Kevin Martin is NOT a superstar, no matter how you twist it. It's impossible for him to "prove" something that isn't real. In fact, he isn't even an all-star.
The box score shows otherwise (we had 52 rebounds to their 44 or something like that--I know, I was surprised at the #). Most the Laker's rebounds were offensive, which is what the problem was. The Laker's didn't dominate us on glass as I thought they did. Second chance points was the dagger tonight, not the 3 point barrage.
Lakers basically toyed our bigs especially Yao on offensive glass. This team need a tough big man..........Jordan Hill is the closest we have.
Prior to his last 4 minutes of play, he was 4-14 on shooting. He missed so many damn layups and Gasol abused him when ever Gasol posted.
i agree.. with the J hill post, but i think he will get some play time tonight. and yea, scola was missing layups too..i think the ice cream man is still tired..
Face facts, bro. Scola was subpar last night, barring any random increments of time. He didn't have a swagger out there, bobbling the ball, looking to pass or shoot before the read could present itself. That being said: We lost by 2, it's the first game, against the champs, yada yada yada. Oh and CBUD on the reverse flush from scola , of course they went to commercial right afterwards, without replay. If that had been Kobe, or anyone on the lakers, TNT would've footed that commercial break. Guaranteed.
I just watched that last play again, AB made a good cut if he controlled the ball he would get an uncontested layup. Also, the Lakers last 2 buckets were on broken plays. Kobe dribbles off his leg, Pau picks it up and takes a dribble in and scores. And Kobe misses Pau on the PnR and Blake is back there to receive the ball. The Rockets lost because of some bad luck....dang. DD
One of the few decisions by Rick Adelman I had a problem with was his reluctance to play Jordan Hill. As much as I love Chuck Hayes for his hustle and lockdown defense, the Lakers are the only team in the league I would NEVER play him. Last night he played 15 minutes and ended up 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist and a block. Chuck had a few good defensive stretches while guarding Gasol but for the most part he was utterly useless, the Lakers pounded us down low and on the glass whenever he was on the court. I think we could have really used Jordan's decent all-around game, length and quickness out there especially when none of the Rockets bigs (with the exception of Yao) were not playing particularly well on both ends of the floor (most notably on defense). Lets hope Jordan is not in the doghouse and he gets some burn tonight against the Warriors.
Good game, we showed that we have great chemistry. Now we just need to play consistent D and make easy buckets down the stretch.
all true enough. except that you can say the same about every close game in the NBA. you can also say that if Yao had converted on 1 of his turnovers or a missed dunk Houston could have won the game. obviously the elephant in the room is that one fewer bull**** call by the refs or one fewer call (like the odd one where Scola fell the the ground and Kobe ended up with 2 free throws for some reason in the 4th quarter) for the Lakers could have swung the game. the takeaways though are that Houston is loaded with credible talent. Chase, Martin, Brooks, Lee, Miller all looked good last night. the other takeaway is that Houston still doesn't have a finisher. to win in the NBA you need someone who can get the whistle in this WWE league at the end of games. right now what percent can one honestly project Houston will win of close games at the end? probably about 25% (50% being even and unadulterated odds) versus a 75% for the Lakers, Celtics, Miami etc
Bloop, good post except for the bad poing about a closer.. Is Brad Miller a closer because he got that over the back call on Odom late? The "Closer" mythology is funny, all you need is someone that has the respect of the refs....and at the very end of games....NO ONE does. DD
You probably feel that way because he did. Could not keep close to anyone he was guarding, so all the others were trying to help cover him. Taking wilder than usual shots, missing close lay ups. They talk about Brooks missed assignment, but he helping cover Scola' man who was open but Kobe' pas went oner his hands to Brooks man.
