The Houston Rockets looked pretty darned good last night in Game 6 against the Lakers. Despite a strong, yet whiney performance by Kobe, the Rockets were able to fire from all cylinders on offense and outscore the losers in purple and yellow to force this NBA playoff series to an exciting Game 7.
As Houston fans, are we proud of the boys in Red?
Hell yeah!
Regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s Game 7, this has been a roller coaster of a season with a whole lot of ups, a few downs and a ton of loopty-loops. On top of that, this playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers has been extremely exciting. In game 6 at the Toyota Center, Kobe was 11-26 from the floor and often through a little fit because of great Defense by Shane Battier. Luis Scola took the entire Lakers team to “SCOLA” with over 25 points, 12 rebounds and some very strong defense.
The more and more this season has progressed, the more and more the Rockets brass, Tad Brown and Daryl Morey, are looking better and better. He may look sloppy and like he is wearing a mop on his head, Luis Scola is an anchor on this team. Aaron Brooks also had a great game lighting up the score board and again the Rocket Suits look brilliant for trading away Rafer Alston and promoting 2nd year man Aaron Brooks to the starting point guard role. Ron Artest did okay too and showed very strong restraint avoiding confrontation after a hard, nasty foul from Kobe Bryant.
All of these performances were strong parts of this game 6 win, but the performance off the bench from Carl Landry has to take the cake as the performance of the game. Double digit points, a sudden defensive skill that he hasn’t shown much of in the past and some power in the paint. Landry threw it down on one dunk in the second half that made the Lakers defense look silly. Way to go Carl!
Who knows what is going to happen Sunday in Game 7, but here’s to hoping for a win! Houston Sports rock!
5.05.2009
Clutch City Might Have Returned - Houston Rockets Demolish the Lakers in Game 1
The Houston Rockets were able to take game one from the Lakers in round 2 of the playoffs. This is HUGE for them. Not only do they go up one game against the "best team" in the NBA, but they also walk away with a stealing of home court advantage.
Most fans, if not everyone, really thought that the Rockets didn't have much of a chance in this series after the Lakers had beat the Rockets 4 times in the regular season. Let's face it...Kobe Bryant is an incredible basketball player who can hit shots that no one else sees, but last night the Rockets did an incredible job keeping "Black Mamba" at bay.
Yao looked like he had a little fire behind him and actually took it hard to the basket a number of times resulting in either points or fouls. He looked liked a different player and had lost some of his timid ways. Fouling Yao is like getting a goal-tending call. He is automatic from the line, so the more he can get fouled, I'll take it.
The young fellas, Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry, both had incredible hustle up and down the court. Whether it was throwing their bodies around for loose balls, creating turnovers or zig zagging around yellow jerseys to pop an open shot, these two had no problem. Derek Fisher and his old age got a little tired of chasing these two young whipper-snappers around.
Artest and Battier collectively did the bulk of the job shutting Kobe down. They were able to keep him from ever going off on the Rockets, while also scoring a few points themselves.
Overall the Rockets looked pretty good last night. I expect the Lakers to come back a little angry on Wednesday night and handle business, but then it's back to Houston for two games where the Rockets are one of the best.
Can they do it? Stay tuned to see if "Clutch City" has made it's return.
Most fans, if not everyone, really thought that the Rockets didn't have much of a chance in this series after the Lakers had beat the Rockets 4 times in the regular season. Let's face it...Kobe Bryant is an incredible basketball player who can hit shots that no one else sees, but last night the Rockets did an incredible job keeping "Black Mamba" at bay.
Yao looked like he had a little fire behind him and actually took it hard to the basket a number of times resulting in either points or fouls. He looked liked a different player and had lost some of his timid ways. Fouling Yao is like getting a goal-tending call. He is automatic from the line, so the more he can get fouled, I'll take it.
The young fellas, Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry, both had incredible hustle up and down the court. Whether it was throwing their bodies around for loose balls, creating turnovers or zig zagging around yellow jerseys to pop an open shot, these two had no problem. Derek Fisher and his old age got a little tired of chasing these two young whipper-snappers around.
Artest and Battier collectively did the bulk of the job shutting Kobe down. They were able to keep him from ever going off on the Rockets, while also scoring a few points themselves.
Overall the Rockets looked pretty good last night. I expect the Lakers to come back a little angry on Wednesday night and handle business, but then it's back to Houston for two games where the Rockets are one of the best.
Can they do it? Stay tuned to see if "Clutch City" has made it's return.
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