[LAL/HOU] - Western Conference, Round 2
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Can the Rockets actually force this type game on the Lakers for the rest of the series? Kobe only got to the line I think three or four times all night. Battier and Artest were sandwiching him and not letting him inside where Yao and Scola had a boat load of rebounds as LA chucked away. Brooks ran circles around Fisher for most of the game. Can this all continue with the Lakers being held under 100 pts and struggling mightily against the "hungry Rockets."
the leagues wouldn't allow the Lakers to lose this series
If the Lakers are in danger of losing this series, the refs. will definitely start calling fouls if any Rocket player dare to breath near Kobe. David Sterns will allow the Rockets to win one more game at Houston to appease their fans.
If the Lakers are in danger of losing this series, the refs. will definitely start calling fouls if any Rocket player dare to breath near Kobe. David Sterns will allow the Rockets to win one more game at Houston to appease their fans.
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Part of the problem was the Lakers werent hitting threes at all. They hit a few of those and this game is different although very few of those were uncontested.
But Houston's strategy is pack the paint and force Kobe out. Battier's best defense is denying Kobe the ball when he's in prime position to make a move. A lot of the time he ended up getting the ball out of position with a lot of the clock gone. They need to work on that.
Finally, they have to start fronting Yao. No sense in letting him get the ball and set up. There's just no way to stop him. He was looking more agile than Gasol and Bynum when he got the ball in a good spot. Not to mention knocking down jumpers off Brooks's penetration.
It'll only get harder in Game 2, I expect the Lakers to come out strong.
But Houston's strategy is pack the paint and force Kobe out. Battier's best defense is denying Kobe the ball when he's in prime position to make a move. A lot of the time he ended up getting the ball out of position with a lot of the clock gone. They need to work on that.
Finally, they have to start fronting Yao. No sense in letting him get the ball and set up. There's just no way to stop him. He was looking more agile than Gasol and Bynum when he got the ball in a good spot. Not to mention knocking down jumpers off Brooks's penetration.
It'll only get harder in Game 2, I expect the Lakers to come out strong.
Yeah, that just low of the laker fans. Zero class & sportsmanship.
After tonight, YAO MING just silent anyone that calls him soft. The man showed big time heart. Refusing to go to the locker room and just said "I'm going back in".
He is such a hard worker, humble and actually cares so much about the team and doing the right thing.
The game plan was good. They'll live with Kobe shooting jumpers. Rockets don't win this game if Lakers make a couple of those 3s. Why Ariza was shooting those threes toward the end was beyond me. When he turned into Steve Kerr nobody knows. Odom was killing them on the offensive glass. He's faster and more agile than Yao, and bigger than everybody else. Lakers will come back stronger, and unless Houston gets off to a fast start again they will be in trouble. You WANT the Lakers to be playing from behind and shooting 3s. They're not shooters on that team. They shoot well within their system, but there is no Allen, Pedja, Nowitzki... pure shooters that can shoot whenever. Ariza, Vujacic, even Odom, Brown... none of those guys are bonafide shooters that you trust with a big shot. They're roleplayers that have to hit shots when they're open. When you rely on them (like with Ariza shooting towards the end) you are executing your gameplan to perfection.
No. Yao showed he's a great competitor and that he wanted to be out there. I applaud his effort and determination, because that looked like a damn tough play.
I still feel for his size, Yao needs to be a monster. This has always been my issue with him. He's too finesse. I know he's got that nice jumper and FT stroke (hit a couple of CLUTCH shots near the end) but man, if I had a 7'6" 320 Lbs pound guy in the middle I'd tell him to go through everybody not fall away with jumpers. I feel bad bashing him because his size is his biggest detriment. Can't be easy to run up and down all game with that frame. I don't think he's "dominant", but sooner people stop calling him that the better off he'll be. Hes a 20 and 10 guy, which is damn good. Unless he starts putting up 30+ and 15+ boards, he will always be a finesse C to me. Nitpicking I know, but I'm tough to impress
I still feel for his size, Yao needs to be a monster. This has always been my issue with him. He's too finesse. I know he's got that nice jumper and FT stroke (hit a couple of CLUTCH shots near the end) but man, if I had a 7'6" 320 Lbs pound guy in the middle I'd tell him to go through everybody not fall away with jumpers. I feel bad bashing him because his size is his biggest detriment. Can't be easy to run up and down all game with that frame. I don't think he's "dominant", but sooner people stop calling him that the better off he'll be. Hes a 20 and 10 guy, which is damn good. Unless he starts putting up 30+ and 15+ boards, he will always be a finesse C to me. Nitpicking I know, but I'm tough to impress
Thats what I was saying. That he showed heart and toughness.
