The Rockets need to forget about last night and focus on winning game 4. The series is over if the Rockets go down 3-1 with 2 games in LA. This game is win or go home, I expect the Rockets to come out and try and set the tone early. The winner of this series will win it all this year. GO ROCKETS!
Agree with the winner of this wins it all this year. If Yao is out, I don't see the Rockets standing a chance. Kobe and company smell blood. If Yao plays, he won't be 100%. Gasol is going to exploit that all night.
It's Time. Scola/Hayes Landry/White/Cook Battier/Barry Artest/Wafer Brooks/Lowry This team is built to withstand injury under Morey. Scola is perfect at center in Adelman's offense. Bynum will finally be valuable now that Yao is out, but Hayes can shut him down. GO ROCKETS!
Hayes can shut down Bynum? All Bynum has to do is lift his arms and throw the damn ball in the hoop. Bynum is nearly 7'2.
I missed the first quarter of this game, but I couldn't be prouder of this bunch. Rockets fans can always fantasize about what this team would have been capable of with a healthy Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Dikembe Mutombo.
What an amazing game by you guys. I've never seen a team sustain adrenaline throughout a game like this. Usually teams who are the underdog like this fizzle out towards the end of the 1st half. You guys have maintained. I've gained a new respect for Houston. It is still over in 6 though
Yeah props to the Rockets for showing up with pride, winning this one for Yao. Loved the heart and determination that was shown out there. They weren't going to lose. Props.
great game by the rockets today......on both ends of the floor...this is why Brooks needs to look to attack. I will say this, "if" the lakers happen to get past the rockets they are not ready to win a championship. Their softness and lack of defense is showing today.....And that isn't shit you can just turn on automatically this time of the season.
Lakers actually turn on their defense and toughness whenever they feel like. Happened throughout the season and playoffs as well.
Word. We can actually turn it on whenever we want. We've done it all year long. However, the Rockets weren't going to lose today. And and not being ready for a championship. Who are you to determine that?
because teams who turn on their defense "half the time" have never been champions. Even the fucking ESPN commentators and guys at TNT having been saying it.....this is basically the same laker team from last year, especially since Bynum is still hurt. They don't appear to have learned to play defense for 48 minutes.
Shaq and Kobe Lakers have always been inconsistent defensively. That being said, this Lakers team is infuriating. I still have faith in them because I know what they can do at full strength, when focused. But they have the attention span of a 5 year old. If we manage to get to the Finals (I'm positive we will), we must focus and play hard 100% of the time. Here lies the problem, so I kinda agree with you. We don't know how long they are capable of focusing and playing hard.
ESPN and TNT commentators have been saying it? Oh my god, so what? They also said the Heat would get by the Hawks! What happens on the court, happens on the court. Shit happens, teams have horrible games some times. I think your looking way too much into this.
that team was still better defensively and offensively, because of Shaqs interior presence alone. this is not a "one time" thing. It's something that's been said about the lakers ever since they lost in the finals last year. They did it on numerous occassions against Utah, but Utah hasn't figured out how to play defense either. This isn't about a "horrible game" it's about a trend that continues to occur with this laker team.
Mamba brought up a good point. When was the last time Lakers didn't show up to play an elite team? They choose when to play hard, when to focus, and shit like that. Do I like it? No, I hate it. But it is what it is. Bottom line is, whenever we face a top team, the guys are 100% focused, ready to play. No offense to the Rockets or anything, you guys were fabulous today and showed a ton of heart. But a Yao-less, T-Mac less Rockets team screams "automatic win" for these Lakers. And they just believe their talent alone will guarantee a victory. I doubt, if we end up facing Cleveland, or whoever, that we will let loose.
Sure, but they were still inconsistent. I don't believe they were ever a top defensive team, were they? Plus the pick and roll sucked.
This is a deflating close to the game. The Lakers have cut it to 13 with just under 3 minutes left. More than any team, the Lakers are capable of pulling out a win here.
