ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 2/18/2003

Somebody has said the forbidden word.

Kareem Rush playing an NBA career high.

Derek Fisher putting a season high.

Robert Horry posting 20 rebounds.

Rick Fox 15/15 from 3-pt line.

Somaki Walker blocking 10 shots and limiting Yao Ming to 5 pts.

 

Yeah right Yao sells because "Yao is a lucky SOB." If MJ had Yao he wouldn't have to work as hard as he is now. With a smart and true leader like MJ, Yao probably would average 18pts 10 rebs right now. Yao is mature beyond his age there is no need for baby sitting him. Yao has an ego? Can you please show me where is it exactly?

 

Dont be foxed by these statements, when I see the word probable, I think that Shaq would not want to miss another crack at Yao Ming!( especially with all the publicity). So be ready and open minded about this because pregame tactics play a part even in Basketball.

 

You mean the powerhouse Miami who managed 62 points against Pistons last night.......

 

the season has had its ups and downs....but have some faith...

rockets will beat lakers handily tonight

 

i totally agree with what you said about kobe. kobe is not MJ; he will never play like MJ, no matter how hard he tries to emulate number 23's games. don't know how kobe match up head-to-head against current nba shooting guards, but when MJ was playing before the last comeback, he held every shooting guard under their average, except miller.

Disagree with carayip because houston scored 53 because kobe just couldn't guard him not because he tried to conserve his energy for offense. look at the stats of the game, houston scored almost half of the team's points. wouldn't phil jackson think of stopping houston first before worrying about offense? MJ didn't guard the point guards back then because 9 out of 10 point guards weren't scorers. i know one thing for sure if mj were kobe playing on sunday, he would have guarded houston, and shut him down. has anybody ever scored 40 on jordan?

 

this is a must win game, i will be extremely dissapointed if we lose this game, this is what happens when u lose to crappy teams, then u HAVE to beat the really good teams

 

Kobe did guard Francis in the 4th quarter and Francis went around Kobe anytime he wanted. Francis first step was messing any defender that was guarding him last time these two teams met.

 

Kobe has trouble guarding the quicker guards/point guards in the league.

 

"Hopefully," O'Neal said, "everybody will step up and hold the fort till I come back."




http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/o...TS&subsection=SPORTS&year=2003&month=2&day=18


http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/o...PORTS&subsection=PRO&year=2003&month=2&day=17

 

Rockets 101 Lakers 99

Kobe scores 65 in losing effort
Yao Ming scores 31
Steve scores 20 dishes 9 dimes
Cat scores 35

 

Now Shaq is out. If we still lose, then.....

 

Based on the Rockets' history, they will win if Shaq plays, otherwise lose to a Shaqless LAL.

 

This is probably one of the more difficult games to guess on in recent Rox history. I say that, at least in the first half we come out like we did against Utah.

Steve and Cat actually PASS the ball to Yao, and because he's had rest the last few days, Yao goes off for about 16 in the first half alone. And, I think Cat might be back to his normal 41% shooting tonight which will still help us.

Unfortunately, Stevie decides in the second half that he hasn't had enough shot attempts for "a pg in todays NBA" and takes over the shooting, fails to get his teammates involved and basically takes us from an 11 point lead to a photo-finish.

Kobe is going to get at least 35, and if the Rox don't turn it over more than 12 times they may win by 2/3.

 

Great post.. Especially the "PG in todays game" part... hehhehehe

 

if shaq and kobe play, rockets by 3
if shaq plays but kobe doesn't play, lakers by 5
if shaq doesn't play but kobe plays, lakers by 10
if neither shaq nor kobe play, lakers by 46

 

Regardless of the outcome [Rockets 97 - Lakers 89], please promise me one thing. Do not think that this game will be a turning point in the Rockets' season and that they are going to go on a huge winning or losing streak. The Rockets have shown that this season is all about inconsistency and instability. It takes more than a brilliant performance in a single game (e.g., at Utah) to change that. It's not going to happen for a while, perhaps not until next season when Yao is physically ready and mentally prepared for the NBA game.

 

so the rest of the Rox only score 15? wow, that would have to be some kind of record!

 

couldn't agree more...

Rox 94
Losers 91

 

How did Yao stand toe-to-toe with him besides literally? Did you see the stats and the thunderous dunks? Yao is 7'6'', if he can't block a shot of someone shorter then him then that is unreal. You're giving Yao the benefiet of the doubt.