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

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by JDLakersFan2019, Apr 12, 2026.

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Who wins the series?

  1. Lakers in 4 or 5

    8 vote(s)
    22.2%

  2. Lakers in 6

    2 vote(s)
    5.6%

  3. Lakers in 7

    12 vote(s)
    33.3%

  4. Rockets in 4 or 5

    10 vote(s)
    27.8%

  5. Rockets in 6

    4 vote(s)
    11.1%

  6. Rockets in 7

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
Page 19 of 19
  1. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    rockets are better without KD
     
    432J, Apr 28, 2026 at 11:29 PM
    #361
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  2. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    yeah, they're harder to defend with him (i hope we have a better plan for sengun tonight than we did last game, though), but the team just plays better when he's not there right now, perhaps out of spite, lol.
     
    abeer3, Apr 29, 2026 at 4:46 AM
    #362
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  3. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    JSM, Apr 29, 2026 at 7:42 AM
    #363
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  4. pika1708

    pika1708 - Lakers Starter -

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    Heard in a pod that when KD doesn't play, everyone is slotted into their best roles and there's more spacing.
    When KD has the ball, which he does a lot, Sengun and Amen are not floor spacers and it shrinks their offense. They also play at a higher pace without him.

    More and more I see basketball as fit-based sport more than talent or skill. I think the game evolved to that due to being so more paced, much more skilled and teams having so much data nowadays to find the best counters.

    I grew up watching in the late 90s and early 00s where the talent itself would win games because there were more isos and half court execution. There's was also a substantial skill gap between stars and role players.
    Now role players can get you 40 and it's just another Tuesday.

    There's much more than "who have the best players" because the game is much more complex and that explains why Indiana gets to the Finals, Boston are so good after dumping half of the rotation or we are beating the Rockets.
     
    pika1708, Apr 29, 2026 at 9:27 AM
    #364
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  5. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers MVP -

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    They better treat this, like it's game 7...
     
    Kenzo, Apr 29, 2026 at 10:49 AM
    #365
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  6. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    yeah, i agree with all this. you can't just amass talent and roll the ball out there anymore.

    yeah, pressure completely reverses if we lose tonight.
     
    abeer3, Apr 29, 2026 at 10:54 AM
    #366
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  7. svtzr

    svtzr - Lakers All Star -

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    Sengun is being effectively guarded by Ayton. We just need to minimise the minutes of Hayes, while swiping at Sengun more successfully from help defense.
     
    svtzr, Apr 29, 2026 at 5:47 PM
    #367
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  8. KuzmoBall17

    KuzmoBall17 - Lakers All Star -

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    WTF 26 % from deep in closing game at home
    Trade all to Siberia
     
    KuzmoBall17, Apr 29, 2026 at 10:08 PM
    #368
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  9. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Man it is going to be a rough summer if we blow a 3-0 lead. The stain on Bron’s legacy alone..yikes. We need to erase thoughts of running a lot of this roster back though, the carriage has turned back into a pumpkin, and we need a roster that lets Luka make it to the playoffs still standing.
     
    Weezy, Apr 29, 2026 at 10:12 PM
    #369
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  10. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    This game was just awful. It would be really embarrassing to be the team that finally blows a 3-0 lead.
     
    lakerjones, Apr 29, 2026 at 10:19 PM
    #370
  11. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    JJ needs to put Maxi on Sengun when Ayton takes a breather. Hayes is not strong enough. Not sure why he’s being stubborn about that.
     
    lakerjones, Apr 29, 2026 at 10:21 PM
    #371
  12. LakerFanIam

    LakerFanIam - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Rockets looking much quicker, more athletic & deeper.
     
    LakerFanIam, Apr 29, 2026 at 11:09 PM
    #372
  13. 432J

    432J - Lakers All Star -

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    i would like to think there's no way lebron would let this team to be the first to ever blow a 3-0 series lead, but stranger things have happened
     
    432J, Apr 29, 2026 at 11:32 PM
    #373
  14. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers Legend -

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    History making sweep of the last 4 games would be something
     
    KareemtheGreat33, Apr 29, 2026 at 11:52 PM
    #374
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