Rockets-Lakers....and Payton

Rockets were on fire from downtown tonight, and the Lakers were ridiculously slow on their rotations.

But my real issue is: why the hell is Payton on the bench for 2 games in a row now in the 4th quarter? He guards Francis better than Fisher does and he can post him up. Given he's not a good 3 point shooter, but I don't agree with sitting a future hall of famer and not giving him a chance to make a difference when they're down 8-10 points in the 4th. What's up with that??

I think phil doesn't like him. Anyways kobe finally got double-teamed. If the rockets wants to win this series they have to do this every game. Nice strategy jeff van gundy.

great game..... and Yao got hit in the face... 30 seconds later... got hit in the back

Man did you see when Payton hit the wall? (literally). BAM!!!!!!!!!!!! right into yao ming.

Man did you see when Payton hit the wall? (literally). BAM!!!!!!!!!!!! right into yao ming.

I was laughing at that one! Now THAT'S a pick!
Isn't that Shaq's fault for not yelling: 'screen!'

Oh yeah and Francis answered Kobe w/ 2 back to back and 1 plays.

There goes the predictions for the Lakers going undefeated in the postseason. They are a great team, but there other great teams that are capable of putting a few dents in their record.

Anyway, I'm still picking the Lakers to win 4-1, but it's nice to see the Rockets pick up a victory in their first playoff series since 1999.

damn, did Francis come up big for the Rockets in the last 90mins, that And1 on Malone and the other play. He took over and didn't allow the Lakers to get back in it

one more thing.......at least the Rockets are trunna make a series out of this. The Knicks and Celtics are a disgrace to the Playoffs, going down 3-0, all that bullshit that NY talked bout winning, get off it, they have one talented player in Marbury, he's got no one to pass to

There goes the predictions for the Lakers going undefeated in the postseason. They are a great team, but there other great teams that are capable of putting a few dents in their record.

I agree. If the Lakers keep playing below their ability like they have for most of the season and tonight, I doubt they'll get past the Spurs in the second round (assuming they make it that far )

Payton is having back problems, perhaps this is a reason of him being on the bench. Running into Yao might not have helped the injury.

Phil Jackson has send Gary Payton to the bench way to early almost all the 82 games he has played last season, I doubt it has anything to do with the backproblems, he knows he can play trough it and Im pretty sure that Phil would know it to if that was the problem. Also I have read some articles a couple of months ago, about Phil wanted to save him for the playoffs, which is now 3 games underway and hes still doing the same thing

ANyway, if this thing goes on furhter, then I see no reason for GP to have the purple and gold uniform next season.

Jeff Van Gundy noticeably outcoached Phil Jackson last night.

I mean, how can you keep Payton, Malone, and Kobe out for so long at the beginning of the fourth quarter and not even play Payton during the fourth quarter?

Phil Jackson's a great coach, but Van Gundy did a much better job at controlling his team, and playing them to their strengths while Phil made them play a restrictive triangle and a slower pace. It just doesn't work like that.

Well, the Triangle is a proven offense with this team and to be fair Phil has won his share of championships with it. But I totally don't agree with his substitution patterns last night (or for most of the year for that matter). When you're down 10 points at the start of the 4th, you don't take a gamble by resting Kobe, Malone and Payton until the 8 minute mark. He reinserted the former two WAAAY too late to make a real run at cutting the deficit. He gambled last night and lost.

Jax's main reason for benching Payton:

1. His back problems
2. D Fish and Rush are playing better than him

It's that he doesnt want to put Payton in to see what happens but Phil stated that when he put Fisher and Rush on an that unit was working- he didn't want to disrupt the chemistry.

I think if that's his reason- its all good cause while he has Rush/Fisher playing well and Payton resting (for the second round).... isn't it beneficial to the Lakers...cause I can honestly say that the Lakers will need Payton later on than now (and i know they WILL beat the Rockets)

but I didnt see the game but i read that Shaq lifted the Lakers up to 4 points back with two minutes left- but Francis and Yao and cat stopped them....so it isnt really Phil's fault he didnt put Payton back in the game cause the Lakers lost after the Rockets pulled out clear by 11....

Could it be that Phil wants to hand over the 4th quarter to Kobe (and Shaq)??

Anyways, I'm very happy that the Rockets won and that Francis is breaking through in this postseason. Though many Rox fans was talking about trading the inconsistent and shoot-first Francis, I knew Francis to be a superb player at his best. I always felt Yao and Francis (Dynasty and Franchise) will together be the cornerstones of the Rox's success, and I hope both of them keep improving. (although I would rather Francis be more pass-first) So far in the playoffs, Steve Francis is leading the Rockets in points, assists, and rebounds.

Still, the Rox could very well have been up 2-1 in by now.

2. D Fish and Rush are playing better than him

No they aren't. When D-Fish was in, I watched him get burned by Steve a countless number of times. Payton's D was much better.

The Lakers play so much better when they push the ball and outscore the opposing team in fast-break points. Payton is the key to the Lakers fast-breaks but right now, Phil has him on a short(too short) of a leash, for Payton to look remotely productive.

Phil isn't using his player to their abilities, not taking advatage of the four future hall of famers on his team. Instead he's going with what's worked in the past, whch, in my opinion, is the wrong thing to do in this situation.