Beating LA

by Kari on May 1, 2009 9:48 PM CDT Comment 7 comments

Beating LA will be challenge for the Rockets, but I think that this group of Rockets can do it.

Shut down everyone else but Kobe: Kobe will get his points. Let him, but shut everyone else down. Do not double Kobe (except on occasion to mix it up), and solely rely on Ron/Battier combo to wear him down on both ends. If the Rockets can make Kobe shoot 30+ attempts to get his 30 points per game, then they have done their job.
Get Yao the ball: This one is on Rick Adelman. He has to come up with some specific plays for Yao. Pau is effective, and if the Yao who showed up to play Game #6 against the Blazers can show up for each Laker game, then this series could get a whole lot of interesting - pretty quick.
Keep your cool: What has been impressive about this group of Rockets is that they have been fairly levelheaded despite their inexperience. This is virgin territory for most of their players: Brooks/Lowry/Landry/Wafer are all relatively inexperienced, and this is new even for veterans such as Yao/Battier. So, if they play within their offensive capacities, and try not to force too much they can win. I think that this team is plenty good defensively, but on the offensive end, they have to become more workmen-like; Just run your scheme, take the high percentage shots that the defense gives and move on.
Coaching: If one were to rely on the history, I fully expect Phil Jackson to start whining about officiating as soon as the series gets tight. It is going to be a lot of gamesmanship from the Lakers coaching staff. Let us see if Rick Adelman can coach his team to a series victory against the Lakers in this series.

Slow Down the game:
1. Minimize turnovers: Brooks has to play smart basketball and stick to a game-plan. Rick Adelman needs to keep him on a tight leash. Fisher can not guard him, but Fisher is very savvy. Perhaps a small dose of Barry might not be bad idea to mix things up.
2. Play solid transition defense: The Lakers would like to push the ball up quickly, and quick transition defense would allow the Rockets (in particular, when Yao is on the floor) to get set up to play Rockets style.
The pressure is on the Lakers.. Go Rockets!

Kari

No cursing in title. No pirated material, such as links to online game streams. Do not cut/paste entire sections of content from other websites. Thanks.

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Yup

That’s the basic blueprint to beat the Lakers. I think you’re going to find it hard to pull it off though. Scola will not stop Gasol nor Odom (if he maintains last series form). No, I am not underestimating Scola, I love the guy and think he should be the second weapon behind Yao in every game. A slow tempo benefits the Rockets but the Lakers are very good at getting the pace they want and even if it becomes a slow game, they have an elite half-court game. As for coaching, poor Rick is going to be outclassed by PJ.

by Worthy J. on May 2, 2009 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree that it is difficult to pull it off..

It will hugely depend on how well the Rockets handle the defense. If they play smart team defense, then I think the odds are good. Lakers would like to see Brooks guard Kobe after a screen by Fisher, and create a mismatch that they can exploit. We will see how well the Rockets play the team defense.

With respect to coaching, I think, perhaps one of the few coaches who got under the skin of Phil Jackson seems to be Rick Adelman . Believe it or not, Phil Jackson is said to have motivated the Lakers by comparing Adelman to Adolf Hitler. This was a Laker team that had both Shaq, and Kobe!!

It should make an entertaining series, if Rockets stick to their strengths, and play within their capabilities..

by Kari on May 2, 2009 7:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

I actually think the Rockets’ offense will play a bigger role (or the Lakers’ defense depending on your POV). I seem to recall the Rockets playing pretty solid defense in all the games against this year, it’s just that the Lakers still scored 100+ every game because that’s just what the Lakers do. That’s not the Rockets’ fault, it’s just that the Lakers are the best offensive team in the league and Kobe has played some of his most efficient ball against them.

I can believe the thing about Hitler. You have to remember though, that was when he was on the Kings and there was PLENTY of hate going around on both sides. None of this “I respect them” crap that most rivalries are these days, genuine hatred. I’m sure Adelman wasn’t exactly casting Phil in a good light either. Besides, even if he did get under PJ’s skin, it’s not like it affected the overall outcome (not to the King’s favor anyway).

by Worthy J. on May 3, 2009 3:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The times have indeed changed

There is more political correctness these days, and perhaps more players are trained to be sensitive to the front office!

Good point about the Lakers offensive capabilities. I am skeptical that the Rockets can win games if their opponent consistently score above 100 points. This Rocket team is composed of a host of role players who can be counted on to play solid D every possession, but not score 15-20 points most nights. That’s why I am hoping that the Rockets can elevate their D. But, your point is well taken..

Kari

by Kari on May 3, 2009 12:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Easier said than done……

by Mr. Laker on May 4, 2009 6:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It is difficult, but doable.

Essentially this is similar to the game plan that the Rockets had against the Blazers. Roy/Aldridge scored nearly 50+ points per game throughout the series, but the lost the series. I am hoping that it is not beyond the capability of the Rockets to shut down Bynum/Fisher/Ariza. Well, the game starts in half an hour, let us see!

Kari

Go rockets!

by Kari on May 4, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs