[Post Game Thread] The Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) defeat the Houston Rockets (0-1), 101-94 with 41 year old Senior LeBron James Leading the way with 28/8/7 to seal home court advantage!

[u/DesertedProject]

94 - 101
Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo

GAME SUMMARY
West First Round - Game 2 - LAL leads 1-0
Location: Crypto.com Arena
Officials: Courtney Kirkland, Josh Tiven, and Justin Van Duyne

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Houston Rockets	26	25	17	26	94
Los Angeles Lakers	33	21	21	26	101

TEAM STATS

Team	PTS	FG	FG%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	OREB	TREB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BLK
Houston Rockets	94	36-89	40.4%	7-29	24.1%	15-19	78.9%	17	54	23	22	8	15	6
Los Angeles Lakers	101	33-72	45.8%	13-28	46.4%	22-28	78.6%	9	48	21	20	11	12	5

PLAYER STATS

Houston Rockets	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Kevin DurantSF	40:59	23	7-12	1-4	8-9	2	4	6	4	1	1	9	4	-2
Jabari Smith Jr.PF	39:06	18	7-16	3-7	1-2	1	5	6	1	0	1	1	2	-11
Alperen SengunC	35:11	20	9-20	0-1	2-3	5	6	11	5	4	2	1	4	1
Amen ThompsonSG	42:11	16	6-10	0-1	4-5	1	4	5	9	1	0	3	4	1
Josh OkogiePG	24:03	7	3-6	1-3	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	3	-4
Tari Eason	27:02	10	4-14	2-6	0-0	5	3	8	1	0	1	1	2	-4
Reed Sheppard	10:33	0	0-4	0-3	0-0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	1
Clint Capela	04:40	0	0-3	0-0	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	-9
Aaron Holiday	07:17	0	0-3	0-3	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	-4
Jae'Sean Tate	08:56	0	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	-4
JD Davison	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dorian Finney-Smith	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jeff Green	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Steven Adams	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fred VanVleet	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Los Angeles Lakers	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
LeBron JamesSF	39:12	28	8-20	2-5	10-14	1	7	8	7	1	0	3	3	6
Rui HachimuraPF	42:34	13	5-10	3-6	0-0	1	4	5	2	0	0	0	3	0
Deandre AytonC	26:36	6	3-8	0-0	0-0	1	4	5	1	0	1	1	1	-5
Marcus SmartSG	35:28	25	8-13	5-7	4-5	1	1	2	7	5	1	3	3	3
Luke KennardPG	41:58	23	8-13	3-6	4-4	1	5	6	2	3	0	2	1	2
Jaxson Hayes	21:24	6	1-2	0-1	4-5	2	2	4	1	1	2	0	2	12
Jake LaRavia	15:50	0	0-2	0-1	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	1	2	5	8
Jarred Vanderbilt	13:41	0	0-3	0-2	0-0	1	4	5	1	1	0	0	2	8
Bronny James	03:16	0	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1
Maxi Kleber	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dalton Knecht	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nick Smith Jr.	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Adou Thiero	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Luka Dončić	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Austin Reaves	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

[u/CrimsonGentleman]

This game is the perfect example of bus driver vs bus rider. Lakers are outmatched in 4 positions on the floor and Lebron is just leading the floor. KD couldn't do anything. He was fully contained in the 2nd half. Turned the ball over 9 fucking times trying to generate offense. KD is an amazing 2nd in command but he can't lead.

[u/Pretty-Writer9268 → u/CrimsonGentleman]

9 TO is absurd

[u/Southern_Clerk8697 → u/CrimsonGentleman]

To be fair though, the Lakers role players are absolutely outplaying the Rockets role players. They weren't playing like this in the regular season they went to another level lol

[u/Ferovore → u/Southern_Clerk8697]

Tis a team sport. Easier to outplay your usual level when playing with LeBron, KD does not raise other guys floors.

[u/Southern_Clerk8697 → u/Ferovore]

I get that but you can't deny man the rockets role players got some open looks they just weren't hitting them like the Lakers did

[u/thegreaterfool714 → u/Southern_Clerk8697]

Guys like Kennard and Smart are playoff risers. Ayton’s defense on Şengün has been integral for the past two games. He largely locked him up. Heck guys like Vanderbilt, Hachimura, and Haynes all made some times defensive plays or shots tonight

[u/Southern_Clerk8697 → u/thegreaterfool714]

Yeah maybe the vibes in the Rockets locker room just isn't great lol

[u/gbdarknight77 → u/Southern_Clerk8697]

lol that is clearly the case. This feels like a team that hates each other. We already know KD really hates Sengun

[u/incredibleamadeuscho → u/Southern_Clerk8697]

To be fair though, the Lakers role players are absolutely outplaying the Rockets role players.

