ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/17/2004 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

I'm upset about the loss, but not that much because I thought the Rockets would have lost big in the first game!

Anyway, this game is a snap shot of the Rockets' whole season,

o. Good defense -- hold LA to .329;
o. horrible offense -- shoot .382;
o. High TOs -- 20 (SF & Cat each has SEVEN);
o. Bad ball movement -- 13 assists vs LA's 20;
o. J. Jackson stepped over his role -- 19 shots led both teams;
o. No playoff experience -- YAO's last foul. He should have grabbed Shaq.
o. JVG's questionable sub pattern -- Why the heck he put Spoon on the court for the last play? He should have had all shooters on the court for the last play.

We missed the best opportunity to beat the Lakers. Next game will be ugly!

 

Rockets win series in 4!!! (thats what i want)

Lakers win series in 6 (thats the reality)
booooooo

but fakers will loose in 2nd round

 

BRING ON GAME 2

GO ROCKETS!!!!

 

If steve plays like this the rest of the series I think we've found a great player. his aggresiveness to the basket was wonderful to see. everytime he saw a path to the basket he went to the hole. ALMOST had a layup for the game-winner but shaq was standing right there.

 

But basically there is no offense set for that play, it is all one on one and penetrate.

It works one game, but hardly works for all series, and we can't any series by just playing that offense.

 

Before this game, I thought Rox have no chance to win the fight . But now ,after this lose, I really think we can beat Fackers!!!!!

GO ROX!!!!!!!!!!!GO!!!!

 

If we hadn't committed so many turnovers we would have won.
JJ had a good look but he short armed it.
I'm sad but despite all our weaknesses we didn't give up and that is commendable.

 

I think one of the commentators answered that question, even though it didnt sound like a serious one. He wasnt going to be used to take a shot, but due to his size and girth he is able to set some good picks for the inbound play, even though he got the ball both times on the inbound play.

 

I think the series will be 4-1. Lakers win.

Today is the golden opportunities to win the game. Malone, Payton and Kobe all have a subpar game. Malone's shot is wide open because we double team Shaq. He just plain missed them.

Game 1 is always the best game to steal for road team. Too bad we couldn't cash it.

I don't understand what everybody exited about. A loss is always a loss. Do you think we can just play defence to win a series??? With Kobe, Malone, Payton are all off and basically we only play one offense set with SF's penetration.

 

anybody else think that Steve Javie is a crap official?

 

You know what pisses me off? When Kobe was interviewed both at halftime and after the game. He absolutely refused to give the Rockets any kudos for their effort tonight whatsoever. He was so fcking arrogant.

The Rockets outplayed the Lakers tonight. If Kobe doesn't botch his 3 pointer so bad that it goes straight to Shaq, we win.

 

WAY to go STICKBOY Ming.....all you needed to do was watch the freaking ball instead of looking at Shaq's nutz.....you suck dude!!!

 

I know his intent, but that's exactly the reason JVG made a dumb move! The Laker had Malone & Shaq on the court for the last play. Any of our small guys would have been able to beat them to the spot, You know why Spoon got the ball both times? Becasue Shaq was guarding him! Can you imaging if Padget was there, not Spoon?

 

I don't mind the loss since I don't believe the Rockets have that good a chance to beat the Lakers over the course of a seven-game series. They played hard, and so generally I'm pleased.

Regardless of the outcome of this series, I think we need at least one, but preferably two positions changed from our starting lineup. Cato is good, but we need someone who isn't an offensive liability starting in his place. And we need someone other than Steve, Cat, or JJ setting up the offense.

 

Either JVG or Steve will be gone next season.

Quote "....every ****ing time"

feel bad for JVG to go through this everytime

feel bad for Steve that JVG was not his Coach before this year...

 

i don't understand why do you hate Yao so much? It must suck to be you dude.

 

like yao knew Kobe was gonna throw up an airball; it just so happened it landed in shaq hands. Wake up and just face it we lost as a team.

 

I know people get tired of reading the "if we did this or that we would win" but the thing i cant help replaying in my mind is when MO had a layup in the last 1 min or so and blew it, anyone else know what i am talking about?

 

I dont hate YAO....I just think he is puss!!!! "Oh, I am fatigued", and the guy still commits stuoid ass fouls......he is one r****ded POS. He knows he can hang with Shaq, but he doesnt have the cojones to show up....thats too bad....Lakers in a clean sweep!!! Well, maybe in 5.

 

Nobody is excited about the loss. But if many of you are real Rockets fans, should be happy to see your "favorite" team goes back to playoffs after 4 years. They actually fought really hard and had a real chance to steal one on the road against Lakers, with all 4 HOFs on the court. I just don't understand where all these negativity come from. Lakers played poor offensively, partially because their intensity is not at highest level, but Rockets' tough defense didn't allow them. We outrebound them by 10. In the beginning, the nerve kicked in, which led to dozens of turnovers. But the positive side is that every single player fought hard, wanted it badly. Yes, every single one of them, including those you guys critisized harshly SF, Cat, Yao, JJ etc. They are the only one team really fought as an underdog among those 4 games today. If you guys expect the Rockets to win it 4-0, maybe you better wait until they are at that level, then "become" "Rockets fans". We had our chance, but couldn't capitalize on it. It's a tough loss, and that's the difference between real contenders and newbies. I am proud of the team effort, and I will continue to cheer for them. What's the point to make those 4-0 or 4-1 predictions? What do you want to prove? Rockets is not a Championship team? Well, I got news for you, they are not. But they are still my favourite team. Please show some faith and support.