[Rd2 Gm3] Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Hackers

[MigrainePatrol]

Do you read or listen to commentary about situations. Yao refused to sign an extension with Houston when he was offered it last off season. He's played for the China team with horrible PG play and played with the worst PG ever in Brooks. He's not gonna stand around and let his situation go down the tubes. He's limited but with a good PG that changes everything... Our PG play is not something you can readily deal with because it's beyond bad. The only good is when Brooks makes 3 after 3 and drives to the rim and scores. You think that's great? Well when they take that away he can't do anything else. He can't defend, set up a play, pass, set the tone etc... Lamar Odom @ 6'10" can play the PG better than Brooks. <<< That says alot

Hmm, when did the Rockets offer an extension? Do you have a source?

I would be very surprised if Yao decides to leave. You will not find one player who's more loyal than Yao Ming.

Go look it up. I'm surprised some of you guys did not know because JVG and Doug Collins mentioned it in seperate commentaries. Doug" It's interesting that Yao did not sign an extension because he's looking to see what this franchise will surround him. He mentions that the gate of opportunity is closing..." JVG "I was shocked that Yao did not sign the extension beyond 2010. 2 years ago there was some a legit rumor Lakers were looking to get Yao. I have no doubt these terms will come true. It's that feeling and overall what has transpired. Yao is a fan of the game. Legit smart PG / Perimeter play so he can better do his job. Houston fails to try to get that kind of perimeter play.

[Silent Jong]

Audio is up at silentjong.blogspot.com

Adelman
Artest
Battier
Landry
Phil Jackson

No on really talked about the flagrant foul except Carl Landry. Said it was just a playoff foul.

[DreamShook34]

They don't have to, he'll voluntarily leave. He never signed the extension and in his mind it's over here in Houston after next season anyways. Houston don't got the smart pgs or sgs... we have an awful situation here next season due to incompetent pg play. It's not even funny.

lol Yao isnt going to leave.. he has been happy in houston.. you are way off base.. our roster is pretty good.. Ab is an idiot yes but he is an explosive dumbass. Lowry will be the starter he is smart a good passer and can drive well. we just need some tweeking and we are good.. we are playing way above what we should.. so stop with the doom and gloom. our situation next year is far from Awful lol.

Do you read or listen to commentary about situations. Yao refused to sign an extension with Houston when he was offered it last off season. He's played for the China team with horrible PG play and played with the worst PG ever in Brooks. He's not gonna stand around and let his situation go down the tubes. He's limited but with a good PG that changes everything... Our PG play is not something you can readily deal with because it's beyond bad. The only good is when Brooks makes 3 after 3 and drives to the rim and scores. You think that's great? Well when they take that away he can't do anything else. He can't defend, set up a play, pass, set the tone etc... Lamar Odom @ 6'10" can play the PG better than Brooks. <<< That says alot

Oh brother.. just because you refuse an extension (im not even sure the extension was what he refused).. it doesn't mean hes leaving the rockets.. Ab is not that bad hes just not ready and i said LOWRY is going to be our starting pg.. im really shocked you think the rockets are "going down the tube" this season alone tells me otherwise. plus dont you know who our GM is? DM would never let that happen.. too much gloom and doom.. giving me a migraine..

[Guy986]

Rockets suck...not only did they lose I lost 1700 betting on them.
Coming out with that piss poor performance..
They better shape up next game. They let Kobe intimidate them
**** Lakers..The sorryest team in the league

Why would u bet on the Rockets? If i'm a betting man, i would wager big on the Lakers next game.

[TMACFORMVP]

Rockets suck...not only did they lose I lost 1700 betting on them.
Coming out with that piss poor performance..
They better shape up next game. They let Kobe intimidate them
**** Lakers..The sorryest team in the league

wow that 1700 better be in goldfish or saltine crackers.

and yea, I agree with TMU, it was (Please Use More Appropriate Word) to keep helping every time Kobe had the ball.

[BaYBaller]

Aside from Yao's injury and Artest's ejection, is anyone frustrated about the fact that our defense continuously collapse on Kobe Bryant? Every time Kobe drove to the basket, we had at least 3 players surrounding him from all angles while leaving their assigned man wide open for a 3-point shot.

We're not going to shut down Kobe, so why not contain his teammates? We need to re-devise our defensive schemes. Oh, let's not even talk about our offense.

I agree 100%. I trust in Rick to make the proper adjustments and go back to the film of game 1.