I hear you. The thing with his size is that at some point, its actually not good to be too tall. Look at all the other super tall players in recent history. Shawn Bradley, Bol, etc... They were all limited in their movement because they were so tall. Its hard to push and bang having such a high center of gravity. Yao actually deserves credit for actually developing into a big time player instead of becoming a bust that many though he would be.
On the flip side, the guys that can run through people (Dwight Howard, Shaq etc), they can't shoot for beans. As a true center, I would take Yao over Howard anyday. If you watch Rockets vs Magic games, Yao beats up on Howard consistantly.
I still feel for his size, Yao needs to be a monster. This has always been my issue with him. He's too finesse. I know he's got that nice jumper and FT stroke (hit a couple of CLUTCH shots near the end) but man, if I had a 7'6" 320 Lbs pound guy in the middle I'd tell him to go through everybody not fall away with jumpers. I feel bad bashing him because his size is his biggest detriment. Can't be easy to run up and down all game with that frame. I don't think he's "dominant", but sooner people stop calling him that the better off he'll be. Hes a 20 and 10 guy, which is damn good. Unless he starts putting up 30+ and 15+ boards, he will always be a finesse C to me. Nitpicking I know, but I'm tough to impress
On the flip side, the guys that can run through people (Dwight Howard, Shaq etc), they can't shoot for beans. As a true center, I would take Yao over Howard anyday. If you watch Rockets vs Magic games, Yao beats up on Howard consistantly.
Nice win by the Rockets... but I still think the Lakers aren't in trouble. Kobe was under the weather -- you know he'll play better next game. And what happens when Yao gets in foul trouble? He was fortunate not to, but it's bound to happen...
I'm guessing Aaron Brooks probably will continue to have a good series as Derek Fisher is not speedy at all...
I was impressed at the poise the Rockets showed down the stretch though. Especially considering their collapses in previous efforts against LA this year. And I'm sure the Laker fans at work tomorrow will be comforting themselves by making fun of Yao for pulling a "Paul Pierce". Buncha losers.
I'd still go with LA in 6, but it was an enjoyable Game 1 that's for sure!
I'm guessing Aaron Brooks probably will continue to have a good series as Derek Fisher is not speedy at all...
I was impressed at the poise the Rockets showed down the stretch though. Especially considering their collapses in previous efforts against LA this year. And I'm sure the Laker fans at work tomorrow will be comforting themselves by making fun of Yao for pulling a "Paul Pierce". Buncha losers.
I'd still go with LA in 6, but it was an enjoyable Game 1 that's for sure!
Good point. I can't comment on the whole Yao v Howard since I've not seem them play v each other. Having said that, I like a complete game, and I hate myself for saying it, but I've never loved Howard's game. He's an athletic monster, but has no true post moves. He's like an Uber Ben Wallace in his prime. He's not crazy enough to be Rodman, not skilled enough to be Wilt. Personally, he's in a tough spot. Not a good passer, shooter, FT shooter, can't really handle the ball. He has gotten much better in the paint though, to the point where you can give him the ball in some spots and actually trust that he will score, or at least draw the D. The thing I really like about him is that he always impacts the game. He always rebounds, runs on O and D, blocks shots, alters shots, finishes, etc.
My problem with Yao... he doesn't make a huge impact on the game unless he has a huge game himself. Dwight can make a huge impact with 8 pts, 15 rbs and 5 blocks. Unless Yao puts up 25, 14 , 4 and 2, he's not really making an impact on that team. He's a more complete player, but in the true center sense (rebound, blocks shots, be a force around the rim), he does not impress. I think that's why the Lakers will win the series. Jumpers stop falling eventually, and you need to be able to make a contribution in other aspects of the game. I've seen Dwight just snatch every rebout that is when he's not scoring. Yao... he just kind of fades. I hate saying it because it makes me feel like I'm hating on the guy, but man he just does not do enough to warrant the accolades. He is a really good center in a leauge devoid of great ones. He doesn't fit my definition of a big man, but then again, in today's NBA lines are more blurred than ever. I just hope Yao plays well, focuses on other aspects and spends a little more time on the block. He's not really making Pau work on defense, and that's keeping him fresh on offense. Best of luck to the Rockets!!!
My problem with Yao... he doesn't make a huge impact on the game unless he has a huge game himself. Dwight can make a huge impact with 8 pts, 15 rbs and 5 blocks. Unless Yao puts up 25, 14 , 4 and 2, he's not really making an impact on that team. He's a more complete player, but in the true center sense (rebound, blocks shots, be a force around the rim), he does not impress. I think that's why the Lakers will win the series. Jumpers stop falling eventually, and you need to be able to make a contribution in other aspects of the game. I've seen Dwight just snatch every rebout that is when he's not scoring. Yao... he just kind of fades. I hate saying it because it makes me feel like I'm hating on the guy, but man he just does not do enough to warrant the accolades. He is a really good center in a leauge devoid of great ones. He doesn't fit my definition of a big man, but then again, in today's NBA lines are more blurred than ever. I just hope Yao plays well, focuses on other aspects and spends a little more time on the block. He's not really making Pau work on defense, and that's keeping him fresh on offense. Best of luck to the Rockets!!!
The lakers lost game 1 because they got outplayed. Not because they missed some 3s or because kobe was supposedly sick.
The Rockets can easily say that if they didn't turn over the ball a few times in the a row in the 2nd half or if they hit a couple more shots they would've won by 15+.
The Rockets have what it takes to beat the lakers. Aaron Brooks is going to have his ways with Fisher the whole series. As much as people try to hype up Bynum, he is a bust considering how much they are going to pay him and having Kareem as a personal coach. Bynum can't handle Yao. He is not in the same class as Yao. Gasol is not strong enough to defend Yao for long stretches. The 2 bigs (Przybilla & Oden) for the Blazers are actually better at defending Yao. Przybilla is stronger than Gasol and doesn't have to worry about saving energy for offense. Oden is more physical and a better defensive player than Bynum. On offense, Gasol & the lakers no longer has the length advantage in the post. Gasol is not going to have his ways with Yao like he did with the 6'9" Boozer on him. You need to have a post game if you want your jumpers to fall for the other players.
Kobe, he is going to get his points. But which other team in the NBA has a better 1-2 perimeter defender than the Rockets to slow him down and make him work and wear him down. 32 pts on 31 FGs, most coaches would take that.
Scola is another very solid player than will score 20+ every game if lakers choose to devote all their attention on Yao. lamar Odom is a good player but I think his contributions evens out with Scola. Both teams have good benches but lakers' is probably a bit deeper. It comes down to which bench performs.
The intangible is that Yao is so determined right now. I don't think anyone's seen him play with this much heart, focus and determination. This kind of attitude rubs on to the rest of the team. The Rockets are the hungrier team right now. The lakers aren't matching the desire of the Rockets. Its not that easy to turn on and off. I actually think the lakers last yr was better than the current lakers. Bynum hasn't been the difference maker that he is suppose to be. The lakers lost Turiaf, the high energy Birdman type of player. Also radmonivic made them much deeper and another 3pt shooter. The lakers aren't a dominant team right now.
Its going to be a tough series for the Rockets to win but they really do have a good chance if they play this hard all series.
PS: Yao has stepped up with some clutch shooting late in the game too.
The Rockets can easily say that if they didn't turn over the ball a few times in the a row in the 2nd half or if they hit a couple more shots they would've won by 15+.
The Rockets have what it takes to beat the lakers. Aaron Brooks is going to have his ways with Fisher the whole series. As much as people try to hype up Bynum, he is a bust considering how much they are going to pay him and having Kareem as a personal coach. Bynum can't handle Yao. He is not in the same class as Yao. Gasol is not strong enough to defend Yao for long stretches. The 2 bigs (Przybilla & Oden) for the Blazers are actually better at defending Yao. Przybilla is stronger than Gasol and doesn't have to worry about saving energy for offense. Oden is more physical and a better defensive player than Bynum. On offense, Gasol & the lakers no longer has the length advantage in the post. Gasol is not going to have his ways with Yao like he did with the 6'9" Boozer on him. You need to have a post game if you want your jumpers to fall for the other players.
Kobe, he is going to get his points. But which other team in the NBA has a better 1-2 perimeter defender than the Rockets to slow him down and make him work and wear him down. 32 pts on 31 FGs, most coaches would take that.
Scola is another very solid player than will score 20+ every game if lakers choose to devote all their attention on Yao. lamar Odom is a good player but I think his contributions evens out with Scola. Both teams have good benches but lakers' is probably a bit deeper. It comes down to which bench performs.
The intangible is that Yao is so determined right now. I don't think anyone's seen him play with this much heart, focus and determination. This kind of attitude rubs on to the rest of the team. The Rockets are the hungrier team right now. The lakers aren't matching the desire of the Rockets. Its not that easy to turn on and off. I actually think the lakers last yr was better than the current lakers. Bynum hasn't been the difference maker that he is suppose to be. The lakers lost Turiaf, the high energy Birdman type of player. Also radmonivic made them much deeper and another 3pt shooter. The lakers aren't a dominant team right now.
Its going to be a tough series for the Rockets to win but they really do have a good chance if they play this hard all series.
PS: Yao has stepped up with some clutch shooting late in the game too.
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