The Key To Beating These Lakers... and a Guarantee

OK, I didn't post for game 4. I felt it would be a one or two posession game, the outcome far from guarantee-able. I yelled myself hoarse at the TC, but what can you do. However, it solidified my belief that, as soon as the Rockets make this priority #1, they will win Game 5. Guaranteed.

Here it is: When the Rockets penetrate the lane, the Lakers' defense spreads its legs wider than a Karl Malone drive to the basket.

If Cat and JJ pull back 1/2 of their 3 pt attempts and take it relentlessly to the hole, the Rockets will score 100+ for the rest of this series. SF figured it out quick. Underbite is still getting used to being ripped a new one since the beginning of the series. That's why Big Chief Triangle has him riding pine in crunch time, but sneaks him on the court at times to guard Mobley.

There are SO many reasons why penetration is readily available and the Achilles heel for the Lakers. I will give you the Big Three, which may or may not be obvious to you.

1) The Lakers play a pre-zone rules defense with the fewest zone principles in the league. Y'all think SF has elevated his game over the regular season? Well, he has. Another question: Does he resemble the SF of old? Answer: Yes. He is effectively, pre-zone Steve in this series.

2) Shaq will NOT leave Yao (until it's too late). Of the pick-and-roll, off weakside penetration, Shaq is determined to limit Yao's scoring. But what he gives we MUST take. Exhibit A: Nachbar skip-de-do in the lane. Shaq was two beats too late. Exhibit B and C: Cat's two gimme lay-ups in OT off the PNR with Yao. Shaq will NOT allow a Yao finish. Shaq has been in Yao's shirt all series. While Yao has struggled to overcome the extra attention, the lane has opened further. SF's the only one taking regular advantage.

3) Malone is an atrocious help defender on penetration. Get a slap-happy 41 yr old with bad knees moving to try and limit penetration, and you'll get a 41 yr old with bad knees on the bench. This situation is about the only time Malone gets officiated correctly - when he reaches to help on penetration.

Again, there are about 10 more GREAT reasons why our wings can and should take it to the hole. Bottomline: When Shaq stays with Yao, a pre-zone Francis, Mobley and JJ need to carve up the Lakers like it's Thanksgiving.

See you at the TC on Saturday.

 

I'm still lobbying for Kobe's new nickname to be "Alleged".

Makes a great chant. "A - Lle - Ged..... A - Lle - Ged...." Mix in a few "Kobe Sucks" and I think you've got a winner.

 

Then you'd get assinine memos like, "Stop referring to Shaq as Fat Albert, Bill Cosby called and threatened 'defamation of a cartoon character'."

 

That's Reason #4 (and #5): Put fouls on Malone (and Shaq) so that they can't hurt you (as much) offensively.

No one said it'd be easy. Drawing fouls from those two - you must take high-speed contact. Only SF has made it his mission. Cat is capable of the same. JJ has shown no inclination for it this series. More minutes for Nachbar?

 

Wonderful post daoshi (and MacBeth).

No, taking the ball to the rim is not a concept I invented. You caught me.

However, with this particular match-up... with our guards and our big man vs their old, fat, slow, stubborn and ego-driven help defense... this should be the focus of the majority of our offensive posessions.

 

I'll throw out Reason #6: The Lakers at home will get calls. Plenty O' Calls. The only way to neutralize or flip that advantage is to be ultra-aggressive on the other end.