I think Trevor Ariza brings what JR Smith brings, he just doesn't love himself as much as JR Smith does. JR is a better 3 point shooter than Ariza, but Ariza is athletic enough to cause problems for Smith. I still think that JR Smith's volatility can or will ruin Denver's chances at some point in the next round.

 

The Nuggets bigs are about as offensively mature as the Rockets and you could argue that the Rocket bigs are better offensively. I think the Nugget bigs will cause problems on defense because they are so soft but I don't see them hurting the Lakers offensively when we all know Melo, Chauncey, and JR are going to take a majority of the shots. With this Rocket team, we have no idea who is going to take the shot outside of Artest which makes them a little tougher to defend.

 

I also maintain that Denver has yet to face anyone in the playoffs with the Lakers offensive potency and it will be interesting to see how they respond to the best team in the west. Granted the Lakers haven't looked good against the Rockets, but we will see what Denver is made of shortly. If the Lakers win game 7 tomorrow, I look forward to the Denver series.

 

Melo will be on Ariza, I'll take Anthony in that one. But, Ariza could be a problem. JR Smith may hurt them with his antics.

 

Scola is a good shooter, but I will take the collection of the Nuggets bigs over Houston's. Chuck Hayes is lucky to be in the NBA and Landry shouldn't see the floor. I think the Birdman has a nice series, he is very rough and energetic and I think he will be a nightmare for Gasol and Bynum in spurts.

 

It's not like the Lakers have played anyone either. I will take Dallas over Houston right now.

Melo will be on Ariza, I'll take Anthony in that one. But, Ariza could be a problem. JR Smith may hurt them with his antics.

 

Scola is a good shooter, but I will take the collection of the Nuggets bigs over Houston's. Chuck Hayes is lucky to be in the NBA and Landry shouldn't see the floor. I think the Birdman has a nice series, he is very rough and energetic and I think he will be a nightmare for Gasol and Bynum in spurts.

 

It's not like the Lakers have played anyone either. I will take Dallas over Houston right now.

 

The Birdman is as offensively inept as Chuck Hayes. He can dunk, and that's it. Martin is average offensively, much like Scola, and Nene can dunk. Offensively, I'll call it even. Defensively, the Nuggets bigs are way better than the Rockets. Keep in mind that the Lakers bigs activity on offense could also spell foul trouble for all 3 Denver bigs because they are so aggressive. The Lakers will more than likely benefit from a friendly officials whistle throughout the series, if it is indeed a Lakers-Nuggets series.

 

Bynum has been awful and I think the Lakers have played better this year with Bynum healthy, but he isn't 100% and his confidence is lacking as well. I think they would be better off without him even in the rotation at the moment until he can get his head right.

 

I would take Houston over Dallas, Dirk is soft and Brooks would destroy Kidd much like he is destroying Fisher and Farmar. Artest would shut down Josh Howard for the 1 game he shows up for and if Shane can stop Kobe from time to time, he wouldn't have any problems with Jason Terry. Yeah, the Rockets would probably beat Dallas in a similar fashion to the way Denver beat them.

Edited May 16, 200917 yr by PurplePride92

Dalls over Houston? Come on...Cats will do anything to discredit the Lakers and Kobe.

The Birdman is as offensively inept as Chuck Hayes. He can dunk, and that's it. Martin is average offensively, much like Scola, and Nene can dunk. Offensively, I'll call it even. Defensively, the Nuggets bigs are way better than the Rockets. Keep in mind that the Lakers bigs activity on offense could also spell foul trouble for all 3 Denver bigs because they are so aggressive. The Lakers will more than likely benefit from a friendly officials whistle throughout the series, if it is indeed a Lakers-Nuggets series.

 

Bynum has been awful and I think the Lakers have played better this year with Bynum healthy, but he isn't 100% and his confidence is lacking as well. I think they would be better off without him even in the rotation at the moment until he can get his head right.

 

I would take Houston over Dallas, Dirk is soft and Brooks would destroy Kidd much like he is destroying Fisher and Farmar.

