Rockets - Lakers Game 7: Get Your Popcorn Ready
The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers are one day away from Game 7 of the 2009 Western Conference semifinals match up. The last three games of this series have been baffling to watch. After the Lakers regained home court advantage with a road win in Game 3, the Rockets announced center Yao Ming would miss the rest of the playoffs because of a hairline fracture on the top of his left foot.
That somber news signaled an end to the Rockets' season; but, the Rockets' players said "Not so fast." and responded with a very thorough thumping of the Lakers in Game 4 -- 99 to 87 -- to tie the series at 2 games each. The Lakers' play in Game 4 was so lifeless it was almost comical; and, the Rockets' capitalized on the Lakers' lethargy and rolled to the easy Game 4 win.
The series shifted to LA for Game 5 and the Lakers transformed themselves into a super power and blasted the Rockets by forty points (118 to 78) to take a 3 to 2 series lead.
Order seemed to be restored with LA's Game 5 win. Many people believed the Rockets Game 4 victory was a mere aberration; and, LA's dominance in Game 5 was a signal the Lakers would close out the series in Houston with a win in Game 6.
Uh...'bout that Lakers' win in Game 6...a nope...Didn't happen.
The Rockets began Game 6 with a 21 to 3 run and defeated the Lakers 95 to 80 to tie the series at 3-3 to send the series back to L.A. for the Game 7 finale.
What in the (basketball) world is going on in this series?!
The Rockets have led from start to finish in two of the last three games; but, the Lakers won the middle of those games by 40 freaking points!
How can these massive pendulum swings be explained?!
Honestly, I'm not sure.
I believe the Lakers have better talent than the injury depleted Rockets; but, it's painfully obvious, LA's so-called talent advantage is not being matched with effort, passion, and intensity like the Rockets displayed in Game 4 and in Game 6.
Aaron Brooks has been a thorn in the Lakers' "mighty paw" in this series. Brooks riddled and befuddled the Lakers' tissue paper defense with 34 points in Game 4 and 26 points in Game 6. However, Brooks scored just 14 points in the Rockets' whitewashing loss in Game 5.
As a result, in order for the Rockets to win Game 7, Aaron Brooks has to play very well. Shane Battier scored a career-high 23 points in Game 4 to team with Brooks and help the Rockets win; and, Luis Scola (playing like Big Game James Worthy) scored 24 points in Game 6 to team with Brooks for the Game 6 triumph. Brooks makes the Rockets' engine go; and, the Lakers seem to have absolutely no clue how to defend him.
Veteran guard Derek Fisher is aging rapidly before anyone watching this series because Brooks is giving Fisher a cold, brisk breeze each time he blows past "Fish". Then, Fisher compounds his sorry defense by jacking up ridiculous three-point shot attempts on offense as if he has the green light to shoot the ball at will.
Pau Gasol's non-existent defense against Luis Scola in the first quarter of Game 6 was a sight to see for Rockets' fans. Scola used and abused Gasol in the opening period which energized the Rockets and seemed to zap energy from the Lakers. If Gasol cannot defend Scola one-on-one better in Game 7, then the Lakers will have to double-team Scola which should produce open perimeter shots for the Rockets.
Gasol also seems to have no idea Chuck Hayes is 6'6" tall. Hayes is a smart, tough defender; but, Hayes is still six inches shorter than Gasol; so, why on earth is Gasol trying to pound the air out of the basketball and back down Hayes instead of simply shooting over the shorter Hayes?
It's amazing to see different players perform so vastly different at home than on the road.
The rest of the Lakers' starters and they're once highly praised bench need to wake up from their collective slumber and "Man Up" or the Rockets just may leave Los Angeles with a stunning Game 7 victory. The way the last three games of this series have gone why should wone more trip to Bizzaro World shock anyone?
Game 7 is usually filled with stars stepping up; but, also surprising performances from unsung heroes. Different players handle Game 7 pressure differently. Some players crack under the pressure a Game 7 brings while others thrive and excel under the pressure.
Tip is set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon on ABC. To borrow a phrase from a certain number 81, "Get your popcorn ready!"
That somber news signaled an end to the Rockets' season; but, the Rockets' players said "Not so fast." and responded with a very thorough thumping of the Lakers in Game 4 -- 99 to 87 -- to tie the series at 2 games each. The Lakers' play in Game 4 was so lifeless it was almost comical; and, the Rockets' capitalized on the Lakers' lethargy and rolled to the easy Game 4 win.
