ClutchFans Game Thread: Lakers @ Rockets 1/10/2007

I'm still curious to know how you know his back was tight last game...

No way... You mean that Yao being out makes it easier for T-Mac to be the offensive focus??? How do you figure???

Come on, are you seriously thinking that Yao might not deserve his starting spot anymore? Maybe this is good news in that we can have faith that we can give Yao more rest than before, but we are still a MUCH better team with the big two together.

 

will someone host a link of the game i'd like to d/l it.

 

I am definitely NOT saying Yao should be a backup. Yao is a dominating presence, and at his best, he destroys the opposition's backcourt and puts them in foul trouble.

But without Yao, we're obviously not playing an inside-out game as much right now. Instead, IMHO everything begins with T-Mac, freeing him up to get his shot or distribute as he sees fit. It seems to me that his talents are more utilized when we're not looking to post up first, as we mostly did when Yao was healthy and to great success.

Then again, T-Mac's recent play may just have to do with his health improvements, and not with his desire to defer to Yao when the big fella is in there. This is an old argument and like I said, I could be wrong, but it does make me wonder.

So we've got two players who have been playing at an incredible level but separately. What can be done to maximize their talents when both are healthy later in the season? BTW, this is a very good problem to have.

 

Tonight was Hispanic Heritage Night. Did anyone get a look at the flags they were giving away. What did they look like? Thanks.

 

There's no update on Tmac's back? So I'm guessing it's fine?

 

hahaha ran into this quote from someone on ClubLakers forum:

CJ
England's Lakers Rep
PostPosted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:03 pm

"man we need to watch some seseme street and learn bout the letter d"


That sentence is funny in more ways than one.

 

That's actually 10:03 PM Eastern time, so midway through 3rd quarter against the lakers.

 

even with t-mac off his shot we don't come close to winning without him. he was setting up everybody.

another huge difference between this game and the previous 2 against them was mcgrady's length on either kobe or walton. it didn't look like he put much effort into it defensively but he's big and long enough to atleast bother either of them. that was something they exploited last time he when he was out.

 

What a great night at Toyota Center. Packed house, loud, great atmosphere. This is the 3rd game I have been to and it is amazing the difference between the atmosphere at TC now, compared to the last few yrs.

As far as T-Mac goes, it is really incredible how a guy can score 8 pts on 4-16 shooting and have a BAD shooting night, but still totally controlled the game. Everytime he touched the ball and started to go to the basket, the he made great passes and dominated the game on offense.

Juwan Howard has stepped up his game incredibly. He is shooting the ball well, rebounding, playing good defense, hitting his FTs and getting good shots in the paint and outside jumpers. He is playing at a very high level.

And lastly Dikembe Mutombo is a rejunivated man. He is playing absolutely great. He is pulling down 15+ rebs and 5 blocks every night and even hitting a couple of jumpers tonight. He is playing better than Ben Wallace and he is like 60 yrs old.

This is a very special team we have, I honestly believe that with Yao back, and Bonzi and Snyder back and all of our depth and 2 dominant superstars, great role-players like Battier and Howard and Head, this is THE BEST team in the NBA. We have already destoyed Dallas, SA on the road, had SA doen by 20 late in the 3rs, destroyed Miami on the road, destroyed the Lakers, had them beat in LA, beat the Bulls twice, same for the WIzards, destroyed the Cavs. This is a very good team, and one hell of a coaching job by JVG to be without the MVP of the league (Yao) and continue to play great ball, getting great improvement and getting the most out of his players, getting them to play inspired ball.

Go Rockets!!!!!

 

Long live Deke Mutombo

 

Yeah. Now they know that D stand for Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo.

 

was about to go to bed, but thought I would save some of yall the staying up waiting game.

the highlights wont be posted till tomorrow afternoon with the game and prepost.

I just finished editing, and am starting the game conversion.

get some sleep.

oh btw

What a great great win

to those who worry if we can keep this up when Yao comes bak, look at it this way...
Games like this give the rest of the team the confidence to knowthey can step it up when needed, adn they can apply that confidence when Yao comes back.
When it comes down to it, we are still running alot of posts, all you gotta do is substitute the current players that are posting (jho, SHane, Tmac) with Yao and you still run most of the same plays.

 

I am more convinced that the play-making role of Tracy benefitted the team more. The 12 assists, which is just one less than his career high, says ecerything.

 

Thanks for the video.

 

I was at the game yelling an screaming at the top my lungs, and trying to get my pipes back this morning.

The atmostphere was awesome at TC. Even though there were lots of Faker/Kobe fans there, it was nice to hear boooos everytime Phonie Kobe touched the ball.

Props to J. Howard, Battier, Alston, and Deke for supporting T-Mac. T-Mac is an amazing passer and could have easily had 20 assts last night if the shots went in. He got easy look after easy look for teamates all night (he does this every night!)

The luther Head dunk was off the hook! The remaining crowd went absolutely nuts! I never thought I would see him have a monster dunk like that.

It is amazing to see how many phantom calls Kobe gets. I don't know how anyone can root for a guy who whines and cries after every little thing, whether he got fouled or not. The guy is like a spoiled kid who shuts down when things aren't going his way. I am shocked that I have not heard any mention of him leaving the bench with 3.5 minutes left or so. If T-mac had done that, the whole nation would be calling out his heart, leadership and team attitude. Kobe has quit on his team over and over and did it again last night. He probably left early to take a shower with Phillip.

 

Good win

And in Kobes defense he has a little groin injury so he was pulled late out of the game and phil wasnt happy with that. Anyway t-mac>>kobe

 

I'm so freaking excited about this team!!!

 

I have dogged Juwan Howard's contract in the past-and his play. He has his moments and helped us get this victory tonite.

Thanks Juwan - You are a professional and never laid down when you did not start. Nice job. Big props to Juwan!

 

funny thing is, howard's never been a bad player.

100 mill contract? maybe not.

a decent player though that you can count on despite that? yes.

 

I'm sure this guy is nowhere to be found right now, Lakers have basically just been looking good on a soft schedule.

Over-rated clap-clap clap-clap-clap!!
Over-rated clap-clap clap-clap-clap!!
Over-rated clap-clap clap-clap-clap!!