Editor's note: This blog was written early Wednesday afternoon before Game 2 but was not posted because of technical difficulties. My apologies. I am, however, going to tip off the posting proceedings because I am rather perturbed about last night's game. Everyone with a soul who watched Game 2 was absolutely cheated. I felt so dirty, I decided to drink a can of Lysol.
I have good and bad news concerning the Rockets 100-92 win over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Monday night. The good news is that I have come to believe Houston can actually beat LA and move onto the conference finals. The bad news is that I have come to believe Houston can actually beat LA.
In regards to the bad news, I do not have a very good track record with teams I believe in. For example, I believed in the 2004 Astros (once they got Carlos Beltran) but did not believe in the 2005 Astros. I did not believe in the 2007 Cowboys but did believe in the 2008 Cowboys.
Now for the good news: Three of the four times Houston played the Lakers this season, the Rockets were coming off tough road trips. The last meeting followed a road trip that included games with San Antonio, Utah and Phoenix.
The Rockets did catch a home game with the Clippers after those three games but immediately hit the road to LA.
The third meeting with the Lakers was in Houston but the Rockets were coming off a trip to Denver. The second matchup with Kobe's team came after a five-game road trip that included games with Atlanta, Philadelphia and Boston.
The Rockets hosted the Knicks before the Lakers came to town in that stretch but still caught the Lakers after a pretty tough 10 days.
The first meeting with the Lakers was an embarrassment with the least amount of excuses. That 111-82 loss did happen in LA but it was just the second game of a road trip that started with the Clippers. Meanwhile, the two home losses to the Lakers were decided by a total of 12 points, and the final matchup in LA was a 93-81 decision.
On the other side, LA's schedule prior to games with the Rockets was much easier. Only the final meeting followed an extensive road trip. However, that bout went down in LA.
Furthermore, only four of the teams the Lakers faced in that seven-game trip were playoff teams, and only one of those teams have advanced to the second round, which was Atlanta, the Lakers second stop in that stretch. Also about that road rally, five of those seven games were against Eastern Conference teams, which we all know is the lesser conference aside from Cleveland and Boston with Kevin Garnett.
The first two times LA faced the Rockets followed games against the Clippers, which is at home either way for the Lakers. The third matchup followed a trip to Portland, another west coast team.
The Lakers were practically catered the whole season like this.
Here are a few more reasons I believe Houston can upset LA: The Rockets won Game 1 on a relatively average night. They lost the rebounding battle (39-35), committed more turnovers (16-13) and only shot three percent better from the field than the Lakers (47.9-44.3).
The difference was Houston shot nearly 30 percent from 3-point land, while LA barely shot more than 10 percent (2-for-18). The Rockets also shot 86 percent from the free throw line, while LA was only good 63 percent of the time.
The best free throw shooter Monday night was Yao Ming who was 10-for-10 from the stripe. And the Lakers really have no answer for him, unless he gets into foul trouble or they double him. If the supporting cast can continue shooting like they did Monday, deciding to double Yao would not be such a bad thing for Houston. Plus, Yao is a great passer.
Furthermore, and at the very least, Yao needs to continue shooting at least 17 times per contest in this series, just like he did in Game 1 (9-for-17 with 28 points).
In the season series with LA, the only time Yao shot more than 15 times came in a tough 105-100 home loss, which was the tightest margin of all four games.
Basically, it is simple math for Houston and coach Rick Adelman: get your 7-6 center the ball every play and fine him if he doesn't shoot at least 17 times — with the exception to that rule being if he has 17 assists.
Concluding this rant, I know most of the media are figuring the Rockets pulled off a stunner that won't happen again. They are jumping on Kobe's second half laurels where he increased his eight points in the first half into a game-high 32 points.
However, it took Kobe 31 shots to reach that amount and he was only 1-for-7 from behind the arch.
Also, the Rockets had three players with 19 points or more while LA's second leading scorer topped out with 14.
And finally, the obvious reason I think the Rockets may just pull this off is because they now have home-court advantage.
Then again, I probably just jinxed whatever chances they had.
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Game 2 got way out of hand and was completely unjust.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying the Rockets should have won and I'm not saying the Rockets played all that well either, but there are some severe doubled-standards in the NBA.
Derek Fisher deserves to be suspended for the rest of the series for throwing the most deliberate body check ever seen (to Luis Scola) in basketball. That play came moments after three technical fouls were issued in a play that involved Scola, which means it was absolutely premeditated on Fisher's part.
