ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Lakers @ Rockets 1/17/2003

i just heard on the radio that a singer named Anmerie is holding a concert at club Mr T..and the guests stars is Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, and Rick Fox...obviously the Lakers are not taking the Rockets seriously...i hope we whoop their ass bad tomorrrow

 

The game is hyped as Yao vs Shaq. If this is the case, we most likely will lose as SF had already said, since most likely Yao will lose the battle. Anyway, Yao will lose with respect.

I hope Rudy would let Posey covers Kobe. Let's see how good Posey is. My Hopes:

1) Posey limits Kobe somehow
2) SF schools Fisher with his quickness
3) Yao at least lose the battle with respect
4) Rockets Fans rock the Fakers
5) We win the game....

KH
p.s. I am quite worried about the stability of the Chat server..... Hope it can sustain.

 

Rockets win, 120:80, believe it or not!!!

 

Lakers on a 5 games winning streak. Rockets on a 3 games streak. Big game!!

 

or not?/..;..
Yao will be crushed....i wish it wasnt true, but i have a bad feeling about this one.
We have to hope for more great playing from our guards, and the additional 10+ pts of Yao, but, not if it comes on 4-16 shooting...
Some one step on that toe to save a life.

 

From MSNBC:
Surrounded by several dozen reporters and cameramen, Yao provided some insight into one of the most anticipated matchups in recent NBA history.
“This is a very important reason that factored into my decision to come into the NBA,” Yao said though his translator. “The game will be a little different than a normal game.”


The one thing that Yao has proven to me, and everyone else in the league, is his mental toughness. His determination will allow him to hold his own. Shaq will have his typical good game, but nothing more. The key is early foul trouble. If Yao can get help from teammates and avoid that, he will have a strong game

15 pts, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 3 assists. Most people think this is a statement game for Shaq. It's just the other way around. Yao has a bajillion fans in China and the US. He'll be ready.

 

Most watched game in NBA history?

 

When everybody is bearish against Yao, I'm saying Yao is gonna edge over Shaq.

Houston 97
LA 93

Yao 34 points 17 rebounds
Shaq 26 points 15 rebounds

There's no way we're gonna lose this game.
Chance is singing Yao Ming song at halftime. That will pump up all Rockets team, especially Yao.

 

are you talking about number of people ..then yes..ha ha ha..300 millions from china and at least 30 million from the US...i dunno if anywhere else in the world gets to see it..and enough with the "Yao will get Kill" we all know that already...it all comes down to who walks away with a W...

 

This game will demonstrate how good Rudy's X's and O's are.

Will Rudy let Shaq run Yao off the court, pickup the fouls, and get our team into a 1 on 1 contest?

If the Rockets do not instantly double team Shaq, deny the entry pass, and make him work for every point, I'll know Rudy has NO clue what he's doing.

Im not talking about bringing the weakside defender after he's already made his moves. Im talking about instantly.

Double team Shaq, Posey on Kobe, and making anyone other than those 2 beat us.

If Samaki Walker and Derek Fisher take 30 combined shots, we will win.

If Rudy lets Shaq go wild, we're doomed. We have 2 centers. That's 12 fouls between them. Rudy better not waste any of them.

 

I agree with most of what you said, just one point. When will people ever let this thing about Mobley getting into one on one battles go? I haven't seen any evidence of it very recently. He's been performing and hasn't seemed to force too much of his offense accept occasional heat checks I guess. I don't really think Mobley is that stupid anymore, but I dunno, guess we'll see... just getting tired of seeing that same thing posted all the time when he's showed no reason for us to believe that as of late...

 

Rudy T commented on his radio show tonight at the 19:40 mark on edc's file that Posey will spend some time guarding Kobe tomorrow night...

 

I have NEVER been more excited for a game!! This is it my fellow Rocket fans.. I think I will shed a few tears if we win and Yao holds his own against Shaqdolf Hitler.

 

As far as the Yao/Shaq matchup is concerned, I think that the only real thing that will stick out is how well Shaq defends Yao (and if he's really still out to try to hurt Yao). Think about it, Shaq's numbers so far this season have been put up against centers that are likely no better defensively or offensively than Yao's, so there's no reason Shaq should perform any better this game than he normally does unless he's just on fire and/or Yao crawls into a hole of fear.

Yao has the tools to not be embarrassed here, he should even be able to perform on offense - he's better than anything Shaq's faced so far this season. Let's just hope he shows people that tomorrow.

 

I had watched the Hornets vs Fakers game. In one play, Kobe quickly brought the ball across the court and found 4 hornets already there. He then slowed down and waited for Shaq. After at least 5 second, Shaq finally appeared in the that half court.

If Yao can splash his energy (which is lacked in recent game), I think he can wear off some of Shaq's game.

KH

 

I'm going to the game! And I'm going be scraming my head off the whole time.

I went to the Bucks game on New Year's Eve and the people behind me actually had the nerve to tell me to sit down they so they could see during the pregame introductions! I mean the PA announcer says"C'Mon Rocket Fans on your feet! You are the sixth man!" It was embarassing that I was one of the few people actually standing.

I'm sure the Lakers game will be much more raucus!

GO ROCKETS! GO YAO!

 

Key to this Game is Ginseng and BK Broilers

If Yao gets his Ginseng before the game, perhaps from a visiting Scottie Pippen (remember those old Ginsana commercials??? ) then he'll have to energy to get the better of his matchup with Shaq. Alternatively, if Shaq eats enough BK Broilers then, he too will have the energy to have a big game. Either way, these two giants need their nutrition for the big national spotlight tomorrow.

Other X-factors to consider.

1. I think Yao needs to cut down on those late-nite video gaming. My theory is that video games is what's rotting his brain and sucking his energy dry.
2. Compaq Center needs to play the YAO MING SONG MORE!
3. Yao should wear a boxer's warmup poncho during the intros b/c this match is startin' to resemble a Rocky movie.



theSAGE

 

Kobe is more than a handful for any one player no matter how good a defender you are.I would like to see and hope that both Posey and Hawkins will take turns against him. Mobley and T-Mo should go up against Fox and Griffin against Horry,T-Mo probably will go up against Walker as well. Yao should take what the defenses are giving him,outside shots and also try to take the ball inside against Shaq so he can put him in foul trouble.Cato should also try to go inside against Shaq.The vets and superstars usually get the calls but being aggressive from the beginning can also put some pressure on the Lakers.
Shaq needs to be doubled teamed quickly so he can't get deep too soon.We will need to throw Cato/Yao and maybe even Collier against him. Francis needs to play good defense against Fisher and Shaw so they can't make good passes although the triangle can counter that.He needs to keep pushing the ball and passing the ball to the open man thoughout the game,take open shots and drive only when there is an opening.
Mobley will also need to mix up his game with making passes in the frontcourt which might make it easier for him to drive against Kobe and keep on taking good shots. We will also need to rebound much better in this game.
I'm afraid that as soon as Yao gets in foul trouble,starts missing shots or gets in trouble with Shaq,Mobley and Francis might abandoned everything and start jacking up shots and go into ISO Mode.
Lakers will probably win but I hope that the Rockets will play smart,try their best all night long and keep it close.

 

The Lakers will not double team Yao. And we all know what will happen when Yao is not double teamed. So this is a big game for Yao. Just like his first come out game against the Lakers!


Thank you, Shaq!