Dallas was stronger than us. We had Ryan Bowen as our starting 4. The absence of Juwan hurt us in the end.We are better than we were at that time, but this Lakers team is superior as compared to them as well. I don't know if we can go to Game 7 in this series but I'm quite sure that we won't lose by a margin of 40 points in any game.
I think Rockets has a more than a fair chance of game 2, for several reasons. 1. All pressure is on Lakers now, except for Kobe and Fisher, none of the rest of the team is proven to be able to respond well under pressure, led by Gasol, Odom, and Bynum. 2. We didn't play perfect offensively in game 1, but our defense will stay throughout the whole series. 3. Their attitude - from PJ to Kobe, to LO, to Sasha, they were all talking about things like wake up call, officiating, shooting better next game etc etc. It's still that arrogant approach - yeah, we put up a sinker, we can't play any worse, next time we will turn it on. Well, they can play worse. 4. They don't have the determination to fully take Yao out of the game. Both Bynum and Gasol think they are good offensive weapons. Yes, they play Yao hard, mixing with some fronting and doubling, but they also want to counter Yao on offense. Unlike the 2 seven footers at the Blazers, their minds are 100% focused on denying Yao the ball. The big difference in this mindset, means they won't be shutting down Yao. While Yao finally got that huge monkey (first round) off the back, he will only be better and more confident. 5. They can't handle the speedy AB and Lowry, as proven in game 1. 6. Like I said before, after those 9 rings, PJ lost motivation and he hasn't been as sharp as before. RA, just like the whole team, is much more hungrier. In conclusion, we have a pretty good chance to take game 2 as well, even if not, we still have a good chance to win the series.
I don't think it will, but it can. If the Rockets win game 2, they will win the series. I can't see this team choking like they did against Dallas and blowing a 2-0 lead after winning two on the road. However, if the Lakers win game 2, I would not give the series to the Lakers until we see how they do in Toyota Center in game 3.
The series will be decided when the Rockets beats the Lakers 4 times and head into the Conference Finals
I don't believe that. I honestly think the Rockets will lose game 2 and win games 3 and 4. Game 2 is very important for the Lakers. Sure, I'll take game 2, but I think games 3 and 4 are ours if we lose game 2.
i expect the lakers to respond and win...i would be shocked if the rockets win....but as yao says about the nba slogan "the nba, where amazing happens"
I disagree, but if Rox win that would make them very confident, we also have to remember teams can come back from 0-2 and still win the series, it has happened a few times.
Kobe press conference irritated me. "It's will be interesting...*chuckle*...to see how we progess as the series goes on...*smile*" I know its crazy but it seems like he knows they're going to respond in a big way his tone indicates that he just knows they have this series in control and will win.
This team is a way different team then the 2005 team. But I will say there is no home court advantage in this series. Both teams know how to win on the road.
Dummy, he is trying to tell you nothing else really matters, winner of any 1 or 2 or 3 games do not decide anything, if you just go look it up in the history of any sports. You need to win 4 games, the rest is just probability and statistics.
Good post, and I definitely agree with all of this. The Lakers seem to be a perfect reflection of their new fans... good at playing out in front, but a bit suspect when really tested. Maybe the Lakers are so much more talented that they will end up winning, but if they do, then the non-Kobe Lakers are going to have to perform well under pressure. Looking at that roster, I just don't think it is likely. What I do know is that this Rockets team is not going anywhere and will add physical pressure to go along with the psychological pressure the Lakers will be under this entire series. Play hard, stay well, and the Rockets have a damn good chance.
Exaclty my sentiments before the series began. There is no real "homecourt" advantage in this series. Both of these teams can win on the road. The home team will have a slight edge due to the energy of the fans but other than that, I see it as a null facet.
the rockets must play this game like a game 7 - a must win. the lakers are cocky. listen to phil jackson last night - "i don't know if we can play any worse." time to have some killer instinct. in a sense, if we can win game 2, our chance to the championship this year will increase 3 fold.
This will indicate the series? Yeah, Sure it will. I expect the Lakers to win because Phil Jackson is a lot better at making adjustments than any other coach in the league. Just wait...even Jackson, Adelman and all the players know this won't determine the series.
Rockets can win game 2 if they play better than they did in game 1. (And the officials don't start giving LA wins like they did in Portland.) This may be a lot to ask, but we were outplayed game 1 and stole the game. If I said the team that had: 15 LESS SHOTS/4 LESS MAKES 27.8% from 3 6 LESS OBoards 3 MORE TOs Won the game, you'd think I'm crazy (esp if I said that team was the Rockets, who this yea have needed More Boards, Less TOs and High 3 point shooting, to win games). We won the game because we got to the line because we took the ball to the rack. If we keep doing that and stop some of the OBoards along with cleaning up some of the sloppy play, we have a great shot to steal another one in LA.
