Game Preview: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers - Game 2 - NBA Playoffs - Conference Semifinals- 9:30PM CST
by UofTOrange on May 6, 2009 2:48 PM CDT
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I have two major thoughts going into this game. First of all, I'm sick of everyone in the media and Laker Nation acting like the Lakers played terribly all on their own. The Rockets forced those errors. Shane Battier made Kobe shoot from places that Battier wanted him too. Yao Ming really is that good, actually he's even better. So that's enough of that ridiculous line. Could the Lakers have played better? Sure, but if the Rockets play defense like that every game of the series, I absolutely guarantee a Rockets series win, with or without LA clicking on all cylinders going into that defense. Second, everyone is acting like the Rockets are void of talent and the Lakers are the greatest team in NBA history. Yes, clearly the Lakers are damn good. Kobe is the greatest player on the planet, I agree with that. But come on, the Rockets were 1 win against Memphis away from being the number 2 seed. Alright, now that I got that off my chest, on to the match-ups:
Point Guard
Brooks/Lowry vs. Fisher/Brown/Farmar - Game 1 was not a fluke. Brooks and Lowry are better than what the Lakers have to offer at the point. Why is it that people want to act like LA has no holes? They don't have many, I can freely admit that, but they are far from infallible. The Rockets have 2 point guards on the roster that would start for the Lakers, that right there gives them the edge. No I don't care if your homerism still thinks it's 5 years ago and Derek Fisher is good. Let's put it this way, I would give Rafer Alston the advantage here, that's how far Fisher has slipped. Now, this isn't to say that Brown and Farmar can't live up to their potential, just that they haven't, and it's not likely to start in this series.
Edge: Rockets
Shooting Guard
Battier/Wafer/Artest vs. Bryant/Vujacic - While Battier is the small forward on offense, it is his defense that matters most in this series (and every other one for that matter). The Rockets effectively stopped
Edge: Lakers
Small Forward
Artest/Battier vs. Ariza/Odom/Powell - Last game Dave assessed the Lakers with an edge at the small forward position. I questioned it because Artest is better than Odom, period. That said, he was comparing Battier here, and not Artest. Clearly with rotation and depth, the Lakers have a good combo at the 3, but the fact that Odom will play so much 4, means I’m comparing Artest to Ariza here, and that’s not contest. Ariza is solid and can be fun to watch, while Powell gives a lot fo the same energy that Carl Landry has given to the Rockets in the past. I’ve never bought into the Odom hype, but his two man game with Gasol is a thing of beauty. Hopefully the Rockets can continue to disrupt it with their power forwards ala Game 1.
Edge: Even
Power Forward
Scola/Landry/Hayes vs. Gasol/Powell/Odom - I have to put a disclaimer here: I don’t like Pau Gasol, read any comments about him that I have with caution. He’s just never done anything to impress me past some nice stats. Yes he produced in
Edge: Lakers - But no where near as big as some think
Center
Yao/Hayes vs. Bynum/Gasol/Mbegna - Will the Lakers double
Edge: Rockets
Prediction: I'm sticking with my original prediction, it's been right so far. Lakers win Game 2, maybe even in a blowout. It won't matter though, Rockets are in this for the long haul.
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i broke the rules when signing up to post on "thedreamshake"
If you are a fan of the Utah Jazz, I’m sorry.
but please, please win the series! i will gouge my eyes out if i have to watch the lakers hoist up the trophy.
i like the way you guys match up against the lakers. you are a lot more physical than the lakers, and the lakers are a soft group. so that is in your favor. and i hate how all the sports writers are acting like kobe’s teammates quit on him. hell the guy hoisted 31 shots! how the hell can that loss be blamed on everyone BUT kobe?? the media will never blame kobe.
please, please win all your home games! i want nothing more than kobe to throw one of his kobe tantrums this summer.
I feel like...
We can get this in 6. I predict a loss tonight and game 5, but we take all three at home!
It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!
Refs for tonight's game
Joey Crawford, Bill Spooner, Greg Willard.
Crawford is generally a good road team ref, right? I remember him and Salvatore being on the same crew to balance out the biases in the Finals last year.
Bork bork bork!
Adolf Crawford?
