Houston, We Had A Dynasty - Officially Retired

[Axel The Great]

lol @ MINGSANITY.

[kibaxx7]

Looking forward to the series against Kobe.

[Axel The Great]

The Suns got the split in LA, so I don't know if I'll face the Lakers. I'd rather face the Lakers though, Steve Nash is a pain in the ass in Live.

[Kenny]

You're killing it so far Axel! Looks like you have a great 1-2 punch with Yao and Martin... Keep up the goid work!

The Suns got the split in LA, so I don't know if I'll face the Lakers. I'd rather face the Lakers though, Steve Nash is a pain in the ass in Live.

I feel your pain. I hated Steve Nash for a long time because of his bullshit nature in NBA Live games. But hey, if you shut him down or restrict him it isn't too hard to beat the Suns.

The Lakers are the nightmare for me.

[Stress Fracture]

Oh, a Rockets dynasty. Keep it up! I prefer that you face the Lakers. Show them what they deserve!

The Knicks entered the 2nd round? wow!

way too much Rocket fuel all i can do is join the crowd chant,

"YAO MIIING! YAOMINGYAOMINGYAO MIIIIIING!!
YAO MIIIING! YAO MIIIIIIING!!!!"

Same here man, same here.

phpBB [video]

Good video!!

[Axel The Great]

2-game Recap

Houston Rockets 90-69 Portland TrailBlazers


Poor Nate McMillan.

Coming from a blowout victory in Houston, the Rockets continued their dominance in Portland, crushing the Blazers by 21. The reason for this blowout? Poor offense from Portland. They couldn't convert offensively. "They had a bad shooting night, and our defense just worsened things for them," Yao Ming said, getting quality rest time, along with the other starters, in the 4th quarter due to the blowout.

"Stadium was literally empty in the 4th. We had a 26-point lead at one point in this game. These fans pay their hard earned money to come watch their team play, and it almost hurts me to win like this. But that's the way life is..." Shane Battier said, who scored 12 off the bench.

SPOTG-

Yao Ming
10 points | 11 reb | 2 ast

Top Scorers-
Rockets: Kevin Martin-15
Blazers: Brandon Roy-20

Board Crashers-
Rockets: Yao Ming-11
Blazers: Marcus Camby, LaMarcus Aldridge- 11

Assists-
Rockets: Aaron Brooks- 7
Blazers- Andre Miller- 16

Box Scores-
29 19 24 18 90
18 16 16 19 69


This game was deception to all, except for the Rockets and their fans.

Houston Rockets 106-97 Portland TrailBlazers


A hidden key for Portland in this series was LaMarcus Aldridge, and they only realized that this game.

This was a tough game for the Rockets, if the Blazers were going to go down, they would go down while putting up a fight. The Rockets blew a double-digit lead in the 2nd, and the game was tied in the 4th quarter. But like all games, the Rockets managed to force turnovers, make the Blazers take bad shots late in the 4th, which led to an 8-0 run, sparked by Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin, who showed shades of a true scoring champion. "This team came into the playoffs with confidence, after pulling an upset in the first round, they thought they could maybe do it again," said a proud Rick Adelman.

SPOTG-

LaMarcus Aldridge
23 points | 18 reb | 4 ast | 1 stl

Top Scorers-
Rockets: Kevin Martin- 33
Blazers: Brandon Roy- 26

Board Crashers-
Rockets: Yao Ming- 13
Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge- 18

Assists-
Rockets: Aaron Brooks-9
Blazers: Andre Miller-12

Box Scores-
27 24 19 36 106
16 29 27 25 97


Shane Battier has done his duty these playoffs.


The season is over for Brandon Roy and Portland.

Series Wrap-up: Coming from a sweep against the Spurs, the Blazers thought they could pull another upset, the Rockets however didn't allow it. The reason for the Blazers' downfall, was they underutilized their bench, and nobody really helped Brandon Roy bring the scoring load, except for LaMarcus Aldridge.

Conf. Semi-Finals Results-
East-
CLE 4:0 NYK
CHI 4:3 BOS

West-
HOU 4:0 NYK
LAL 4:3 PHX

Next is the Conference Finals preview.

