Top 5 reasons the Lakers should be scared: 1: Math and Science: Numbers are deceiving in basketball and chemistry is often overlooked. Just because you did well in the season means nothing come playoffs… especially when you started with talent and were consistent and the Rockets had to build chemistry on an unsure lineup most of the season. 2. “Uh oh… Happy learned how to putt”: the Rockets may have messed up in the fourth quarter plenty of times, against the Lakers especially, but since coming together late in the season and in the first round that hasn’t happened. They’ve figure out how to finish their game and the Blazers are proof of that. 3. Rick doesn't like Phil Jackson: Who doesn’t? Well, Rick really does. He’s been eliminated three times by Jackson and will not be letting it happen again. 4: Leaders: Yao returning to court despite the pain, Shane taking hit after hit and Ron’s bravado strength. This isn’t all though… Mutombo and Barry’s expertise and of course the brilliant work of Morey and Rick Adelman. 5. Never under estimate the heart of a true champion: This team has played hard all season and endured the worst; one of its players even got shot. This team is battle hardened and is a lot rougher than people think. The Lakers have the talent to win, but the Rockets have the heart.
Exactly my thoughts. But, I would prefer the Lakers not to be "scared" and remain as obnoxious as possible. I want them to feel "entitled" and want them to expect to blow us out. The first half of the game will be key - if they couldn't get up on us quick enough frustration will quickly sip in, and it will play right into our hands when it becomes a grinder. Well, we aren't scared for sure. But quite a few of the Rockets are already "scarred" (in a physical sense, mind you). Go Rockets!
I agree to an extent but I don't think the Lakers are scared or overconfident. I can't stand the Lakers but they are a great team and their record is no fluke. They are going to come out charging. Battier's bloody face is an apt symbol for this series. If the Rockets are going to win they are going to have to endure some very tough games and as bloody as they get they have to leave the Lakers even bloodier, figuratively.
I think one of the biggest keys to our success is that we are not intimidated by the Lakers. that will allow us to weather their runs and have confidence in our own game plan until we have runs of our own and can take the game. -Humer
1 and 3 are suspect. Just because we won game 1, doesn't mean the Lakers should be scared in any way. They'll come out gunning today. And Rick hates Adelman, so what? If anything, that will cloud Rick's judgment.
This is absolutely not true. Game 1 was a great win, and I was thoroughly impressed with them winning the 4th quarter. BUT.... We folded big time against Dallas in the 4th quarter of the last game of the season, and we didn't win the 4th quarter battle against the Blazers. I don't have time to dig up more stats, but we lost the 4th quarter in many games this year against playoff caliber opponents. *******The Rockets scored more than the Blazers in the 4th quarter in ONE game of the first round*******
from the games I've seen, I'd say they definitely have it more together in the fourth quarter... dig up some stats if you want, but they actually have a shot at closing games compared to their first 3/4 of the season.
It could cloud his judgement, but I think revenge does motivate someone to try extra hard to figure their opponent out. We'll see eh?
Plus we didn't have shane for the first 2 meeting and the 3rd he was getting back into shape. Of course RON being big headed wanted to gaurd kobe on national tv and we all knew what happen. That and they had to deal with rafer hitting bricks and missing tear no drop for the first 3 game and the last one ab was getting use to his role. Hints the 4-0 sweep in the regular season. GEC
That's a deceiving stat, games 1 & 7 were decided early in the 4th. Besides playing with the lead is not a bad thing. Having it dwindle and still winning a series 4-2 doesn't suck either.
Scared?? Please. Unless we're up 3-1 they shouldn't be scared of us. They have a veteran team with a most egoistic guy in basketball named kobe. We threw the first punch and caught them in the mouth but to think they afraid of us is just presumptuous. You base your prediction on just 1 game and blazer and lakers are 2 dif. animals. I rather have the Rockets with the underdog mentality and play aggressive for 48 min. than being cocky any day.
Should someone make a 5 reasons why the Rockets' fan base should not get too ahead of themselves? 1. they've been up 2-0 and still lost the series 2. they've lost 4-0 in the regular season series 3. it's only 1-0 4. the opposition is the Lakers 5. the Lakers have Kobe Bryant With that said, I'm just as excited as everyone else, but I think far too many are having a false sense of invincibility all of the sudden. I suppose I'd rather take the cautious optimism approach.
yes, we threw the first punch and hit them right on their mouth......that indeed probably woke them up. What I think is more concerning for Kobe(and his giant sized ego) is the way we responded when they hit us back. I think the Rockets made it pretty clear that they aren't backing down just because it's getting a lil physical.
