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

That wasn't just a series winning game, that might of blown up this iteration of the rockets. I fully expect them to rebuild in the offseason, this has been a foundation shaking series. Thanks Ime - hope you get fired.

 

I said my above comment before reading this, yep, this is a burn it down situation now.

 

Norman Dale would had loved thst passing exchange with 2 minutes left in OT. Beautiful basketball. 4 passes!

 

They still have a good young core, they just don't have a leader. Trading a bunch of assets for almost 38 year old KD was just dumb. The dude has never been a leader and his career outside of GS (who were already a historically great team before he joined) has amounted to nothing because every time all he does is get his 30 and poison the locker room. They don't call him snake for nothing.

 

I maybe in the minority, but Thomspon and Sengun are very good young players but Houston not replacing FVF and drafting Sheppard over Castle is real ouch. You put Castle on this Rockets team and they maybe up 2-1 lol

 

Mistake Rockets made is trying to compete now.

They should have kept Brooks and Green. Let these dudes develop for another couple of years and then trade for a missing piece. KD is a great player but Brooks was their defensive leader. Not a fan of Jalen Green but he has his moments. Still a young player and fit their timeline.

By trading for KD, they rushed the timeline... Sengun, Thompson, Eason, and Reed don't have much playoffs experience. They're 2-3 years away from being legit contenders.

I like Reed, honestly. I think he'll be an All-Star in the future. But the lights against the Lakers are too bright for him right now.

If I'm the Lakers, I play Reaves for game 4. Get him some run time for the OKC series. I think Rockets might shut it down with KD and look to trade him in the offseason. It's obvious it won't work out. Younger dudes have no respect for KD and KD doesn't care enough to change. I could see the Knicks trading OG for KD. Helps both teams.

Does anyone know how many days of rest OKC/LAL will have if they both sweep their respective teams? Do they automatically play each other with 2-3 days rest or is it like a week?

 

what an incredible win

 

I went out cuz of a massive headache with like a 13-15pts Lakers lead. Woke up, saw an OT... didn't have balls to go thru it, went back to sleep.
What a freakin win (nice choke by both teams too btw). No matter what happens from now on, gotta be proud of this team, players and coaches.
That being said, the job is not finished... i still remember that 2006 playoffs against the Suns

 

"They should have kept Brooks and Green."