Ralph Waldo Emerson once observed that “men are respectable only as they respect.” The Houston Rockets — from the first pronouncement that these Warriors “ain’t even that good” to all their squawking following the Warriors’ championship — haven’t exactly been brimming with respect for the Warriors’ accomplishments. That trend continued on Saturday’s opening playoff match-up, with Patrick Beverley and other Rocket defenders doing their best to pummel Stephen Curry into submission rather than attempt to defend him outright. But the Warriors have no problem being disrespected. Just the opposite, it tends to fuel their best performances. Game 1 — particularly the first half — was no exception.
No Answers (Warriors 104, Rockets 78)