[Axel The Great]

You're killing it so far Axel! Looks like you have a great 1-2 punch with Yao and Martin... Keep up the goid work!

The Suns got the split in LA, so I don't know if I'll face the Lakers. I'd rather face the Lakers though, Steve Nash is a pain in the ass in Live.

I feel your pain. I hated Steve Nash for a long time because of his bullshit nature in NBA Live games. But hey, if you shut him down or restrict him it isn't too hard to beat the Suns.

The Lakers are the nightmare for me.

Thanks man. This is coming from a dynasty legend!

Good news: I won't be facing the Suns! I'll be facing the Lakers, in which I beat them in the season series 3-1, so I think I'll be OK. Just glad that there will be no Steve Nash to piss off over.

Oh, a Rockets dynasty. Keep it up! I prefer that you face the Lakers. Show them what they deserve!

The Knicks entered the 2nd round? wow!

Welcome to my dynasty. I will be facing the Fakers . I'll take revenge from what happened last year.

Believe it or not: the Knicks are good in this dynasty. It has something to do with T-Mac averaging 20 ppg.

[Axel The Great]

Conference Finals



These are the match-ups for the Conference Finals. The series that will be focused on is Rockets vs. Lakers.

Background: Last year, these two teams faced off in the conference semi-finals. In a heated 7-game series, the Lakers prevailed, and went on to win the championship. The Rockets now look for redemption in this series, as they haven't gotten this far since the '97 playoffs.


The Starters

C Andrew Bynum | PF Pau Gasol | SF Ron Artest | SG Kobe Bryant | PG Derek Fisher

The Bench

Lamar Odom | Shannon Brown | Jordan Farmar | Luke Walton | Sasha Vujacic | DJ Mbenga | Josh Powell

IR

Alando Tucker | Adam Morrison | Michael Ruffin


The Starters

C Yao Ming | PF Luis Scola | SF Trevor Ariza | SG Kevin Martin | PG Aaron Brooks

The Bench

Kyle Lowry | Donte Greene | Jared Jeffries | Jordan Hill | Shane Battier | Chuck Hayes | Chase Budinger

IR

David Andersen | Jermaine Taylor

The Keys to the Series
Los Angeles Lakers-
The Lakers have two big men that are great rebounders, and one of the best players in the game in Kobe Bryant. If they can utilize these three players to perfection, they have high hopes of advancing. They have a defensive specialist of their own in Ron Artest, so they can utilize him to stop K-Mart from scoring. Phil Jackson's 47-0 record of his teams winning Game 1 in a playoff series is on the line.

Houston Rockets-
The Rockets have so many advantages in this series. The Lakers may have two 7-footers, but the Rockets have a 7"6" Center in Yao Ming. But Yao Ming can't take on Gasol and Bynum himself, Jared Jeffries' services will be needed once again to take Pau Gasol. Also, with the speed of Kyle Lowry and Aaron Brooks, this should cause a matchup nightmare for Derek Fisher. Also, Kevin Martin is much quicker than Kobe, and Shane Battier's services will be needed to guard Kobe. The main key however, is foul trouble. If the Rockets can get the starters from the Lakers in foul trouble, that will force the Lakers to bring forth their mediocre bench. The only advantage I think possible for the Lakers is the epic 'stache in Adam Morrison, but they aren't utilizing him unfortunately.

Whichever team's pieces fall together, will move on to the finals.

[Martti.]

Lucky for you, Morrison is inactive.

I'd like to see you lose for a change too.

[Axel The Great]

What kind of a reader are you then?

[Martti.]

A reader who wants some excitement. And I don't mean like lose the series, just that sweeping your way to a title isn't that interesting to follow. It will be a major achievement if you can pull it off though.

[Axel The Great]

Well I don't see myself sweeping through the whole playoffs, but I really want to beat the crap out of the Lakers.

[Andrew]

I do get where the "you need to lose more" sentiment is coming from, but I think you've got to play the game to win and if it means a couple of sweeps in the Playoffs so be it since that does actually happen. I don't think one should ever lose for the sake of making the Dynasty thread more exciting. You can only report the way it goes.

