Official Game Thread: Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Houston Rockets

[KOBE24]

Official Game Thread: Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Houston Rockets


Starting 5 Lineups: Los Angeles Lakers


G: Derek Fisher
G: Kobe Bryant
F: Trevor Ariza
F: Pau Gasol
C: Andrew Bynum

Head Coach: Phil Jackson





Starting 5 Lineups: Houston Rockets


G: Aaron Brooks
G: Ron Artest
F: Luis Scola
F: Shane Battier
C: Yao Ming

Head Coach: Rick Adelman


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Alright so now its the showdown of Lakers versus Rockets. Even though we swept them 4-0 during the season, I think they have made great progress in teamwork during the playoff time in Portland. This is going to be another interesting matchup because now that we have Andrew Bynum back, we now have two 7 foot twin towers. Therefore, Houston will not move on the 2nd round because Lakers have more depths. Lakers are going to win this series easier without T-mac. However, we must not forget the backcourt of the Houston Rockets, they have some great players like Kyle Lowry, Brent Barry, our friend Brian Cook, and Von Wafer (this guy is crazyy to the izzie).

In my opinion, I am just glad that Houston beat Portland cause Lakers are not great playing at trail blazer's home court. Actually, Lakers SUCKED playing at Portland, we were 0-2 at their home court, we also got embarrased by like 30 points last time.

Key Matchups: SG
Derek Fisher Vs. Aaron Brooks


One thing they both have in common is that they are not really a pass-first point guard, they are more a shooting guard in a point guard frame. As many of you guys know, fisher isn't a good perimeter shooting when things aren't as high pressure. One thing again is that Brooks is extremely quick and strong, he actually plays bigger than his size. So again fisher will get tired out from Brooks, but we will see how everything goes. Both can shoot the ball from 3 point range but Brooks has a better rebounding offense.

Key Matchups: SG
Kobe Bryant Vs. Ron Artest


This will be a true test to Kobe Bryant cause he is playing one of the best defender in houston rockets. We all know how ronron plays on the court so its up to Kobe to really step up his game another notch. This isn't guarding small utah shooting guard anymore. But after watching game 5 from Kobe, we can say that he is capable of beating anyone one on one because he is a highly a good defender, passer, and rebounder. One thing kobe needs to improve is his turnovers. I think this is the only issue for him.

Key Matchups: PF
Trevor Ariza Vs. Shane Battier


These two players are much alike since they both are great defender. However Ariza is more of a defensive stopper whereas Battier is more of a perimeter scorer and will occasionally hit big threes. Battier is not like Ariza where Ariza has the body to go explosive into the basket, but Ariza struggles at times to create his own shot. They are both noteworthy and their status are really similar to one another, almost 8.3 ppg, 48 FG% in last 3 gp. This is a tie between the two folks.

Key Matchups:  PF
Pau Gasol Vs. Luis Scola


We got the two Spaniards in the house yall. This is no match for luis scolaaa fom argentinaaa. Gasol has greater body lengths and athleticism. He isn't afraid to battle in the paint as some of you know during the utah's game. Both of these players can shooting 16-18 cm from the basket, one thing I found Scola is that he does have his moments at times, so he will likely be on fire at his home court, however I think he flops quite a lot so watch out!
 
Key Matchups:  C:
Andrew Bynum Vs. Yao Ming


This is another great matchup between the two 7 footers. Bynum said he is excited to go one on one with Yao so we'll see how it goes. I believe Bynum will be put back to starters cause he is just too damn tall. I think Yao has the edge on this one cause he played extremely well during the portland playoff, he can post up and fade away jump shots from short range. Bynum has not achieved that kind of skills so what Bynum needs to do is to go harder for the net. I hope he plays better than during the utah's game cause it is still somewhat raw in terms of passing and shooting. cmon Bynum!
 
Key Bench Players: Los Angeles Lakers     Key Bench Players: Houston Rockets


Can you believe Wafer was drafted by Lakers in 2005? wow, didn't know that. But anyways Lamar has been huge for our 1st round playoff, even though sometimes we have a huge lead he stand to take over more as a shooter. Overall, vonvon still needs work on his passing, rebounding and defending. One thing he is good at is that he is a very good outside shooter with solid 3 point range. but comparing 7.8 ppg, 41.9 FG% in last 4 gp to odom's 19 ppg, 57.1 FG% in last 3 gp, I believe odom is the hot one !

ps. I have been watching the bulls vs. celtics game for quite some time while the Lakers are resting. I gotta say this is the most exciting playoff game I have ever seen. As much as I dislike Celtics, they put on a great show without KG. However, even though we know clev is going to be in the finals I really wanted the Celtics to be in the finals JUST SO they can taste what it is like to lose KG when we got BYNUM back lol. People have said that Clev will win the champion this year cause of lebron james. What do you guys think?

