2026 Playoffs: (4) Lakers Vs (5) Rockets - Discussion

Jabari's not necessarily wrong because a HOF player of KD's caliber shouldn't been wiped off the board by pressure and double teams to that extent.

But if I'm KD, I'm going full Conor McGregor on the burner

Spoiler: NSFW: LANGUAGE

Cause KD is getting little to no help. The offense shouldn't completely collapse outside of him and maybe his teammates should step up. Also, that's not what you say to the media. You say that we as a team have to step up, figure it out, overcome, help KD out in this situations. Something.

Like I said, terrible vibes with that team.

 

Houston is on the verge of imploding. There’s blood in the water. Lakers need to go for the kill.

 

It really is cracking me up listening to Udoka’s pressers.

“We are actually winning guys, just not the score”

 

It really is cracking me up listening to Udoka’s pressers.

“We are actually winning guys, just not the score”

 

ok, lots to unpack there...

1. i felt the same as lowe about them shelving sheppard. i get that he's disappointing, but he hit 5 threes in game 1 (missed 9, but still, 5 makes isn't nothing). and i agree that they keep running these non-shooter lineups that play right into jj dantoni's gaping maw.

2. i agree with kd that jabari smith is an absolute dolt. lots of tools, but he doesn't know how to play basketball. he's a taller, more athletic rui who is also kind of immature. i get why durant can't handle him.

3. they actually...did ok?...passing out of those double teams and moving the ball. there was just no one to finish the plays most of the time, mostly because they're bad shooters.

maybe all this goes away in houston because the role players are at home, and they'll just make all the shots like sengun says. but man...if they get to okc they're not taking a single game.

 

I don't see Luke and Marcus playing as great as they did so far, not on the road. Would love to eat some crow though, so just step on their throats and finish them off. If we jump on them early, they will fold like a lawn chair, no point in giving them air and letting game 3 slip away. If we take it, this series is done in max 5 games.
Let's f***ing go!!!

 

I don't trust the KD and Reaves being questionable.

Both teams are trying to keep the lineups in suspense. Most likely KD will play and Reaves won't.

I think if Lakers win game 3, they sit Reaves for game 4 and play him game 5.

If Lakers lose game 3, they probably play Reaves onward.

 

Holy cope man, that’s kind of the most important thing in the sport of professional basketball or any level of basketball.

 

why is everyone shocked that he sat Sheppard: he looked like a deer in the headlights in the minutes he was in there. didn't hit durant when he was open and shot an airball. More importantly you can't play Sengun and Sheppard against Lebron/Smart - both those guys just went right at Sheppard, and they blew up the Houston defense. I'm frankly surprised that no one is talking about how that the Lakers post-game totally messed up the Rockets lineups. Lebron/Smart postups generated a ton of points due to and 1 oppurtunties and that free ups ayton/hayes for the rim runs and Luke Skywalker Kennard to play off ball.


also with the doubles - Durant still not catching any flak, his passing frankly sucked. Smart totally had him figured out

I want to believe this isn't real after Lebron you would pick a bunch of Rockets before you get to Smart in terms of talent but this is one of the weirdest series I've ever seen. This is a classic playground game where the old guys who have nothing left but a high bball IQ and a ton of experience just totally school the high school guys who are fast and can dunk

 

People are surprised because Sheppard has been their best shooter and consistent all year. Yeah his defense hasn’t been good, but it’s not like he’s the only player who is having struggles on defense and is missing shots for the Rockets. They don’t have any better options then Sheppard.

 

Lakers will lose Game 3 .. It will be the typical all out effort from the home team down 0-2 WITH a very favorable whistle ..

The key is to keep everybody healthy and respond with force in Game 4

 

"This is a classic playground game where the old guys who have nothing left but a high bball IQ and a ton of experience just totally school the high school guys who are fast and can dunk"

Love this quote, it's really this.

To be fair, he starts the answer saying him and the 'others' need to be more aggressive.
I think, as always, his words are taken out of context

 

And he's the closest thing they have to a point guard on a team that cannot handle the rock.

The Sheppard/Sengun pairing does = hunting, but that might still be better than the alternative. Then any minutes KD sits or Sengun sits, Sheppard should definitely be out there. He's a deer in headlights cause they've done a poor job managing the development of the 3rd overall pick. I'd also say that his rough minutes are at worse just as bad as their non shooting wings praying one drops before the turn it over.

 

Apparently KD is questionable for tonight, as mentioned, so... I wonder if him not playing is actually bad.

 

Then leave it at that.

As an underachiever, don't say what a HOFer who already thinks you're trash needs to do.


Do you want Rui giving Bron advice? I don't. (Bron doesn't think he's trash, just a space cadet).

Know your place and read the room.

 

It's KD's fault though. Payback for his burner comments.

You reap what you sow, Mr. Slim Reaper.