Oh yea he and Bennett Musollini make a great fascist duo out there.
"Hip-Thrust!" - Hard Gay
In case you're wondering, Hard Gay is married.
He's the BIGGEST home court ref in the league.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Everytime I come to this site I get thirsty
I need to head to Steak n Shake now. Great job on the preview. From a Lakers fan perspective I’d add:
-I’m not sure who’s being homerish about the PG matchup, but I haven’t met them. All of us have deep, deep concerns about our defense at the PG position. Fish is just too old and slow at this point, and our defense at that slot is undoubtedly one of our biggest weaknesses, likely the greatest.
-Odom often plays like a borderline All-Star, true, especially against different teams. However Adelman’s move of putting Artest on Odom was a masterstroke. Lamar thrives off the mismatches his physical skills create, but Artest’s just as strong and even quicker than Lamar. Not saying LO can’t bounce back (and I expect him to on the boards), but Artest is a matchup nightmare for Lamar.
-I have to respecfully disagree about the Gasol point (although he does scream quite a bit when touched, yes). Although he’s not a #1 per se, his value to the Lakers is in some people’s eyes even greater than Kobe’s. Gasol in the triangle is similar to Nash in D’Antoni’s system – the player and system perfectly mesh. Our team’s offense is infinitely more efficient when the ball goes through Pau rather than Kobe, primarily because of Pau’s superb passing ability out of the high post, and Kobe’s propensity to hoist up contested jumpshots.
-Is there any best way to defend Yao? Fronting and soft doubles clearly work, but Scola annihilated the Blazers. Yao is beastly, pure and simple. To me the best way is to attack and try to get him in foul trouble, because he creates too many problems when in the game. I hope Phil realizes that 1) Bynum is not 100% and 2) even if he was, Yao will do what he wants 1-on-1. Bynum’s no matchup for Yao.
This should be a fun one. I wasn’t one of those that underestimated the Rockets, but even I was impressed with the way Brooks stepped up in crunch time. This is the first time all season we’ve been in a hole, and it’ll be interesting to see how our young players respond.
To someone who was a part of this initial rivalry, Jackson-Adelman is fun to watch again. Plus with a matchup like Kobe and Battier, this series will take on the shape of a chess match more than any other. Fun for any basketball fan.
On the homerism part
I agree, I’m not seeing that too much, just saying it would only be homerism that would allow someone to argue it
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
Agreed.
Kobe went as far as to say you that AB “almost” deserves the scoring respect of Tony Parker.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
I dislike Brooks scoring on us
But as a fairly short dude myself, I’ve been rooting for Brooks since he came into the league. I absolutely hated the fact that the guy could straight up ball, and most teams thought he was simply too short to make it and passed on him.
It’s strange to think about, but we could be witnessing the start of a very special player, a la Parker. More than just his skills, but his poise impresses me.
AB
must improve on his decision making to reach Parker’s level as a point. Brooks’ offense is already sufficient as it is.
"Hip-Thrust!" - Hard Gay
In case you're wondering, Hard Gay is married.
True, but remember Parker's early years?
The guy had to put up with nothing but screaming fits from Pop because of his decision making.
I think Brooks is a better natural outside shooter than Parker, not as good a passer.
Parker finishes better, but give it time. The decision making point I think is completely true.
Lowry also intrigues me. Almost as quick as Brooks, better passer, better defender, and rebounder, an amazing knack for drawing fouls, not as good a shooting range, but it seems like he can hit the open 3 at least. Doesn’t have the smooth finishes. I doubt there is anyone of his quality we could have gotten this year, and he’s here now.
The only knock on the combo is their height – I think Barry was expected to take on some combo guard duties.
True.
Brooks has the potential to become a Tony Parker-lite, but Lowry is nearly guaranteed to become a solid starter for his entire career.
I agree with the need for a combo guard off the bench, and Barry/Wafer is not the answer. Wafer is a talented scorer, but suffers from the same decision making/defensive shortcomings as AB. I never really understood why the Rockets wanted Barry to play point for any length of time. At this stage he is still a serviceable shooter who will make good decisions with the ball, but he can’t handle the ball under any kind of pressure defense, and almost always has to pass it up with a defender in his grill.
