The Houston Rockets: Keys to winning Game 6
by grungedave on May 14, 2009 9:47 AM CDT
in Random Commentary
72 comments
I'll keep it simple. There is one and only one key.
DO NOT TAUNT THIS MAN:
For the very same reasons that you do not feed the animals (or the trolls)... or take the blue pill... or accept checks from Al Bundy...
You simply do NOT want to taunt Kobe. That includes the fans. Do not chant "Kobe sucks." Don't do it. No good can come from it. Much like the Hulk, you would not like Kobe Bryant when he's truly angry.
I want a calm, passive, disinterested Kobe in tonight's Game 6. He's still going to get his points, but I don't want him dropping 50+ on us because he feels insulted or somehow slighted. Shane Battier already has enough trouble keeping Kobe under 30. Please do not make it any more difficult on the Rockets.
(Oh, and for you Nuggets fans that were chanting "Beat L.A.!" at the end of last night's game... I hope you just jinxed yourselves.)
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The 'Beat LA' chant...
Easier said than done. Seems like only yesterday that the Rockets fans were chanting it as they closed the door on Portland’s season. You know what they say: “Beware what you wish for.”
by WildYams on May 14, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
the difference
was that the lakers had already defeated Utah.
by Only_A_Lad on May 14, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Yao Ming
wasn’t injured. I love how some of these LA fans like to completely disregard the fact that our one and ONLY center, an All-Star center at that, is injured.
Oh, and Denver IS the better team right now. That might change today or tomorrow or 10 minutes from now but as of now, Denver is a better team than the Lakers.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 14, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
No Denver isn’t better.
Just like Cleveland is not as good as Atlanta made them look.
Just wait until Denver plays a team that matches them in talent and has better coaching.
by grungedave on May 14, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
absolutely
denver had easy series with an overachieving hornets team and a dysfunctional dallas team on the decline
if the rockets can force a game 7, i’d consider a pretty good effort if and when we lose…
but denver is in trouble if the lakers move on and face them
by clutchcity9495 on May 14, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm just going to say..
there’s a reason Chauncey Billups has been to 7 (I think) straight Conference Finals or farther – the guy is a winner.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 14, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That being said
The Nuggets have no one who can contain Kobe in the least bit but Pau will get abused by the Nuggets front line. (a la Dirk)
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 14, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't Dirk drop 30 repeatedly on them? And dropped a 40 for fun once too?
It wasn’t him, it was everyone else wilting.
Gasol has proven to me that he is tougher than I’ve given him credit for.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 14, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes he did have some solid games.
but Pau doesn’t have nearly the jumpshot that Dirk has (specifically that high arcing jumper that’s practically unguardable). Dirk wasn’t scoring in the paint and neither was Dampier.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 14, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
they chose to keep him on single coverage.
and it worked out for them anyway. they won, handily. they basically challenged him to beat them.
I mean, they had Dahntay Jones and Melo covering Dirk at times. They’re not bad defensively , but sure as hell can’t cover him. Dirk was just phenomenal, and he had like 30 shots in that series that you didn’t believe that could go in upon his release.
these fanposts are starting to kill me
by misterterrific on May 14, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dahntay Jones is a pretty good defender.
The Nuggets front court is deep and physical. I would expect Odom to disappear and Gasol to be limited in a potential nuggets/lakers series. On the other hand, the Lakers PG trio should do better with Billups.
No one on Denver can guard Kobe.
No one on LA can guard Carmelo.
Denver imo – is a bunch of meatheads, and if you thwart them, or rattle them, they break pretty easily. If you can’t they can bury anyone because they are incredibly athletic and explosive.
Everyone who thinks it would be an easy matchup for anyone, the way Denver is playing, is dreaming.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
just to clarify
was more of pointing out how Dirk would be a tough cover for Dahntay Jones.
these fanposts are starting to kill me
by misterterrific on May 14, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see, sorry.
