Last game against the Lakers on Wednesday will be for the 7th seed

Sarcasm and Optimism are two separate things. Sorry if you're annoyed by my way of thinking. Can't do anything about that. You make good points about LA having a distinct advantage being that they're playing at home with high emotions and calls do seem to go their way during these type of situations. I am fully aware and agree with all these.

All i'm saying is, we won't have a better chance of stealing this game from them considering that they're going to play without the heart and soul and the best player on their end of the court.

If we lose, we lose. It is what it is. But unlike other teams who are built to win now, we're not in any way near that level yet. So, you will never see me complain and get pissed about losing the 6th or 7th seed. This is season has already been a successful one in my book and whatever happens from here on out is just a bonus.

 

I'm pissed because we easily controlled our own destiny for at least the 7th seed and blew it. Now I don't think even an aging, injured Spurs team would've been an easy out, but I'd much rather play them in their current condition than a young, healthy Thunder team that's steamrolling their way into the playoffs. And instead of taking care of business against the worst team in the West(or playing far better in that home game against Memphis), we've now put ourselves in a situation where we need to win in L.A. in a nationally televised game where you know it'll be 5-on-8 all night long. And God help us if the Jazz pull off the upset in Memphis earlier that evening. The free throw disparity will put the one from the Warriors-Lakers matchup the other night to shame.

 

The way our team was built and considering how young and inexperienced we are and on year 1 of our rebuilding stage, we're fortunate to even be in the playoffs this soon.

Name 1 team who's as young and inexperienced as this roster that's even close to being in the playoffs this season.

Name 1 other team who's in the playoffs right now and still has max salary cap room and the ability to add a superstar to their current roster without losing anyone significant on their roster.

If you add all these up, it instantly shows you that this team should've been one of the lottery teams.

 

Really? Because you basically implied the game was going to be easy for us and the Lakers need to learn how to stop our players to keep from getting blown out. .

This is what I mean. Never mind the fact that they have Dwight Howard manning the paint and we have an injured Harden. Lin Parsons and Delfino are all role players, don't make them sound like stars.

Although I don't agree I can see where your viewpoint is coming from here. That stuff doesn't nearly bother me as much as what you said above this that reeked of delusion and ignorance whether you intended it to or not. Thats what bothers me.

 

First off all, what's Harden's injury? The one where he bumped knees with Scola? That's so minor. Second, when i say Lin, Parsons, and Delfino, i am talking about Blake, Meeks, and Clark's inability to close out and defend well on shooters.

Never said they were "STARS". I've been following the Rockets and the NBA since 1991 and i haven't missed a single minute of a single game for this season at least, so don't speak to me like i know nothing about this team and the NBA in general.

The only way the Lakers win, is if they get help from referees and for the past 15 games, they have considerably been awarded more free throws than their opponents and i don't expect that trend to change here. It could even be worse. But if the game is called fair or even close to fair both ways, i'd be surprised if they manage to win still. A lot of things have to go right for them in that scenario sans a Kobe Bryant.

 

so basically the playoffs starts at wednsday already.... GREAT!

 

We win

We're going beat Lakers, not by much but enough. Comeon guys we had a bad game now all this negativity. We just had a great game against the Kings where we shoot lights out. If we do that again we have a great chance even with the refs against us. What I don't like about this Rocket team is we sometimes shoot really well and we sometimes don't, and are very inconsistant which is probably due to being a very young team. Also we're a bit of but a live and die by the three team. We have a good chance, Lakers aren't a great defensive team under D'antonio and would had lost to Warriors as well as other under 500 teams if not for the refs. Will be a hard game, but lets cheer for our team. Hopefully Lin, Parson, Delfino, and even Garcia shoot lights out from three. Not sure how hurt Harden is but if he plays hopefully him too. Take up this challenge and beat it, take it, its yours.
I also hope Utah wins, causing Lakers to miss the playoffs. I believe Stern does help the Lakers, its obvious, but he can't stop the other team from shooting lights out when it's on. Lakers missing the playoffs, their draft goes to Suns, and Dwight doesn't resign leaving Lakers in rebuilding mode for awhile. That will be early Christmas present, however I don't see Dwight not resigning even if they don't make the playoffs. But I hope so.

 

I am going to be you sidekick on this one. Historically, we have always played the Lakers tooth and nail, even when we had a much inferior team by comparison. If we play our game, gun and run, making 3's, and playing at least some average D, we will win the game there. Perhaps, the Rockets will display the one thing that was lacking today: EFFORT.

 

We choked so miserably. This is the game we'll look back on when we get swept in the playoffs by OKC. With the Spurs we would have such a great chance since Parker and Manu are both injured and their season seems to have fallen off a cliff the past few weeks. But no, count on the Rockets to give scrubs like Markieff Morris and Tucker career nights.

 

If Las Vegas offers huge favorite odds to LAL to win against us, then the chance for the Rockets to win becomes a little better, because Las Vegas always knows how to beat those punters.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I'm hoping Lakers plays Spurs in the first round, I rather lose to Thunder than lose to the Spurs. We will have experience against an elite team than an elite team that is on the verge unbecoming an elite team.

 

Are you drunk?

 

Don't matter what the outcome is vs the Lakers.

Bring on OKC or SA. Look to be a fun series either way!

 

Very frustrating that we fell victim to the mistake of looking past your opponent. I'd rather have my shot against Denver than risk falling to 8 and facing OKC. But that's wht young teams do...they screw up. We really screwed up last night.

 

Bad logic!

I rather lose to the Thunder in WC Finals than the first round. We will have even more experiences against more elite WC teams.

Every team is beatable except Thunder.


On a side note: If Harden doesn't D-up, it doesn't matter who we play, first round exit for us!

 

Yeah, use the piss poor Sacramento Kings as an example of a game in which we dominate.

The Lakers are going to get home and ref advantage. This isn't going to end pretty at all.

 

Same kings that gave the lakers a bit of trouble not too long ago, though the kings lost that game, but it wasn't easy for the lakers. Plus not only the kings game but this season we have won by a large margin on other teams, though Not many but there's been a few. Just saying this game depends on how we show up and I believe we have a a decent chance especially if we are hitting the three ball.

 

That is false.

Even if we lost to PHX at home, the victory against Sac would have clinched. Stop acting like such a whinny b****. Anything the Rockets do now is icing on the cake.

 

Yes, Imagine IF the Jazz beat the Grizz before this game tips off. All the pressure falls on the Lakers, lose and go home. I hope it does come down to that and the Rockets can send the Lakers on a long Summer Vacation.

 

Lord I hope the 3 balls are falling in LA on Wednesday night. Our only chance is to blow them out with a 3pt barrage.