I respectfully disagree. If my choice is to stop a Kobe drive or give a wide open 3 to the likes of Ariza and Walton I'll give them that open 3 all day. We're talking about 30% 3pt shooters here people. To put this in perspective, these people are worse than Rafer from beyond the arc.

It was very obvious that this was HOU's defensive gameplan and I very much doubt there will be adjustments (there shouldn't be). And really we were good defensively all game. What cost us the game can entirely be contributed to our offense from TOs leading to fastbreaks in the 1st qtr to not running our offense at all the 3rd qtr.

[MigrainePatrol]

Aside from Yao's injury and Artest's ejection, is anyone frustrated about the fact that our defense continuously collapse on Kobe Bryant? Every time Kobe drove to the basket, we had at least 3 players surrounding him from all angles while leaving their assigned man wide open for a 3-point shot.

We're not going to shut down Kobe, so why not contain his teammates? We need to re-devise our defensive schemes. Oh, let's not even talk about our offense.

I agree 100%. I trust in Rick to make the proper adjustments and go back to the film of game 1.

I respectfully disagree. If my choice is to stop a Kobe drive or give a wide open 3 to the likes of Ariza and Walton I'll give them that open 3 all day. We're talking about 30% 3pt shooters here people. To put this in perspective, these people are worse than Rafer from beyond the arc.

It was very obvious that this was HOU's defensive gameplan and I very much doubt there will be adjustments (there shouldn't be). And really we were good defensively all game. What cost us the game can entirely be contributed to our offense from TOs leading to fastbreaks in the 1st qtr to not running our offense at all the 3rd qtr.

We don't make adjustments in passing nor even recognize that the paint is packed and dribble right into it. Give the Lakers credit because, I really don't know a team in this league that can read passes so well. They almost certainly deserve to win it all and put Cleveland, a team we put in their place once Battier and Artest were healthy enough to play, back at the drawing board. Kobe is clearly better than LBJ it's not even close. We can stop LBJ but not Kobe.

[BaYBaller]

While I don't know why you quoted me as your post had nothing to do w/ my post at all, the Lakers have been a "gambling" defensive team for a long time. They excel at this type of defense because they are long and fast at nearly every single position, and they trap the ball very well.

That said I wouldn't say they are a good defensive team at all. Both HOU and CLE have much better defenses, and if it does end up being a LA/CLE finals I would have to peg CLE as the favorities. They have the shooting, defense, rebounding, and closer needed to beat LA.

I also don't agree Kobe > LBJ. The only thing Kobe does better is shoot. That's it. LBJ is a better passer, rebounder, finisher around the rim and on the break.

[hackle]

Sore loss, but not yet the end of the world. Artest suspended, Yao injured, whatever, this is where the going gets tough.

[dingclancy]

While I don't know why you quoted me as your post had nothing to do w/ my post at all, the Lakers have been a "gambling" defensive team for a long time. They excel at this type of defense because they are long and fast at nearly every single position, and they trap the ball very well.

That said I wouldn't say they are a good defensive team at all. Both HOU and CLE have much better defenses, and if it does end up being a LA/CLE finals I would have to peg CLE as the favorities. They have the shooting, defense, rebounding, and closer needed to beat LA.

I also don't agree Kobe > LBJ. The only thing Kobe does better is shoot. That's it. LBJ is a better passer, rebounder, finisher around the rim and on the break.

Although this discussion should not be made in June, this series depends heavily on the Lakers vs Cavs frontline. The Rockets have the best frontline in the league outside of the Lakers. Although the Cavs do play consistent defense, the frontline matchups just do not favor the Cavs at all.

[DEEP3CL]

That said I wouldn't say they are a good defensive team at all. Both HOU and CLE have much better defenses, and if it does end up being a LA/CLE finals I would have to peg CLE as the favorities. They have the shooting, defense, rebounding, and closer needed to beat LA.

We killed Cleveland in the areas in bold twice, they don't have the interior players to counter us that's why we beat them. They have no match up for Odom at all.........none. And since we're the bigger team we can clog the paint making it difficult for Bron and Mo. Fact of the matter is Kobe and LeBron will cancel each other out as far as scoring, but who is Cleveland's second best scorer ?

[MigrainePatrol]

That said I wouldn't say they are a good defensive team at all. Both HOU and CLE have much better defenses, and if it does end up being a LA/CLE finals I would have to peg CLE as the favorities. They have the shooting, defense, rebounding, and closer needed to beat LA.

