[start rant]Yes they are. Once again, they never learn. I can't believe such lack of effort can even be shown in a fucking postseason game. Are you kidding me? The Rockets, without Yao Ming, do not have anybody above 7 feet. They have 6'6 Chuck Hayes and 6'9 Luis Scola starting at center. What do we do? Shoot jumpers and threes all game. Forget about attacking the paint, or posting up, just shoot jumpers when they have guys like Shane Battier and Ron Artest, and an undersized front court. You'd think Pau/Lamar/Drew would have their way, guess not. The lack of effort is apparent and absolutely embarrassing. You have Pau and Lamar, both nearly 7 feet, standing around watching the basketball and then out of nowhere you have guys like Luis Scola running in with heart and snatching the board away from both of them. You have guys like Chuck Hayes playing like he gives a damn, whereas Pau just stands around and bricks all his free throws, and Lamar just does Lamar. You got guys coming off the bench turning the ball over two times in a row, and Kobe allowing Shane Battier, SHANE BATTIER, to go off for like 11 or 13 points in the first quarter. Oh yeah, and Drew. All he ever does is pick up fouls. Virtually invisible, although he, unlike everybody else, has a valid excuse. If I wasn't a Laker fan I'd be laughing my ass off. But since I am, I'm wondering why this team continues to waste my time. The very LEAST I expect is some effort. Don't give me the bullshit that maybe the Rockets are just on fire today. Actually watch the game and tell me if our guys are giving a damn. Seriously. It's one thing to lose, I don't care if we lose, shit happens. But when you come out the gate, once again half asleep and expect the game to just be handed to you (this has happened, what, 3 times already this postseason? all 3 times resulting in a loss) then you're just fucking with yourself. Have fun in the Finals (if we make it that far). Cleveland may not be as good, or as talented as we are. But give them credit because they actually play with heart and show up every single game. They don't play around. Elimination game? On the road? Come out strong and never look back, unlike the Lakers who just fuck around and expect their talent to guarantee a victory. Once again, this team never learns. Fucking joke of Lakers basketball. While we're at it, I hope Derek decides to tackle someone again or just fakes an injury. What a fucking joke. Layup after layup, if you make Jordan Farmar look good on defense, there is definitely something wrong with you. Please just sit your ass on the bench and retire in the offseason. I cannot imagine how horrible he will be next year with another season under his legs. Time for Phil to stop fucking around and take Kobe out the game. If any of our important players get injured because of this crap I'm seriously gonna LMAO. This team is a fucking joke.[/endrant]
Wake up call. Guarantee we come out fucking ready to dominate in game 5. If game 5 is close or we blow a big lead, I hope we fucking lose.
Wake up calls mean nothing. This team never gets it. They may be motivated to play next game, maybe the rest of the series. But later on? They'll revert back to their laziness yet again. Happens all the time. Like I said, this team never learns.
Most teams have games where they get schooled. Maybe not the Cavs because they are good, but yes...teams have horrible shooting days and lazy days (Lakers). Teams also have amazing games where they hit everything and can't be stopped (Rockets). It is nothing to worry about. We're going back to LA 2-2 with home court advantage.
I'm not worried about the series, I'm worried about the big picture. Who's to say, if we end up facing the Cavs, they won't let up and lose focus again in the Finals? They've shown absolutely nothing to calm those fears since they lose focus all the time. Hence Game 4 last year. I don't mind being lazy here and there, but playing like this in the postseason is absolutely unacceptable. 7 game series, best to 4. AT LEAST pretend you give a shit.
When was the last time this year that we had a complete let down against an elite team? It hasn't happened. When we get blown out like this or get stomped or just look like shit, it is against teams that shoot lights out and are very fast.
In all fairness, Yao isn't a fraction of the loss for Houston that people (ESPN) are making it out to be. He's not a good defender and not a number one or two scoring option for an elite team. Everyone loves him because of his height. With him out, Chuck Hayes, who is extremely underrated, gets more playing time, as does Landry, who has proven to be dangerous off the bench, and Scola gets more room to do his thing.
Looks like you and I are having one of those days were we agree, because your on point here. The Rockets have done much better without Yao this series than they have with him in there.
Honestly, no. After game 1 I had a terrible feeling about this series but games 2 and 3 calmed my nerves. Game 4 sparked them right back up. Houston has heart, they're going to fight til the end.
Absolutely I would be shocked, basketball is about being the best four times, this team can accomplish that but they are annoying me. This isn't college ball, an upset in game 1 should mean nothing. And Pau didn't have his best game but he tried hard till the end, Drew just sucks this post-season, I thought he would struggle but not to this degree. I don't feel like giving him a pass, he just needs to man the heck up. Kobe was a moron today defensively but he's been there all post-season aside from two games.
Drew is catching unfair criticism. Odom has been worse than Drew this series. Why? Odom is getting the PT and not doing anything. Bynum, at times, has looked like a good role player. Kobe was fucking hot garbage today, too.
It's a pretty close call, they both haven't been impressive per minute. If I had to pick one I want Odom, he's been more consistent this year.