I just saw the piling on of Denver and thought, those guys look pretty good to me. I think good teams have had an easy time with them because they haven’t sustained effort, or have just done stupid stuff.
They don’t seem to be doing that now. Yes, Dirk’s life is in the toilet, but Dallas’ finishing kick was real. That was a pretty good team Denver slapped down.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no worries
my comment was pretty vague/not well written.
these fanposts are starting to kill me
by misterterrific on May 14, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kobe on Melo
nuff said. Battle for the ages.
by tandur on May 14, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sasha on Melo
Would be epic
wait… stop trying to jinx it, the Lakers haven’t won the series yet! I see what you all are doing!
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on May 14, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn
so close ;-)
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 14, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's a 20% chance
Melo knocks Sasha’s teeth down his throat if this series were to happen, and go 7 games.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chauncey
Most overrated player in the NBA today.
it was the absence of Iverson that spurred the Nuggets. Not the presence of Chauncey.
by grungedave on May 14, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Chauncey got too much credit for turning this team around
Because I thought it was a mix of: a few players staying healthy for most of the year, JR Smith and Carmelo Anthony improving and being able to make smarter decisions, better depth plus Chauncey’s “leadership” AND production that made this team formidable.
these fanposts are starting to kill me
by misterterrific on May 14, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes you just FIT
Look at Artest. Its safe to say he found a home as a Rocket. He loves it hear and loves playing with us. His only problem is the same for all of us, McGrady.
by texasag on May 14, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Ron gets a deal
that ratchets up when McGrady comes off the cap at $22 bazilion dollars?
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nene has improved a lot this year as well.. No one talks about that
by shoothoop on May 14, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
7 times doesn't mean anything...
If you’ve only won one title during that whole run. He’s basically the Atlanta Braves of the 90’s.
by ThaDude on May 14, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess Chipper Jones
would be a more accurate comparison.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 14, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chauncey for the HOF?
Because Chipper will be there.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup , if Yao is hurt against Portland
You don’t beat us either. He is your difference maker…
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on May 14, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nuggets are not a better team than LA
Nuggets are not a better team. It is all about match ups. Some people believe the Lakers have played "mediocre" teams thus far in the playoffs and that the Nuggets have done better against "top seeded" teams. Also they believe that d Nuggets frontline’s ability to roughen up Dirk would automatically have the same effect against Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. I concur the Nuggets are a great team and now play good defense but the reasoning is VERY flawed in a lot of ways.
Firstly, Kobe is the one superstar in the playoffs that has faced very tough individual defenders against the Jazz (Brewer, Kirilenko, Harpring) and Rockets (Artest, Battier). Nonetheless, Kobe has lit it up from the field. He hasn’t played too much in the post because these are bigger defenders. Not playing in the post also means he hasn’t shot a lot of free throws because he hasn’t been fouled a lot. Put it this way, Battier (the best Kobe-defender in the league) isn’t walking through the Denver locker room.
Secondly, the difference between Kobe and Dirk is Kobe can get you 40 points, Dirk (mid 30s) on any night and bodying up would NOT INTIMIDATE him like Dirk but make him zone in and focus on lighting you up more. The closest defender in terms of physicality the Nuggets have to Artest is Kenyon Martin and asking him to lock up Gasol and Kobe at the same time is asking too much. Matter of fact, asking him to lock up Kobe ALONE is asking too much. Check last year playoffs matchup
The playoffs are all about matchups and I think we match up comfortably with the Nuggets. First off, our center (unlike Dampier) is not an offensive non entity so you can’t sag off and double team other players easily. Dirk is not really a post player but he had success when he wasn’t shooting jumpers and went into the post against the Nuggets. Of course Birdman got him a couple times but Dirk had a great offensive series regardless. No Gasol doesn’t have the same jumper but on the other hand, he is more crafty in the post with either hand than Dirk is and Bynum has the strength advantage over Dirk and anyone on the Nuggets frontline. None of the Nugget low post defenders have the luxury of a low but strong center of gravity like CHUCK HAYES of the Rockets. Gasol and Bynum both working in the post at ALL TIMES would put the Nugget frontline in foul trouble jeopardy.
