LA LAKERS VS HOUSTON ROCKETS GAME 6 THOUGHTS
We're freaking out!
It's not time to panic, but it's definitely time to look introspectively. This is exactly what pundits said after game 5, and the Lakers put away any notion of that in game 6 with their 40 point victory. I decided not to write a post after game 5 because quite honestly, the Lakers were at their best and the Rockets were countered tic for tac in that game. In game 6 though, I felt the Lakers actually played well minus the first quarter and the end of the second.
Here's some food for thought:
Without Yao, the Rockets have beaten the Lakers 2-1 this postseason. They also won 3 out of the 4 quarters in game 6.
The Lakers shot around 30% in the first half in game 6. I don't care what level of basketball you play, from little league to the pros, that will not cut it.
Scola was outstanding in the first half. His footwork down low allowed him to move deftly around our bigs. His outside shots from 17-20 feet were outstanding.
Landry and Brooks killed the Lakers in the 2nd half. Multiple times they went for the jugular with off the ball cuts to the basket. I'm a huge believer in dribble drive penetration because of its ability to force the defense to react, and thus leave space in their offense to make the extra pass. In game 4 they were making their threes off of these passes, Rockets win. In game 5 they weren't, Lakers win. In game 6 they opted not to shoot the three and instead passed the ball to the off ball cutting man down the lane. Tons of opportunities for short range shots.
Pau Gasol's defense this game was suspect. Bryant: 3 blocks. Gasol + Bynum: 0 blocks. There should be a stat called the intimidating factor. This number would max at 100 and it would directly correlate with a player's ability to simply alter a shooter's shot, breaking their rhythm and thus lowering their long term field goal percentage. Bynum would get a 10, and Gasol would get a 20.
The Rockets were 7-18 for threes, and 36-71 overall. This means that the Rockets were 29-53 with 2 point field goal attempts, netting a whopping 55%.
The Lakers were 5-23 for threes, and 30-84 overall. This means that the Lakers were 25-61, netting a disappointing 41%. The funny thing is that 41% in some games will actually win you games if you do some of the following:
1) Attack the paint, putting more stress on an opponent's defense and garnering free throws. These are the type of games fans hate because they are boring and slow. But hey, it's a win possibly.
2) You shift your lower percentage three point FG attempts over to the 2 point category. This makes you, on paper and on the court, a much more aggressive-attacking style of team. Maybe the Lakers should listen to the cheerleaders screaming 'BE AGGRESSIVE BE BE AGGRESSIVE'.
Lakers had 11 assists, Rockets had 19. Lakers actually outrebounded Houston 45-39.
My opinion of why the Lakers lost... the Lakers selected a poor offensive portfolio of shots and they played lackluster defense early in the game, allowing Houston to rattle off a huge lead which they never relinquished.
Even if the Lakers win this series. It's really difficult for Laker fans to enjoy it. Adventures are normally judged by their outcomes, but deep down inside you can't be happy about your journey if you half assed your way and then pushed through when you felt like it because you could. I'm sure my Lakers can't be very proud of themselves right now.
Even with that said...
Prediction: Lakers win game 7.
SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
Just to get you started on this post I thought a little Jerry Maguire would be appropriate.
I think this is awesome. Type in your name to see if the California Unclaimed Property Division owes you money. http://scoweb.sco.ca.gov/UCP/
Can't believe this guy's signature is on my diploma.
I didn't get any money but apparently someone named Jefferson Ignacio does. Stupid.
LAL-HOU GAME 2 THOUGHTS
Unbelievable game.
When Artest crossed his hand across his throat towards Kobe and the refs, did he say 'Kobe hit me in the throat' or did he say 'I'm going to rip your head off like a fatality in Mortal Kombat?'
What the heck happened with Von Wafer's exit to the locker room???
I find it hysterical that Fisher acted like he was the victim with a little blood dripping above his right ear. The slow motion video clearly showed him pulling a Lawrence Taylor like football hit job on Scola.
What the heck did Scola do to deserve so much enmity from Walton, Odom, Fisher, and the rest of the West Side Boys???
Derek Fisher decking Luis Scola
It's evident LA loves Kobe because he is such a douchebag.
It's evident everyone out of LA hates Kobe because he is such a douchebag.
I like him because he is a douchebag. A douchebag that wins. Michael Jordan didn't earn respect because people liked him, he earned respect because he could kick your ass any day of the week. Kobe is trying to do the same.
Did Yao score 2 points for the Lakers on accident? In one incident it looked like he tipped it rather than Gasol. Subtract 2 points for Gasol and give it to Yao (LAL).
Yao should've stepped up and rebounded. Instead he let Kobe get a top 5 play on SportsCenter.
Go Lakers!
Who should win who has the best european hair contest???? West(side!) Europe hair with Scola or East(coast!) Europe hair with Vujacic. You decide. Cleary though, Scola's hair has more shine, but Vujacic has more bounce. It's too hard to debate so I'm going with Gasol. He clearly doesn't use any products. Spaniards don't need hair products.
Tomorrow's ESPN headlines will go crazy. Adande will write a pro Laker note. Bill Simmons or some other writer will come up with a retort.
Obama's speech writing staff must have called Fisher after he was ejected to help him with his somewhat appealing explanation at his post game interview. I heard it and I love Fisher... but it sounds like bullshit.
These are my thoughts. I'm out!