 

Any team that has Chuck Hayes as the starting Center is not even romotely decent offensively in the post.

 

Dallas would take them now. With Yao, I would take the Rockets. Brooks is quick maybe Terry would come in and guard him? I'll take the Mavs right now.

 

Dalls over Houston? Come on...Cats will do anything to discredit the Lakers and Kobe.

 

Actually, I think you guys will do anything to credit Kobe and the Lakers.

 

Let me rephrase what I'm saying....

 

THE ROCKETS ARE TERRIBLE!!! THEY SHOULD NOT BE CAPABLE OF SCORING OVER 80 POINTS IN A GAME RIGHT NOW! ANY DECENT TEAM WOULD HAVE BEAT THEM IN 4 OR 5. JUST BECAUSE KOBE AND THE LAKERS ARE PLAYING TERRIBLE DOESN'T MEAN THE ROCKETS ARE GOOD.

 

Like I said, if this were another team you guys would agree.

Any team that has Chuck Hayes as the starting Center is not even romotely decent offensively in the post.

 

Dallas would take them now. With Yao, I would take the Rockets. Brooks is quick maybe Terry would come in and guard him? I'll take the Mavs right now.

 

 

 

Actually, I think you guys will do anything to credit Kobe and the Lakers.

 

Let me rephrase what I'm saying....

 

THE ROCKETS ARE TERRIBLE!!! THEY SHOULD NOT BE CAPABLE OF SCORING OVER 80 POINTS IN A GAME RIGHT NOW! ANY DECENT TEAM WOULD HAVE BEAT THEM IN 4 OR 5. JUST BECAUSE KOBE AND THE LAKERS ARE PLAYING TERRIBLE DOESN'T MEAN THE ROCKETS ARE GOOD.

 

Like I said, if this were another team you guys would agree.

 

 

Quick, fast pg's have had a field day against the Mavs all year. Terry isn't helping Kidd guard the pg's. Kidd is really old and if you have a chance, look up what opposing pg's numbers look like against Kidd. Farmar would look like Brooks against Kidd.

 

 

I have yet to credit Kobe and the Lakers for anything this series, but I know I see a Rockets team that is playing with more passion and playing a lot smarter than the Lakers in those Rocket victories. I've said on more than one occasion that this series has no business being in 7 games, but I cannot take away anything from how masterful the Rockets have stepped up to the challenge. They are stepping up the same way Dallas stepped up to beat the Spurs the way they did. I am not going to deny Houston their due credit when they jump out on the Lakers 17-1 in game 6, and I am not going to deny the Rockets credit when they withstood the Laker run in the 3rd quarter and still won game 6. Regardless of the talent on the floor, they finished the job when they probably shouldn't have. I don't see how you can't acknowledge that.

Any 5 NBA plays from any team should be able to score 80 a game. That's just a silly statement.

Any 5 NBA players from any team should be able to score 80 a game. That's just a silly statement.

 

 

:thumb:

 

Completely and totally agree.:thumb:

 

:thumb:

Quick, fast pg's have had a field day against the Mavs all year. Terry isn't helping Kidd guard the pg's. Kidd is really old and if you have a chance, look up what opposing pg's numbers look like against Kidd. Farmar would look like Brooks against Kidd.

 

 

I have yet to credit Kobe and the Lakers for anything this series, but I know I see a Rockets team that is playing with more passion and playing a lot smarter than the Lakers in those Rocket victories. I've said on more than one occasion that this series has no business being in 7 games, but I cannot take away anything from how masterful the Rockets have stepped up to the challenge. They are stepping up the same way Dallas stepped up to beat the Spurs the way they did. I am not going to deny Houston their due credit when they jump out on the Lakers 17-1 in game 6, and I am not going to deny the Rockets credit when they withstood the Laker run in the 3rd quarter and still won game 6. Regardless of the talent on the floor, they finished the job when they probably shouldn't have. I don't see how you can't acknowledge that.

