I've gotten to think about what the key matchup in the series would be. As much as it will be hyped, I really don't think the key matchup is between Yao and Shaq. But here let me break down the matchups and their importance: 1. Yao v. Shaq. Obviously the most dramatic matchup. It's the stuff NBA lore is made of. However, even when Shaq "shut down" Yao last time, the Rockets were still in position to win. Yao and Shaq seem to always balance each other out, the drop step hook Shaq has is not as effective against Yao because of Yao's length, and he is not explosive enough to dunk every time anymore (he missed a few dunks last game). Shaq's at the point where he's not going to have a dominant 40 point performance anymore, last game he took a lot of shots and made less than half of them. So he's not going to carry them. That said... I've never seen Shaq so intense on defense, following Yao around in the perimeter, he hasn't done that in years. So my point is... if Shaq and Yao both bring intensity into the game, their gonna cancel each other out. I don't think the series is going to be won or lost on this matchup. 2. Steve v. Payton. Francis plays quite well against Payton. Someone said that the Glove has officially turned into the Sieve... Payton isn't going to shut Steve down. But... Payton is good enough to keep Steve from dropping 40 like Shaq v. Yao I. Especially since Francis's scoring isn't as explosive as last year. Payton is also a smart player, so he's going to get his buckets in transistion and also get some threes. I have a feeling though the slight edge goes to the Rockets here, this isn't the real key matchup either. 3. JJ v. George / Fox. I like Rick Fox, he's the consumate role player, and plays very smart defense. But you know what that describes JJ too. If JJ can limit the number of looks Devean George gets from three, that's important. But this is certainly not the key matchup. 4. Cato / MoT v. Malone / Stanislav M. / Walton. Obviously having Malone or not tilts the favor of this matchup one way or the other. But this matchup isn't as important as ... 5. Cat v. Kobe. This is the key matchup in my perspective. For some reason, Cat has been able to score against Kobe very well. I think it was the first game this season against them where Cat dropped 30 and held Kobe. While Kobe was good in the fourth meeting, Cat put on a shooting clinic. We need points to compete with the Lakers, and Cat's scoring output fluctuates the most of all. So if Cat can score 20ppg this series, that would be a great boost for us. He defense on Kobe is also key, but it looks like he's the one that can carry the Lakers when they need baskets now. What do you think?
I voted for small forward, just to be different. Fox may be ineffective with his dislocated thumb, and JJ could be our secret weapon. I think he a pretty savvy player, and would easily own George (or whomever else they put at SF if Fox is out) For a more realistic take, I'd probably guess SG is the critical matchup, mostly because I think the Lakers live and die with Kobe this year. Well, maybe they don't live with him alone, but he could certainly kill them on his own.
I say shooting guard. I mean Yao and Shaq is a great commercial/fan matchup. but stopping Kobe and Shaq is the key. yao can handle Shaq ptetty well, can the guards stop Kobe
Yeah this is interesting because with all the talk of the Laker's being "Shaq's team" blah blah blah... you cannot understate the importance of Kobe. Previously Shaq was obviously the MVP, but with his decline it's come into question once agani.
yao cancel shaq...cuttino cancel kobe..the difference maker is Steve if he can get his game on..then we ahve a chance...but if he's the francis that he is all season with the turnovers..then .....
Yao needs to step up.. get off on the double team.. make his shots.. make his mark!! once they cant stop Yaos shooting.. yao can get his teammates going.. all the other sets we can put cato high low post.. iso.. alleyoops are really effective with cato and steve.. we need that.. switching up.. Steve needs to step up .. what i really liked about steve in denver was.. he didnt stop.. he only went forward .. reminded me like iverson pushing the ball up court.. we need that!
