Let Kobe get his points and just shut down the rest of the Lakers supporting cast. Yee, I know this sounds a whole lot easier than it actually is to execute, but IMO this is the only way we are going to beat the Lakers. They are too talented all over the court, but if we can really concentrate on shutting down their Role players (especially Odom) I think Kobe will try and take it upon himself to beat us, which is going to be our best chance. We are 0-4 this season against LA but last year we went 2-2 (i think.. correct me if I'm wrong here cause I havent checked) and we did it by letting Kobe get his points and taking his team mates out of the game. The Celtics did it effectively in the Finals last year as well and Kobe shot his team out of the series. As a side note, I hope to see Battier on Kobe (just because hes a bit quicker laterally.) Hopefully Jackson Plays a fair bit of Bynum so that Scola can guard Pau and Artest on Odom. Just my opinion. Regardless, I'm freakin excited for this next series. I honestly believe we can stretch these Lakers to the end. Let our D do the talking, let Kobe get his shots and just deny/shutdown the rest of the Lakers team. Peace. Matty101.
Lakers are different animal than the Blazers. It will be really tough. Objective #1 steal a game in LA and get one of their starters suspended or injured. It's not only stopping Kobe. They've got too many weapons, and their D is no too shabby either.Don't your hopes too high, folks.
We need to stop Pau and Odom well and if possible give Kobe some poor shooting (though I doubt we could).
Hopefully Kobe will go out on Monday and try to put 40 on Artest and effectively play into our hands with not letting the others players go off.
Everything is a simple blueprint when you are not on the court playing against the Lakers or is the Coach game planning against the Lakers.
The OP's point is valid for the first half of the game. But coming out of the 3rd qtr of game one, it won't work. Kobe can carry the team by himself in crunch time, doesn't need his teammates. Just needs his teammates to get him to that point. At the end of the game, you have to take kobe out of it anyway possible. Put the pressure on his teammates - because Kobe won't feel pressure.
I just called my brother in L.A., who said he's sending the Rockets a christmas basket for beating Portland. LA was scared to death of playing Portland. Defense Keys to beating LA * Make Kobe play D, Shane can't allow him to stand around on defense and must run him through screens etc.. * I agree let Kobe get his. However, we need to make him work for every shot (jumpers). Most dangerous letting him drive to the bucket. Don't let him play faciliator and then turn it up. * Double Kobe ate in the game and make others shoot when the presssure's on * Must shut down Gasol. He shoots jumpers over Yao and posts up Scolandry allday with the left and right hand. * Not worried about Odom, I thing he's going to come off the bench against Landry * Yao must protect the rim against drives * Chuck can play in this game.
I really hope that Jackson plays Bynum a lot in this series otherwise, the Gasol starting at the center position will be a nightmare for the rockets, with mismatches all over, Yao cant Guard Gasol, Scola cant guard Odom, and Battier cannot guard Ariza then there is Kobe vs Artest and Brooks vs Fisher. It just look tough for us.
I like the fact that we can go in to LA and ALL THE PRESSURE IS ON THEM. If we can steal 1 in LA then things will get really interesting (and good!!)
1. 1st half- guard Kobe's teammates and force Kobe to shoot. 2. 2nd half- double team Kobe every time he has the ball and force someone else to beat us. 3. profit
I think the most important thing for this Rocket team right now to believe they can beat L.A. They don't need to think too hard for the game. Just play calm and play team ball . They can get it done. go rockets !
The "let Kobe go off and shut everyone else down" strategy used to work on Kobe but anybody who has watched Lakers games this year knows that he is now obsessed with getting everyone involved in the first half and often doesn't even look for his own shot until the second half.
Lakers can only beat themselves in this series, let's get real. Even if we stop Kobe, who's going to stop Odom and Gasol? Gasol has folded in the playoffs, but I seriously doubt he will fold now. In all honesty, you have to expect 3 of their best player to fold in order to beat them. We cannot outplay them due to our lack of offense. However, the Lakers are probably the only team that won't front Yao Ming, whether It's Gasol or Bynum on him.
This is ridiculous. Why does everyone talk about how great the Lakers are and how many weapons they have. Let's not forget that the Rockets are great and have many weapons, too. The only difference is that they have Kobe. I think Landry and Scola are on a par with Gasol and Odom. I think that Aaron and Lowry are more talented than Fisher and Farmar. I think that Ariza doesn't have anything on Battier. I think Wafer will crush Vujacic and Barry will outsmart Walton. I think Yao will dominate Bynum. The only question is whether Artest and Battier can neutralize Kobe. Somehow, the Celtics manhandled the Lakers last year, and we should be able to borrow from the Celtics' playbook this year. Rockets in 6.