Put it this way, it is Dahntay Jones AND Kenyon Martin against Kobe. Nene, Birdman and Kenyon Martin AGAIN against Gasol, Bynum and Odom. Our front line would not be over matched. In our last matchup (last regular season game), Bynum didn’t have a problem with Nene or Bidman so I expect him to have an OK series if he stays on the floor and draws some fouls in the post which I fully expect him to do against your frontline. I expect he would also because he isn’t guarding Yao Ming (the BEST OFFENSIVE CENTER in the NBA). Kobe is obviously bigger, stronger and more skilled than Dahntay Jones and he would take him straight to the post. Kobe isn’t Chris Paul, Jones would have his hands full.
Lastly, unlike the Jazz (Millsap) and Rockets (Landry), the Nuggets do not have an ELITE offensive rebounder at the forward position coming off their bench so I do not think the Lakers would struggle with "defensive rebounding" and give up multiple possessions. Another elite offensive rebounder in the league at the forward position is Leon Powe of the Celtics. All 3 players lack in size but are TALL IN HEART and EFFORT and have a nose for the ball. Scola also does.
by ceeteejazz on May 14, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Denver can match up just fine.
Obviously I’d rather face the Rockets, but I’m not worried about the Lakers. The Rockets are done.
The last game in Denver vs LA, Denver held the lakers to less than 90, and kobe had like 19 points on 21 shots. JR Smith played great defense on Kobe in the 4th quarter holding him to 2-9 from the field. Denver isn’t a team that is going to put one guy on Kobe (or Dirk, or CP3) and hang him out to dry. They’re athletic enough that they can switch and still play decent defense.
This is a different team from the playoffs last year, Nene had only played 30 minutes the entire season and he’s a much better 1 on 1 defender than Camby was. Chauncey is a better distributor than AI and can still light up the scoreboard. Kenyon is finally healthy and the Birdman is a beast off the bench.
I can see the Nuggs beating LA in 6. Houston? A sweep in 4.
by NuggBuckets on May 14, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought only Laker fans were THAT disrespectful of the Rockets..............
damn, I am spending too much time here.
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go Rockets!
I’m all about the underdog, and the L#kers and K*be are overrated.
RIP CITY RISING in 2009-10
by CyclonicWinds on May 14, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
First of all.......love the post. It's about time people figured out that a disinterested............
Kobe is less dangerous than a pissed off Kobe. Second of all shouldn’t you all be over at Pick Axe and Roll telling them how disrespectful their fans are for chanting “beat LA” too soon. I know if LA fans were chanting Beat Denver on Tuesday night you would be complaining about it at SilverScreen and Roll………..but I digress.
Anyway, good luck tonight. I wouldn’t mind losing (just cause I have Game 7 tickets) but I would rather win tonight and have my team get a little rest.
As for Denver (yeah I know getting ahead, blah, blah) other than one game we have beat the crap out of them like 8 or 9 straight times. Yeah I know Chauncey is there now, but we beat them pretty easily with him as well. Yeah regular season doesn’t matter now, blah, blah, blah, but it mattered so far against Houston and Utah.
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We're giving Denver a pass
Since none of us think they are that good
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 14, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
think?
How about I know they are not that good.
Denver is going to get smacked down by either the Rockets or Lakers. I stand by my earlier proclaimation that the winner of the Rockets/Lakers series will win the whole thing.
by grungedave on May 14, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats what i thought too
but the more i look at Denver the more they convince me. Chauncey is the most experienced PG left, and the best. Melo is playing the best he’s ever played. Nene is playing the best he has every played. K-Mart is is a bruiser who can get under the skin of anyone. They play fast, but still play defense, and in Denver the altitude makes a big difference. Yeah they played NO and Dallas, but they dominated both, including a ridiculous 58 pt win on the road. The dallas series should have been a sweep, but Denver lost focus in the 4th quarter of game 4, which is not too bad when comparing it to LA’s loss of focus.
