Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: If we don't have so many random Defensive lapses we will make quick work of Houston....
nokio wrote:
If we don't have so many random Defensive lapses we will make quick work of Houston, because this team looks awful offensively in the half court, until we bail them out. A large portion of the their scores come late in the shot clock. A part of this is them making tough shots too, they can't keep up that type of offensive production. Artest is 7-13 threes so far, I'd like to see how long that will continue. About 4 or 5 of them in the first two games have came with 1 or 2 seconds on the shot clock. They've had a lot of luck with that type of stuff so far.
If Fisher is suspended, Shannon and Farmar have done a better job keeping Brooks and Lowry in front of them, so that could somewhat slow down penetration and fouls/layups/dunks. Rebounding can be better too.
I'm probably in the minority of those who are feeling very confident going into Houston.
Agree. Sometimes, with these guys, I feel more confident that they'll be more focused on the road than at home.
I think we will come out with more energy from the get-go, and for once, our role players will start making some open shots (hopefully) once they start collapsing on KB/Pau.
I actually like the Lakers on the road better myself. There is nothing better than to hush a hostile crowd. Kobe is the master at doing that. I saw how Kenny Smith referred to Houston's players as "pitbulls"....well pitbulls can also get their owner in trouble if they aren't put on a leash. You aren't gonna find a more hostile crowd than Utah or Portland or Boston so Houston won't be all that intimidating. _________________ The killer in me is the killer in you!
We're winning the next 3 games. No way the Lakers let up. They know what it takes and they're gonna play hard full 48. No more letting teams back in the game crap.
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 1:12 am Post subject: The dangerous Rockets and the keys to winning game 3
Lest we become overconfident b/c of our game 2 win, the Rockets are still a dangerous team for a number of reasons:
1. Two players command a double team - Yao and Artest. The Rockets are good at moving the ball when the double team comes and they have good shooters who will hit the open shot on the weakside (Battier, Brooks, and Luis Scola are all hitting open shots consistently). Ariza cannot guard Artest one-on-one and if Yao gets position in the post. it's all over.
2. Rockets bench - can someone tell me why the undersized Rockets bench forwards are destroying our team via Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes? Our bench and starter bigs have to match their level of energy. It's not like they have more talent, but they are definitely outhustling our big men on the boards and picking up the garbage.
3. Halfcourt defense - Whenever the tempo of the game slowed down, the Rockets go on a run. This was true for most of game 1 and true in the second quarter of game 2. The Rockets have done a good job of clogging the lane and making the Lakers take contested jump shots. Of course, it doesn't help that we're not hitting our open 3s and jump shots, but the point remains.
4. The Rockets are physical and never give up - even though the Lakers were red hot starting game 2, the Rockets did not lose their confidence and were not demoralized. The proceeded to control the temp in quarter 2 and tied the game at the half. This team is going to make the Lakers work for every rebound, every basket, and every position.
With that said, I still think the Lakers are the better team because of their superstar in Kobe Bryant, their talent - Pau Gasol's skills, Ariza's athleticism, Odom's versatility, and Fisher's veteran experience, and their ability to score in a variety of ways - Kobe... being Kobe, Pau's post play, Odom's drive to the basket, etc...
What the Lakers MUST do to win game 3:
1. Continue to push the tempo. The difference in game two is the points off TOs and fastbreaks. If the Lakers do not do this, they are going to have trouble winning on the road because it doesn't look like we're doing a good job getting stops against the Rockets in their halfcourt offense.
2. Do not get into the penalty earlier in the quarter. This slows down the tempo and allows the Rockets to in their halfcourt defensive set, which has been surprisingly effective against the Lakers. Moreover, the Rockets are good free throw shooting team, so giving them FTs is like giving up lay-ups.
3. Establish Pau in the post. Good things happen when we go to Pau inside. He's our highest percentage guy (even better than Kobe other than game 1) and going to him will probably mean that Yao will get into foul trouble.