Anyway, good to see you dodged the bullet of facing Nash, who as you noted is a monster in NBA Live games. The Lakers aren't much of a prize though, at least on paper. Good luck containing Kobe and holding the fort against Gasol and Bynum inside. I'm sure you can do it but it would at least seem to be a tougher matchup this time around. Meanwhile, good to see the Bulls in the ECF, though it could mean that you're crushing them in the NBA Finals.

[lefisto]

Is this the day of reckoning for you, I don't know with 2010 but I hate facing Kobe and Gasol in 08 . Sweep or not, I want to see you in Finals . Rockets vs. Bulls could be a track down to memory lane!

[Axel The Great]

I do get where the "you need to lose more" sentiment is coming from, but I think you've got to play the game to win and if it means a couple of sweeps in the Playoffs so be it since that does actually happen. I don't think one should ever lose for the sake of making the Dynasty thread more exciting. You can only report the way it goes.

Anyway, good to see you dodged the bullet of facing Nash, who as you noted is a monster in NBA Live games. The Lakers aren't much of a prize though, at least on paper. Good luck containing Kobe and holding the fort against Gasol and Bynum inside. I'm sure you can do it but it would at least seem to be a tougher matchup this time around. Meanwhile, good to see the Bulls in the ECF, though it could mean that you're crushing them in the NBA Finals.

Yeah, when I think the game is getting too easy, I tune up my sliders for more of a challenge, that's what I did in Game 4 against the Blazers, but the CPU is stupid, which contributes to a lot of my wins, especially in clutch situations. Would you really put the ball in LMA's hands, when you've got Brandon Roy, your go-to-guy, wide open?

I'm gonna try to break Phil's streak/record of Game 1 wins, but don't count on me succeeding. The Lakers beat me last time we faced off.

Is this the day of reckoning for you, I don't know with 2010 but I hate facing Kobe and Gasol in 08 . Sweep or not, I want to see you in Finals . Rockets vs. Bulls could be a track down to memory lane!

Kobe isn't as much a pain as Nash, but he is pretty annoying. If I face the Bulls in the Finals, I think Andrew will stop reading until it's all over.

[Kenny]

Well I don't see myself sweeping through the whole playoffs, but I really want to beat the crap out of the Lakers.

Amen to that!

And I don't think it matters whether you're winning or losing all the time. I don't see a 60 plus win season being completely outrageous for the team you have... Yao was a pretty big deal before he was injured.

I reckon they might take you to 6, but the Denver fan in me wants to see you smash them in 4

[Lamrock]

Rockets in 5 methinks. He'll drop a game for the hell of it.

[Axel The Great]

Well I don't see myself sweeping through the whole playoffs, but I really want to beat the crap out of the Lakers.

Amen to that!

And I don't think it matters whether you're winning or losing all the time. I don't see a 60 plus win season being completely outrageous for the team you have... Yao was a pretty big deal before he was injured.

I reckon they might take you to 6, but the Denver fan in me wants to see you smash them in 4

Yao struggled a good chunk of the regular season, but he did average a career high 11.7 RPG. 60-win season was reasonable because Kevin Martin is the scoring champion, and I have a very well-stacked bench.

I still don't know why the Lakers won't play an epic 'stache in Morrison.

Rockets in 5 methinks. He'll drop a game for the hell of it.

I kinda don't wanna ruin Phil Jackass' 47-0 record of game 1, but we'll see how it goes.

[kibaxx7]

Told you it was going to be a Yao-Kobe duel. Good luck man... and yep, you should lose at least one game!

[Axel The Great]

More like a K-Mart-Kobe duel. Recaps should be up by tomorrow.

[Axel The Great]

2-Game Recap

Houston Rockets 103-104 Los Angeles Lakers


Yao did not have a good start to the series, picking up only 5 boards.

Before the game, Ron Artest came up to talk smack in Kevin Martin's face, causing K-Mart to nearly throw fists. Luckily, the appearance of former teammate Yao Ming intimidated Ron-Ron, and he went to go hide behind his team.

This was the hardest game of the playoffs for the Rockets. It was a close game, neither team getting out to a double-digit lead. In the 4th quarter, the Rockets choked. They had a 5-point lead with a minute left, when Kobe hit a mid-range jumper. The Lakers then fouled Donte Greene who only made 1/2 free throws, that put the Rockets up by 4. Then, Derek Fisher hit a 3 to bring the Lakers within 1. Aaron Brooks was fouled, missed BOTH free throws, and Ron Artest, once again (deja vu), scored a buzzer-beater to give the Rockets their first defeat of the playoffs.

