched him packing. What he’s completed in Houston can’t be denied.
Their opponents, the Golden State Warriors, additionally maintain some ire for Spurs followers going again to the 2017 Western Convention Finals. The Zaza Pachulia incident took Kawhi Leonard out of the competitors and important modified the trajectory of the Spurs path.
Regardless of being in seventh place, the Warriors have elevated their recreation for the reason that acquisition of Jimmy Butler. Stephen Curry continues to be the best shooter the sport has even identified. Draymond Inexperienced stays a power on the courtroom. The Warriors discover the items to encompass them. And Steve Kerr is only a phenomenal coach.
However from my perspective, Butler’s public refusal to play and methodology of demanding a commerce was harking back to Kawhi Leonard’s tactless exit. It makes it practically unimaginable to root for them.
A lot in order that I discover myself cheering for his or her rival.
And why not?
Along with Udoka, the Rockets boast Fred VanVlleet, one of the profitable undrafted gamers within the fashionable NBA. They’ve additionally constructed their crew with nice draft picks — Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Jalen Inexperienced, Cam Whitmore, and Tori Eason have all been drafted by Houston over the past three years, they usually all contribute.
Prediction: Warriors in 5 if Jimmy Butler returns, Rockets in six if he’s out.
Who am I rooting for: Rockets, however just for this spherical.
Purpose: Can’t assist Butler’s strategies and by no means been a fan of the Warriors showboating.
How about you? Who you rooting for?
Welcome to The Thread. Be part of within the dialog, begin your personal dialogue, and share your ideas. That is the Spurs neighborhood, your Spurs neighborhood. Thanks for being right here.
Our neighborhood tips apply which ought to remind everybody to be cool, keep away from private assaults, don’t troll and watch the language.