That's pretty much how I feel. Build on what they have already accomplished and take that into next season and hopefully add some more talent to the roster.
So the Lakers swept the Rockets in the regular season. But stop over analyzing and use your brain because of those 4 losses, do you ever wonder who was in the starting lineups and who is injured?? Is it important?? **** yea...it's important. WE don't have Shane in one of those and we don't have Shane and Artest playing at the same time or Lowry or Brook starting. I believe that last 1 or 2 games against Lakers count. And those 2 games are pretty close. Not like the Lakers are blowing the lead. I thought they were down by 15 or something at their homecourt at one time. So if they're so good, why are they down by 15?
The only thing that will give us a chance against the Lakers is Ronnie getting hot. The guy has the ability to shoot lights out from behind the arc. Considering he's been cold until the last game, there is a decent chance it might happen.
If their role players come back to earth (Shannon Brown, Ariza)/our bench can beat theirs, we may have a good shot.
If everyone plays defense and offense at their highest level, we will win. It is as difficult and as simple as that. We've done it to the Lakers before, 33 years ago. Time to do it again.
Really? Going into the season, you were satisfied with just advancing a round? My base expectation was playing the Lakers in the WCF, not the 2nd round. An example of the perfect storm was the #8 Warriors upsetting #1 Mavs a few years ago in the first round. The factors Golden State had leading to that perfect storm? None of them are found in our series. We're screwed.
Actually even if Gasol or Odom were injured I would like our chances better than the Lakers (who add more than recognized offensive efficiency and glue/defense/fire/toughness respectively). I won't say the Rockets have no chance, but it will be long odds for any WC team to beat a completely healthy Lakers squad. Yao will have to dominate in the half court (generate high % offense) and our whole squad will really have to play well. We got a chance though, one of the few teams who could be trouble in the right storm of events for them (for instance I see no way Denver can challenge the Lakers--I really thought Portland and us have better parts to challenge them).
instead of delving into the realm of perfect storms, sacrificing goats, gouging out eyeballs and offering them to the gods... it's not like Houston is pee wee league and LA are superheroes. there are matchup and mechanical strengths Houston has just as LA has. overall LA has: 1) home court 2) better overall talent (thanks to some borderline questionable trades approved by the NBA) 3) better closer 4) better bench at 5 5) officiating/reputation Houston has: 1) defense 2) matchup issue with Yao Ming 3) 2nd unit that can score independently of first unit 4) core of young players who play without fear/ veterans with physicality In every series one team comes in with more pieces and better talent but you still need to play the games. LA has the edge just like Houston had more physical assets than Portland but Houston could easily make this a series. it's ironic that Houston has one of the few teams that match up with LA yet we have "fans" who are predicting sweeps and talking about needing a miracle. yo your team aint New Orleans... this joint aint flying with a wing and a prayer. The Rockets are one of the few teams who has a legit shot, this series is far from over even if it's weighted towards the Lakers.
Agreed with the OP. This series is shaping up to be the classic example of Team A being hands-down "better" than Team B so everybody writes Team B off. Team B gets sick of being dismissed, realizes they have nothing to lose and they leave it all out there and surprise everybody. We may not win this series but I have no doubt that it will be competitive.
Perfect Storm for me: James White coming in for an injuried Wafer and shutting down Kobe while dropping 40 on him. But I'll be happy with just Wafer doing that.
Actually it may be Bynum playing a lot of minutes against Yao. Think about the Centers Yao have dominated. Big guys, just like Bynum who can't step out and shoot. Check. Also, playoff games are not like regular season games. Unless it's Joey Crawford who likes to control the game, the refs for the most part let them play...and letting them play is to OUR advantage. I still believe we are way more physical than the Lakers. I mean when we beat the Celtics and Cavs earlier, both of those teams said we were more physical. We're more physical than the Lakers, relentless hustle and determination, and good defense should win this game.
Just to repeat... The way to beat the Lakers is to beat them up. We don't have the talent. We don't have the skills. We have the brawn and defense. We can outhustle. We can outrebound. Smashmouth works sometimes. Ask the Ravens of 2k.
And Boston proved that theory last year. If you can turn Lakers into a jumpshooting team, you have a chance of beating them.
I called it before the series. I not only think it could happen, I think it is happening. If Von Wafer goes crazy in game two and scores 25 including the winning shot, I am ready to cash in.
