Game Preview: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers - Game 4 - 2:30PM CST

by UofTOrange on May 9, 2009 11:11 PM CDT in Game Previews Comment 17 comments

I've got nothing. Every chance the Rockets had of beating a better Los Angeles Lakers team in this series went out the window in the last 5 minutes of inexplicable play by Yao Ming that was allowed to happen by our coach. There was absolutely no reason for Yao to be out there. The team wasn't getting him the ball and he wasn't helping on defense because he was hurt. I can't help but think that the fracture happened during that time because he was favoring his knee and his ankle. Yao went from limping to running in agony in those last few minutes. Why was he out there? Anyone? That's it guys, I'm sorry, I want to stay optimistic. In fact, I'll be there with Dave tomorrow cheering my heart out. The Rockets could even pull one out. But it is very likely that this series is over in 5 or 6. For those of you thinking I'm not a real fan because I'm not blindly following my team, I just kindly disagree. I love the Houston Rockets, heck, I paid 90 bucks to sit in the upper deck for Game 4. I just see what I see. And the differences in this series were Kobe for the Lakers and Yao for the Rockets. Yao won that battle in game 1, Kobe won it in games 2 and 3. Without Yao, the Rockets cannot conceivably beat the Lakers in a series. A game? Sure. A playoff game? It remains to be seen. I'll still be there, Rockets red pumping through my veins.

Prediction: My hearts already broken for Yao

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$90 playoff tickets?

As one of the most Die Hard Rockets fan in LA, I pay at least $250-300 dollars to watch the Rockets play at Staples every time they come. I sure wish I would only need to pay $90 to watch the Rockets, especially in the playoffs.

by Rocket's Red Glare on May 9, 2009 11:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

All is not lost.

The Rockets won 11 in a row without Yao during the 22 game win streak last year, including beating the Lakers at #22.

The Rockets are capable of playing very well with a smaller line-up. Our smaller lineups have held their own against the Lakers, including coming back from the 15 point deficit in Game 2.

Having the Rockets win the series is kinda unrealistic with or without Yao. I hope we win tommorrow, and Game 6 to force Game 7. Maybe we can soften them up abit so the Nuggets can take care of them in the Conference FInals.

by Skintrade on May 9, 2009 11:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that might not be a good idea

Giving the Lakers a more difficult time would only make them a more battle tested team. The Lakers of last season got through the western conference too easily and were promptly dealt with by the very physical Celtics. this is not a veteran team that will tire out. The only players over 30 are Kobe and Fisher, plus more playoff experience is good for the young Lakers and especially Andrew Bynum who has struggled to return to the form he was pre-injury.

There is also the chance that the more time the Nuggets have off, the more rusty they are Game1. the flip side of that is that they have more time to prepare for them.

The more trials and tribulation the Lakers go through, the better for them i think.

by UnleashTheMamba on May 10, 2009 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

And I agree that more game time is GOOD for Bynum… and with Hayes becoming the starting center for Houston, the time’s ripe for Drew to really put in a good performance.
What ails Bynum isn’t physical – entirely mental. He just needs a few good games under his belt… and he’ll be fine.

by With Malice... on May 10, 2009 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Youre ridiculous...

are you really trying to say that the Rockets should give up so the lakers have a worse chance of winning it all?

The more trials and tribulations the lakers go through, the less chance they have for injury, the more rest they get. They didnt lose last year because they werent challenged, they lost because Boston was better. Cmon man, you want your team to play the least amount possible before the finals, if they make it that far.

Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers

Series Tied 1-1

by TexasHoosier on May 10, 2009 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious right now?

Is that what you’re thinking about? How to make life harder for the Lakers? Why the helldo you dislike their team so much? Is it because they are better than the Rockets? I have news for you: The Lakers are not the only team in the NBA that is better than Ron Ron’s crew.

I have no hate for the Rockets. I am very upset that Yao is hurt and will not be able to play the rest of the series. I am a die hard Laker fan and I appreciated games 1,2 and 3, like none other. In all three of these games, both teams played very hard. You never heard Stan Van Gundy say " :it doesn’t even look like you guys want to be here:. I find it remarkable that you concede the series so easily. Not only that, but you’d concede the series easier if it meant your opponent having higher chances of losing.

I can say with 100% honesty that if the Rockets beat the Lakers in a seven game series, I’d be cheering for them all the way to the title.

So stop worrying about what you can or cannot do to help the Lakers lose and focus on your own team. We will continue to do our thing with or without your underground, shady efforts to bring us down.

by Justin N. on May 10, 2009 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

me too

Whoever won this series, I just want them to beat Cleveland in the Finals. The Lakers have the post play and a world class defender to guard Lebron. The Rockets also had the post play and TWO world class defenders to guard Lebron. Either way, I was looking forward to a smackdown of the Cavaliers. Now it’s up to the Lakers (because there’s no way Denver is gonna be able to do it. Melo vs. Lebron? PLEASE.)

by tandur on May 10, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How to make life harder for the Lakers? Why the helldo you dislike their team so much?

Newsflash: everyone hates the Lakers.

by Only_A_Lad on May 10, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We had a healthy T-mac back then!

He was averaging over 20 points in those 11 games

Only a miracle would save this team

by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on May 10, 2009 1:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ummm

20 ppg is not evidence of “health”.

by grungedave on May 10, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

am I the only person here....

that honestly thinks the Rockets still have a reasonable chance of beating the Lakers?

by big jay on May 11, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A chance? No

A reasonable one? Probably

It would take a huge swell of emotion and bad Lakers play for it to happen. However, the Lakers sure don’t seem mentally tough right now.

www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer

by UofTOrange on May 12, 2009 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No one is saying the Rockets should roll over.

I’m just pointing out the fact that you need pressure to create a diamond.

More games for the Lakers won’t be as detrimental as you might think.

Maybe if this was a bunch of old-timers, then yes it would have very adverse effects

But the notion that more games will ultimately make them nice and soft for the Nuggets to roll on is not very acccurate

and you absolutely make a good point about the injury thing.

Last year the Lakers were bullied by a team that punched hard. The Lakers didn’t know how to punch back and wanted the refs to bail them out. IF they had faced some adveristy and played hard fought games then maybe the series would have been closer and they would not have been blown out so badly

by UnleashTheMamba on May 10, 2009 12:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so because the lakers faced tough comp last postseason

why do they need to this season. they are battle tested from last year, they should be ready for anything this postseason, but obviously they arent yet.

Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Game 2 111-98 lakers
Game 3 108-94 lakers
Game 4 99-87 Rockets (kind of)

Series tied 2-2

by TexasHoosier on May 10, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're well fucked now.

It was always going to be tough thing to beat LA. Now? No Yao no Mutumbo and 3 7 footers on LA?

Game over.

By the way, I thought Yao was out there because he didn’t want to come out, and Adelman wants to encourage that kind of thing. I think it’s crappy luck more than anything.

Go to the light. Go to the light...

by Xiane on May 10, 2009 1:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs