<div align="center"><font color="red">Rockets (29-38)</font> vs <font color="purple">Lakers (39-35)</font> Sunday, April 2nd, 2006, Staples Center, Los Angeles, California 2:30 CT; ABC (only rural) </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="red"> <font size="1">(R. Alston, L. Head, K. Bogans, J. Howard, M. Yao)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Tracy McGrady - 24.6 PPG Leading Rebounder: Yao Ming - 10.2 Assist Man: Rafer Alston - 6.7 APG The 'X' Factor: Rafer Alston (11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.7 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/rafer_alston.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Rafer Alston</font> PPG: 11.3, RPG: 4.0, APG: 6.7 Smush and Rafer are closely matched in this contest, both have done well for their respected teams, though most Rocket fans (including myself), want a better point guard. On both sides of the ball, Rafer has to cancel Smush out, as Kobe will get his. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luther_head.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Luther Head</font> PPG: 8.5, RPG: 3.3, APG: 2.5 The Rook has done well recently. After a solid performance against the Sonics, he backed it up with a great game against the Wizards. I really could see Head as our shooting guard of the future, once he hits his consistency, he'll be great for us. Against Kobe Friggin' Bryant though, that's a different story. Anyone not named Bowen or McGrady will be totally manhandled by Kobe. Head just needs to keep his cool, try limiting Kobe to around 30. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/keith_bogans.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Keith Bogans</font> PPG: 8.7, RPG: 4.8, APG: 2.7 Bogans has quite the task ahead of him. Lamar Odom is big, and LONG. Can play really any position on the court, has above average ball handling skills, rebounds well, and on his day, can put up 20. Bogans has to play him out offensively, and not get frustrated if his defense isn't on par. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/yao_ming.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Yao Ming</font> PPG: 22.2, RPG: 10.5, BPG: 1.69 Yao's performance must match Kobe's for this game to be winnable. And I think, it can. Yao has put up stellar numbers for a while, and coming off a 38 point performance, he should be hungry for more. Here's to Yao scoring 50 on Kwame. . the NBA's biggest waste of talent after Stromile Swift. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/juwan_howard.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">Juwan Howard</font> PPG: 11.2, RPG: 6.5, APG: 1.5 He'll have his hands full with a Cook that can jack up 3s, post up to an extent, and be in those places where you wouldn't expect a power forward to be. Howard's smart though, I truely believe he will strech out the defense for Yao, as opposed to Cook who may get in Kobe's way more-often-than-not. </font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="purple"> <font size="1">(S. Parker, K. Bryant, L. Odom, B. Cook, K. Brown)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant - 34.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom -9.1 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.5 APG The 'X' Factor: Lamar Odom (14.7 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 5.5 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Smush Parker</font> PPG: 11.4, RPG: 3.3, APG: 3.6 Smush has been solid for the Lakers. His role is set on this team, and he doesn't try taking anything away from Kobe. He will have his goodnights, but accepts that Kobe is the main focus of the team. Against Rafer, he needs to try out scoring him, and if not, atleast hope Kobe + Him > Rafer + Yao. The Lakers have a good chance of winning if Smush can have a 17 point game. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 34.7, RPG: 5.3, APG: 4.6 Well. . those 81 points did wonders for his average, wouldn't you say? What can you do to stop the guy? He doesn't need to play defense, just play. Keep him in or around the 30s and this game is winnable. Double on EVERY possession, and don't let Luther get stuck on him when the game is on the line. </font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 14.7 RPG: 9.1, APG: 5.5 The perfect third option for the Rockets, in my eyes. He is one of the most abused/hated players in the game right now, just because he doesn't put up with Kobe's ill-advised shooting days. However ball-hoggish he may seem, he rebounds, plays defense, and can handle the ball. A nice compliment to Yao, but I am not sure if he would want to be a third option. As long as he uses his length to outplay Bogans, he will do fine this game. But he cannot have one of those cold shooting nights and KEEP ON shooting. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> PPG: 6.8, RPG: 6.3, BPG: .63 Kwame could've been something. Fortunately for the Rockets, he isn't. Yao should dispose of him and anyone else the Lakers try throwing at him. As long as Yao can stay on the court, the Rockets have a HUGE chance of winning. A point for every minute he plays is insane, and if he plays 40 minutes -- we're good to go. Kwame needs to play him as hard as he can, and try getting some offensive boards. Hustle points.. not foul points.. </font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brian_cook.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Brian Cook</font> PPG: 8.2, RPG: 3.4, APG: .9 Cook will be a good factor in this game. If he can stretch Howard away from Yao on defense, that'll help the cause of Parker and Odom's driving in the lane. He has to match or surpass Howard's point total for this game to be winnable. Howard can stretch defenses too, and he is a bit smarter of a player. Good matchup here. </font> <font size="3">Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="red">Yao! </font> - Yao is the KEY here. Feed him the ball, no matter what. Give him 50 shot attempts, and he'll make 35. The Rockets need him to be a factor.[*]<font color="red">Luther + Rafer</font> - Our backcourt needs to have some input on offense. Barring the comback by the Wizards, the Rockets played great due to their good backcourt play. Against Kobe it'll be hard, but we do need SOME product.[*]<font color="red">Team Defense</font> - Especiall on Kobe. Swarm the dude everytime he smells the ball. The Rockets cannot afford to let him go off in this game, especially without T-Mac's offense + defense, and Wesley's experience + defense. [*]<font color="purple">Limit Yao</font> - Keep Yao under Kobe's points and the game is won, simple as that .[*]<font color="purple">Kobe must come up big</font> - Though this is rarely in question, Kobe needs to produce in this game, and do it efficiently. Van Gundy probably has some crazy scheme for him, and if Bowen is on him -- he maybe frustrated. Probably not, but whatever.[*]<font color="purple">Hustle</font> - If the Rockets keep this close, hustle points will be what wins the game. With Lamar Odom, who often finds himself dozing off during games, and Brian Cook, the jack-up fest 2005 champion, they need to get on the floor for the ball. [/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> Y40 pwnz0rs K0B3. Rockets: 102 , Lakers: 91 <font size="1"> *All pre, and post-game discussion should go in here. Thanks. </font>
As I said in the game thread in the Lakers forum, I just don't see how we could contain Kobe Bryant. K8B thinks that Kwame can handle Yao by himself, but I believe that Yao will need to be double-teamed if the Lakers are to stop him. Either way, it'll be great to see Yao drop 20 again.
I hope they play Yao one on one. That way yao can drop 40 on them and we win another game to a team holding one of the last spots in the playoffs. Right now i think instilling the win all mentality is good because i mean come on its just a couple spaces in the lottery. I think Bogans will contain kobe to 20-25pts and then we need stro to contain odom and luther to shoot well then we have ourselves a win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">As I said in the game thread in the Lakers forum, I just don't see how we could contain Kobe Bryant. K8B thinks that Kwame can handle Yao by himself, but I believe that Yao will need to be double-teamed if the Lakers are to stop him. Either way, it'll be great to see Yao drop 20 again.</div> We did a pretty good job on Arenas last game. He's not quite in Kobe's class, but he's close. If we play smart defense and double him often, I think we could do a decent job. I don't think Kwame will be able to guarding Yao by himself. It will be interesting to see him try.
its not about Yao and Kwame!!!! its about Yao and Kobe...Therez noway the Kwame can stop Yao Ming. The only poeple that can stop yao ming is his own teammate...Rockets need to get him going early in the game. Lakers need to double and triple team him and see if anyone from the rockets can make shots... if the can, it will be a good close game if the dont then ohh will wats new??? i think its gonna be a close game But Lakers gonna win... Kobe is just too good
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">We did a pretty good job on Arenas last game. He's not quite in Kobe's class, but he's close. If we play smart defense and double him often, I think we could do a decent job. I don't think Kwame will be able to guarding Yao by himself. It will be interesting to see him try.</div> Well, Arenas is about four inches shorter than Kobe and Kobe's game is more complete. No matter who we put on him, it'll create mismatches. Bogans might be the best option, but that would mean Head would be on Odom. If we put Head on Kobe, he's giving up three inches and Head isn't that good a defensive guy. I guess we'll see Swift get more minutes at the three this game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Therez noway the Kwame can stop Yao Ming.</div> And he's proven that right now.
I must have missed it or something, but where the hell is Wesley? Is he still injured or something? Oh, and Yao's on his way to a career night against Kwame.
who cares about wesley??? were sooo much better without him... oh will kobe is taking over in the 2nd half... i think brain cook will be a very good fit of the rockets next year!!! the way he she shoots 3's and play...what do u think???? MAAAAN KOBE IS TAKING OVER!!!! WINNING BY 12 ALREADY:s
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">We did a pretty good job on Arenas last game. He's not quite in Kobe's class, but he's close. If we play smart defense and double him often, I think we could do a decent job. </div> Yeah, that didn't happen.
Yes we do miss Tracey...with Tmac we have someone to match Kobe's fire power, and someone to defend him...the Rockets are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too small in the backcourt....they really need some length.
Man is swift the most dissapointing player in the nba? with all his atleticism you'd think he'd be good for something?
Man, I cringe everytime Keith Bogans takes a shot. Most of the time, it won't go in. Does he realize that Yao is the one we should revolve around? A few times Yao kicked it back out with the intent to re-post, but Bogans just jacked up shots which clanged off the rim. When I thought we could have had a comeback when we cut it to 11 with about 3 minutes left, Swift tries to reverse dunk a ball and misses when he should have taken an easy layup, and then Bogans took two straight shots. Retards. PS: Lampe doesn't know what he's doing. To all of you crying about him not getting a chance, the last minute of the game proved he doesn't deserve one.
Bogans looked pretty good the first few weeks, when Tracy was playing. But recently, it's mostly been pretty ugly. He's a pretty good defender, but he can't finish well or shoot consistently from outside. Ball-handling skills are very suspect and he can't shoot free throws well either. Man, we desperately need to upgrade our SG/SF positions this offseason.
Yeah Lampe doesn't even know the play some guy hollared at him and he finally went there. He does have good quickness though. Luther Head needs to work on that shot and Bogans does too. Why was luther head on kobe in beginning shouldn't it be Kobe all the way? Great game by yao but not for the rest of the game. Stro did get his hands on rebounds and that even though his stats not great i am gonna give him credit for above average game.
I don't understand why they didn't go to Yao more in the 2nd half. He only took a few shots in the 3rd, and in the 4th when the Rockets were trying to make a run, other players were taking shots when Yao was clearly still hot. To quote Mcgrady, "Know your role. If you're a role player, play your role." Even Steve Jones said that it looks like the Rockets player were forgetting that they have Yao on their team. My Notes: - Yao shot 64%, while the rest of the players shot 35% - Every time I see Swift, I lose a little more faith that he will ever develop into a good player. I admire him for taking a little less money to sign with the Rockets, but he is a wasted mass of athletic ability. He has no post moves. Everything leading up to a shot is just plain ugly. - Aside form the first play of the game and put-backs off offensive rebounds, Yao took almost all jumpshots. He made a good percentage of them, but I would've liked to see him take it to the basket more. - Richie Frahm seems to be a keeper. Shoots the three pretty well, but it looks like in the last two games that he'll make his first three, before cooling off and missing the rest. - It's amazing that positions 1-3 are bad at both three point shooting and lay-ups. Alston, Head, and Bogans are very inconsistent from the line (both the 3 pt line and the FT line), and they are poor at finishing around the rim.
u can see some of the rockets players now are just giving up... they know therez nothing to play for!!! i really think that if we had a winning record and we were playing for something we would look much better then this and ull see players hitting shots. the bigest move in the off season should be trading swift and his big contract for ANYONE!!! i rather have brain cook.... yao ming man... i feel sooo bad for u and wat u have to deal with. yao ming story will end exactly like KG story right now... if u know wat i mean:S