I think Denver would easily beat the Yao-less Rockets, and would beat LAL in 6 or 7.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets
Game 5 lakers
lakers lead series 3-2
by TexasHoosier on May 14, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Glad to get some backup here.
I agree with everything you’ve said.
Not to mention JR Smith is actually playing some sort of team ball. They definitely have the talent to hang with LA.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 14, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It comes down to effort.............
If the Rockets play the Nuggets they will have to play with a lot of effort to overcome the injuries. If the Lakers play the Nuggets they will have to play with effort to overcome their lack of effort. :-)
Good luck 2 nite.
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So us beating your ass in game 4....
Was all lack of effort.
To quote the wise jackson “Give them some fucking credit.”
by texasag on May 14, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on man
He wasn’t being a dick. He never said it was lack of effort that cause the Rockets to win. He was actually talk trash about his own teams inability to focus.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 14, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I donated $$$ to his favorite charity............
He would think it was only for a tax write off………….some people can’t live without controversy. Anyway, thanks for the defense.
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In all fairness I didn't say anything about game 4, but I am sure it was at least half because...................
of a lack of effort on the Lakers part. Obviously the other half would be Houston’s kicking our ass.
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but...
in Denver-LA comparisons, I think you have to throw talent and matchups out the window. There are so many mismatches for both teams that it’s pretty much just a matter of opinion on who would win looking at those alone.
Also, since apparently regular season is a complete non-factor to teams who got swept or beat 3-1 (“oh, our team was completely different then!!!”), let’s ignore that too.
The biggest factor I see is the mental abilities of both teams. Denver, through it’s own hard play and reputation, is a hard-nosed group who play rough, talk trash, and let refs get into their heads. The Lakers are an arrogant team who let opponents hard play get into their head, and use Kobe as a backup plan to any adversity.
So my prediction in a Denver-LA series would be for LA to pull it off in 6, once Denver starts complaining about officiating and letting it affect their play. Either way, it’s going to be a high octane series, and unlike Houston-LA, where sometimes you felt like whoever could score next would be able to win (LA breaking through Houston’s D, Houston breaking through it’s own Offensive malaise), Denver-LA might be whoever has the ball last.
by tandur on May 14, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
L.A. can match their talent and has better coaching.
Houston would throw a defense at Denver that would frustrate the hell out of them.
They key thing is, both teams know how to defend against Carmelo. L.A. uses a collective effort to shut him down, and Houston has Battier and Artest to contain him one on one.
by ThaDude on May 14, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Y’all might find this recent exchange between Malcolm Gladwell and Bill Simmons interesting (emphasis added):
SIMMONS
The bigger point: NBA teams rarely, if ever, think outside the box, and that’s one of at least 50 reasons why I could succeed as a GM. Over the course of an 82-game season, a killer press might swing five or six games. If I ran an NBA team, I would study tapes of those first 50 games the ’97-98 Celtics played with Billups. Carefully. They were 21-24 through 45 games with the youngest team in the league during an extremely competitive season. Hmmmmmm.
GLADWELL
Let me get this straight. Pitino uses the press at Boston for 50 games and achieves a surprising result. And an entire league full of very thoughtful and knowledgeable coaches watch him do that, and in the past decade not a single one has even tried to follow Pitino’s example?
SIMMONS
Yup. Although the late ‘90s were the peak of the NBA’s Too Young Too Much Too Soon Era: too many young guys getting paid too much too soon, and handling it about as well as your average group of successful child actors getting their first fake IDs. This stretch was dominated by posses, tattoos, crotch-grabs, sneers, coach-choking and everything else; just a bunch of immature guys who carried themselves like superstars even though they hadn’t done squat. Really, 1993-99 was one of the two “Wasted Eras of Young Talent,” along with 1978-86 (the coke era). So the thinking was probably “I can’t even get these guys to run a high screen without them glaring at me or MF-ing me … I’m gonna get them to press?” Players are much more humble and responsible and self-aware these days, so it might have a better chance.
