[LAL/HOU] - Western Conference, Round 2
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Should be a good matchup for Kobe just like it was for Roy with Battier/Artest alternating blanketing him, but other than that the Lakers just match up too well with Houston. Pau/Bynum can contain Yao, and the Lakers' depth is far superior to Houston's. In fact, I always thought that Houston lacked depth--their point guards in particular aren't reliable sources to generate offense, so they can't capitalize on the Lakers' supposedly greatest positional weakness. Odom will also present mismatch problems. So it's hard to see Houston pulling this off, but if the Lakers get sucked into one of their lazy hibernation patterns at various stages of the game the Rockets have the veteran presence and savvy to pull off maybe a game or two. But their offense is poor, and Artest (just like what he did with us) can always shoot them out of a game. Ultimately, the Lakers just out-talent them in pretty much every aspect, so it's a long and difficult feat if the Rockets are to even pull this one off
Yao will have a field day with bynum thats for sure
kobe will have a hard time scoring with ron ron.. if ron ron sits Shane battier takes over, and that guy is also a great defensive player, both have different styles,
if the rockets really do turn it up on D i see it as rockets in 6 or even 5. that is if ron ron really makes him work in the offense.
ron-ron-kobe
Scola-Gasol
Yao-Bynum
Von wafer- vujacic
brooks-fisher
LAL has been weak at the point, for the past few years their point guard has averaged less than 5 assists pergame.. but that doesnt mean their point doesnt score. rockets better utilize that most plays goes to kobe and tire him out.. i wouldnt advocate a hard foul but if necessary why not.
BEAT LA
kobe will have a hard time scoring with ron ron.. if ron ron sits Shane battier takes over, and that guy is also a great defensive player, both have different styles,
if the rockets really do turn it up on D i see it as rockets in 6 or even 5. that is if ron ron really makes him work in the offense.
ron-ron-kobe
Scola-Gasol
Yao-Bynum
Von wafer- vujacic
brooks-fisher
LAL has been weak at the point, for the past few years their point guard has averaged less than 5 assists pergame.. but that doesnt mean their point doesnt score. rockets better utilize that most plays goes to kobe and tire him out.. i wouldnt advocate a hard foul but if necessary why not.
BEAT LA
The Rockets should have a chance if they can come up with a defensive plan that will wear down the key laker players like what the Celtics did. Everywhere were traps.
Also the Rockets should send their bench guys to play Pau Gasol physical (push, front, hold) just like what the Blazers did to Yao and what the lakers themselves do to Yao everytime. If they are going to front and try to beat up Yao, do the same to Pau. Make them tired and accountable on both ends.
Also the Rockets should send their bench guys to play Pau Gasol physical (push, front, hold) just like what the Blazers did to Yao and what the lakers themselves do to Yao everytime. If they are going to front and try to beat up Yao, do the same to Pau. Make them tired and accountable on both ends.
A
the rockets only have a chance if they steal one of the games in los angeles. hopefully it will be game one.... if the lakers go into houston 2-0 they will win one of them in houston and take it in 6. but if the rockets steal a game i could see them winning in 6. either way i dont see this going 7 games. it all depends on who can win on the road first. the rockets really, really need to win game 1.... period.
go rockets....
go rockets....
I was really tempted to go with Lakers in 5 but think the Rockets can pull off an extra win. Rockets are the least impressive team left in the playoffs outside of Orlando. However, they do have the defenders to stick on Kobe, and their knuckleheads at PG may fare better than the Lakers point guards. Also, they can expect a boost from Von Wafer who loves playing the Lakers. That's all they've got though. Lakers have the edge in coaching, superstar play, bench impact, smarts and home court advantage.
Too bad TMac isn't around to experience getting out of the 1st round playoffs.
I like Houston's chances matching up with the Lakers.
Yao - Bynum
Scola - Gasol
Artest-Odom
Battier/Artest-Kobe
They have the size and also toughness. I think it's going to boil down to who's support/bench players step up and make an impact. ie. Ariza, Wafer, Brooks, Vujakic.
I like Houston's chances matching up with the Lakers.
Yao - Bynum
Scola - Gasol
Artest-Odom
Battier/Artest-Kobe
They have the size and also toughness. I think it's going to boil down to who's support/bench players step up and make an impact. ie. Ariza, Wafer, Brooks, Vujakic.
I could see this going either way. I wouldn't be too surprised to see the Lakers dominate and win 4-1. On the other hand, I believe the Rockets are playing some of their best basketball right now. I don't know when the Lakers and Rockets met throughout the regular season so its hard to say. The Kings fan in me says Rockets in 6. The realist in me says Lakers in 5. 
Anyone see Artest's postgame interview yesterday? He said Brandon Roy was the best player he's ever defended. David Aldridge then said " do you want to rethink that statement given who you're facing in the 2nd round?" Artest said " no, Brandon Roy is the only player to ever score 40 on me". The talking has already begun. Kobe will try to light him up for 40 on monday night. This will be a great series.
If I was a betting man, Lakers in 7. But I would love for the Rockets to take game 7 in LA in front of the Lakers fans. But I also would like to see Lebron beat Kobe in the finals. That would be an even better matchup.
If I was a betting man, Lakers in 7. But I would love for the Rockets to take game 7 in LA in front of the Lakers fans. But I also would like to see Lebron beat Kobe in the finals. That would be an even better matchup.
Artest has selective memory. Kobe's already scored 40 and 42 on him in the past.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200701040SAC.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200701040SAC.html
The '02-'03 T-Mac could sorely give this team an offensive boost, but not only has that guy fallen so far in productivity, he has pretty much mentally and physically deteriorated--that's normally a lethal concoction; if this was just a player who was super role player at the time of his peak, he would be out of the league, but this was once a 30 ppg scorer, so he's basically just living off his past success, and that makes it all the more maddening. The past couple years, he's completely lost the majority of his slashing ability, shoots an even streaky jumpshot most of the time, and barely even puts even 60% effort on the floor on most nights. He's a net negative, and the fact that the Rockets made it to the 2nd round with the likes of Ron Artest and Von Wafer replacing him speaks volumes. I suppose he'll be kicked out of Houston soon and try to bandwagon to redeem his "loser" reputation, but then he'll gain teh reputation of bandwagoner and that won't look too good either.
This could be a smart tactic. I'm of the opinion that if Kobe is trying to score 40 a game, the Lakers are worse off for it. When Kobe is taking what is coming to him and allowing Gasol, Odom, Fisher and Bynum to get theirs, they are far more effective. Besides, you will likely see Battier on Kobe alot more than Artest.
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