1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

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

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Clutch, Jan 16, 2003.

Tags:
Page 6 of 19
  1. junkmonkey

    junkmonkey Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2002
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Oh, what should I do? There are still more than 7 hours to go before the game starts. I have read all the articles related to this match. What else? can I do? to kill this 7 hours. except going back to work? :confused:
     
    #101 junkmonkey, Jan 17, 2003
  2. droxford

    droxford Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2001
    Messages:
    10,598
    Likes Received:
    2,131
    some foreboding stats...
    In the last 11 games the lakers have played...
    • they finish those games on a 5 game winning streak
    • they've only lost 3 of the last 11
    • they've scored over 100 points in 8 of the last 11 (in the other 3, they scored 99,93, and 90)
    • Kobe has averaged 36 PPG
    • Shaq has averaged 26 PPG
    I chose the last 11 games because, let's face it, the Lakers have really kicked it up a notch.

    there is hope, though....
    • Lakers have allowed 97 PPG in the last 11 games played
    • The last 4 times Bryant was guarded by Posey (all 4 times Denver played Lakers last year), Bryant only scored as follows: 24,25,28,15 (could it be that Posey can do a decent job of containing Kobe?)
    • Lakers are stll less-than-perfect on the road at 3 and 2 (in the last 11 games)
    IMHO - we can win this game if...
    • Posey can keep Kobe under 30 pts
    • the Rockets can contain the 'other Lakers' (Fox, Horry, Walker, etc.)
    • our offense is on (sometimes, we just can't buy a hoop)
    -- droxford
     
    #102 droxford, Jan 17, 2003
  3. RCKTBachar

    RCKTBachar Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2002
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    9
    Here's my take on tonights game for what is worth:

    There too much made of Yao vs Shaq. Shaq will get his and I think Yao will play really well too. This game will go down to the wire. All we need from Yao is to plug up the middle down the stretch like he did against Phoenix. He will have help on covering Shaq with double teams, but his ability to help on others driving to the hole will be crucial! If Yao can plug the middle the last five minutes and alter/block 3-5 shots, Rockets win.

    We win all matchups except Kobe & Shaq, and we wont loose those by much. Posey is going to toast Rick Fox up and down the court.

    Rockets 104 Lakers 98
     
    #103 RCKTBachar, Jan 17, 2003
  4. Woofer

    Woofer Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2000
    Messages:
    3,995
    Likes Received:
    1
    I don't think it matters if Kobe scores 50 cause he's scored lots in the past and didn't involve his teammates ( sounds sort of familiar ) and they went on a long losing streak like that so anything can happen with one individual's stats in a game. The Rockets and Yao need to not worry about they hype about the matchup between Yao and Shaq and play the game the way they want to.
     
    #104 Woofer, Jan 17, 2003
  5. RocketfanfromLA

    RocketfanfromLA Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2002
    Messages:
    184
    Likes Received:
    0
    [​IMG] :D :D :D
     
    #105 RocketfanfromLA, Jan 17, 2003
  6. Thanos

    Thanos Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2000
    Messages:
    1,156
    Likes Received:
    1
    The key to this game is Kobe. If Posey is assigned to him, he can make Kobe have one of those bad shooting nights and the game is ours.

    Shaq will get his, no matter what. It's a statement game for him and he will probably be hungry as hell. Let's hope that Yao is up to the challenge and rises to the occasion and Cato can play Shaq as well as he has in the past.

    I'm really more concerned about the W than with the one on one challenge, but i'm also rooting for the big guy to show once and for all that he's the next big thing.

    Can't remember the last time I was looking forward to a game like this one, and to think that it almost wasn't shown here in Brazil... they were going to show Bucks x 76ers but i guess a few thousand e-mails flooding their accounts made them change their minds... :)
     
    #106 Thanos, Jan 17, 2003
  7. SageHare6

    SageHare6 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2002
    Messages:
    1,567
    Likes Received:
    184
    My Predictions

    I think Yao will have a game more akin to Kenny Smith's predicitions of 23 pts, double digit rebounds than Charles Barkley's prediction of 11? pts and 5 rebounds (and Shaq himself having a tremendous game).

    Personally, I think Yao WILL hold Shaq in check. Key IFs are:

    1. Yao has to stay balanced and level. i.e. don't get suckered into leaning to far into Shaq or taking those bunny hops on defense. So long as Yao keeps his feet on the floor, he has enough reach and height to alter Shaq's shots.

    2. Yao has to come out looking to score on the offensive end. One frequently overlooked aspect of Shaq is that when he's scoring on one end, few teams will challenge him defensively on the other. Life is a lot easier when you play only "one side" of the court. If Yao can make Shaq work on both ends of the floor, this alone will tire Shaq into potential "careless fouls."

    3. Yao should get the benefit of the whistle seeing as we're on home court AND the contrast in styles btw Shaq and Yao may further highlight Shaq's frequent "offensive fouls." Stupid defenders jump into Shaq or get caught off their feet for jumping too early. These are easy calls for refs to make bringing Shaq to the free throw line. Alternatively, Yao, to date, has already faced a number of "physcial pseudo-centers" like Ben Wallace and Brian Grant. He's held up pretty well "foul-wise" against them and I suspect he will stay out of foul trouble in this game as well.

