Tell me why Rockets can't. beat L.A.!

[BrickJames]

Once in awhile (it's more rare nowadays) Artest has one of those games where he tries to impersonate Kobe and takes an obscene amount of off-balance 20 footers off the dribble. Most of the times his team ends up losing the game. Very rarely he gets hot and succeeds. If he (or Von Wafer) has 4 of those very rare games out of 7, the Rockets may win.

Why are people assuming the Nuggets can be competitive versus the Lakers, btw? I mean, they can pull an upset, but it's rather improbable. Once Manu went down, McGrady went down and Webster didn't come back + Oden didn't start moving quicker, the Lakers had a highway to the finals.

I expect Houston to give the Lakers a hard time (series will go to at least 6 games) and Denver to as well.  I wouldn't call it a 'highway' to the finals by any stretch.

BTW Houston is better without T-MacCrap

[Who]

Once Manu went down, McGrady went down and Webster didn't come back + Oden didn't start moving quicker, the Lakers had a highway to the finals.

I agree -- There's only one elite team in the West and 8 very good teams (after injuries).

As long as the Lakers are relatively healthy, and performing well, they'll have a massive advantage over everyone else in the West. They're in full control of their own destiny.

[johnnyrondo]

i love how they keep on talking about Kobe's flu on TNT. Trying to set this up as the memorable "(swine) flu game" for Kobe. Kobe's no MJ.

[twinbree]

i love how they keep on talking about Kobe's flu on TNT. Trying to set this up as the memorable "(swine) flu game" for Kobe. Kobe's no MJ.

Isn't this his second "flu game" he's this season? Forgive me as I go off on a rant here.  I can't stand it when people don't stay home when they know they have something contagious. Its not heroic or admirable. Its inconsiderate and just puts other people at risk.

[KungPoweChicken]

Once in awhile (it's more rare nowadays) Artest has one of those games where he tries to impersonate Kobe and takes an obscene amount of off-balance 20 footers off the dribble. Most of the times his team ends up losing the game. Very rarely he gets hot and succeeds. If he (or Von Wafer) has 4 of those very rare games out of 7, the Rockets may win.

Why are people assuming the Nuggets can be competitive versus the Lakers, btw? I mean, they can pull an upset, but it's rather improbable. Once Manu went down, McGrady went down and Webster didn't come back + Oden didn't start moving quicker, the Lakers had a highway to the finals.

I expect Houston to give the Lakers a hard time (series will go to at least 6 games) and Denver to as well.  I wouldn't call it a 'highway' to the finals by any stretch.

BTW Houston is better without T-MacCrap

Agreed, I'd like to see the Rockets win the series because McGrady isn't playing. In my opinion, he has been one of the most overrated players of the last ten years. If the Rockets do win, the stupid talking heads will finally realize this.

[ACF]

HOUSTON IS WINNING GAME 1! 

[ACF]

They have a 10-point lead with
just 1:40 to go in the game.

I love it! 

[kheeko]

Houston played awesome, i think they can take the Fakers out in 6 if they stay consistent ( i would laugh my arse off)

btw Brooks is a maniac, his speeds amazing

[ACF]

Rockets 100
Lakers     92
final


BEAUTIFUL!

[Who]

Good win for Houston. Their defense was excellent.

[guava_wrench]

I hope Yao's knee doesn't swell up. It might slow him down.

 

[Hoops]

Where are all the naysayers now? (Probably in bed ) Rockets can't win, huh?

Seeing the Lakers lose lifts my spirits after the Celtics loss.

[Drucci]

Great win for the Rockets, let's hope they'll take a serious advantage in this series by winning game 2. I think Battier's defense really affected Kobe, and I hope he'll keep it up.

However I'm more concerned by the Celtics loss, it just makes this Lakers' loss a "consolation prize".

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

The Rockets can and WILL win this series simply because they believe they can.

If I was a Houston Rockets fan I'd be pretty p---ed off at the media/fans reaction today. Seems like they're getting the same treatment our Celtics got in the finals last year - NO RESPECT. Houston has firepower, depth, hombres, and Yao Ming is money from the charity stripe. While anything is possible, a Houston series victory is MORE than possible IMO.

I think the biggest mismatches (other than Yao obviously) is with the Rockets PG's. I mean, D-Fish, Shannon Brown, and Farmar (not that he even plays anymore) can't stay with anyone and are pretty weak defenders (D-Fish used to be solid but he's too old/slow now).

Go Houston!

[housecall]

As Yao stated in his press conference when asked about not/ having a player like T-Mac caliber on the team,"we don't have a superstar at the moment on this team,and that makes us play more as a team not one on one.We depend on each other more because we do not have the socalled superstar.Yao more or less saying they are better off without T-Mac(imo).