Key Matchup Against Lakers

The main reason why we played the Lakers so well in the regular season is the ability of Yao to neutralize Shaq. Only if Yao can play Shaq to a stand-still will the Rockets have a good shot at the upset. This doesn't mean Yao has to bring his A game every night (although that would certainly help). The Lakers have a tendency to ignore Shaq (meaning Kobe takes 20+ shots). Also, Cato needs to get plenty of muscle massages during the rest days because he'll probably guard Shaq as much as Yao does.

I think the next critical matchup is at the PG. Over the past couple of years, the Lakers have made legends of the opposing PG (Bibby, Hudson, Parker). Yes, the Lakers did get Payton to solve that problem but he has only been a marginal upgrade over Fisher. Stevie needs to dominate.

For the entire team in general, the key is always going to be turnovers for the Rockets. And please don't let guys like George and Rush beat us with the threes.

Go Rockets!!

 

the key matchup is the Refs and van gundy. Im going to place a bet that van gundy gets at least one technical during the series. I'm ok with that. however, i really hope that sf keeps cool and does not get a tech.

 

They key match up is Shaq/Kobe to Yao/Francis. We have better supporting players. If Yao/Francis can somehow match with Shaq/Kobe with scoring, we will be in good shape. If Francis does a 3-12 and 6 Tos, or Yao had a 4-15, 5 rebs, 5 Fs, we will lose.

As much as I like to see Rockets win, I do not think it is going to happen. Shaq/Kobe are just one level above Francis/Yao and they have playoff experiences.

 

Wow, Cat neutralize the #1 clutch player, one of the top 2 SG in the league in a 7 game series.

I wish that the world has come to be as easy as that.

 

I think Steve will be real important. I am guessing that the Rox will be running the pick and roll alot because Shaq doesn't defend it at all. He should be able to get quite a few open shots.

 

Pick-N-Roll, that's the key to the Rox vs. LA. The Fakers can't defend the pick-n-roll at all. Shaq doesn't want to come out and defend, so let Cat and Steve have field days with that.

JVG, you better start teaching them how to do the Pick-N-Roll and you better teach them how to do it well.

 

The key matchup is how Cato can defend Shaq. If Cato is not available and Yao has to defend Shaq over 4 games, not a chance. Over 7 games, Yao will break down.

If I were JVG, I would play Nachbar more to give Lakers some surprise. Lakers know what our starting 5 can do pretty much. If we just play the way we play before against the Lakers, we are going to lose based on talent and experience.

Nachbar can bring some energy off the bench and he is a pretty good defender. His slashing ability will certainly help.

 

if you look at previous games between KOBE AND CUTIINO ..then you wouldn;t be a kobe a$$ kisser...so what..he have 2 good games..NOT against cuttino...we're comparing MATCHUPS if you haven't notice..kobe and cuttino always cancel each other out....even the last game we lost to them..kobe and cuttino did cancel each other out...

 

I agree that the key matchup is at 2.

While all the attention will be on Yao vs. Shaq that will just fire Kobe up more. Plus whenever the Lakers are in trouble it is usually Kobe who bails them out rather than Shaq.

 

The most important match-up will be the most hyped match up-- Shaq vs Yao. With Sabonis out of the league and Mutumbo barely still in the league, Yao may be the only player that can make Shaq actually have to work down low. Yao has and can wear Shaq down and a tired Shaq in the 4th quarter should be the game plan for this Rockets team heading into the series.

 

Yeah, but offensively for the Lakers, the 4th quarter is Kobe time. A tired Shaq is good for when the Rox have the ball, but I wonder how Yao will be able to take advantage of that. I mean if Shaq tired in the 4th then chances are that Yao is too. Can Yao elevate his game in the clutch despite the pressure and his fatigue? That's the $64,000 question. It'll definitely be interesting though.

 

In my mind, for us to win the series against the Lakers, we need to someway or somehow take Kobe out of the games. I hope Cat can frustrate Kobe enough for him to be less effective. Is it too late to sign Oakley?

 

I also hope Cat can cancel out Kobe. But after having watched the two clutch shoots made by Kobe in double-OT of LA-Portland game, I was speechless.

Rox will need SUPERIOR performance from SF to survive a chance.

KH