Rockets v. Lakers (Game 4): The Lob Seen ‘Round the Country

Is it too soon to say “I told you so?”  Well, I did, so there.

I thought that the Rockets would be able to steal Game Four away from the Lakers today, even without Yao Ming.  Why?  Because so many people would be picking against them and they would play a younger, shorter, faster line-up that would be fueled by emotion (and mescaline the desire to prove the country wrong).  Did I think that would translate to a three quarter ass-stomping of the Kobe’s Kids?  Hayllz NO!

“How did this happen?” you might be asking yourself.  Take a seat on Septy’s lap and I’ll tell you a little story (with informative bullet points!):

• The Random Guy usually likes to say “fuck you, suit.”  And by “usually” I mean to me whenever it’s deemed that I’m cramping his style, holding him back, keeping him from being an internet nuisance, or pretty much just when he disagrees with me (which is always).  But in the case of the Rockets, it was the suits on the side-line giving inspiration.  Having Dikembe, Yao and T-Mac on the sideline was a motivator not a deterrent to victory.
• Shane Battier’s motto for the first quarter, “I. Can’t. Miss.  Feed me the rock, I’m hunnnnggry.”  Battier made his first four shots, and finished 11 of 22 from the field and a perfect 6 for 6 from the free-throw line.  That’s impressive.  For the first time in the series it should have been Battier looking back at Kobe saying “you can’t guard me” receiving the late technical foul (like game two).  We all know he’s too classy for that though.
• Ron Artest could not buy a bucket.  This turned out to be a great thing since he didn’t seem compelled to take over the game given Yao’s absence.  The ridiculous Houston lead also helped in this.  I can only imagine what would have happened had the Rockets been involved in a close game and Ron-ron jacking up trey’s off the dribble.  Yikes.
• Aaron Brooks continues to prove Fourth and Fifty wrong.  We’re I’m man enough to admit that I was wrong in criticizing the Rockets trade of Skip to my Lou.  Thirty-four points including the ridiculous alley-oop to end the third quarter (shown above)?  Yes, thank you very much Mr. Brooks.  Is there anything I can do for you Mr. Brooks?  Do you want to date my sister Mr. Brooks?  Go right ahead Mr. Brooks.
• Kobe Bryant was held to his lowest point total of the playoffs, 15 in 35 minutes.  He also didn’t make it to the free-throw line.  This is an anomaly.  It will not, I repeat, will not happen again.  Beware.  The last Houston needs is a pissed off Kobe on their hands (with the home court referees behind him).

It was surreal looking at the scoreboard during this game.  There is not a Rockets fan out there that could have predicted this outcome.  The Lakers are a team that Houston couldn’t beat during the regular season.  Now they’ve managed to steal two games from them, one on their home court, the other without the star center.

Does this provide hope?  A little.  It’s all about maintaining the high level of energy.  The one thing that concerns me is that even during the blow-out portions of this game Houston’s starters were on the floor entirely too much.  The Lakers’ starters played an average of 28.4 minutes (Lamar Odom also left the game early because of back spasms).  The starters from Houston were on the floor an average of 38 minutes.  The only bench player with significant minutes was Mike Kyle Lowry and he was at -12 (THANKS! Sabermetrics!).

Houston has a chance.  This much is true.  But, I think the chance depends on them taking the next two games.  Rockets in six or not at all.

- S. Rex: Professional Blogger

P.S. – Hey, Kobe.  Tell me how my ass taste.