No Yao, no problem? I hope so. There is so much tension going into this game, and I know the players feel it. Will the Rockets come out on top and have a chance to close it at home in six, or will the Lakers guarantee a game 7 in order for the Rockets to have a shot at winning the series? Should be a great game, GO ROCKETS! ARTEST, RAKE IN THE DOUGH!
Congratulations Lakers, it's been a long series. With this win today (up 21 with 3 minutes left in the half, but the Lakers want it more) you guys will close it in 6 if not then 7. I am proud of this Rockets team and I hope everyone gets re-signed.
I'm glad the Lakers figured out they could kill a team with a 6'6" starting center. Nuggets will give the Lakers more problems, as they're legitimately sized up front (and they're beefy, so they will give a guy like Gasol some problems). I just don't see how the Cavs don't win the championship at this point. They're in a different class.
Give the Rockets some credit they've been a very solid opponent overall, and LeBron was terrible in Houston.
Fixed. The Rockets came out in Houston druing game 4 and played a surprisingly extraordinary game without their best player all season. I didn't expect them to do the same thing again in LA. The Rockets can force a game seven if they win on Friday, but the odds of them winning are really bleak. Losing Yao and game 5 really killed them.
I wouldn't mind Tmac back honestly. If he can get healthy, we're definitely a championship contending team. Health is the only issue, I don't mind him back.
This doesn't remind you of last year? The Cavaliers (Lakers) are cruising to the Finals, untested. The Lakers (Celtics) are in battle right now. Sound familiar?
If TMac's on the court who do you take off the court? Brooks? Artest? Battier? I don't think Houston gets passed Portland if TMac was playing. Health is the main problem with the Rockets, but assuming they bring everyone back and are healthy I think the only piece missing is a viable backup 7'0 center to Yao. A veteran like Theo Ratliff, Marcus Camby, or Rasheed Wallace would be a nice offseason pickup.
I would say bring Artest off the bench in that case. We could always switch the 6 guys around. To give Yao a breather, play small ball with Scola at 5 and Artest at 4. If Tmac comes back healthy with a motivation to win, I don't see a problem honestly. But yes, a backup for Yao will be needed.
It's a tough call, because Artest is matching up against Odom and has made Odom non-existent in this series.