[Kobe the Best]

ps. I have been watching the bulls vs. chicago game for quite some time while the Lakers are resting. I gotta say this is the most exciting playoff game I have ever seen. As much as I dislike Celtics, they put on a great show without KG. However, even though we know clev is going to be in the finals I really wanted the Celtics to be in the finals JUST SO they can taste what it is like to lose KG when we got BYNUM back lol. People have said that Clev will win the champion this year cause of lebron james. What do you guys think?

[/quote]

bulls are playing agaist chicago?
we should pull off this series in 5, 6 games I think, they just mustn't let big leads meltdown anymore and we'll be fine

[sulingman]

I really don't think that Cle in the finals is a done deal.  Orlando definitely has the potential, and I think others do as well.  At least its not as safe a bet as the Lakers getting to the finals is.  The Lake show has an insane 44-8   conference record.  Cleveland did not establish as much distance in their conference. 
As good as the Rockets D is, the Lakers this year have come close to perfecting the art of the easy basket.  To paraphrase Stu Lantz, I don't care how good your defense is, when you move the ball that quickly, they cannot keep up.
Also, our starting backcourt has too much savvy.  So any coaching adjustments, trying to bait us into playing 1on1, taking long jumpers, etc., will not work.  Plus, with Kobe on the court, we have no fear of using all 24 ticks of that shot clock, so even if we don't get the play we want, we can always let Kobe own the last few ticks of that good ole' shot clock.

[jaime_gasol]

I´m going a bit offtopic now but when I read the pau vs. scola analysis one thing came up to my mind, what is a Spanish for you ?¿ any guy who speak Spanish language or what ?¿ because you called both pau and scola Spanish, and Scola is actually Argentinian

[sulingman]

I´m going a bit offtopic now but when I read the pau vs. scola analysis one thing came up to my mind, what is a Spanish for you ?¿ any guy who speak Spanish language or what ?¿ because you called both pau and scola Spanish, and Scola is actually Argentinian

I noticed too, but he did write "This is no match for luis scolaaa fom argentinaaa".  Lets pretend he said Latino, not much of an improvement, but at least vague enough...

[cheloLP]

I´m going a bit offtopic now but when I read the pau vs. scola analysis one thing came up to my mind, what is a Spanish for you ?¿ any guy who speak Spanish language or what ?¿ because you called both pau and scola Spanish, and Scola is actually Argentinian

I was going to say the same thing, sheeet we are really missunderstood.

Other thing...

"
These two players are much alike since they both are great defender. However Ariza is more of a defensive stopper whereas Battier is more of a perimeter scorer and will occasionally hit big threes. Battier is not like Ariza where Ariza has the body to go explosive into the basket, but Ariza struggles at times to create his own shot. They are both noteworthy and their status are really similar to one another, almost 8.3 ppg, 48 FG% in last 3 gp. This is a tie between the two folks."

I think this isn't a tie by any means, Battier is a better defender and the intagibles he brings makes him the better player between him and Ariza.

[KOBE24]

I´m going a bit offtopic now but when I read the pau vs. scola analysis one thing came up to my mind, what is a Spanish for you ?¿ any guy who speak Spanish language or what ?¿ because you called both pau and scola Spanish, and Scola is actually Argentinian

I was going to say the same thing, sheeet we are really missunderstood.

Other thing...

"
These two players are much alike since they both are great defender. However Ariza is more of a defensive stopper whereas Battier is more of a perimeter scorer and will occasionally hit big threes. Battier is not like Ariza where Ariza has the body to go explosive into the basket, but Ariza struggles at times to create his own shot. They are both noteworthy and their status are really similar to one another, almost 8.3 ppg, 48 FG% in last 3 gp. This is a tie between the two folks."

I think this isn't a tie by any means, Battier is a better defender and the intagibles he brings makes him the better player between him and Ariza.

1. Luis Alberto Scola Balvoa (born April 30, 1980 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine professional basketball player. The 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) power forward for the Argentina national team is currently signed with the NBA's Houston Rockets. He formerly was a Euroleague star with the ACB's TAU Cerámica. He has dual citizenship: Argentine and Spanish.
So does this clear up some of you chinese ppl?

2. If you really think Battier is a better player than Ariza then your crazy. Any Lakers fan would say that Ariza is better than Battier but I didn't want to get too bias so I was more lenient on both players.

[sulingman]

I didn't know he swung both ways.  Scola that is.
I'm a Lakers fan and I think its too soon to call Ariza a defensive stopper.  We will find out if we face Cle.  Battier already has a secure rep as a stopper and a glue guy.  I like Ariza better, but he's so new, I think its premature to give the edge to anyone but Battier.  Its not clear cut, but being that Ariza hasn't been doing it for long... it is a tiny stretch IMO.