GLADWELL
Still, is there any other industry in the world (well, outside of Detroit) so terrified of innovation? I went to see a Lakers-Warriors game earlier this season, and it was abundantly clear after five minutes that the Warriors’ chances of winning were, oh, no better than 10 percent. Why wouldn’t you have a special squad of trained pressers come in for five minutes a half and press Kobe and Fisher? Worst-case scenario is that you exhaust Kobe, and make him a bit more vulnerable down the stretch. Best case is that you rattle the Lakers and force a half-dozen extra turnovers that turn out to be crucial. And if you lose, so what? You were going to lose anyway. When you become GM of the Timberwolves, I’m guessing you’ll put the special-press-squad concept into effect immediately.
SIMMONS
Yes. In a heartbeat. It’s one of the few roster advantages you have: By using that killer press, you are turning your 10th, 11th and 12th men into assets instead of guys who are measured by their ability to execute chest-bumps and feign excitement over someone else’s success. So … yeah. The killer press is on the agenda.
You can read the whole article here.
by Lauri on May 14, 2009 11:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
interesting idea
But I dare anyone to try and press Brooks and Lowry. Good luck with that.
by grungedave on May 14, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I read that and thought
the Rockets could build a very good pressing unit. They have the speed on the bench to do it. Well, almost, they need a swingman.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the kind of defense he would excel at
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 14, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pelton provides some insight
http://www.basketballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=253
these fanposts are starting to kill me
by misterterrific on May 14, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, thanks for the link! We had a long discussion about the Gladwell piece at PtR, and the article at your link meshes with a lot of what become the sort of consensus among us.
by Lauri on May 14, 2009 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the link..
Here is the link to the excellent article that Malcolm Gladwell wrote..
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/11/090511fa_fact_gladwell?printable=true
It is well written, and I hope the Rockets can get some inspiration from this article.
by Kari on May 14, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone outside of Boston...
who thinks Simmons is a genius, well, I’ll let you conjure up any type of negative adjective you want.
Seriously. The guy is too subjective when it comes to sports, especially the NBA and MLB. And he thinks he can just be given a GM job and instantly be productive? That tells you right there what type of ego he has. Anyone who is a realist cannot possibly think they can just be given a job of GM and over night turn a franchise around.
There’s a reason teams don’t press every possession. Besides the fact that it will wear down your players’ legs over the course of an 82 game season and possibly more if you make the playoffs, teams will also counter it if they know it’s coming. Okay, so this young Celtics teams went a decent 21-24 to start the season. But, he fails to mention they ended the season with a record of 36-46, obviously leaving a horrible 15-22 record in the second half. And since they were apparently young, legs couldn’t possibly be the reason they faltered. Teams eventually adjusted and found a way to break the press. Funny how he so blatantly disregards that, because, you know, he’d be such a great GM and all.
A full on press in the NBA just doesn’t work out like it does in the NCAA. College kids get rattled too easily and NBA coaches and scouts are a lot more advanced. You can’t just throw out your 10th, 11th and 12th men and think they’ll shut down the other team or wear them out because of the press. You also have to score on offense, you think you have a good chance with those guys in the lineup?
by ThaDude on May 14, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forgot to add...
that GMs don’t decide what type of offense or defense a teams runs. It’s the coach that does. Obviously, no coach now runs this type of defense. And if you bring in a college coach not named “Krzyzewski,” good luck with trying to get the players to listen to him.
by ThaDude on May 14, 2009 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Al Bundy
One of my favorite TV characters of all time.
by Golden Boy on May 14, 2009 1:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
First of all.....
my allegiance will never leave the rockets. but, i’ll give props when props are due. Carmelo is a beast! and one of my favorite non-rocket.
by kg_2005 on May 14, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, with all due respect...