 

Acknowledge what? The Lakers fail to show up and the Rockets take care of business? The do get paid to play so there's nothing special. I think this series tells us more about the Lakers than the Rockets.

 

I'm not looking up numbers, I have said many times that I don't believe in them because for every number one of us brings out, someone else will bring out numbers to make their arguments.

 

Any 5 NBA plays from any team should be able to score 80 a game. That's just a silly statement.

 

The Rockets best offensive player right now is Ron Artest. Enough said. Battier is the 2nd option. Enough said. Chuck Hayes at Center enough said. I seriously think you guys just don't want to see the reality of what's going on in this series because you are Lakers fans. That's fine. Lakers will win by 15+ tonight and get beat in 6 by Denver. You heard it here first.

Acknowledge what? The Lakers fail to show up and the Rockets take care of business? The do get paid to play so there's nothing special. I think this series tells us more about the Lakers than the Rockets.

 

I'm not looking up numbers, I have said many times that I don't believe in them because for evey number one of us brings out, someone else will bring out numbers to make their arguments.

 

If the Lakers fail to show up and the Lakers win, then I think you make your point. Acknowledge that the Rockets take care of business when they are supposed to, that's all. When the Lakers turn the ball over, the Rockets score. When the Lakers don't box out, the Rockets get the rebound. When the Lakers are playing lethargic, the Rockets are playing with an abundance of energy. The best thing you said was that they get paid to play. Well, the Rockets deserve a raise and the Lakers deserve end of the year evaluations tight now. This series has told me a lot about the Lakers. It has also shown me that a little heart can go a long way.

 

You also say you don't like numbers, but more often than not, the stats don't lie.

 

The Rockets best offensive player right now is Ron Artest. Enough said. Battier is the 2nd option. Enough said. Chuck Hayes at Center enough said. I seriously think you guys just don't want to see the reality of what's going on in this series because you are Lakers fans. That's fine. Lakers will win by 15+ tonight and get beat in 6 by Denver. You heard it here first.

 

The reality of the series is that the Rockets lost their 2 best layers, but he remaining Rockets decided not lay down and fight to the finish and the Lakers are playing like the Rockets should have laid down and that the Rockets have no business playing them the way they are. The lakers arrogance could be their downfall in this series. I am not ready to make predictions about he Denver series when they have yet to close out he Houston series. THAT[/B] is the reality of the situation coming from a Laker fan.

Just a few observations about this.

 

As for bad matchups for the Lakers against the Nuggets you have:

1. Chauncey Billups- He's not quick like Brooks, but he is savvy. He will light up Fish and he will expose Farmar as a joke.

2. JR Smith- Who do the Lakers have off the bench that can give anything close to what he brings?

3. The Nuggets bigs. Nene, Martin and The Birdman are a huge upgrade over Carl Landry, Scola, and Chuck Hayes. The biggest difference is if the Lakers play soft inside Nene or Martin will be dunking rather than just getting boards and kicking it out.

 

Billups is better than Brooks no doubt. But, the Lakers match up with a guy like that far better. I'll put it this way, they won't fare any worse vs. Billups than they have against Brooks. I think they'll do better.

 

Odom, if they choose to bring him off the bench. Regardless, the Lakers bench unit as a whole is pretty good. I'm not worried about a specific one-on-one matchup. I don't see JR Smith being the difference in this series.

 

The Nuggets bigs don't scare me. They're not as rugged and physical as Houston's, which is good for LA. Gasol and company will fare way better against Denver's front line.

Well I see open three's and layups in Gasol's face. The Lakers play no defense, outside of Kobe.

 

Kobe is just as guilty as the rest of the team. He's played lazy defense, opting to roam free and leave his guy wide open for much of this series.

 

I wish I had a dollar for every time Kobe's man was left wide open for a jump shot.

 

Kobe can lock it down when he wants, but his attitude toward defense is indicative of the team as a whole. That attitude trickles down to the whole team. I think he deserves more than just a little of the blame for the Lakers overall attitude when it comes to playing defense.