"They brought us back down to Earth," said Head Coach Rick Adelman. "We choked with a 5-point lead, there are nights like those in the NBA." Kevin Martin was interviewed on the Ron Artest incident and Aaron Brooks. "You know, I think Ron-Ron is mad because he left this team right before it became a contender. He's not gonna get to my head, that game-winner was just lucky, Aaron Brooks was on him, and height advantage basically did the trick." "I feel sorry for Aaron, little guy shouldn't blame himself though, it's tough to pull through in crunch time, but I will persuade him to bounce back next game."

Phil Jackson's Game 1 streak increased to 48-0. This goes to show that not even the Rockets were able to break that streak.

SPOTG-

Kobe Bryant
24 points | 4 reb | 7 ast | 2 blk | 1 stl

Top Scorers-
Rockets: Kevin Martin- 27
Lakers: Ron Artest- 29

Board Crashers-
Rockets: Yao Ming and Jared Jeffries- 5
Lakers: Andrew Bynum- 19

Assists-
Rockets: Aaron Brooks- 6
Lakers: Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher- 7

Box Scores-
22 27 28 26 103
20 26 29 29 104


Kevin Martin will have a tough time this series.


Ron Artest is a jerk. I dedicate this loss to Martti.

Houston Rockets 110-89 Los Angeles Lakers


The highlight of the series.

After coming from a disappointing loss, the Rockets got their act together this game, and crushed the Lakers. Led by Kevin Martin, who scored 26, the Rockets head to Los Angeles with momentum. The first half was very close, but the Rockets opened up the 3rd quarter with a 10-0 run, and this sparked the blowout. The second half, the Lakers couldn't get anything to fall offensively. Tough defense destroyed the Lakers this game. Yao Ming stole the Performer of the Game award from a more deserving Bynum.

During the game: Ron Artest stripped Kevin Martin of the ball when he was driving the lane, K-Mart wasn't happy about this and pushed him, then Kobe came to the rescue and shoved K-Mart, causing confusion on both teams. Referees issued technicals to K-Mart and Kobe after everything settled down. This goes to show that this series can be as interesting as the Bulls-Cavs series, both teams whom are also rivals with each other.

SPOTG-

Yao Ming
16 points | 10 reb | 2 ast | 2 blk

Top Scorers-
Rockets: Kevin Martin- 26
Lakers: Kobe Bryant- 26

Board Crashers-
Rockets: Yao Ming- 10
Lakers: Andrew Bynum- 13

Assists-
Rockets: Kyle Lowry- 6
Lakers: Derek Fisher- 8

Box Scores-
29 23 32 26 110
25 25 21 18 89


Kevin Martin isn't too happy in this series.

Playoffs Watch-
Both series are tied 1-1.

[kibaxx7]

Good, a loss. Now go for 4W in a row man!

[Martti.]

Thanks for the loss. If it's the Lakers, then do it as quickly as possible.

[Andrew]

That's a tough way to lose Game 1, but you certainly made them pay for it in Game 2. If you can continue that form in Los Angeles, looks like it'll be 4-1 and a Finals appearance.

[Axel The Great]

Good, a loss. Now go for 4W in a row man!

I may be taking this the wrong way, but it seems to me that you think I lost on purpose. I didn't though. I was struggling to make FT's for some reason, I even missed one with Yao! So with someone like Aaron Brooks, whom I made less than half with that game, it was basically the worst time for me to be struggling with my FT's.

Thanks for the loss. If it's the Lakers, then do it as quickly as possible.

Kinda weird how you're thanking me for a loss. More of them might be coming up if the rest of my games are as tough as Game 1.

That's a tough way to lose Game 1, but you certainly made them pay for it in Game 2. If you can continue that form in Los Angeles, looks like it'll be 4-1 and a Finals appearance.

I think I unleashed all my dislike for the Lakers in Game 2. For some reason, they couldn't convert in the 2nd half. I should add that Pau Gasol made a full-court buzzer-beater to end the 2nd quarter though, maybe that was a bad luck charm.