ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/28/2004 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 5)

So, the season ends with a whimper. I really did expect alot more heart in the second half. That was one of the worst halves of basketball ever played by a Rocket team. It got so bad, I switched to a Rocky rerun (at least I knew who was going to win).

Ming was just horrible, start to finish, but there was a herd of "goats" in this one. The whole team laid an egg. I really thought they would go down fighting tooth and toe nail. It was so disappointing. The second half displayed every weakness this team has. I just knew we were coming back to Houston. But comparisons to the Clutch City team of 95 just weren't appropriate. I guess we all got carried away. Reality hurts.

 

That's the frustrating thing right there - The Lakers are NOT much better than the Rockets. Rockets had a chance to win EVERY game in this series but p!$$ed it away with careless turnovers and bonehead plays on defense.

I willing to bet people would not be as mad if the Rockets got blown out from the start.

 

yao sucks...he plays too soft....set way too many picks and never get into deep position.....he has to be toughened up.....never settle for the stupid jumpers

steve couldn't handle the ball....always dribbling at the same position and walks up court all the time
steve is not a pg....and will never be a pg
he needs to move to the sg position

cato....loves his hustle....have 3 rebounds in one posession
but lacks of offensive ability hurts

mobley is hot in early quarters but gone cold after foul trouble

jim jackson is tough minded....but he's too small for the small forward position and too slow for the sg position

Bench players are not deep....which is another problems

we definitely need a point guard to distribute the ball

well....we definitely need a major chanage

 

You lost your mind and became insane just because the rockets lost? You root for the rockets, and who told you I do not root for the rockets? We have to find the problems in the rockets, otherwise we will be frustrated season after season.

 

season's over
what a playoff run.....we had our chances in game 1 and game 4
if we could get those game.....the result will be much different

 

i'm sick and tired of hearing how much talents our players have
yao ming, steve franchise and cat mobley
i 'd rather have a bunch of solid players who know their role
jim jackson is one of them.......
turnovers kill us....which lead me to another question.....we need a point guard....like andre miller

 

Very, very exciting but stressful series. It's shameful, however, to show minimal effort in a elimination game, but in a way I am glad it's all over.

I've always disliked the Lakers, but I now hate them with a passion. I too hope San Antonio squashes them next round, that is if they don't get caught against what seems like the Laker conspiracy in this league. I still can't believe the game was postponed for Kobe.

I do look forward to next year; they did advance to the playoffs and gave the Lakers some good games. Should be an interesting offseason and I can't wait for the next season.

Jacques

 

Totally agree. The Rockets are not ready this year. I am not totally disappointed with the results at all. I would say this might be the best the Rockets can get this season with those rosters on the team. Hope there will be a major change in the off season and the Rockets come back to contend next season. Next seaon the rockets will rush their way all to the finals.

 

the only bright spot of this playoffs.... is BOKI

 

Yeah, just noticed that the game was postponed for 15 minutes. WTF is that? It is a qrt time.

 

So long Cuttino and Cato... hope you enjoy the team you get traded to.

So long Pike and A. Griffin... hope Charlotte is a better fit than Houston was.

Now to SF3, Yao, JJ and Boki... after the way you played this post season, you earned the right to stick around. Would you mind convincing CD to pick up a bruising power forward while you are at it?

___________________________________________________
Already dreaming of next season! No hoops til' November!!

 

Never thought I would say it but I found Dunleavy refreshing as an analyst. I've heard him in the past and didnt care for his analysis but tonight he was spot on.

Doug Collins talks without saying anything and repeats the same things over and over.

Dunleavy didn't pull any punches in his analysis of Rockets and Lackers.

I enjoyed his counting off of seconds against Shaq camping in the lane most. Especially after officials started to make the calls!!!

Too bad about outcome. I thought the only Rocket to show up for this game with playoff intensity was Cat - and his star fizzled fast.

Lackers and their coach would have that effect on nearly any young inexperienced team. You can only discount the talent and experience on that squad so much.

My first season as Rox fan is terminated - it was a great leap forward from my previous regional favorite - Bulls - whose glory years are long gone and for me forgotten.

Thanks to ClutchBBS for making it more interesting - this is a great forum.

 

I'm really disspointed what rockets did in 2nd half.I hope them to fight hard even if theyare behind their opponent.

 

I would not say they didn't fight, or lost heart or anything. Those accusations are pretty heavy, we should never use them unless we are 100% sure. But those are the things hard to prove, right? I believe they just had no answer for Lakers' defense, and struggling with their own. They were sort of worring about the outcome and the plays. They appeared idealos what to do and how to do. JVG didn't do a good job to calm them down and came up with couple of designed plays to store their confidence. Of course, those turnovers are killing us tonight too. Overall, i am pleased with their efforts in first playoff serie against the Lakers.

 

I'm well aware that this is a heavy accusation but...

The Rox played the 2nd half like some of them went to Vegas the day before and put some heavy $$$ on the Lakers to win.

Now flame away because I'm too p!$$ed off to care right now.

 

Thank you very much. I can't stand his ***. He gave me the most disappointing season EVER. He ruined my Rockets from day one with his sour *** face and constant bickering throughout out the season.

And one more thing, if the Rockets trade Steve Francis in the off-season, I'll do everything in my power to black-ball his *** all the way back to the east coast where he belongs.

 

SF3 ONLY if we can't get

T-mac T-mac T-mac T-mac

 

Well now that the boys have gotten a taste of the playoffs I'd predict that they don't miss the playoffs again for years to come, baring any serious roster changes. Hopefully they won't take any more games off just because they aren't on TV.
They will spend the entire offseason kicking themselves for the two that got away and let the Lakers slip into the second round. While everybody is busy blaming the guards and Yao remember the rest of the team also missed key shots and made stupid passes. JVG has his work cut out for him this offseason. Season is over... over... damnit.
Now i've got nothing but the draft and baseball to keep me entertained. Guess I might as well go work on my golf game some more.

 

com'on guys don't be so hard on the team. although they are out for this season it's not so bad when you considering for most of them it their first ever playoff experience. let's face it the current rockets team is not good enough to get somewhere in the playoffs. they did their best and fought with heart but simply got beaten by a better team. there is no surprise there. so let's move on.