As much as I hate to say it, at least one of our backup “bigs” will probably be gone by the time training camp starts (my guess is Cook or less likely Dorsey). We need size behind Yao, and I don’t mean Loren Woods.
So I haven’t really read much on this blog about James White. He definitely has the athleticism and shooting stroke from the garbage time I’ve seen, but I can’t really see him putting up 15 points on a nightly basis.
"Hip-Thrust!" - Hard Gay
In case you're wondering, Hard Gay is married.
What about Aaron Brooks
Becoming a better Aaron Brooks??
Why does ABZ need to become a Tony Parker, or like a Tony Parker. Why cant ABZ be ABZ. Aaron can shoot better outside than parker in his early years, is quicker than parker, the passing will come, and Aaron can fill the cup when he gets close. Parker became good by playing his own game, why not ABZ too?
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
I'm not sure what you are trying to point out
Tony Parker is only a “best-case” scenario comparison we’re using to evaluate what Brooks could become in the near future. There are many prototypical models for little guys slashing to the hole, and right now Brooks seems to resemble the younger Parker the most. Aaron is definitely a better outside shooter, but he still needs to learn how to avoid the shot block near the rim consistently.
However, I don’t agree with your statement that “the passing will come”, because if it came, every other point guard in the league would be averaging 7+ dimes per. Some PGs just see the floor better than others, and Brooks is not among those. I think that will be the aspect of his game that he needs to work on the most before he can become a consistent threat.
"Hip-Thrust!" - Hard Gay
In case you're wondering, Hard Gay is married.
He's only been a starter for less than 40 games
its hard to evaluate a player with that little sample size. his role with the rockets right now is to be a scorer first. youre right that not every pg averages 7 ast per game, but not every pg who comes into the league has great numbers his first year starting.
Tony Parker has never averaged 7 dimes/game. And this year, his 8th in the L, all as a starter, he averged the best for his career at 6.9. Parker’s first year he averaged .14 ast/min. Compare that to Brooks’ .12 ast/min this season and its not too far off.
Brooks needs to bulk up for sure, but Tony is considered one of the best PG’s in the league and doenst get many assists. Not everyone comes into the league and sees the floor like CP3 or Deron or Rose, it takes time for most. Brooks can see the floor as a scorer now and that leads me to think he will be able to see it as a passer too.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
Well...
so far he’s been pretty hot and cold. Showing flashes of brilliance closing out games, etc. If he can get to be more hot than cold, then I agree he could be a very special player.
I actually have a really funny story about him.
My friend is a manager at the pool in Aaron’s neighborhood here and Houston and you have to have a card to get in. Well, the lifeguard at the front gate obviously doesn’t watch basketball because he wouldn’t let him in because he didn’t have him key.
So my friend goes over to see what the commotion is and see’s AB there yelling and screaming at his lifeguard. My buddy tries to sort the situation out but just ends up being cussed out by Aaron Brooks. Then he got in his Bentley and left.
In retrospect it’s not that funny, it just makes AB look like any asshole. But at least I can say my friend got cussed out by Aaron Brooks haha
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
You're hot on the
trail Watson.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
Tony Parker is much bigger and stronger and can finish much more effectively in the lane.
That said, I do expect Brooks to continue to improve his game. Once he learns what his strengths and weaknesses are, he will be able to have a Parkerian Renaissance.
The Dream Shake
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
Parker will always be a better finisher
But Brooks will always be a better shooter. If he improves his finishing and passing at the end of his penetration, he will be ELITE- that is really the only thing holding him back right now. He is still only in his second year, so I have high hopes for him.
Good points
Although you forgot to mention that Staples Center sounded like too much like a neutral crowd during the fourth quarter, which probably helped the Rockets fend off any runs.
"Hip-Thrust!" - Hard Gay
In case you're wondering, Hard Gay is married.
Do NOT mention that
It’s a sore spot among many passionate Lakers fans, especially for fans like myself who really can’t afford tickets to Staples. No love lost for Boston, but I grudgingly respect the atmosphere Celts and Cavs fans create in their stadiums. Wish we could do that in Staples, but as long as tickets are that expensive, it’s unlikely to happen.
