Ben DuBose

Paolo, what do you think as far as micro and what the Rockets need to do to turn this around the next couple of nights and specifically the Denver matchup?

How do you feel about that relative to San Antonio?

I would say it would be a big culture win for anyone doubting Ime Udoka and whether he's lost the locker room or whatever.

I think if they could win on night two of a back-to-back in that environment, it would say a lot about their fight.

But does it change anything in the grand scheme?

You're probably right.

People will probably call you Debbie Downer, but I understand where you're coming from.

I do think there's some X's and O's reasons.

The Spurs, you talk about the talent overall, but I actually think there's some similarities with that Warriors game the other night with Al Horford and Draymond Green on the front line.

I think the Rockets really struggle with teams that can protect the rim well.

with athleticism because i think the rockets we know they're not a high volume team from three point range and so they can get into math problems at times and so the way the rockets need to overcome it they need to be able to pressure the rim either to get layups to get free throws to get kick out threes and i get the big like yokich you can attack at angles you can get him in foul trouble

there are ways that your guys like Amin Thompson, and even to an extent, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., can attack off the dribble.

Kevin Durant as well.

Whereas against teams like, certainly the Spurs with Wemby, but the Warriors, I know, as far as straight and loss goes, no Steph Curry, no Jimmy Butler, no Chris Staffs for Dingus, but you do have, when it matters, Draymond Green and Al Horford in the frontcourt.

It's very difficult to have your downhill guys exert the rim pressure that you need to generate satisfactory offense.

And we saw in the fourth quarter, the Rockets went over six minutes with just two points.

And those were the high leverage minutes when the Warriors went out with their two veteran bigs who can still, even at advanced ages, move very well.

The Jokic matchup, as great as he is overall, is a little friendlier because the Rockets can get the downhill pressure that they need to not entirely, but to minimize their issues when it comes to a lack of three-point volume.

Anyway, with that, we'll bring this episode to a close.

I agree that it probably won't change no matter what happens, how we feel about this team in a week, but at least for the sake of vibes and the fan base, my God, could this team use a win?