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Something tells me the Rockets did not get the memo about the Lakers getting to the Finals.
A couple of things stood out from last night's game to me:
- The Rockets can slow down the Lakers offense, and they can do it for long stretches. Some people thought Game 1 was a fluke. But you look at the second quarter of last night's game, and you can tell there's nothing fluky about it. Holding the Lakers to 13 points in a quarter at Staples is not pure sheer luck. And they did it with Yao sitting on the bench with foul trouble.
- Bynum, who was supposed to be pumped up for this series, and a X-Factor of sorts, not only can't guard Yao, but the 'adjustment' Phil made to send him to the second unit didn't work either. He got consistently outplayed by Landry and Hayes. So far, he's been a complete non-factor, and even worse, a liability for the Lakers when he's been out there.
- The physical play is getting into the Laker's head. This is a great thing. This was a must win game for the Lakers. Your team managed to weather the 1st quarter storm, came back and put the pressure back up and got them out of character. The Lakers can't match your physicality, and they know it. What Fish did is the typical 'pretend I'm tough' made move, and basically got himself ejected and possibly suspended. Even more positive, none of your guys backed down.
- You already proved you can win at Staples, and that it was not a fluke. That's a confidence builder heading home. If you protect home court, the pressure it's going to really mount on LA.
Overall, this is the best series we've seen so far. And after last night's game, I'm starting to think Houston might be on the driver seat here.
Something tells me the Rockets did not get the memo about the Lakers getting to the Finals.
+1
I'm really admiring the fight in this Houston team. I actually think they can take both in Houston....I'm certain they're very fired up going home.
I missed Fisher's dirty act on Scola, but after reviewing it, oh yeah that should be a suspension. In addition, because the NBA rulebook says that contact above the shoulders is an automatic suspension, Kobe should be too. However, I would much rather have the Fakers at full strength for game 3, otherwise we'll have to hear Lakers fans ing about how that game shouldn't count.
Joey Crawford continues to be an ass. Did anybody else notice his arrogant y little "get out of here" hand motion when he tossed Artest?
+1
I'm really admiring the fight in this Houston team. I actually think they can take both in Houston....I'm certain they're very fired up going home.
I missed Fisher's dirty act on Scola, but after reviewing it, oh yeah that should be a suspension. In addition, because the NBA rulebook says that contact above the shoulders is an automatic suspension, Kobe should be too. However, I would much rather have the Fakers at full strength for game 3, otherwise we'll have to hear Lakers fans ing about how that game shouldn't count.
Joey Crawford continues to be an ass. Did anybody else notice his arrogant y little "get out of here" hand motion when he tossed Artest?
That maybe should warrant a suspension but I don't see the NBA suspending both Fisher and Bryant. Fisher yes but Stu Jackson will find some tortured logic to avoid suspending Kobe. Ala Rajon Rondo somehow he will make the case that Artest's face fouled Kobe's elbow.
Kobe will get a fine, and move on. Nothing to see here.
What about when him and Artest go against eachother in Game 3? Wouldn't be fun to Kobe, and he won't do it again.
I'm pretty happy, we took at game on LA's home court.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...ge=dime-090507
The NBA rulebook states that a player must be ejected for "An elbow foul which makes contact above shoulder level." By the standard that's been set in these playoffs, Bryant should be suspended
The rule should be changed for Bryant.
i don't think bryant should be suspended but the ing refs should call the game right and at least call the loose ball foul on kobe for the elbow. it should have been a tech.
...man...after watching that gif of the kobe elbow again that thing is very close to being suspension worthy. of course they won't suspend him but if the situation was reversed and it was artest throwing that elbow he would be out for game 3. whatever... kobe...
I just get sick of him cheap shotting for no reason, and I know for sure that it wasn't an "accident".
He's a great player, but for example him getting a shot over Battier he come running down the court in his face saying "You can't guard me."
He didn't elbow Artest in the throat.
Lakers left it all on the court on game 2 of the 2nd round.
houston has the talent and D to take this thing. All the pressure is on LA to win in Houston, or they're toast.
Hey you ing re ... watch the video... there's no denying it.
After Fisher and all the trash talking I was thinking how mature has Artest got. Just minding his own business. Maybe that brawl in Detroit made Artest look really bad and the media blown it way out. Then the real Artest came out. hahaha
Lakers game 2 physical strategy was masterful, for you know the Rockets will be looking to retaliate in game 3, which plays right into the Lakers hands.
Or will they?
Can't wait for the next game. We'll know by the end of the 1st quarter if we truly have a series on our hands.
I think you're thinking Artest, and I don't foresee that being a problem at all.
And if by physical strategy you mean getting outhustled in your home court, I would think that's an epic fail.
I actually think the Rockets managed to get in the Lakers head, when the Lakers were trying to do that because they can't match the physicality.
It completely backfired though. Scola got more T's out of the Lakers than what the Lakers got out of him, not to mention the possibility of a Laker player getting suspended.
Rockets lost the game but won the psychological battle imo...
Lakers "strategy" of playing physical will only call more attention to it in Game 3.
That means the refs will look at the game tighter and call more fouls, negating HOU's supposed "advantage".
What I saw last night was Yao Ming get taken out of the game. If the Lakers front Yao he will become a non-factor in this series. Without his 20+ppg the Rockets don't have the offense to keep up with LAL. Ron Artest is not going to shoot as well as he has for the rest of this series. He's not even taking good shots half the time.
LOL the Rockets won the psychological battle?
Ron Artest got ejected you morons.
Lol Derk fisher is likely getting suspended. Did you see Kobe's frustration elbow? Kobe got a technical, Odom got a technical. Fisher was ejected. Those are signs of losing your composure. The Rockets are getting in the heads of the Lakers.
You are so stupid.
The Lakers won the battle last night and more importantly won the game.
Fisher being out for Game 3 doesn't even matter. Our other guards Brown and Farmar are doing a BETTER job defending Brooks so this will only help the Lakers if he's out. Plus Fish is shooting 5/20 from 3pt land. He ain't doing much for us.
Lakers were all crying to refs and throwing elbows. Rockets were calm, cool and professional.
You mean taking cheap shots? Absolutely.
What I think it's going to happen is the refs keeping a closer look at Kobe and Artest. I think this is actually bad news for Kobe.
And I don't think you understand what playing physical means.
The 'fronting Yao' strategy is not gonna last forever. And this is an ongoing problem because Gasol can't guard him and Bynum has been plain sucking. What I saw was a Houston team that responded great when the Lakers made a run. They put the pressure on the Lakers and the Lakers lost their cool.
This is exactly what you wanna see from a psychological standpoint.
The question is, how will the Lakers respond when Houston makes a run in Houston? Will they fight back or fold?
He already elbowed Battier in the head in game 1 and didn't get suspended, what makes you think he will get suspended now?
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