^ That is mostly a product of the pg's getting blown up.

Billups is better than Brooks no doubt. But, the Lakers match up with a guy like that far better. I'll put it this way, they won't fare any worse vs. Billups than they have against Brooks. I think they'll do better.

 

Odom, if they choose to bring him off the bench. Regardless, the Lakers bench unit as a whole is pretty good. I'm not worried about a specific one-on-one matchup. I don't see JR Smith being the difference in this series.

 

The Nuggets bigs don't scare me. They're not as rugged and physical as Houston's, which is good for LA. Gasol and company will fare way better against Denver's front line.

 

Billups will own Fish and Farmar.

 

JR Smith just adds to the problems the Lakers will have. The Nuggets bring a whole new set of problems that the Lakers will have to face. One man is killing them this series by getting to the basket and scoring or kicking it to shooters. Well next series the Lakers will be playing a real offensive team. A healthy offensive team. Aaron Brooks is quick but he's 5-7. If you can't guard him you are in for a world of trouble vs. the Nuggets. Call me wrong, you'll see.

 

Not as rugged and physical? Okay, once again we'll see next week. I don't think they seem as physical, but that is only because they are more athletic than the Rockets post players. Chuck Hayes and Landry have to bust you all game, the Nuggets bigs will smack you and then go around you and jam. I think Kenyon Martin will be the X-factor. If he can get somewhere around 15 and 9 or 10 for the series I think the Nuggets win with relative ease.

Kobe is just as guilty as the rest of the team. He's played lazy defense, opting to roam free and leave his guy wide open for much of this series.

 

I wish I had a dollar for every time Kobe's man was left wide open for a jump shot.

 

Kobe can lock it down when he wants, but his attitude toward defense is indicative of the team as a whole. That attitude trickles down to the whole team. I think he deserves more than just a little of the blame for the Lakers overall attitude when it comes to playing defense.

 

Didn't you see Kobe Doin' Work? Kobe just needs to tell the other players what to do and they will do it. He's roaming around so he can call out all the defensive assignments. Kobe always plays defense.:lol:

Billups will own Fish and Farmar.

 

JR Smith just adds to the problems the Lakers will have. The Nuggets bring a whole new set of problems that the Lakers will have to face. One man is killing them this series by getting to the basket and scoring or kicking it to shooters. Well next series the Lakers will be playing a real offensive team. A healthy offensive team. Aaron Brooks is quick but he's 5-7. If you can't guard him you are in for a world of trouble vs. the Nuggets. Call me wrong, you'll see.

 

Not as rugged and physical? Okay, once again we'll see next week. I don't think they seem as physical, but that is only because they are more athletic than the Rockets post players. Chuck Hayes and Landry have to bust you all game, the Nuggets bigs will smack you and then go around you and jam. I think Kenyon Martin will be the X-factor. If he can get somewhere around 15 and 9 or 10 for the series I think the Nuggets win with relative ease.

 

 

I think you are giving the Nuggets bigs way too much credit because they are winning. They aren't that good. Serviceable and solid, yes, but smack you and then go around you for the jam, not hardly. Kenyon Martin couldn't average 15 and 9 versus the Mavericks, why would he now?!?!?

 

Now, again, the Lakers have struggled all year with quick pg's. Billups is not quick. The Nuggets will also be facing a team that has more than one person to guard Melo. Plus Denver has yet to face adversity and they will face adversity next series regardless of who they are facing. The Lakers have played like crap this series against the Rockets, but should they advance I can almost guarantee you that Denver will not be able to expose LA like Houston did, and chances are Houston still won't win the series. Why should I believe Denver will be able to defeat the Lakers....because they have played so great so far? That's hardly a reason, IMO. This series is over around 6pm, tonight and then it's on to the next one.

 

I am glad that Denver is playing so great though, because everyone is picking the Nuggets. If the Lakers win and they are the underdogs with homecourt advantage, well, all I can say is every little bit of motivation helps........

 

I'll be back around 6ish.......:thumb: