(1) Lakers VS (5) Rockets - 2ND ROUND SERIES

The Lakers were going to win this series anyway, the absence of Yao just makes it easier.

Yao out with an injury? Am I having Deja Vu?

Yao out with an injury? Am I having Deja Vu?

maybe, luckily this one isn't too serious and he'll just need 2 months to let it fully heal. Just when we thought he's finally healthy he's injured, again.

Anything to do with his injury from last year? I know he wanted to heal up over the summer but was basically forced to play in Bejing (rumor), carryover from that? That sucks I never want to see a good opponent go down w/ an injury, unfortuantely this seems like a regular occurance for Yao, wish him a speedy recovery.

He have always had problems with his left foot, though I doubt this latest injury has anything to do with his injury from last year. The source said that he sprained his ankle in game 3, and were limping uncomfortably from that point on.

I've also heard that he was forced to play in Beijing eventhough he wasn't fully recovered too, but I think Yao was willing enough to play for his country himself so he wasn't really forced to play through the unhealed injury.

If it sucks for you to see an opponent go down, imagine how much it sucks for the fans.

sorry but I dont think I understand what you meant there.

You'll find out for yourself.

What dirty tactics? Man love right there, Artest just wants a hug and a kissy face.

yao's career is a bust. imho

rockets can still win. artest is a great defender, as is battier

if brooks can blow fisher out of building then we still have an interesting series

You'll find out for yourself.

And I did.

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/hit ... brick+wall

Still, I honestly would rather have you tell me.

C - Scola
PF- Artest
SF - Battier
SG - Wafer
PG - Brooks

I doubt it. That line up is way too small to go up against Bynum/Gasol tandem. I'd say Landry or Hayes will probably try to fill in for Yao's place.

I agree. Rockets don't play up-tempo. They could use this line up only if some of their big men is in foul trouble. And without Yao and Mutombo.. Well, their chances don't look so good..

Maybe Landry will start, but Scola is very likely to start at Center. That's what happened this season when Yao was out for a total of 5 games. Scola always start in Yao's place when he was out, and Artest shifted over to PF. I dont think Hayes will start though, he's an excellent defender but he gives you basically nothing on the offensive end. Landry, on the other hand, has much more offensive fire power and can really be a factor if he steps up his game. It's so tough when you have no backup center isn't it? Sigh..

yao's career is a bust. imho

rockets can still win. artest is a great defender, as is battier

if brooks can blow fisher out of building then we still have an interesting series

I don't think fisher will be on brooks for much of the game. Farmar played him wells so he will get majority of playing brooks.

rockets leading by 24!

How enbarrasing for the Lakers. Not that it matters - this reminds me of Suns/Spurs game 4 last year. Lakers in 6.

Rockets ahead 75-50?!?! What da ....?!

29 points ahead without a big man LOL.

Rockets got complacent in the end, letting the Lakers within 10, but the game was already over when Brooks hit that three to put Houston up 67-40 in the third.

Lakers still got this series, but I wouldn't be surprised if Houston took another one still.

Lakers thought Houston would just lay down. Not the case today. Embarrassing game by the Lakers, Houston deserved to win this one. Lakers still win in 6.

yao's career is a bust. imho

Really? How so?

T-mac less, now Yao less. But still gets a win. What a great team effort. It'd be a major shock if the Rockets move on to WCF.

yao's career is a bust. imho

Really? How so?

His foot will be a problem for the rest of his career. I would be amazed if he will ever play more than 60 games a season the rest of his career.

The Rockets won't be able to keep up this performance for the next two games. I'm very surprised that Bryant did not turn the ball over or have any freethrow attempts.

Great game from Brooks and Battier. And Artest shot poorly. Poor guy.

I'll call this effect the Brooks blurred.

His foot will be a problem for the rest of his career. I would be amazed if he will ever play more than 60 games a season the rest of his career.

Fair enough, though he did play 77 games this year and even if his career continues to be plagued by injuries from here on out, I don't think "bust" is an appropriate label for a player of his talent or accomplishments. Kwame Brown is a bust; at worst, Yao Ming is a star whose body has started to break down earlier than most, thanks in no small part to his stature, lack of rest and lack of extended rehab time from previous injuries.