ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/21/2026 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 2)

I moved away from Houston nearly 5 years ago after spending most of my life there and I'm glad I did and will never go back

I don't even know what I'm doing at this point rooting for this team, I might as well just root for the Denvers (I live in Colorado now), but I was literally watching this team when I was 7 years old and Hakeem was the guy throughout most of my childhood. So at some level it feels like it's the Rockets or nobody. But this is so infuriating. Horrible owner, horrible GM, horrible coach. When there's hope, or you at least like the people running the show, it's okay. I hate these *ssholes and I have very little hope they'll turn things around.

At this point it almost just feels like we have to have the kind of blind, dumb luck the Nuggets did when they found Jokic. I don't know how else things get better.

 

I want Durant traded. Trading for Durant was a mistake...all its done is stunted the growth of our younger players. As long as Durant is here it's going to be one on one basketball. Get what you can for Durant, Fire Ime. Start over with an offensive minded coach.

 

Clutch unban me you biased jerk as I can actually help your site become better with truth! Fine for others to curse but I rip on Stone in a clean manner and get banned. Classy!!!

 

Yes and it’s almost like everyone plays scared bc they don’t want to upset Durant. Like instead of attacking they’re looking around like frightened groundhogs trying to get Durant the ball 65 feet from the basket so he can get double teamed and turn it over.

 

Yep, I bet KD has never been on this garbage of an offense.

 

you are me mentioning stats, but stats don’t win games.
He catches the ball at the 3-point line because he wants to dribble and lose time. He believes he is a point guard. He has to find his position in the paint to start with.
The bench is a disaster because Ime only gas defensive players, you won’t get points from them.

sengun plays no defense

 

We have more talent than the injured Lakers. If Luka and Reaves were playing this would be a blowout even if we were fully healthy.

 

You can’t say a word about KD’s 9 turnovers. But sure, let’s make Sengun the scapegoat instead — because apparently that’s easier than admitting the real problem. Centers are supposed to get the ball in the paint and play close to the rim. But IME’s plan is having them catch it just inside the three-point line, set a screen, and then hand the ball to KD. So what’s the point of even having IME out there? And of course, we’ve got a bunch of wannabe coaches here who think they know better.

 

Wut

 

I don't have a way to bet. But even if the Rockets win, it's unlikely they win by 10. That's my recommendation.

I'm thinking they do win, though. Some home cooking will be good for them.

 

That offense was annoying as hell but at least they had a plan and actually knew how to get the ball to Yao in the post.

 

Udoka didn’t even let Pritchard and White play when he was Celtics coach. He in fact was limiting their growth.


Reed is 21 fuc**** years old. He’s our 2nd best shooter. Let him play all 48 minutes and watch that boy shine…. But Udoka won’t.

 

How about firing Stone and Udoka both.

 

Im not confident they win but im confident that if I bet on them to lose or not cover that I would lose. Although im strongly considering it for game 4.

 

This team is done. Fire Udoka. Cant beat GLeague Lakers?

JJ vs Udoka is like a Chess grandmaster vs a r****d with a 12 yr old brain. No offensive sets, all ISOs and throw the ball to Sengun hope something happens.

Udoka supposed to be a defensive mastermind but got torched by Marcus Smart who cant shoot and Luke Kennard who only takes a shot when nobody is within sneezing range. Kalshi loves Dumbdoka so much he really made the impossible possible Rockets can get swept WITHOUT Luka and AR lol.

At this point I am also ok kicking out Stone if it means Udoka is gone. Throw the baby with the bathwater.

 

this isn’t even a playoff caliber core IMO…without KD, they’d be down there with the Blazers and Clippers IMO losing in the play-in

last season without FVV, they were just 11-11…a measly .500 team

they are reliant on an ancient KD to carry the team…as bad as KD was in the 2nd half, if he had missed tonight’s game, they would’ve been down by over 20 in the 1st half because nobody could score…they trapped KD in the 2nd half relentlessly, and nobody was capable of stepping up

 

how the **** any of this is Durant’s fault? How is it his fault that we have ime Udoka?

 

the feeling is mutual

every single team he’s on is gonna be the same **** the rest of his career

 

Couldnt agree more. There is no core. If you wanna keep a guy as a role player that’s fine. But counting on these guys to go get you wins is wild to me.

 

I'm lost. The Rockets are favored by 9.5. They ain't covering that.