There’s “beef” between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, and we’re three levels into it now. Let’s go step by step.
Kevin Durant thinks Clint Capela isn’t qualified to talk about Warriors
Capela had said that the Rockets are “better” than the Warriors after Saturday’s win.
1. The Rockets beat the Warriors on Saturday. We’re all still assuming that Golden State is favored to beat the Rockets, and win the championship, and probably win the next three, and become supreme basketball leaders of the universe forever. But Houston proved that it really is a legitimate threat, even if the ‘legitimate’ part of that doesn’t come true in May.
Houston has beat Golden State twice this year, too, to the Warriors’ one victory.
2. The Rockets talked up their victory quite a bit. They had every right to do so! It was a good win against a totally healthy Golden State team, and it came without a couple suspended Rockets wings that would have provided a bit more depth. James Harden said: “We are for real as it can get.” Clint Capela gave an even juicier quote, saying that he believes that the Rockets are “better” than Golden State. Look, Houston players should think they’re better, even if they don’t say it out loud. It catches headlines, but this isn’t — or shouldn’t, at least — be locker room material. You’re not making the Warriors mad, just expressing confidence in your own team’s abilities.
3. But ... the Warriors got mad about it anyway. And sure, they have every right to get mad, too, even if it’s a bit ridiculous. Specifically, Kevin Durant lashed out at Capela for his comments, saying this:
“You hear that from guys like Capela, who’s usually catching the ball or laying it up from CP or Harden. His job is not as hard. I mean when your job is that hard you don’t say shit like that.”
I wouldn’t call Capela’s job “easy,” but sure, he’s not on Durant’s level. It’s also a silly thing for Durant to get mad at, especially when he joined a 73-win team a couple offseasons ago. (And I’m not even specifically faulting him for that, just the slight hypocrisy.)
Hey, this is why the Rockets and Warriors could make for a helluva playoff series. I’m here for it!
