2004 NBA Playoffs: **Houston Rockets vs. LA Lakers** Series Thread

I think this is the best series of the 1rst round if not the whole playoffs.But I think the Lakers will win this series , the Rockets haven't reached the playoffs in a while and it will be hard.Steve Francis-first time in playoffs Yao-First time in playoffs. The 2 most important players to the Rockets have never been to the playoffs before.On the other side everyone on the Lakers has playoff expierence.This will give the Lakers the upper hand.

 

OK now time for scores for the first game

Im thinking the Rockets pull this one out, 98-93...I expect huge games from Francis and Yao, and I also think JJ and Taylor will play big...

 

The Rockets lost this one in a heart breaker to many Rockets fans, but I feel as if the Rockets have gained even more confidence with this loss. They now know that they can compete with the Lakers.

The Rockets were one shot away from winning this game and Jackson had a good look...it just didn't fall. If I'm a Rockets fan, I am getting ready for Game 2, this one will be huge. The Rockets have all the confidence in the world that they can beat the Lakers now and they can use that to their advantage.

I'm sticking to my prediction, Lakers in 7.

 

Rockets will be back in next game and win I hope! If they play like this, and abit better, Lakers is beaten in first round

 

Last night, the Rockets should have won, ever since they held the Lakers to a mere 9 points in the third quarter, I had thought that Houston would be the deserving winners of that game. They played with grit and determination, and even though the team had its share of normal turnovers, we played amazing defense and scrappy offense, especially on the offensive glass. Yao's ineffectiveness eventually done us in but the game did give us a preview of what would happen had Yao got his game on. I also think that Steve Francis did an amazing job in trying to lift us over the Lakers, despite his turnovers, but his second half play especially was very enticing as he drew fouls and dished to the open shooters. Too bad that Jim Jackson couldn't make the three, but it was still a very good sign of things to come.

I'm going with the Rockets in the second game, 84-79.

 

As expected, the Rocket's problem was a disorganized offense ("scrappy," one fan called it, is being too nice) and too many foolish, unforced turnovers. We should be happy with the defensive job we did on the Lakers throughout the game, and Mo Taylor did a great job in the second half, after a no-show in the first. Francis, while still uncontrolled, also made some big, exciting plays down the stretch and setup a great shot for JJ on the final play.

The Rockets have to expect that the Lakers will make some big adjustments in the second game. We need to be prepared for a confident, gunning Kobe out of the gate in game 2 (he's going to make a point to not have two bad games in a row). Expect the Lakers to run, making a concerted effort to prevent the Rockets from controlling the pace of the game as we did in game 1. Our transition D has to be prepared for that.

If our 3 ballhandlers (Francis, Mobley, and JJ) can player a more disciplined, patient game on the offensive end, that will help immensly. Yao NEEDS help guarding Shaq; Bill Walton's gushing about Yao being the only person who can stop Shaq is pure hogwash. No one can stop Shaq one on one. We finally learned that lesson in the second half, when we started aggressively doubling on him, and that's when we were able to pull ahead a bit. I can't for the life of me understand why Van Gundy would let Yao single team defend Shaq in the first half. That was, frankly, very stupid. Shaq exploded early. Yao became too tired and became a non-factor for the Rockets on the offensive end, for the most part. And, Yao got in foul trouble. Yao should be on Malone, and Cato should defend Shaq (that's what Cato's in there for, isn't it?). Yao should double on Shaq, but that's it. Early on, at least, that's what the Rockets should be doing. Offensively, we should take advantage of the fact that the Lakers play single coverage on Yao. Go to him early, and often, while sending cutters to the basket (we did that on ONE play, successfully, in the first quarter).