Kobe deserves at least a one-game suspension for an elbow he threw to Ron Artest' throat. The NBA's own rule states any elbows thrown above the shoulders is an automatic foul, ejection and a one-game suspension.
Kobe was not even called for a foul.
Instead, Artest got the foul. Following the foul, he tried to make his case with the refs but official Joey Crawford, who may very well be the worst person to ever where a Footlocker uniform, would not hear Artest' case.
Out of frustration, Ron went to Kobe, got in his ear and explained to him that he would not be tolerating any further nonsense.
At that point, Crawford tossed Artest.
Kobe got no punishment whatsoever for that incident.
As a side note, Crawford hates 7-6 Chinamen. He tried calling a foul on Yao in the shoot around 30 minutes before the game but Jack Nicholson told Crawford it was too early, told him to wait until after tip off.
Crawford responded by giving Yao three fouls in about two minutes of playing time throughout the first half. He did the same thing to Yao in the Portland series too.
Wednesday's game was hard to watch if you were even remotely pulling for the Rockets. They were completely handcuffed and all the while, the dirty Lakers were crying because they thought the refs were being unfair to them.
It was so absurd.
If Kobe does not receive a suspension, Adelman should send a goon out first thing on Friday to put Kobe down very hard, I mean HARD. He is a whiney punk, who I can no longer stand and I don't care that he is a great player.
If said goon is kicked out of the league for maliciously hurting Kobe, I will be glad to pitch in for his severance fees. And I am sure several around the world would do the same.
Please excuse my passionate response. I did not edit before posting and wrote where when I meant to write wear.
ReplyDeleteTough game last night. Yao didn't get enough shots. (I realize he was on the bench.) I am just agreeing with you that if he doesn't get touches they don't stand a chance.
ReplyDeleteI understand and respect Kobe greatly. He is obviously 1-2 in the world. If you want to slow him down you have got to force him to receive the ball several feet outside the 3 point line. The further away from the basket the better. Easier said than done obviously. Game 3 tomorrow night and I am pumped. Let's go Houston.
I forgot to add to my Kobe rant earlier that if Ron Artest had done what either Kobe or Fisher did, the league would have fined and suspended Artest for two games, maybe the series. Double standards. Fisher has a blind kid, and a Zen Master coach so let him off the hook. Kobe pulls ratings so let him off the hook.
ReplyDeleteJebby, I appreciate you pulling for the Rockets.
ReplyDeleteYou know I am trying to come along to the Houston sports. Texans would have won me a long time ago had they just drafted Bush. But I loved the Slaton addition last year, I may have told you that after the draft last year. I also think Andre Johnson is amazing. Not to mention I am good friends with an ex Texan LB. I may never be an Astros fan but Rockets are growing on me and Texans are as well.
ReplyDelete"Texans would have won me a long time ago had they just drafted Bush."
ReplyDeleteWait -- you would have preferred the Texans to draft one of the biggest busts of this decade (all the hype, and he can't even come CLOSE to breaking 4 YPC, or playing more than 10 games in a season), as opposed to a dominant, Pro Bowl/All-Pro DE that anchors the defense?
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=538191
Holy Cow, I think Mario Williams is TOTALLY winning the "What have you done for me lately" Award between the three of those guys (Bush, Young, and Williams).
ReplyDeleteThe Texans' defense is becoming a brick wall because of him and DeMeco Ryans - hopefully now Cushing will step up and add to it...
But here's the thing - you don't look at the Saint's offense and say, "oh no, Reggie Bush is back there, hope he doesn't break for a long one"...because he doesn't ever.
And I'd rather have Williams than a quarterback that can't outproduce Kerry Collins.
This post is no shot at anyone else's post, I just like to say all the pundits out there who criticized the Texans for taking Williams can totally eat their words.
I personally am a Bush fan. For those that know me, this has been a hang up in many football conversations for the past few years, especially during a franchise in Madden (Cody). For those haters out there, Bush was leading the league last year in TD's and total yards ( yes that includes punt returns) through the first 8 games, until he got injured. Just throwing it out there you whiney douches. I do like Mario and the direction that the Texans are going on the other hand. And I think Bush is right where he needs to be.