(On a side note, celebrities get a bad rep for the atmosphere, but I’ve noticed some celebs like Timberlake really get into it. JT gets up and screams and jumps around like a normal fan, so they’re not all apathetic. On the other hand, if I never saw Zac Efron again (on TV in general), I would be a very, very happy man).
HAHA
Well there’s always Jack Nicolas/Johnny chatting it up with the coaches. and Zac Efron is probably busy crying his eyes out after being dissed by Megan Fox.
"Hip-Thrust!" - Hard Gay
In case you're wondering, Hard Gay is married.
If Megan Fox shows up to Staples, I don't care if the building is pindrop silent
I’d sell out my fandom for Fox.
I have no clue what she said about Efron, but if it was negative, just makes her that much hotter.
snoop
your one laker fan welcomed here anytime!
by HTOWNCYPRESSBOY on May 6, 2009 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I see what you did there
But come on, the Rockets were 1 win against Memphis away from being the number 2 seed.
A moot point that is forgotten by the media
and the lakers. people see that 5 seed and think that it is a complete mismatch, but in reality this could just have easily been the WCF as it is the WCSF.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
Congratulations on your award
First time in internet history that two people have spelled “moot” properly in a row.
by seanbergmanrules on May 6, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Well thanks!!
but i dont think its too difficult to spell mood moot.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
HAHA
They could be brothers!
It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!
I have a renewed faith in Brooks...
after watching him play in game 1, he still needs to practice his free throws though. I just hope he puts up a similar performance with less turnovers and more points.
Hmmm
I’m a Lakers fan and while I agree with most of the match-up descriptions above I think it boils down to something even more basic.
The Rockets as a team entered the playoffs playing pretty well and continue to do so. The Lakers were playing their best in January & February. At that point they were easily better than any team in the league, 10 games up in the west and beating most teams without too much effort.
But since then they’ve been lazy, sloppy, everybody’s in a shooting slump. They are good enough to beat 90% of the NBA by just showing up. But if they don’t start playing as well as they were early in the year they won’t make it too far against a good Rockets team.
Tonight’s game is obviously critical but at least the weather’s warming up so beach season might start early in SoCal this year.
by olf on May 6, 2009 4:54 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
This should be Green
as its a lakers fans realizing that the Rockets have been playing better than the Lakers lately.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
Please don't make me green!
Frickin’ Celtics and all, you know. . .
by olf on May 6, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
BURY THE LAKERS!
They’re a very similar team to my Blazers. YES YOU CAN!
Proud member of Duck nation!
How the fuck did Kobe AND Lebron make the all defensive 1st team ahead of Shane?
And, to a lesser extent, RonRon. I’m not surprised, just want to know what the hell goes on in the minds of voters.
"I'm just looking forward to something great happening in the city of Houston" - Tracy McGrady
Still waiting...
Because its Kobe and LeBron
Im okay with LeBron being on it, but Kobe got it just because of name IMO. Its nothing new to Shane or to Houston, and now its just more motivation.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
yea
no problem w/ Lebron but Kobe’s just makin it on his name now
You're not foolin me Kerry Collins.
Rockets are better team
Lakers may have more talent. They definitely have the best player but my gut says that the Rockets can take them.
Blazers fan rooting for a Rockets victory
Over the L*kers, that is. I haven’t gone mental.
Good luck tonight guys, I hope Scola lights them up, because i cry everyday that he isn’t on the Spurs, pick and rolling with Ginobili.
What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)
the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post
Not really related to anything in this thread, BUT
I have an innate hatred for Vujacic. Good shooter, vastly overrated player in general (especially defensively)…and generally just a nuisance to watch in general
Was Brooks kidding in that interview?
He sounded like he almost didn’t know just how great Hakeem was. He was probably joking, but if not…shame on you, Aaron Brooks.
It was a joke bro.
Definitely meant to make fun of the Jet.
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash Kunnath on May 6, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Does anyone get clowned more than Kenny?
lol Charles got AB back pretty good though
Go Novak!
ooops! he’s probably chillin in the bahamas right now!
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.
I love Novak! I think we have to match any offers he gets next year...thanks rockets!
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.
man, it'd be so sweet if the rockets take two from these FAkers!
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.
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