I think Kobe Bryant getting pissed is or not is irrelevant, and it boils down to simply how well Rockets play, and if Rick Adelman can think of some interesting gameplan to throw the Lakers off balance. Lakers have more talent on their team. Rockets are decimated, and do not have a strong interior presence.
Why not?
(a) Play Ron Artest at 5 for some minutes in the game? Someone suggested this in one of the the chronicle blogs. It eliminates the need for playing 4 on 5 on offense with Chuck on the floor. Bynum/Pau will be defended by someone who is good defensively. Offensively Ron can muscle his way through and get some points without dribbling out the clock.
(b) Start Brooks/Battier/Scola/Artest/Brent Barry. Barry is a legitimate scoring threat from the 3 point line, and will help spread the floor to open up for Brooks to penetrate. He has, from what I have read, good basketball IQ, and help the team keep its focus.
© As someone suggested above, try the press for a few minutes at the end of the first two quarters, when lakers seem to do the most damage. The laker guards are not that fast.
So, I think, if the Rockets can keep the Lakers slightly off balance, they have a chance to win. It boils down to coaching and flexiblity of thinking at this point, and how well coaches create a game plan.
Kobe will get his points, whether angry or not. Shane does as good a job as one can do. Can the Rockets tailor a game that gets the Lakers out of their comfort zone..
Kari
by Kari on May 14, 2009 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That starting lineup is way too small if they start Bynum and Pau
Its actually kinda funny to say that because Barry is taller than Chuck, but Barry is too poor on defense to start, especially when we dont know what our offense will do tonight. If there would be any starting lineup besides the one we have used since Yao left, it would probably be Landry instead of Hayes, but that takes too much scoring away from our bench.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets
Game 5 lakers
lakers lead series 3-2
by TexasHoosier on May 14, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
NBA crew for tonight.
L.A. Lakers @ Houston — Monty McCutchen, Tom Washington, Mark Wunderlich
That’s right. Nobody notorious. Well, I guess after the Dallas game, Wunderlich.
But Boston/Orlando gets Crawford and Bavetta on the same crew.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 2:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Crawford and Bavetta on the same crew??
Seems like Stern really wants one particular team to win
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets
Game 5 lakers
lakers lead series 3-2
by TexasHoosier on May 14, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So it would appear.
But I sort of like Bavetta. He’s grumpy, doesn’t like wimpy basketball and according to some, thinks McGrady is committing Workers Comp fraud. Which I don’t believe really, but it’s still funny.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Joey, Dan
And Dan is the best ref in the game.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 14, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like this.
Referees I don’t know is good news.
by grungedave on May 14, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im pretty sure they are all good.
Ive heard of all of em. McCutchen is in his 15th season. Washington his 16th. Wunderlich his 17th.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets
Game 5 lakers
lakers lead series 3-2
by TexasHoosier on May 14, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its Dan Crawford...not Joey
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets
Game 5 lakers
lakers lead series 3-2
by TexasHoosier on May 14, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, just read Crawford there and assumed.
It would be Crawford The Elder, or whatever.
Go to the light. Go to the light...
by Xiane on May 14, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
clips fan here...
my 2 cents worth…Ron-Ron needs to reduce the number of jump shots he takes (or at least make alot more) and get to the hole…Ariza can’t stop him on the blocks…He’s the key to tonight’s game!…
Roger Sterling: I bet there were people in the Bible walking around, complaining about "kids today."
Don Draper: Kids today, they have no one to look up to. Cuz they're looking up to us.
by Lawler's Law on May 14, 2009 3:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well usually ALL CAPS=A-HOLE. However this is the first post of yours that I have ever read so I will give you the benefit of the doubt.
However, Dirk = Best PF? LOL He only looks like that cause you guys can’t defend him.
"Don't I know you from somewhere"?. "Nah, that ain't me, I'm from Buffalo" - Axel Foley
by pslakerfan on May 14, 2009 7:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
name a better PF than dirk
dirk is the best scoring big man in the nba but the second best scorer behind my boy ANTHONY. LETS GO NUGGETS!
by Armann on May 14, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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