Golden State vs. Houston: Playoffs Round 2

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I'm a Tracy McGrady fan. I watched him and his Houston Rockets team battle injuries last season. I watched him cover for Yao Ming's long absence this season. And I watched them struggle against the Utah Jazz in the first round of the post-season. What I can't help but wonder about, though, if they can get past Carlos Boozer and the Jazz, is how they'll fare against their next opponents: Don Nelson's Golden State Warriors, that team that beat the hell out of the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks just a few days ago. The Mavs were (and still is) a great team, and they were expected to breeze through the first round by many analysts who failed to recognize the Warriors' 3-0 season record against Dallas this year. And giving due credit to Oakland's ballers, they performed spectacularly well in that series. If Golden State can beat the Mavs just like that, how can the Rockets hold their ground? For sure, Yao has to come up big (pun intended) for the Warriors have no one to match up against him. The only thing that could save the Warriors from Yao is the fact that he is not a good runner, and with Golden State playing at the pace they've kept during the last series, no one should expect he'll be able to keep up with the changes in defense and offense. T-Mac will surely have multiple defenders on him in many occasions, and Yao aside his teammates must be ready to step up when the kick-out gets them the ball. I think Golden State has more options on the offensive end, and if the Rockets plan to survive the second round, they had better find more options, too. McGrady and Yao just are not enough. The Jazz are proving that already. What if the Warriors find a way to contain McGrady? We can still remember Stephen Jackson's brilliant defense on Dirk Nowitzki in Game 6 of their series. For sure, Baron Davis can guard Rafer Alston; it's a mismatch any way you look at it. Yao may be bigger than Biedrins, but the latter is much, much, quicker. Matt Barnes and Battier I'd say is just about even. And the Warriors' bench goes much deeper than the Rockets. What do you think? Can the Rockets soar high at the end of the second round or will the Warriors humble them and keep them grounded?