In many aspects, Lakers is not a better team than Blazers. The only thing we need worry about is Kobe & Gasol 's pick and roll because Yao can not defend p&r. If scola can defend Gasol or he can torture Gasol in offense end consistently, we will really have a chance to beat LA. Go Rox
Yeah, we know Kobe and Gasol own Battier/Artest and Yao in the pick n roll, no surprises. They've being doing that for a while now against us. I think with Bynum coming back for the Lakers, It is actually a good thing for the Rockets believe it or not.... One thing is because Bynum is not a versatile offensive player like Pau Gasol is, he doesn't have that mid-range jumper from the elbow like Pau Gasol does. Another thing is The Lakers won't be fronting Yao either, this is probably the only team that won't front him from what I see. If Pau Gasol plays center in the 4th quarter, chances are they will kill us. This is where having a 6'6 or 6'7 center won't hurt us by Using Hayes and Landry because Gasol does not play like a 7 footer like Bynum does. When Bynum is out there which he should be and should be starting, Yao should be out there as well. Yao does need to take advantage against Gasol playing center on him though, he needs to punish him. I've predicted in many games this season that Yao would dominate the 1st half against the Lakers and then his teammates like Artest and Brooks would just ignore him and lose the game for us. Let's just hope it doesn't happen in this series. Go Rockets!
I wish Bynum will ask Phil Jackson to permit him to play with Yao 1v1, no fronting, no double team----just like Joel Przybilla did before the 1st game
Why is everybody so scared about Gasol playing center (with Bynum on the bench)? If it really were such a huge match-up advantage for the Lakers, how would they not exploit it in the real series? Let's just put aside the wishful thinking and believe in our big fella and the team.
Only reason why Bynum was sent to the Bench was because he had nobody to guard and pretty much nothing to do. The TNT guys yesterday said they were probably going to put Bynum back in the starting lineup because of Yao. Gasol has no chance guarding Yao by any means, unless he fronts him. I don't think Phil Jackson is that kind of coach though. In my opinion, Phil is either going to throw a lot of double teams at Yao, or let Yao have all the points in the game and let nobody else have theirs.
I think Scola is not the X-factor. To me, he has proven in the portland series he can overcome his lack of athleticism and size. However, I do think Scola will be in foul trouble quite often with the refs favoring the Lakers majorly. So I expect him not to be much of a factor at all. Artest and partly Battier will be the X-factor. Just look at the four losses: - 1st loss: Artest was very bad and not much a factor - 2nd loss: Artest did not play, not a factor - 3rd loss: Artest goes nuts, not much of a factor - 4th loss: Artest top scorer but not that good So we lost every single game in which Artest was not (much of) a factor and only one where he was a factor. Defensively he needs to let Battier go to work so he can be like last night on offense. Battier is partly the X-factor because I feel he needs to defend Kobe most of the time and we need his offense. He cannot be just the 3pt camper and defender only, he needs to make a lot more cuts and even post up to make Kobe work and get himself going.
I actually think Wafer is the X factor. He usually goes off on LA. If he can give us the 20 points off the bench for at least 2 of the LA games on the road, we can actually have a chance to win the series.
It's all about Gasol. Forget Odom, Bynum and even Kobe. If Gasol can't be contained then the series is going to be a relatively easy win for the Lakers. It is up to our two penetrating guards, Lowry and Wafer to take the ball to the rim HARD every chance they get and get Gasol into foul trouble. That's the only way I think the Rockets are going to beat LA.
i think kobe is the x factor. if he decides to go 4 for 29, even if we play like ****, we'll win if he decideds to go 15 for 17, even if we play our best, we'll lose
I think can Scola, Hayes and Landry can check Gasol. From what I've heard on other forums Laker fans say that they heard Jackson's plan is the put Bynum back in the starting lineup. So I don't think we'll have to worry about Yao playing against Gasol. There is just something different about Gasol than Aldridge...Although Gasol is clearly better, there's just something different. I do think their X-Factor honestly is Gasol as well. Their team is riding on there shoulder, we all know Kobe is probably going to average 30+ PPG in this series. But we don't want his teammates getting higher 20+ PPG either.
If we can just let Kobe put up 40 every night and limit the Lakers role players we will have a shot at winning this series. Im more worried about Bynum off the bench. Players like Ariza and Fisher need to be contained.
It's been said that Bynum will actually be starting back now. I am worried about the 4th quarter though. We know Kobe is an elite closer and in my opinion he's the best closer in the game. Our worst quarter has always been the 4th quarter, due to Yao being fronted and Aaron Brooks and Ron Artest wanting to close the game. Gasol also plays center at the end of games as well and He's going to have a lot of easy mid-range jumpers in the Kobe-Gasol pick n roll against Battier/Artest and Yao pick n roll defense. 4th quarter is the only quarter I am worried about.
I actually think its going to be a battle of the benches. They have some guys that can shoot really well in the clutch that come off the bench. If the Rockets can limit Kobe's scoring, they will be in good shape. Gasol does not have the Kobe instinct to carry a team. Let Gasol beat you.
Scola isn't the X factor. Scola is as consistent as they come therefore he CAN'T be the "X factor". He was already the "X factor" in the Blazer's series. I believe the X factor is Ron and Yao. If Ron has a good FG percentage we will have a chance beating the Lakers yet if he jacks up shots we will shoot ourselves out of the game. We have to get Yao going if we want to win the series. Also, we need to get Yao enough TOUCHES! If they double, Yao will make the right decision. But we have to go through him.
I personally dun think scolar is the x factor... he is always a CONSISTENT factor. brooks and wafer should be the ones
THe X Factor is how Ron performs while being guarded by Kobe + Whether Brooks can use his speed against the stronger Laker guards Artest + Brooks = X Factors
For the Rockets, there should not be any X-Factors in the game. EVERYONE needs to show up and play hungry with determination. If not go home.
Lakers was 3-0 against Rox without Bynum this year, it's not like YM played superman in those games either.
Maybe It's just me, but Bynum coming back could be a benefit for the Houston Rockets more than people think. Although Bynum does not finish games, I still do think we can do more damage with Bynum in the lineup than without him. Blessing in Disguise.