ReplyDeleteWow! I mean could anyone read a post and be more negative. Could anyone read more into what I said. I mean I didn't even mention Bush being better than Williams or mention Williams what so ever. You read my post and clearly started making accusations. Because you have a sports reporting job doesn't make you the know all of sports. Lets not act like going into that draft Reggie Bush wasn't the clear favorite as #1, lets not act like he wasn't one of the best college football players ever.
ReplyDeleteWith your strong accusations, lets not pretend like after Mario's rookie season that he wasn't already getting the bust label with only 4 sacks and the talk of being a lazy player. While Bush probably should have won rookie of the year. Top 5 I believe in receptions 1200 total yards and scored 8 times and 2 in the playoffs, one being 88 yards. Is that a bust rookie season? Sure his 2nd year was down, as was the whole Saints season in 2007. Last year he was plagued with injury. I might agree with him being Over-hyped but not overrated.
My original comment was based off how great it would have been to have had him on the team. Mario is fantastic and the Texans have been top 3 in my opinion in draft classes the past couple of years.
I won't even mention the qb in that draft because Cody can vouch that I really hate that guy.
I think it is time for everyone to also realize that Yao is a good addition to any team that has a playmaker but will never carry a team.
I'm just trying to figure out how a 7-6 guy, with all his weight, can play 10 minutes on a broken foot. I would have waited in the middle of the court until someone brought me an ambulance or a helicopter. Also, I want to know how Kobe broke Yao's foot without appearing to make any contact with it (I KNOW HE DID IT) and still didn't have a foul called on him. I really think it will take Kobe bringing a sword on the court and cutting a player's head off before he receives a technical foul.
ReplyDeleteReggie Bush is explosive. And I have made this argument with Ben before and conceded. I think DEs are a dime a dozen. So many are found all over the draft. So OLBs in college are turned into DEs in the NFL. I think DTs are what makes everything happen for defenses. I am glad Texans went with Williams for three reasons. No. 1) He really was the most valuable player in the draft. No. 2) Great teams are built on defense. No. 3) It would have taken the Texans and Bush three years before Bush probably gained one yard. The Texans were awful on offense until basically last year.
Just like people talk about Yao, saying he is a complimentary star and can never be THE star, the same thing applies for Bush. He could not hack it in 90 percent of NFL offenses. But put him in the right situation, he is very dangerous. I will add that he ran 23 mph on a punt return last year, one he brought back for a TD. I only know that because ESPN is gay and randomly puts stupid nonsense on the top of my television in the middle of games. That one I didn't mind so much, however. Maybe this year, ESPN can get one of those Little League fastball translators for NFL kickers. I liked to know how fast a 40-yard field goal is coming from 60.5 feet.
That is a pretty bold comment about Williams being the most valuable player in that draft. Not saying he isn't but some good talent in that draft. But I guess that all depends on situations for each team.
ReplyDeleteI find it hilarious that non-football related blog posts always end up in football discussions - I think we're all itching for the season to start.
ReplyDeleteBut enough about that...
...HOW BOUT THEM ROCKETS? Helluva show, y'all.
I meant Williams was the most valuable of the three guys who are grouped in that discussion: Reggie Bush, Mario Williams and Vince Young, who I think could make the Titans better if they did away with the typical professional offense and let him run his Texas offense, let him run it until he takes the hit that ruins his career.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong. I was way against Williams in the beginning. In hindsight though, he was obviously the better choice. I still think Bush is great. But I've always said this about him: he will make a great team excellent but will not make a bad team good. Reggie Bush has never been a 'running back'. Yes, he stands behind the quarterback but in high school and college, it was toss left, toss right, and don't stop running until you do a flip across that goal line — or something like that.
So how does Houston replace a 7-6 center with a 6-6 center and get better over night? Speed kills. I like this current brand of Rockets basketball. I say we do away with T-Mac and Yao and go with what we have right now. Maybe pick up another shooting guard and another big body but no one of any great value. I want the Rockets to become the Florida Marlins. That team that wins a championship every five years with a bunch of no names and then as soon as one of them asks for more money, see ya.
I’m getting into this blog late. I’ll comment about football first and basketball second.
ReplyDeleteI’ll admit my Vince Young bias upfront. I loved him in college, loved him during the ROY, Pro-bowl season, and loved him when he started for the Titans in the playoffs his second year. So naturally, I loved him last year when he was out. If I could transplant my childhood from the early- mid-90’s to now, all those Big Hurt posters would be of VY. I can’t, therefore, be objective about this topic. I agree with Cody that if he had the right offense around him, he could do many of the things he did in college. Maybe with the advent of this “wildcat” fad Vince can get back into an environment that supports his athleticism. This season will speak volumes about how the rest of his career plays out. I.e.: Can he “win” his job back?