4. Kobe needs to take good shots and create for his teammates. In game two, most of Kobe's shots were good looks - either in rhythm or off a screen/pick and roll situation. If he takes too many dribbles and takes too many shots with a high degree of difficulty, this does not bode well for the Lakers (game 1) Forced shots from Kobe should only come when the shot clock is winding down and not during the early offense. I'd like to see Kobe take it to the hole more often to create contact and fouls OR pass out to an open shooter when the defense collapses in the paint. The Lakers need to hit their open shots though!
Let's do it!
Last edited by ecchen1 on Thu May 07, 2009 1:14 am; edited 1 time in total
Two players command a double team - Yao and Artest. The Rockets are good at moving the ball when the double team comes and they have good shooters who will hit the open shot on the weakside (Battier, Brooks, and Luis Scola are all hitting open shots consistently). Ariza cannot guard Artest one-on-one and if Yao gets position in the post. it's all over.
Exactly.
We might consider running Lamar or Kobe at artest. Ariza is getting his ass handed to him. _________________
Artest isn't double-worthy if the appropriate defender is on him. On a related note, a streaky shooter like him isn't likely to keep stroking it like he's the second coming of Larry Legend.
Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 4529 Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 1:17 am Post subject:
In before other Lakers "fans" throw terms like "hater" at you for actually thinking another team might be a threat... or question your "fanhood" because you don't automatically assume Lakers will win out the rest of the series
Artest keeps breaking down Ariza by either posting him up w/ his stronger body or driving to the lane. It's not his jump shooting that's the problem. I don't think he can keep this up unless he keeps getting wide open looks like he has.
Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 8125 Location: Born and Raised in Los Angeles, now living in Manhattan, NY.
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 1:24 am Post subject:
dna. wrote:
In before other Lakers "fans" throw terms like "hater" at you for actually thinking another team might be a threat... or question your "fanhood" because you don't automatically assume Lakers will win out the rest of the series
It's a good thing you got "in" before that happened to add your thoughts about the keys to game 3.
To the OP: Artest won't keep shooting this way from beyond the arc. Doubling him is not necessary, as long as there's a help defender when he gets into the post.
Artest isn't double-worthy if the appropriate defender is on him. On a related note, a streaky shooter like him isn't likely to keep stroking it like he's the second coming of Larry Legend.
exactly. i fully expect ronron's shooting to cool off. i see him chucking away a game or two in this series _________________ Dominating every day.
Again, I agree that Ron will not continue shooting lights out from the perimeter, but if he's getting into the post and we have to double team, this creates problems since the Rockets are hitting 3s and open jump shots. Also, Artest is doing a good job penetrating and with his strong body he's able to create contact and cause fouls, which is another problem. But yes, let Ron ron keep shooting non-open shots from the perimeter and I'll be happy. He won't keep making those crazy contested three pointers (the bank in game 1 and there was a well contested one in game 2)
Team should of known fronting Yao was the most effective way to take him out of the game before game 1. The amount of times Houston fans were worried about it in the Portland series are huge.
I thought this game might be one that could go either way, if the Lakers take all the momentum they go from tonights game into game 3, they have a good chance.
If Artest keeps playing the way he has (if he's playing) then the Rockets would be favourites but if the Lakers keep up their intensity from tonight, they have enough to win this game. _________________ "This is a comptitive city. We're used to winning titles, not just winning games and being in the first round. We want to win championships. Now's the time.", "do something, and do it now."
- Kobe Bryant
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 11:40 am Post subject: Does Kobe drop 50+ Friday night???
Seriously, dude is ready to kill. You could tell. I mean he is already the most intense and competitive mofo in the league. I got a feeling, this just takes it to another level.
You know he loved what Fish did. You know Fish will have to sit a game. You know Kobe will have his back.
This suckers building up to be his most dominant playoff performance ever. And I see the opposite of what everyone is saying game 3 will be. I don't see a brawl at all. I see the refs blowing the whistle for EVERYTHING to get the series under control. Which means, Kobe on a free throw parade!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
