ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/19/2004 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

Again, we didn't lose on rebounds. How many offensive rebounds Lakers got? Malone was out of the paint, Yao tried to stay with him in the second half. When Shaq is in the game, if Yao is guarding him, he's supposed to push him as far out as possible, and he's not supposed to get rebounds. yes, even defensive rebounds. I can guarantee you that's not a player's decision. You can clearly see that rebounding is not his assignment tonight. And he would not grab a rebound from SF or JJ. Yes, yao is not a good rebound. But from the 4 rebounds he got tonight, to assume that he had a terrible game is not right. You just paid too much attention to the stats. I would suggest you watch the game more.

 

Right on. Bench players are the difference between great teams and less great teams. Our bench didn't contribute at all, depth is really hurting us in those two games.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240419013

Van Gundy reacted strongly to comments Jackson made regarding Game 1. The Lakers' coach said the officiating allowed the opener to turn into a mud wrestling contest. "It's like a rite of passage every spring," Van Gundy said. "If he was a fisherman, he'd have (the media) mounted on his wall because he throws you the bait. Who's the most physical team? We're the ones that are trying to run. The only physical team in this series is them. What he's trying to say is, `You have no right to compete against us." With that, Van Gundy walked off

 

We have players with potentials to become great shooters in Boki. Why not give him chance to practice and produce? Why always dream on robbing good shooters from other teams instead of fostering your own ones?

 

Damn good post, and dead on. It is especially tough to see us go away from doubling Kobe, but considering how scrubs Fisher and Rush were having the games of their lives, it is partially understandable.

And I don't care how tired Yao is, you have Shaq with four fouls you go to him until he fouls out or collapses. We didn't do that enough in the second half.

Great game by Steve, but we started trying wayyyy too much isolation late in the game.

 

When did I say he had a terrible game? I watched it. I'm not blaming this loss on Yao, either. Kobe beat them tonight in the 3rd Q. But If Yao was playing Malone outside ... how come Malone got 8 rebounds? Yao didn't play terrible ... but you know what? He didn't play great either (considering Shaq was in foul trouble) .... and his poor rebounding is starting to really get on my nerves, that's all.

 

Going away from Yao in the 2nd half is not guards problem. Because JVG did not call a timeout to correct it. JVG allowed it so it must be his game plan.

 

Defence is not enough for Rockets to win. We need offence too.
We did not need Jackson's 3 to win last game. We need only a 2. Why did not JVG draw up a plan for a 2 pointer which could be much easier fall in the hole than a 3 pointer?

 

I don't think JVG gave the bench players enough time in regular season, which is paied now. However, I can understand his strategy that it is his first year and all he want to/should do is to secure the playoff. AS for the playoff itself, it is in the second priority.

 

Our free throw shooting really sucked tonight. 19-30, 11 freaking missed points and plus 3 pt gimme by mobley. Just dumb ass mistakes by a dumb team. Steve played a tremendous first half, but that third quarter really bite. The guy can't run a fast break...and so many iso moves in the third. He was feeling it and tried to outduel kobe. Kobe will win 9-10. Sorry man, it doesn't matter what number Steve and MOBLEY put up, they are no match for Kobe and Scrubs. Where will the Rockets be if Yao had 7pts like Shaq... The arguments for Yao being soft is just plain stupid. He outplayed shaq damn it.

 

Then JVG needs to put on glasses to see further.

 

I second that. this is the biggest mistake by JVG this season. If the coach had tole Yao to post up in the paint, he would not dare to stay outside no matter how tired he could be.

 

If Yao can post up against Shaq, he can do so against any other centers if he is determined. Yao's strength is in the low post, not setting up the freaking picks. What a waste!

 

I think the bench scores is the key factor.

Lakers bench players are 5-6 from 3 point line tonight. That 15 points kills the Rockets on this game. Rockets have no answer for that. Can pike, boki, padget, wilks do that as well? will JVG give them a chance?

 

I REALLY, REALLY HATE THE LAKERS!!!!!! AND I'M FROM L.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET'S GET THE HOUSTON MASSACRES READY ON FRIDAY AND SUNDAY! LET'S TRASH THE L;AKERS!!!!

 

All non-Laker fans hate the Lakers.

If we don't take them down, the Spurs or the TWolves will. I promise.

 

Unless I just jinxed them...

 

Two words: 1) Kobe 2) P'n Roll

 

So that sucked....

Looks like SF was the only guy who wanted to show up tonight.

Nice triple double in the playoffs. Only the 4th Rocket to have Triple Double in the playoffs.

 

After Shaq got his 4th foul Yao tried to hard to foul him out that's when it began go awry.

Kobe acted like such an idiot when he gestured after sinking that no look basket.