[cheloLP]

I´m going a bit offtopic now but when I read the pau vs. scola analysis one thing came up to my mind, what is a Spanish for you ?¿ any guy who speak Spanish language or what ?¿ because you called both pau and scola Spanish, and Scola is actually Argentinian

I was going to say the same thing, sheeet we are really missunderstood.

Other thing...

"
These two players are much alike since they both are great defender. However Ariza is more of a defensive stopper whereas Battier is more of a perimeter scorer and will occasionally hit big threes. Battier is not like Ariza where Ariza has the body to go explosive into the basket, but Ariza struggles at times to create his own shot. They are both noteworthy and their status are really similar to one another, almost 8.3 ppg, 48 FG% in last 3 gp. This is a tie between the two folks."

I think this isn't a tie by any means, Battier is a better defender and the intagibles he brings makes him the better player between him and Ariza.

1. Luis Alberto Scola Balvoa (born April 30, 1980 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine professional basketball player. The 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) power forward for the Argentina national team is currently signed with the NBA's Houston Rockets. He formerly was a Euroleague star with the ACB's TAU Cerámica. He has dual citizenship: Argentine and Spanish.
So does this clear up some of you chinese ppl?

2. If you really think Battier is a better player than Ariza then your crazy. Any Lakers fan would say that Ariza is better than Battier but I didn't want to get too bias so I was more lenient on both players.

1- He's from argentina, players often change their Citizenship to help their teams.

2- I don't think is even arguable, but...
Battier has more experience, hes stronger, and a defensive stopper, something that ariza isn't.
I'll take him anyday because he's battle tested and ariza isn't.

I'm a Lakers fan and I think its too soon to call Ariza a defensive stopper.  We will find out if we face Cle.  Battier already has a secure rep as a stopper and a glue guy.  I like Ariza better, but he's so new, I think its premature to give the edge to anyone but Battier.  Its not clear cut, but being that Ariza hasn't been doing it for long... it is a tiny stretch IMO.

I think this is the general consensus, but let me add something, if you want to win a championship you go with Battier and not some guy that has potential.

That being said, i think Ariza is really athletic and brings a lot of energy but he isn't near Battier.
It's like i offered you ariza for the 2007 bowen, going by your reasoning and player profiles you would actually accepted that trade...

[sulingman]

I've been a big fan of Ariza since his rookie season, was STOKED when we made that trade, and knew for certain we got the better end of the deal.  One thing few people talk about is the Lakers ages.  Ariza fits right into this age group of a lot of the Lakers, which I think has helped with our bonding.  I think we have the perfect amount of veteran experience, and I wouldn't go for another vet like Battier or whomever, because of chemistry.  Like, look at Farmar.  He's been benched, but he is smiling and bonding with the other young guys when they sit down.  They pull for each other, etc.  I feel like I'm not expressing this as well as I would like, but hopefully you see what I mean anyway.

[KrissKross]

I've been a big fan of Ariza since his rookie season, was STOKED when we made that trade, and knew for certain we got the better end of the deal.  One thing few people talk about is the Lakers ages.  Ariza fits right into this age group of a lot of the Lakers, which I think has helped with our bonding.  I think we have the perfect amount of veteran experience, and I wouldn't go for another vet like Battier or whomever, because of chemistry.  Like, look at Farmar.  He's been benched, but he is smiling and bonding with the other young guys when they sit down.  They pull for each other, etc.  I feel like I'm not expressing this as well as I would like, but hopefully you see what I mean anyway.

Im waiting for Ariza to blossom. He has shown flashes that he can be really good. The guy can shoot the three-ball, he can finish with a dunk or lay-up. and he plays good defense. I really think this guy should be Kobe's "Scottie Pippen". If he can stay consistent playing next to Kobe, they will be quite a duo to contend with.

[sleepy]

Ariza has definitely been the difference this season. Odom has also been more consistent and added range to his shot as well. Then there's the surprise we got with Shannon Brown 

[Skipster]

Man the Utah series, this series and the future Denver series are just tune-ups and warm-ups for the big Cleveland series.

Nontheless, I can see all of the Laker games here in my country, so there's my support for you guys, good luck.

[DeronWilliams]

wtf is Derek Fisher doing

[joshfarc]

The Lakers truly played like complete and utter rubbish.  They are lucky they even had a chance in the 4th quarter...........they played that horrible.  Not one player really had a good night.  Bynum as solid for the time he was on the court......but aside from him I think everybody was off.

It's encouraging.   If they can be in a semi-tight game(like tonight) while playing atrociously, imagine what they can do if a couple players show up.