    4. Rockets D NEEDS to help Yao off Rotations in the event that Kobe and Co. decide to take it to the hole and consequently, get Yao into serious foul trouble. Lost in all this Yao vs. Shaq talk is Kobe and Fox and Fisher. These other people are equally as dangerous of exploiting Yao's positioning (e.g. drawing him out off poor Rocket rotations, only to feed Shaq for easy dunks). These are momentum and psychology shifters and Rox D has to rise to the occasion and shut Kobe and Co. down.

    5. Lastly, Rocket Guards should look to feed Yao's confidence early by getting him easy buckets via pick and rolls and deep low post positioning. The faster the points come for Yao, the more aggressive he'll get. The more missed shots for Yao, the greater his frustration builds and that may pretty much set the tone for the rest of the game. The first quarter should set the tone for a lot of things.

    Looking forward to the game. GO ROX!!!!!!

    :p :p :p

    theSAGE
     
    #107 SageHare6, Jan 17, 2003
  8. sailor

    sailor Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 1999
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    1
    My prediction:

    Yao will have an average game -- average by his standard: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, but holds his own. Shaq has a monster game: 30 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks, 6 assists. An unusual suspect, Kelvin Cato, emerges from oblivion, scores 12 points, 10 rebounds, and blocks Shaq's potentially game-winning shot, reminiscent of the one he had on National TV a few seasons back. Rockets win the game: 98-97.

    Sailor
     
    #108 sailor, Jan 17, 2003
  9. LLJ

    LLJ Member

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2002
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    I woke up this morning and said, "If I pass my driving test this afternoon, then Yao will have a damned good game against Shaq."


    Just came back from the test.

    Uhm, well, I got clobbered. Got killed on the first intersection.

    Let's hope my prediction is wrong. :(

    Yao good or Yao not, I predict the Rox edge the Lakers 98-96.
     
    #109 LLJ, Jan 17, 2003
  10. hikanoo49

    hikanoo49 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2002
    Messages:
    2,518
    Likes Received:
    151
    wow.. i dont think i ever met a person who failed their driving test. we all need to pray for Yao tonight now.. = P

     
    #110 hikanoo49, Jan 17, 2003
  11. twhy77

    twhy77 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2002
    Messages:
    4,041
    Likes Received:
    73
    ESPN is hyping this game more than they would the Super Bowl, of course thats because the game is on their network. It's crazy though, whatever happens the Rocks will get some major exposure tonite, and hopefully so will Chance!

    I think forcasting scores is a little wierd so I'll just say something memorable will happen tonight.
     
    #111 twhy77, Jan 17, 2003
  12. daoshi

    daoshi Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2002
    Messages:
    3,021
    Likes Received:
    75
    Anyone thought about having Yao fronting Shaq in the post? With Yao's height, it'll extremly difficult for LA's guard to through over the top.

    One thing need to watch is that LA always move the ball to other side of Shaq's post, then have Holly/Walker come over to set a pick to free Shaq across the lane, with Shaq get the ball 4ft from the basket. The Rockets need better communication on the defense, Zone or not.
     
    #112 daoshi, Jan 17, 2003
  13. Toast

    Toast Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2001
    Messages:
    3,755
    Likes Received:
    10
    I have a round of shots with an old college buddy riding on this game. Given my history with shots, and particularly tequila (a.k.a. to kill ya), I REALLY need the Rockets to step up this game. C'mon boys!

    And fans with Laker fans as friends, I suggest you put your faith in your team & put your money where your mouth is tonight. Hey, anything I can do to support the Rockets!
     
    #113 Toast, Jan 17, 2003
  14. Ferddieg

    Ferddieg Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2002
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    0
     
    #114 Ferddieg, Jan 17, 2003
  15. "da Jet"

    "da Jet" Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2002
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    0
    In order for the rockets to win tonight they have to

    1) establish a lost post game with yao, and griff
    2) consistenly hit open jumpshots
    3) contain kobe

    I think these are the key points for the rockets to focus on!

    Rockets need to play some hard nose defense!

    Rockets by 5
     
    #115 "da Jet", Jan 17, 2003
  16. Free Agent

    Free Agent Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2002
    Messages:
    2,116
    Likes Received:
    0
    [​IMG]
     
    #116 Free Agent, Jan 17, 2003
  17. SageHare6

    SageHare6 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2002
    Messages:
    1,567
    Likes Received:
    184
    #117 SageHare6, Jan 17, 2003
  18. SageHare6

    SageHare6 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2002
    Messages:
    1,567
    Likes Received:
    184
    #118 SageHare6, Jan 17, 2003
  19. Sane

    Sane Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2000
    Messages:
    7,330
    Likes Received:
    0
    Oh My God, how about this to set this game on fire:

    Imagine Hakeem sitting in the benches watching the games? Can you imagine how much that spices things up? With Yao and Francis trying to impress Dream, while Shaq tries to show Dream that he's worthy of his title now. The fans and the players will all go crazy.

    If Hakeem Olajuwon comes to tonight's game, I'm almost certain we'll win this game.
     
    #119 Sane, Jan 17, 2003
  20. Toast

    Toast Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2001
    Messages:
    3,755
    Likes Received:
    10
    If Hakeem shows up, I say we dust off an old 34 hanging around somewhere and put him in!
     
    #120 Toast, Jan 17, 2003
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 6 of 19

Share This Page