 

soo sad to see the rockets lose, I was so pumped to see JJ get the buzzer beater but ...maybe on another night>.....I was in a restaurant in (L.A) when I was watching the game and I heard a bunch of fans (L.A) dissing our Rockets. Saying 'we better not lose the first game...against the ROCKETS especially' ..what pissed me off was how much these drunks spoke of our ROCKETS in a very degrading manner. They also said, 'how can this be such a close matchup in the 4th against the ROCKETS!!!' I was just waitin to see their faces when JJ was gna make that shot but he clanged it ..big loss..but maybe another night..Even if lakers beat us through these series, they won't go past the spurs/grizzlies ..they're just not good enough as a team..they're just a bunch of AGING allstars in exception to Kobe

 

drm2dnk, shouldn't you be a Laker fan?

The Lakers have the players to go deep in the playoffs, but I believe the Rockets will already wear them out enough to make them go out in the second round, if they get there at all.

 

The Rockets had so many turnovers. Which really isn't a surprise, but if they could've cut those in TO's in half they would've won by a good margain. I couldn't believe the score when I got back, but I still stick with the Lakers winning in 5. I thought the Lakers would've switched up mentalitys by now. But I don't expect Kobe to have another bad shooting night 2 games in a row.

The Rockets of condfidence, but it will be harder for them to win this time cause they can't expect the Lakers to have another horrendous shooting night again.

 

hey who the heck took out my avatar? :thumbsdow

 

Youravatar had to be the deminsions of 80x80,if not it was removed by someone in the staff of JBB.The Rockets could have one this game if it wasnt for their careless turnovers Steve Francis played pretty good but 7 turnovers in the playoffs for one player is just way to many.

 

This was definately the type of game that the Rockets wanted to play. The low scoring afair was to their advantage and they all but took advantage of it. If they could steal game 2 than they will head home with the home court advantage.

Yao must stay in the game and limit his fouls, which is easier said than done against Shaq.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">
Yao must stay in the game and limit his fouls, which is easier said than done against Shaq.</div>

What Van Gundy should do tonight is to put Kelvin Cato on Shaq, in hopes of limiting Yao's fouls and giving him a rest on defense, putting him on the slower and less mobile Karl Malone.

 

No, Yao must guard Shaq. If he gets in foul trouble once again, than make the switch. Yao can give Shaq some fits on D. If he was a little stronger he could front Shaq on D, too bad Shaq just pushes him around.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">No, Yao must guard Shaq. If he gets in foul trouble once again, than make the switch. Yao can give Shaq some fits on D. If he was a little stronger he could front Shaq on D, too bad Shaq just pushes him around.</div>
Cato is stronger than Yao and is a better on-the-ball defender. I'd rather have Yao flying in from the weak side to block some shots.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Hunter:</div><div class="quote_post">

If I had a choice, I want Yao on Shaq and anytime he gets the ball in the post I want a double team on him. That is how we should defend the low post game of the Lakers.</div>I agree. The Lakers have been shooting the ball HORRIBLY and I would force them to hit some jump shots. If they shoot 33% again, why not?

 

this game was a huge letdown...I like how aggressive Yao was early, but he didnt do enough to really hurt LA...he finished with 21 (although 6 came late in garbage time), but shot only 8-19 which is bad for shots so close to the basket...the Rockets defense' really fell hard this game, allowing LA to shoot 45% overall, 46% from 3...and you just cant let players like Fisher and Rush burn you off the bench...our bench needs to step up bad...Taylor has been the lone offensive player off the bench when he hasnt been in foul trouble...Francis played a GREAT game...18 points, 12 assists and 10 boards on 6-11 shooting and only 2 turnovers...a great sign...Jackson played well too, but not enough of a team effort for Houston...

I'm hoping the Rockets' intensity steps up huge when the series comes to Houston...I still think the Rockets will win the series; however they are only making it harder on themselves. They have yet to play to their full potential, and they need to start putting it all together NOW.

 

Actually I think Steve did a great job looking for Yao often and early...only a few times did he blank out and go 1-on-1...but for the most part, he would dump the ball into Yao often and let him try to score on Shaq...Steve did a nice job penetrating, and if our shooters could hit, he'd have had 15 or 16 assists...Yao still has a difficult time holding onto the ball and getting deep position in the post...he blew so many easy chances at layups just because he fumbled the pass...Yao and Mobley are the Rockets who really need to step up their game for Game 3...