I think the key to this game will be PF ... Yao / Shaq should cancel each other out.. with Shaq focusing on Yao and following him everywhere it left the paint wide open for drives into the lane. The reason I chose PF is that.. to keep Yao from foul trouble I would rather have him guard Medevenko and let Cato guard Shaq. If Yao can spend less energy guarding Shaq it would make a ton of difference. Second most important matchup.. will be SG .. if Cat can make Kobe work hard on both ends of the floor and score some points this will help off set Kobe's scoring. I think JJ and Boki also need to spend some time here .. J
Let's be realistic. The hype is gonna be ALL about Shaq vs. Yao. But we all know neither of those guys will be playing 1-on-1. We'll double on Shaq, they'll double on Yao. Fortunately for us, hack-a-Yao isn't quite as effective as hack-a-Shaq. I'm looking forward to watching Cat vs. Kobe, though. And I kinda wonder if we'll see JJ take some defensive responsibilities on Kobe as well.
Yao better get some rest because history has shown us, Shaq comes out in the playoffs and set the tone early. His agreesion level goes way up and dominates. Yao better be ready.
Let's face it; Malone is still a hoss at PF. He makes passes that are sharp, fast, and dead-on. His rebounding is phenominal at his age. He has had a lot of rest this season, so he isn't worn out. Unless we control him, this will be a quick exit... The other players kinda cancel each other out. But If Jackson centers the game on Malone, this may be a really short series. Unless, of course, MoT finds the secret to life and to defence laying around somewhere in his locker....
The key match up is Cat vs Kobe. If we can contain Kobe, we'll win. If not, we'll lose. It doesn't really matter if Yao draws with Shaq or if he gets outplayed. Shaq always get his numbers and if Yao doesn't get his, it usually means other Rockets get more shots and score more. As for Kobe, he will keep shooting whether the shots fall or not. We'll have a good chance if his shooting eyes are off ...
I think that it's all about how Kelvin Cato handles Shaq, Mobes is usually okay against Kobe, but we have to watch that matchup too. Last key thing is that we absolutely have got to watch Fisher when the game is close they like to kick it out to him and he is known to make that 3 from time to time. I agree with most, Ming and Shaq is not the main matchup, it's how Cato handles Shaq.
I would rather play the Fakers than the Queens and I like our match-ups better... We wen the series in 7 games...
The real keys are Kobe and Malone. If Mobley can slow down Kobe and if Malone is slowed by injury, I think the Rockets have a chance to win the series. Shaq and Ming will be interesting, but not decisive. If Kobe goes off for 35-40 every game it will be a short series. Otherwise, what Malone does will make the difference. If he recovers quickly, plays at full speed, and averages 20-10 then the Rockets are in trouble. I am actually optimistic. This assumes, of course, that Francis and Mobley are not really that hurt. JJ will play well and Cato can make a difference defensively. I think the Rockets CAN win. It will be great fun to watch no matter what actually happens.
Sure, unless Yao doesn't get the foul calls, and I think there's a good chance he won't. Our only prayer in that respect is that the hype for his matchup with Shaq will be so overwhelming that the refs will give them BOTH the calls. Because if the refs call fouls on Yao like they have since the all-star break, forget about it. They'll beat the poor guy up for four games and be done with it. Yao hasn't looked too impressive for the last month or so. I sure hope he's got something left in the tank, because it's about to be a whole new, WAY MORE IMPORTANT season. This series will UNDENIABLY be the biggest test of his career to this point. But he's not alone. This will obviously be the biggest test that nearly ALL the Rockets have ever faced, with a couple of elderly exceptions. Cat will need to sizzle all series, and Steve Francis is going to have to hit his numbers. I think, however, the most crucial Rocket may end up being Kelvin Cato. Yao will need a lot of help on Shaq, and of course Karl Malone is no slouch (I bet he'll play). Cato is going to need to distribute his fouls near perfectly in each game. To be honest, every single player is going to have to step up huge. The Rockets don't fear the Lakers, and I think they're far more determined than nervous about the matchup. I'm sure the Lakers feel the same way. If the Rockets can somehow defy every odd conceivable to win the series, they will have garnered some well-earned and well-deserved respect in the NBA and Western Conference. Not to mention making the Spurs really, really happy.
Our Achilles heal is the power forward spot. They have a good one in Malone, and he's a guy who strong underneath and at midrange. We either go big defending him and give up the outside shots or we go small and give up rebounds. Plus, we can't double-team him. I think our success will depend on neutralizing the 4 spot without giving anything up elsewhere.
Key match up is the point guard position. If Steve can average 20+ a game then we'll be in good shape.