We killed Cleveland in the areas in bold twice, they don't have the interior players to counter us that's why we beat them. They have no match up for Odom at all.........none. And since we're the bigger team we can clog the paint making it difficult for Bron and Mo. Fact of the matter is Kobe and LeBron will cancel each other out as far as scoring, but who is Cleveland's second best scorer ?

Cleveland is not on LA's level, I don't care what record they have. When Rockets at full strength played them, even though it was one game, it was schooling like no man's business. The Lakers are the best team this season regardless what ppl think.

[Danny Darko]

That said I wouldn't say they are a good defensive team at all. Both HOU and CLE have much better defenses, and if it does end up being a LA/CLE finals I would have to peg CLE as the favorities. They have the shooting, defense, rebounding, and closer needed to beat LA.

We killed Cleveland in the areas in bold twice, they don't have the interior players to counter us that's why we beat them. They have no match up for Odom at all.........none. And since we're the bigger team we can clog the paint making it difficult for Bron and Mo. Fact of the matter is Kobe and LeBron will cancel each other out as far as scoring, but who is Cleveland's second best scorer ?

Cleveland is not on LA's level, I don't care what record they have. When Rockets at full strength played them, even though it was one game, it was schooling like no man's business. The Lakers are the best team this season regardless what ppl think.

Not sure this is the time or place for that sentiment.

[albatrosskismet]

I knew this would happen. Rockets can't even give Yao a decent rest. His body is going to breakdown with no backup.

Agreed, damn we've been ride the Deke train for too long.

[Iggyemu]

As I watching this game with my boy (a Spurs fan) it was quite easy for both us to determine what exactly it is that the Rockets lack. The ability to seize an opportunity. When you are playing a team thats more talented, versatile and deeper than you..you have to take care of the small things. You steal home court from that team...you are going home...and you play quite possibly the worst game you have played all postseason. Yea...championship teams...great teams don't do that.

The difference between us and the Lakers and the Spurs is that we can't sustain that type of play we had in game 1 of this series..the type of play that evens talent..evens depth and gives us a chance to beat a far better team. If we played last night like we played in game 1 we would have won. The Lakers are still not as good as they have shown and a lot of that has to do with our defense. They shot it better from 3 last night which alleviated the burden on Kobe...but Kobe still has to be great night in and night out for that team to win and thats because of us and last night we held Kobe down yet again..28 shots to get his 33 points. Thats good stuff...went to line less than 10 times...again great d. But again we could not put pressure on LA b/c we could not consistently find scoring. We shot it terribly from everywhere. And we turned it over which kept the Laker's offense sustained even with Kobe struggling b/c they got easy baskets off our turnovers.

Look I am not ready to write our season off just yet. But last night the Lakers showed that their depth and talent is far greater than us. And that if we can't put together another game or 2 like game 1 we will undoubtedly lose the next 2 games.

[DEEP3CL]

The Lakers are still not as good as they have shown and a lot of that has to do with our defense. .but Kobe still has to be great night in and night out for that team to win and thats because of us and last night we held Kobe down yet again..28 shots to get his 33 points.

Disagree with this comment relentlessly. That's exactly the opposite reason the Lakers have gotten better over the last 3 seasons. They don't have to rely on him to be great every night, you and others are still of this belief he has to do it all by himself. If you had made this comment in the 05,06 years you'd have a valid point. Kobe's shot's have dropped each of the last 3 seasons simply because his teammates have gotten better and grown into their games.

When Kobe was running off streaks of scoring 40 or more was because it was needed to win games. When Kobe made the plea to the organization to get better everybody here in LA jumped him quickly,but I myself personally stood by him because he was right and it needed to be said. Then when it seemed that it wasn't getting through that's when he made the trade demands. Then and only then that Dr.Buss realized his golden meal ticket was real with his threat. This put pressure on the young guys that were here to get better, because truthfully things had fallen into a comfort zone. And when organization fall into the comfort zone that's when they fall apart.

So that comment you made is undeniably untrue, and as far as you thinking the Rockets held Kobe down.......again false statement. A lot of his shots when in and out but what is missed repeatedly by guys is that his shot's came from within of the offense.

The example was clearly on display for you on why the Lakers won and it went right over your head.

Was Kobe all that great after the 1 quarter ? NO and the Lakers still led at the half. Why ? Because of his teammates.

Was Kobe great in the 3rd ? NO Why ? Again because his teammates carried him when he struggled.

