what adjustments do you guys think the Lakers will make and how should the Rockets counter them? In game 1 we saw Pau trying to front Yao on occasions it is possible that they could utilize that strategy more while bringing over either Odom or Ariza to double. While Phil doesn't prefer this method, he's not dumb and I'm sure he knows what works. Another would have to be pick and rolls. In the second half Kobe was getting more picks from their big man causing Yao to come out on Kobe. I think we'll see more of these and we cant expect Kobe to be off like last night. Thoughts?
yeah I also think DOUBLe is what LA most likely to use. I think Blazers lost its last game just before they didn't give Yao double.
If I were the Lakers I would bench Bynum the rest of the series and would front Yao with their quicker PF's.
Pick n rolls Kobe Gasol especially in the 4th. - We better be ready. PJ doesn't like to play 3 vs 4 on defense, so I don't expect them to play Yao like Portland did.
I'm afraid Phil would not make any big adjustments about defending YAO in Game 2. But if we kick Fakers' assholes one more time,a big change on defending YAO might happen.
They'll hit more of their shots. Kobe and Gasol will play better. I think they'll try fronting Yao more often to force more turnovers. They should be much stronger in transition.
I don't think that Pau Gasol has the physical capability to front Yao. Even if he does, We can use a smaller, quicker lineup away from Yao.
I think Lakers will try to give Yao foul troubles, for example drive towords him, flop under him, contest jump shoot close to him.
They'll do more to get Battier off of Kobe, especially for mid-range opportunities on the right side. They'll run some pick and roll, some triangle with Odom as the playmaker, some staggered off-ball screens, and virtually anything they can do to get Kobe an opportunity against anyone-but-Battier. I'd also expect them to post up Brooks. Brooks ate their point guards lunch with his speed, and they won't be able to match that, so I'd expect them to try to exploit his lack of size on the other end. On defense, I'd think they'd want to extend out further. It seemed that when they played 40 feet out, they could get some stops. I'd expect some more of that.
I think they'll keep Gasol behind Yao. He was effective poking the ball out when Yao would try to make a move. Phil should know from tape that he can front Yao with a considerably shorter player. We'll probably also see more Farmar. Also the most important adjustment: Phil complains about the amount of calls that went our way. We'll be seeing Kobe on the stripe a lot more next game, another 6 fouls in 2 minutes, and probably an 8 second backcourt violation.
agreed. i really dont think the lakers need to make many adjustments, they just need to hit their shots... we cant expect the lakers to shoot so poorly for the rest of the series. 11% from behind the arc isn't going to happen again.
This will most certainly be a difference in Game 2 from Game 1: Kobe will get to the line A LOT more!! at least 12 FTs...
much more pressure on the ball and trapping. More doubles at yao. Attack the basket more aggressively.
I don't agree, Why? Because it is Phil Jackson. Phil is the best active coach and probably one of the best coaches in the NBA. He is not gonna change anything defensivly, he is not gonna bench Derek. He will force his guys to score more points.
