[LAL/HOU] - Western Conference, Round 2
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Ron Artest willed the big underdog Kings through 6 rugged games against San Antonio with the help of Bonzi Wells not that long ago. This time the Houston Rockets have a similar challenge in front of them but... I can't see it going 6 this time, although possible... I think Yao won't get off in consistent big way he really needs to against Gasol and Bynum. Fisher might find the little dart Brooks a bit of a bothersome pest. I think both benches "were" relatively even before but now that Deke's gone - not good for Houston's hopes with Lamar Odum a huge X-factor. Battier as the defensive specialist will need help with Bryant (who wouldnt) to keep him from going off as he's prone to do on anyone. Artest better hope he's not constantly asked to help slow down #24 since Rockets have to get solid points from him all series long or somehow try to win with their grind it out half court low score game.
The thing is that the triangle offense does not warrant a point guard dominating the ball ala Deron Williams and getting a ton of assists. I remember back in 2000 Phil started Ron Harper at the point.
The point guard numbers are a little misleading in that sense. Its pretty difficult for Derek to rack up amazing assists with Kobe dominating the ball, Odom doing some handling and the Gasol and Bynum working the post.
The point guard numbers are a little misleading in that sense. Its pretty difficult for Derek to rack up amazing assists with Kobe dominating the ball, Odom doing some handling and the Gasol and Bynum working the post.
which should give them an idea on how to guard the triangle..
as much as possible i want them to burn kobe out.. he cant be full of energy the entire playoffs hes human!
that being said, rockets would probably have all that excitement and energy going to the second round being that its their first time
on a funny side they could be asking one another "what now? uhmmm...Yao?"
as much as possible i want them to burn kobe out.. he cant be full of energy the entire playoffs hes human!
that being said, rockets would probably have all that excitement and energy going to the second round being that its their first time
on a funny side they could be asking one another "what now? uhmmm...Yao?"
I bet the likeliest scenario is Kobe dishing in Gm1 and then looking to score in Gm2, then finding a balance for the rest of the series.
If Houston is going to win any game at Staples, Gm 1 is probably it. LA has crept into rust territory at least a couple of days ago. I think back to the Finals gm they lost in the 15-1 year after 11 days off. This is Houston's best chance.
If Houston is going to win any game at Staples, Gm 1 is probably it. LA has crept into rust territory at least a couple of days ago. I think back to the Finals gm they lost in the 15-1 year after 11 days off. This is Houston's best chance.
I honestly think game 1 will set the tone for how much benefit the Rockets can derive from Ron-Ron, too. If the crowd can push him into his "I am just as good as Kobe" mindset, it could be very difficult to get him out of it. And if Artest tries to play Bryant's game, they might as well just hand you guys the tickets to the Western Conference finals.
If, on the other hand, Adelman can find a way to convince Artest he is a better player if he plays the game the Rockets truly need him to play - stats be damned - then your Lakers might have a bit more trouble than they're planning for.
If, on the other hand, Adelman can find a way to convince Artest he is a better player if he plays the game the Rockets truly need him to play - stats be damned - then your Lakers might have a bit more trouble than they're planning for.
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the key to the rockets winning is if they can get odom into foul trouble early. that way they can force kobe to try to win it all by himself which will take pau, fisher and bynum out of the game. or the rockets could just defend the 3pt shooters and dont help on double teams. dont leave sasha, fisher or ariza wide open in the corners or the top of the key. mbenga and powell are non issues. i dont think brown will be as big of a factor in this series, lowry is just as good as brooks so theres no drop off in talent when the rockets sub their pgs.
bynum will be in foul trouble... fisher will be in foul trouble... thats 2 starters that will be taken out of the action off the bat. kobe is kobe, just dont let him get a lot of assists. if kobe has 5 or 6 assists by halftime the rockets will lose. i live in los angeles and i have watched every single laker game this season unfortunately(my roommates are laker fans and i couldnt afford league pass this year) kobe is the least of the rockets worries. dont let the bench players make wide open 3's and the rockets will have a chance.
bynum will be in foul trouble... fisher will be in foul trouble... thats 2 starters that will be taken out of the action off the bat. kobe is kobe, just dont let him get a lot of assists. if kobe has 5 or 6 assists by halftime the rockets will lose. i live in los angeles and i have watched every single laker game this season unfortunately(my roommates are laker fans and i couldnt afford league pass this year) kobe is the least of the rockets worries. dont let the bench players make wide open 3's and the rockets will have a chance.
Matchups, matchups, matchups! If the Hawks were healthy, I could see them pushing Cleveland to 7. They are younger, way more athletic and don't really realize how big of an underdog they are. Rockets have not proven anything other than Kobe can get inside Ron's head, Pau and Gasol are better than anything the Rockets can throw out there (Ming included, he's not playing against a rookie and a bench warmer anymore.)
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