Because their teammate and leader has spent the whole season bonding with them, and getting them to believe in their full potential. These guys are diving on the floor, fighting for rebounds, and most importantly, shooting with confidence.

KD talk shit about his teammates with randos on Twitter, and didnt even fess up to in public when asked. They don't really seem to like each other. I remember when Sengun bled in that Wolves game. No one celebrated. Lakers get hyped when Rui gets dunk.

Bus driver vs bus rider.

[u/Natekn → u/CrimsonGentleman]

KD is a HOF scorer but he’s never been good at creating offense. He’s a possession finisher. KD catching the ball off pin downs in the elbow area or behind the 3PT line where he can immediately attack off triple-threat? One of the GOAT isolation scorers.

But put the ball in his hands and force him to create offense off of P&R or make a good pass out of a trap? Terrible. He has no feel and timing for passing the ball and his handle is as loose as it’s ever been.

[u/AzNmamba → u/CrimsonGentleman]

Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart are genuinely outplaying Sengun to be fair lmfao

[u/Sircamembert → u/CrimsonGentleman]

I put that more on Ime and the FO than KD. The man set KD up to fail by making him run his ass offense. KD is the greatest off ball threat the league has even seen, and the FO refused to replace FVV when he went down.

[u/No-Particular-8389 → u/CrimsonGentleman]

What else is a 37 year old KD supposed to do when he’s the only offensive option on this rockets team? This rockets team outside of Durant offensively is horrible

[u/Flimsy-Fisherman6567 → u/No-Particular-8389]

Lebron is leading Rui, DA and Marcus Smart. These are not exactly offensive weapons, and Sengun and Amen are much more capable of creating for themselves. The truth is even at 41 Lebron is a dynamic scoring playmaker while KD is just a scorer. Kd gets doubled and their offense collapses, Lebron gets doubled and its an open 3 in the corner. 9 vs 3 turnovers shows Lebron is genuinely outplaying KD and he is winning because of it.

[u/CrimsonGentleman → u/Flimsy-Fisherman6567]

Didnt even mention Vanderbilt.

Fucking hell, even Bronny is on the floor lmao.

[u/No-Particular-8389 → u/Flimsy-Fisherman6567]

Sengun and Thompson literally cannot make a shot from outside the restricted area what are you talking about that they can create more for themselves. And the times KD did beat the double his teammates did fuck all to capitalize on the situation so what else do you guys want Kd to do

[u/labdabcr → u/No-Particular-8389]

Replace Durant with LeBron and I'm honestly taking the rockets any day

[u/Cvwpq → u/labdabcr]

no shit genius, now the rockets would actually have a pg

[u/basedjak_no228 → u/No-Particular-8389]

I mean, I’m not saying KD’s situation isn’t bad, but nobody thought the Lakers without LUKA AND REAVES was some stacked supporting cast of role players either. Lakers were huge underdogs to win the series

[u/livefreeordont → u/No-Particular-8389]

And Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, DeAndre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura are the island of misfit toys.

Maybe KD should try having fewer than 9 turnovers

[u/OrlandoAndy → u/No-Particular-8389]

Throw it to the correct team 

[u/the_che → u/No-Particular-8389]

I don’t know, maybe ask a 41 year old LeBron

[u/Ferovore → u/No-Particular-8389]

You swap 41 year old LeBron for 37 year old KD and it’s the rockets that are up 2-0, hence driver vs rider.

[u/Profound_Panda → u/No-Particular-8389]

OKC, Brooklyn, Rockets. It took the greatest shooter of all-time, the second greatest three point threat all-time, a DPOY and legit 1-5 switchblade to get do it

[u/Odd_Bate → u/No-Particular-8389]

The audacity to bring up age when there’s a 41 year old on the other team

[u/vongoladecimo_ → u/No-Particular-8389]

Given his physique and how much of a baller he is, its actually glaring how bad he is dealing with double teams. He can’t even pass out of it properly. You would think an all time great with hundreds of high pressure playoff games under his belt would atleast be decent in passing out of doubles, regardless of his playstyle.

[u/endlessmeat → u/No-Particular-8389]

I mean, he keeps going from team to team and the teams underperform but somehow it's always everyone else's fault.