The series shifted to LA for Game 5 and the Lakers transformed themselves into a super power and blasted the Rockets by forty points (118 to 78) to take a 3 to 2 series lead.
Order seemed to be restored with LA's Game 5 win. Many people believed the Rockets Game 4 victory was a mere aberration; and, LA's dominance in Game 5 was a signal the Lakers would close out the series in Houston with a win in Game 6.
Uh...'bout that Lakers' win in Game 6...a nope...Didn't happen.
The Rockets began Game 6 with a 21 to 3 run and defeated the Lakers 95 to 80 to tie the series at 3-3 to send the series back to L.A. for the Game 7 finale.
What in the (basketball) world is going on in this series?!
The Rockets have led from start to finish in two of the last three games; but, the Lakers won the middle of those games by 40 freaking points!
How can these massive pendulum swings be explained?!
Honestly, I'm not sure.
I believe the Lakers have better talent than the injury depleted Rockets; but, it's painfully obvious, LA's so-called talent advantage is not being matched with effort, passion, and intensity like the Rockets displayed in Game 4 and in Game 6.
Aaron Brooks has been a thorn in the Lakers' "mighty paw" in this series. Brooks riddled and befuddled the Lakers' tissue paper defense with 34 points in Game 4 and 26 points in Game 6. However, Brooks scored just 14 points in the Rockets' whitewashing loss in Game 5.
As a result, in order for the Rockets to win Game 7, Aaron Brooks has to play very well. Shane Battier scored a career-high 23 points in Game 4 to team with Brooks and help the Rockets win; and, Luis Scola (playing like Big Game James Worthy) scored 24 points in Game 6 to team with Brooks for the Game 6 triumph. Brooks makes the Rockets' engine go; and, the Lakers seem to have absolutely no clue how to defend him.
Veteran guard Derek Fisher is aging rapidly before anyone watching this series because Brooks is giving Fisher a cold, brisk breeze each time he blows past "Fish". Then, Fisher compounds his sorry defense by jacking up ridiculous three-point shot attempts on offense as if he has the green light to shoot the ball at will.
Pau Gasol's non-existent defense against Luis Scola in the first quarter of Game 6 was a sight to see for Rockets' fans. Scola used and abused Gasol in the opening period which energized the Rockets and seemed to zap energy from the Lakers. If Gasol cannot defend Scola one-on-one better in Game 7, then the Lakers will have to double-team Scola which should produce open perimeter shots for the Rockets.
Gasol also seems to have no idea Chuck Hayes is 6'6" tall. Hayes is a smart, tough defender; but, Hayes is still six inches shorter than Gasol; so, why on earth is Gasol trying to pound the air out of the basketball and back down Hayes instead of simply shooting over the shorter Hayes?
It's amazing to see different players perform so vastly different at home than on the road.
The rest of the Lakers' starters and they're once highly praised bench need to wake up from their collective slumber and "Man Up" or the Rockets just may leave Los Angeles with a stunning Game 7 victory. The way the last three games of this series have gone why should wone more trip to Bizzaro World shock anyone?
Game 7 is usually filled with stars stepping up; but, also surprising performances from unsung heroes. Different players handle Game 7 pressure differently. Some players crack under the pressure a Game 7 brings while others thrive and excel under the pressure.
Tip is set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon on ABC. To borrow a phrase from a certain number 81, "Get your popcorn ready!"
posted by Kris G @ 10:34 AM
3 Comments:
At May 16, 2009 5:15 PM,
SirCharles said…
Do the Rockets actually have it in them to win another "big" game. Popcorn and red shirt ready.
At May 17, 2009 8:28 AM,
Anonymous said…
The Rockets have played so hard, I hope they will continue. If the refs just let the boys play ball, I think the Rockets will win it. IF they bring that fast, Lakers can't handle it, team. Can't be the old Rocket team. Bring on the fast one, Shane, Scola and the bench! Popcorn, red shirts, red beer ready here too!!
At May 18, 2009 3:23 PM,
SORF said…
Sadly my popcorn didn't work...the Lakers don't have the heart the Rockets have...I'm proud of our team.
And Kenny Smith is correct...the Lakers are arrogant. (I would add jerks to that description). Now the rest of the world knows it thanks to our Rockets. Sadly the LA fans haven’t caught on.
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