That said, and as cliché as this sounds, the jury is still out as to whom is the best player of the three. Deciding is hard because in three seasons, they had each had a bust season. In fact, I’d go as far as saying they have each had “good,” “mediocre,” and “bad” seasons. Maybe this fourth season will break the tie. The only people wrong about this debate are those believing they have an “obvious” answer.
And as for the Rockets, Game 4 got me interested. As I’m watching the late innings of the Rockies-Lastros game tonight, I will be clicking over periodically to watch. Although, I have this visceral feeling Kobe is about to dump 50 on them in a blowout win. I really hope it doesn’t happen. We’ll just have to see.
And how about those Lastros? At 11-17, I was hoping they’d just blow the season and start rebuilding. Now at 14-17, I’m hoping for a sweep of the Rockies. I just can’t make up my mind about this franchise. They are my favorite team, but they frustrate me to no end.
First off, I disagree with you about the 'three' because I feel VY is considerably behind on the other two. Shamefully enough, he is who I wanted the Texans to draft. However, I think if was given the right situation, he would dominate. I just don't understand why teams draft athletic players, don't use their abilities in the right way and then wonder it isn't working out. And how can the media be so stupid to not see this. It isn't VY's fault that he doesn't handle the west coast offense well. Put him in the shotgun with the fast kid beside him and run the Texas offense. Handoff, keep and run, keep and pass, keep and pretend to pass but then run. Keep it simple folks. When it is time to mix it up a little, put the bruiser in a single back for a few plays but still the offense is the same. Handoff, fake handoff and run, fake handoff and pass.
ReplyDeleteThe Astros are actually plagued right now by their two biggest players in Roy O. and Berkman. Both seem to have slow starts every year. Although, Berkman really isn't doing that bad. He is making up for his very poor average by finding ways on base and is still scoring runs and driving in runs.
Problem with Roy is that he is one of four starters (starters listed as of opening day) with ERAs above 4.50, which is outstandingly awful. I don't even know what the rotation looks like right now other than Wandy is our ace.
Pitching is obviously the biggest problem because we are getting exactly what we need out of Bourn and Pence and the stooges at thirdbase are not doing all that bad either.
Basically, the Astros need better starter pitching. If we don't get and the season is slipping away, I think it becomes time to start thinking about getting rid of Roy. I know that may sound inconsiderate of me. Some probably want him to finish out as an Astro but I'm really not that attached. His last name doesn't start with a B.
“Considerably behind the other two”? Come on; Really? Like I said, for the first two years, VY had outplayed the other two. He only seems to be “considerably” behind the other two now because he’s lost his starting job…for a defense-minded coach who only needs his offense to get him 17 points and not turn it over. Collins isn’t a better QB than VY; he just fits into what the Titans are doing. It’s cool if you want to say VY is behind the other two, but I wouldn’t throw those adjectives around loosely.
ReplyDeleteBad night for Houston sports. I watched both the Astros and Rockets get bombed. FYI: if you ever move to a place where you don’t local get Astros coverage, don’t buy the Direct TV full season baseball package just so you can watch them. Paying out the nose to watch bad baseball. It’s like getting kicked in the stomach after you’ve been punched in the face.
Man, I love Aaron Brooks. I say dump Yao and T-Mac and build around the little guy.
I hope this year does break the tie between these three guys. I totally agree with Deon about VY though. He was a solid pick by the Titans and the only reason Houston didn't get him was because of David "Fagtastic" Carr. Houston had too much money sunk in the QB position and his contract was to big to shop him. I think if Vince went to a team that can utilize him the right way (I heard a rumor that Dallas was adopting the wildcat this year) he would be one of the most dominant QBs this game has ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe what I am reading. VY has no NFL potential. He will never be a successful qb or running QB like Vick was because he is no where the athlete. This is the NFL he isn't playing in the Big 12 where defense doesn't seem to matter just as long as you can out score your opponent. He clearly isn't head strong. And I was reading up on his "big game ability" and he was like 5 - 12 against teams with winning records in the NFL. The Titans win despite VY not because of him. He barely ran a 4.6 at the combine he definitely isn't running that now.
ReplyDelete