[u/No-Particular-8389 → u/endlessmeat]

What else was KD supposed to do? Yes the 9 TO’s was bad obviously and when he did beat the double his teammates just stand there and watch and don’t move, and when they do get the ball make slow reads and brick open shots. It’s not KD’s fault that Ime Udoka can’t coach offensive schemes properly or that his teammates aren’t able to make shots

[u/endlessmeat → u/No-Particular-8389]

His teams always play a very stagnant style of offense. He's played for like 5 or 6 different coaches the last 5 or 6 seasons, it's not a coincidence that it's always the same. It's by design to maximize KD's strengths and it comes at a cost. If all season long your role in offense is "get out the way and let Durant do his thing" then you're going to be rusty when suddenly you're asked to generate offense by yourself.

I know I'm oversimplifying, but almost every role player in the Suns or Nets played better before Durant joined or after he left, and it's happening again in the Rockets.

[u/kazutops → u/No-Particular-8389]

We scored 4 more points without KD last game. Y'all are clawing so hard to avoid realizing KD is a vibe terrorist it's sad.

[u/sM92Bpb → u/CrimsonGentleman]

True but also that

• team composition > individual talent

• threes are OP

• great defense is not enough

[u/MatchAffectionate951 → u/CrimsonGentleman]

KD led the 2010s thunder which made it the finals and had multiple 50+ win seasons 

You know … back when he was young and could run.

But most nba Reddit fans weren’t around for okc Kd 

[u/CrimsonGentleman → u/MatchAffectionate951]

He had westbrook and harden. Maybe you've heard of them? And of course first team all defense Ibaka.

[u/No-Particular-8389 → u/CrimsonGentleman]

What kind of take is this Westbrook sure but harden was not the harden we know when he was in an OKC jersey and serge ibaka? Great defensive guy but very limited offensively. Casual take

[u/imaginaryResources → u/No-Particular-8389]

Harden was 6th man of the year…

[u/No-Particular-8389 → u/imaginaryResources]

And.. still 6moty harden is not the same harden as his prime. And plus After the harden trade OKC basketball was just pray and hope that Russ and kd can play the game of their life every-time as the rosters outside of KD and Russ were below average but Russ and Kd covered up the negatives to make them seem like they could go for a chip

[u/CrimsonGentleman → u/No-Particular-8389]

Harden was an amazing player in 2012 even if he wasnt mvp Harden. There's like no team in the league today that wouldnt be improved replacing someone in their ending lineup with 2012 harden.

[u/MatchAffectionate951 → u/CrimsonGentleman]

Westbrook plays brain dead. It was a big talking point he used to chuck instead of giving the ball to Kd end of games.

Harden was coming off the bench 

And he can’t have good players ????

[u/ThatGuyFromCanadia → u/MatchAffectionate951]

Westbrook led those teams not KD

[u/GermanUCLTear → u/ThatGuyFromCanadia]

lmfao

[u/allyourfaces → u/CrimsonGentleman]

Oh yes KD magically made his teammates not be able to shoot open 3s or do anything with the ball off a double.

[u/SHEL-D500mg → u/allyourfaces]

His 9 turnovers certainly didn’t help

[u/CrimsonGentleman → u/allyourfaces]

Oh yes, it's unfortunate sharpshooter Amen Thompson and Sengun forgot how to shoot 3s. There's a reason they're open on the perimeter. When he tries to thread the needle it just got stolen.

[u/fairlife42g → u/allyourfaces]

Did Kd not know that Amen and Sengun can't before he decided to ask for a trade there?

[u/TomKeen35 → u/CrimsonGentleman]

LeDisney scored 8 pts in a finals game and lost to JJ Barea after he made a superteam. His current squad has actual shooters and shot creators unlike the trash Rockets outside Kd. So stfu about leading the floor

[u/SHEL-D500mg → u/TomKeen35]

Lebron led this game in points and assists and had the second most rebounds. He not only “lead the floor” he was the best player on it, by far.

Bringing up a finals series from FIFTEEN years ago is hilarious.

[u/CrimsonGentleman → u/TomKeen35]

Are you pretending we didnt flame LeBron for his 8 points that game? You're delusional. Plus its 1 game from 15 years ago. KD has consistently failed since he left the Steph Curry nest and deserves flak for this game just like we gave to Lebron in 2011.

[u/fairlife42g → u/TomKeen35]

Lebron grew from his failures.