(1) Lakers VS (5) Rockets - 2ND ROUND SERIES

[NovU]

the reason why the rockets now find themselves in the second round is not because of artest or yao or for any other players in their team. they battled a surprised young portland team that does not know how to handle that kind of pressure or atmosphere and they take advantage of that situation.

You can't deny that both Artest and Yao were great in the series. They took turns to get Ws. Others also stepped up and the Rockets were just a better team.

[Oakrhum]

the reason why the rockets now find themselves in the second round is not because of artest or yao or for any other players in their team. they battled a surprised young portland team that does not know how to handle that kind of pressure or atmosphere and they take advantage of that situation.

It's not like the Rockets are a team that's seasoned by several deep playoff runs either though.

but comparing them to the blazers..

[AMenace]

Lakers in 4, Kobe will own this series.

Fuck the rockets!

[Modifly]

Kobe aint god, he cant single handedly win a game of basketball. It'll have to be a team effort for both teams if they want to win, and what makes you guys think it'll be that easy to win a basketball game especially when the Rockets will certainly focus on Kobe?

[AMenace]

Yeah, I know, don't forget that the lakers also have Gasol, Bynum, Fisher, Odom, etc, so they are more of a complete team than the Rockets.

Kobe has given other people shots a lot of the time, one example being against the Spurs this year when he gave Ariza the game winning shot, which I think he got called for a travel.

[Modifly]

But then the Rockets also have Yao, Artest, Scola, Battier, Brooks, Landry and Wafer so they are also somewhat a complete team which can match up with the Lakers. I personally think this will be a very competitive series and definitely an entertaining one to watch.

[AMenace]

Good point. I do agree with you that this will be entertaining to watch. And I am personally going for the lakers to piss off my best friend who is a rockets fan.

Here's to an entertaining series.

[Oakrhum]

Yeah, I know, don't forget that the lakers also have Gasol, Bynum, Fisher, Odom, so they are more of a complete team than the Rockets.

But then the Rockets also have Yao, Artest, Scola, Battier, Brooks, Landry and Wafer

Hey Rockets fan, that's unfair! that's 6 vs 4!

[Andrew]

the reason why the rockets now find themselves in the second round is not because of artest or yao or for any other players in their team. they battled a surprised young portland team that does not know how to handle that kind of pressure or atmosphere and they take advantage of that situation.

It's not like the Rockets are a team that's seasoned by several deep playoff runs either though.

but comparing them to the blazers..

True, but experience doesn't always win out. I think fans and sportswriters alike place too much stock in it at times.

[Oakrhum]

But it showed.

[Andrew]

But then, since the Blazers' players are inexperienced and the Rockets players are not, the Rockets advancing is thanks to the roster they've assembled since it features more seasoned players.

[dopeboy]

Lakers in 6. Not enough firepower for Houston to get further.. You have to drop 105-110 to win against them.. I don't see that happening - not with that starting lineup.

And how can you say that T-Mac wasn't dominant? 02/03 says everything (his PER was higher than D-Wade had this year).. Dominance is one thing, character, effort and leadership is completely different.

[Oakrhum]

the lakers are not playing well so far..

Houston 43 - LA 40 (half)

Game is over. Houston 1-0

[mvpshaq32]

Man, that was a heart-touching moment in the tunnel when Yao was refusing to leave the game.
Showed some agressiveness coming back from the knee bang too and hit some clutch FT's. If he can keep that up, the Rockets may push this to a 7 game series.
But a lot of credit to Artest and Battier. Artest pretty much kept the fueled the Rockets in the first half and Battier was harassing Bryant the whole game, even after that nasty cut. What was up with the refs on that play though? Battier practically had to go right up to the refs and yell several times for them to stop before they realized he was bleeding on the whole half of his face.

[Lamrock]

Go Aaron Brooks!

[Andrew]

Aaron Brooks is indeed a human blur. Hats off to Yao for toughing it out, clashing knees is far from pleasant. Great win for the Rockets, it's far from over but they don't seem content to just make it out of the first round and be another warmup for the Lakers, a mindset that wouldn't do them any favours.

[Killer Crossover aka OG]

Rocket is Rockets She is on FIRE

[MaD_hAND1e]

Is it just me or does Aaron Brooks look like Chris Rock?

[Lamrock]

I was thinking that too.

[AMenace]

Good game!!!!!!

Should be a good series.

[Oakrhum]

A subpar Pau = Lakers defeat
He cannot shoot some wide open shots and Artest, whew. This would be a long series, the Lakers can win the next game (I hope) but definitely can't win two games at Houston if they will play the same game they played in Game 1 or if Yao and Artest can consistently shoot the way they did the last time around.

[Modifly]

Is it just me or does Aaron Brooks look like Chris Rock?

he does indeed! I never thought about that.

[C-77]

I hate the Lakers but let's say Rockets in 6 if Lakers gonna they've got to defend Yao,Artest,Brooks & Scola all at the same time because in game 1 when they double one of these guys another guy from the players mentioned gets open or gets enough space to make the shot

[Oakrhum]

I hate the Lakers

Can you tell me the reason why you carry the Kobe avatar and signature?

[Modifly]

He probably meant "I hate the Rockets".