Reporter: "Yao, so after splitting the first two games, what are your thoughts on going back home?"

Yao: "Split? What's that mean?"

Reporter: "It means getting 1-1 in the first two games."

Yao: "Oh. Man, I've been learning lots of new words lately."

(Crowd laughter)

"Well, it was great getting a split here in LA. We got what we wanted from the beginning. But we need to be focused, LA is a great team. So we don't get a split at home".

Then Yao leaves the podium amidst the laughters.

It's great that Yao is finally getting some airtime for his humor.  Ever since the giant came into the league, his answers are either so profound that would make Confucius scratch his head, or he'll brighten the room with some dry humor. 

Good to see him keeping his spirit up after a disappointing performance. 

Anyway, now onto the recap.

So after the Rockets steal one in LA (in spectacular fashion, I might add), I immediately knew that the mighty Lakers will come back in Game 2 with a vengeance.

Oh yes, with a vengeance they did.

Of course, as all Rockets fans have, I have hoped that perhaps the Rockets can maintain the intensity and shock the world even more with a commanding 2-0 lead going back home.

That didn't happen.

The Lakers have made some great adjustment in the line-ups, and have shaken off the overtalked "rust" from game 1.  This game started as the Kobe show, then it became the awakening of Carl Landry.  Unfortunately, tempers took over at the end of the 3rd quarter and carried on into the 4th. 

All of you have watched the game, if you didn't, I'm sure at least one die-hard fan in China already has a torrent made from the CCTV-5 coverage.  Google or Baidu it.

Thoughts about the game:

Pau Gasol - The Zen Master took out Bynum and inserted Odom back onto the starting line-up. So Pau Gasol gets to check Yao.  When I saw that I knew it was going to be a long night for Yao.  As much as I despise the (a dozen unflattering adjectives omitted here) Spaniard, I respect his game.  The man has given Yao troubles on both ends before, and he's certainly going to step up after his poor Game 1 performance.  The worst match-ups for Yao are athletic, jump shooting big men with quick feet: The Boozers, the Al Harringtons, and the Pau Gasols of the world.

Pau did a great job fronting and denying Yao the ball. Whenever Yao was established, he could always get a hand on the entry pass or even deflect Yao's passes.  On the other end, he made Yao pay with a few jumpers along with his quick moves, including a lefty dunk after a quick spin.  Yao was taken out of his rhythm after Pau drew a few quick fouls.

Yao Ming - One shot in the first half.  Three quick fouls. Abused by Gasol.  Imagine the relief on my face when PJ took out Pau and put in Bynum in the 4th quarter.  And Yao took advantage of that match up and scored himself some crucial points.  Then a late turnover by him pretty much sealed the game. 

This is not how the leader of the Rockets should play, let along the top center in the league.  It seemed like Yao channeled Dwight's funk tonight all the way across the country. 

Luis Scola - O Brother where art thou?  Aside from a few good offensive moves and a few jumpers, where did the Argentine go?  He was out-hustled on rebounds a few times, he could not finish the baskets when they counted.  When Yao is being doubled and taken out of the game, he needed to step up.  And sadly he didn't.

Carl Landry - Carl made me proud tonight.  It seemed like not one rebound went by him in the second quarter.  16 points in the first half. Because of him, the Rockets erased the 15-pt deficit, and managed to have a 5-pt lead before Kobe showed up again.

Derek Fisher - Seriously speaking, I am shocked and disappointed.  When I think about classy players, he's on that short list.  He WAS on that short list.  A veteran, a leader, the co-captain of these Lakers, throwing an elbow that clotheslined Scola.  At the time I was thinking "Nah, he just wanted to give a hard foul. No harm intended. And Scola probably acted a little."  My jaws dropped when I saw the replay.  Mr. Fisher, while guarding Lowry, turned his head and saw Luis coming and set a pick.  So he decided to take a hard step towards the approaching forward and delivers the blow.  Deserving a ejection? Oh yes. Suspension? Yeah, he's sitting out the next game, which is too bad because either Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar guards Aaron Brooks well.

Von Wafer - Maybe there was a reason that he was being bounced from team to team.  You do NOT disrespect your own coach and cost your own team in a crucial game.

Ron Artest - The Tru Warier played well and played hard.  He has kept us in the game with his stellar play.  But after being elbowed in the throat by Kobe and being ignored by the officials, he walks angrily across the court and confronts Kobe.  And he was then ejected with 8 minutes left in the game. 

While I do not agree with the ejection at all, Ronnie shouldn't have done that.  His tarnished image in the past played a huge factor in this call, but he should know about that.  He should know that what was going on in the referees' (especially Joey Crawford) mind when they see him angrily walking towards Kobe across the court.  And on top of that, Ron made a throat-slashing gesture towards Kobe.  Come to think of it, I think that's why he was ejected.  

Kobe Bryant - Need I say more? The ex-MVP torched the defense and Shane from the get-go.  It was impossible to stop him.  After a quiet 2nd quarter, he came out again in the 3rd quarter and put the Lakers ahead for good.  Marvelous performance. That's why he's one of my favorites of all time.

But an elbow to the throat?  Really? Here is a player whose skills and dedication alone would make him the King of the NBA, eh, West, does he really need to play dirty to win?  Seriously, dude, you don't want to piss off Ron Artest.  Good thing this is not 2004.  Artest is much more mature. You see here, Chris Childs, Reggie Miller, and the other guys who have exposed your lack of fighting skills, they are a whole level below Ron Artest.  Yes, the beast is tamed right now, but I'd be careful about pushing him to the edge.

For Game 3, the Rockets need to come out and attack in the way that the Lakers did.  Yao needs to stay out of foul trouble.  Ron Artest needs to retaliate against Kobe with a strong performance.  The bench unit played well tonight, and I hope they keep that up.

When asked if he sees anything positive from the loss, Yao responded: "Well, when we were down, we didn't quit. We came back and fought hard.  And that gives us great confidence going into Game 3".

I hope you're right, Yao. I really do.