See guys like you STILL think of him as the same Kobe that has to do it, when truth be told is he doesn't have to do it the whole game no more. He trusts his guys no matter how everybody else spins it. It was clearly on display.........and you missed it.

[moofs]

Rockets suck...not only did they lose I lost 1700 betting on them.
Coming out with that piss poor performance..
They better shape up next game. They let Kobe intimidate them
**** Lakers..The sorryest team in the league

If you're betting money like that, hopefully your cash flow is at least 2000/mo+ or you REALLY didn't need the money. Otherwise, bad call.

[Iggyemu]

Disagree with this comment relentlessly. That's exactly the opposite reason the Lakers have gotten better over the last 3 seasons. They don't have to rely on him to be great every night, you and others are still of this belief he has to do it all by himself. If you had made this comment in the 05,06 years you'd have a valid point. Kobe's shot's have dropped each of the last 3 seasons simply because his teammates have gotten better and grown into their games.

I didn't want to reply to this post with what I was gonna say b/c I figured as soon as I said it the Lakers would prove me wrong in game 4 and win in a way I said they could not. Now that Yao is out...it doesn't matter anymore.

The Lakers are a mentally weak team. They have talent..they have depth but outside of Kobe (who is probably the most mentally strong player in the NBA) they are weak mentally. And for them to beat top tier teams in this league Kobe has to be great on those nights. Look we are not one of those team so talent will trump us in the end.

My opinion formed last season in the playoffs during the last two rounds..the WCF and NBA Finals. Most notable of those series were the road games. Kobe had to have great games b/c neither Odom or Gasol or Sasha or any other Laker stepped up on the road. None of em could even bounce back when the Celtics made that great run to win game 4 and that was in LA. They all just stood around there like they didn't know how to respond other than to give Kobe the ball and get out of the way.

Those guys were bullied by the Spurs...beaten up by the Celtics. Got shook by the crowds and could not play through adversity. Without Kobe the Spurs would have forced a game 7 with a hobbled Giniobli....and as you can see when Kobe could not be great his team lost in the Finals.

You see IMO Kobe actually has more talent on his team that Jordan ever did on his but Jordan's teammates were a lot stronger mentally and thats ultimately where these guys will let Kobe down. They have shown no ability to win crucial playoff games on the road against tested teams...championship caliber teams. And at home...they don't have that ability to play catch up in the playoffs against those teams or fight off a big run. Essentially if Kobe isn't doing it...its not getting done. If he had an off night in game 2 of our series hell we would have won that. But he did not..he was great like he needed to be. And that was against the Rockets who are not one of those great teams I speak of. So imagine Denver...imagine Cleveland..and even still...remember last year's Celtics.

So that comment you made is undeniably untrue, and as far as you thinking the Rockets held Kobe down.......again false statement. A lot of his shots when in and out but what is missed repeatedly by guys is that his shot's came from within of the offense.

Fair enough. But I think you are a being a little homerish (no problem with that) in seeing Kobe struggle in 2 of 3 games and not feel the Rockets D had something to do with it. Even in the slightest.

Was Kobe all that great after the 1 quarter ? NO and the Lakers still led at the half. Why ? Because of his teammates.

Was Kobe great in the 3rd ? NO Why ? Again because his teammates carried him when he struggled.

Again we are not the team that you should worry about. We just didn't have the talent to overcome some of our shortcomings. Whether Kobe scored 81 or 21...you guys would have found a way to win this series just like you did game 3. Talk to me after the Denver series...and the Cavs series. Lets see just how good the rest of these Lakers are against better teams....Lets see them win a game when a team does to Kobe what the Celtics did to him in the Finals last year. And if there is no team left in the NBA that can do that this season....then you'll be hoisting another trophy.

[moofs]

You see IMO Kobe actually has more talent on his team that Jordan ever did on his but Jordan's teammates were a lot stronger mentally and thats ultimately where these guys will let Kobe down. They have shown no ability to win crucial playoff games on the road against tested teams...championship caliber teams. And at home...they don't have that ability to play catch up in the playoffs against those teams or fight off a big run. Essentially if Kobe isn't doing it...its not getting done. If he had an off night in game 2 of our series hell we would have won that. But he did not..he was great like he needed to be. And that was against the Rockets who are not one of those great teams I speak of. So imagine Denver...imagine Cleveland..and even still...remember last year's Celtics.

I don't know if it's necessarily that?
I think Jordan was far more feared, respected, and commanding than Kobe.