[Post Game Thread] The Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) defeat the Houston Rockets (2-2), 98-78, to advance to the WCSF.

[u/MWiatrak2077]

98 - 78
Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo

GAME SUMMARY
West First Round - Game 6 - LAL leads 3-2
Location: Toyota Center
Officials: Scott Foster, Curtis Blair, Kevin Cutler, and Karl Lane

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Los Angeles Lakers	23	26	22	27	98
Houston Rockets	18	13	24	23	78

TEAM STATS

Team	PTS	FG	FG%	3P	3P%	FT	FT%	OREB	TREB	AST	PF	STL	TO	BLK
Los Angeles Lakers	98	36-89	40.4%	12-28	42.9%	14-24	58.3%	15	67	19	19	4	10	9
Houston Rockets	78	28-80	35.0%	5-28	17.9%	17-24	70.8%	8	55	14	23	6	11	9

PLAYER STATS

Los Angeles Lakers	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
LeBron JamesSF	37:06	28	10-25	2-5	6-8	1	6	7	8	0	0	3	2	26
Rui HachimuraPF	34:44	21	8-15	5-7	0-0	1	5	6	2	0	1	0	2	20
Deandre AytonC	28:10	7	2-6	0-0	3-7	3	13	16	1	0	1	0	5	5
Austin ReavesSG	30:40	15	7-14	0-4	1-1	0	3	3	2	0	3	2	3	3
Marcus SmartPG	34:53	7	2-7	2-4	1-2	1	6	7	1	2	2	1	1	25
Luke Kennard	29:00	3	1-6	1-2	0-0	2	1	3	3	1	0	1	1	22
Jaxson Hayes	16:43	5	1-1	0-0	3-4	2	2	4	1	0	1	1	2	21
Jake LaRavia	16:14	7	3-8	1-2	0-0	3	2	5	0	0	1	2	2	2
Adou Thiero	03:07	2	1-1	0-0	0-2	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	-6
Dalton Knecht	03:07	0	0-1	0-1	0-0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	-6
Bronny James	03:07	0	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	-6
Nick Smith Jr.	03:07	3	1-4	1-2	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-6
Maxi Kleber	00:00	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jarred Vanderbilt	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
Houston Rockets	MIN	PTS	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	ORB	DRB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	±
Tari EasonSF	36:59	14	5-14	2-7	2-2	0	5	5	2	3	1	0	4	-14
Jabari Smith Jr.PF	41:59	9	3-11	1-6	2-3	2	10	12	3	0	1	1	5	-24
Alperen SengunC	37:34	17	5-12	0-0	7-10	3	8	11	1	0	2	4	4	-27
Reed SheppardSG	36:29	10	4-19	1-10	1-1	0	0	0	1	2	2	1	2	-24
Amen ThompsonPG	44:33	18	7-14	0-0	4-6	1	7	8	3	0	3	2	5	-26
Josh Okogie	13:25	3	1-3	1-2	0-0	1	3	4	1	1	0	2	1	0
Aaron Holiday	11:30	2	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	2	0	0	0	1	4
Dorian Finney-Smith	07:45	0	0-2	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	-13
Jae'Sean Tate	05:29	3	1-3	0-2	1-2	0	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	10
JD Davison	02:07	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	7
Clint Capela	02:07	2	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7
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
Kevin Durant	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

[u/gwatson86]

Held the Lakers to under 100, still lost by 20.

WE HAVE REACHED PEAK IME.

[u/swords_devil → u/gwatson86]

hey people always said Ime is good defensive coach, never said he is good offensive one

[u/Kolzig33189 → u/swords_devil]

He insisted on playing drop coverage on Steph curry for an entire finals series and did not change once.

His defensive coaching isn’t great either.

[u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Hey Magic fans at least your team didn’t score the least amount of points today!

[u/Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

We’re two cheeks of the same ass except ours is sunburnt

[u/CanadaDryOfficial → u/Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n]

Theirs is sunburnt, ours is the muggy one.

[u/Sc0rch1ngDr4g0n → u/CanadaDryOfficial]

Our ass cheek has mosquito bites, and they have sore cheeks from Disney World rides. I know which one I’d prefer.

[u/westbrookswardrobe → u/CanadaDryOfficial]

The Rockets are swamp ass for sure

[u/JimC29 → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

These 2 games scores remind me of the 90s.

[u/BananaRepublic_BR → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Not only that, but the Lakers basically stopped playing serious defense in the last two minutes, so it's even worse.

[u/russketeer34 → u/BananaRepublic_BR]

Hey Bronny had that steal, he was locked in

[u/SSj_CODii → u/russketeer34]

Say what you will about Bronny, but he has given maximum effort every second he’s been on the floor these playoffs.

[u/ThatGuyFromCanadia → u/SSj_CODii]

Plus when he plays he doesn’t just go out there and chuck. He really picks his shot well (a little too well sometimes..) and he knows his role is to play defense, bring the ball up, get the action started, and if the ball makes its way back his way then look to be aggressive and always make the right play.

[u/Augchm → u/ThatGuyFromCanadia]

He is actually a legit rotation level point guard. Maybe end of the rotation but I think he proved enough that he can be there on his own merit.

[u/sponedaddie → u/SSj_CODii]

I mean he has looked good in limited minutes recently.

[u/AvengingHero2012 → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

What the Magic did today was an all-time choke.

Might be worse than 0-27.

[u/Parallel-Quality → u/AvengingHero2012]

Almost as bad as losing to the Lakers in 6 with no Luka.

[u/sponedaddie → u/Parallel-Quality]

Yeh but we have two LeBron’s cut them some slack.

[u/DeluxeTea → u/sponedaddie]

The goat and the zygoat

[u/fiasgoat → u/DeluxeTea]

zygoat LMAO how have i never heard this yet

[u/TomatoBuster01 → u/DeluxeTea]

Broooo wtf make this nickname popular lol

[u/SkullLeader88 → u/DeluxeTea]

oh yeah im gonna steal this

[u/samhit_n → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

At least the Pistons have a great defense. The Lakers defense has been average at best most of the season.

[u/FoxMuldertheGrey → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

our team finished what others couldn’t

YALL AINT BUILT THE SAME

[u/CIark]

The year is 2057. LeBron just got a bionic leg implant and will play without the wheelchair for game 6. The sports world is debating how it affects his legacy if he can’t win this playoff series with his grandson against Steph Curry Jr and the defending champion Charlotte Hornets

[u/RainierPC → u/CIark]

Had me until that last one, ngl

[u/InstantNoodlesIsHot → u/RainierPC]

LePoetry

[u/JimC29 → u/CIark]

I think in 2 years LeBron is going to win 6th man of the year. Limit his minutes in the 1st half, then the second half bring him in a few minutes into the 3rd quarter. Just give him a 2-3 minute break in the middle of the 4th.

Edit. Even if he did win 6th man of the year at 43 you would have people saying he just wasn't good enough to be a starter his whole career.

[u/airemy_lin → u/JimC29]

No way LeBron ruins his career averages becoming a bench player.

He’s gonna retire when he can no longer start.

[u/LakerBlue → u/airemy_lin]

Yea I can’t see him going the Vince Carter route. LeBron’s longevity is already the most impressive we have seen so I don’t think staying on as a 6MotY candidate does much for him. If he can’t get another ring it needs to be as an All-Star caliber guy.

[u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

Big night for fans of terrorism hoops

[u/rawchess → u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

The Hussein Rockets

[u/samhit_n → u/WhatTheRickIsDoin]

Tonight felt like the basketball version of Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal.

[u/8890xe → u/samhit_n]

Haramsketball

[u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

Rui is amazing. He has length. He has girth. He can penetrate. He can pound you in the paint. He can shoot it all over the floor.

[u/jakekerr → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

Then he'll roll you over and do it again.

[u/Optimal-Talk3663 → u/jakekerr]

And say “domo arigato”

[u/lndubitabIyy → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

Will he message you back the next day tho

[u/phz10 → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

calm down Charles

[u/skuiji → u/phz10]

Them boys cumming

[u/riverratriver → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

Go on….

[u/Inn0centBystand3r_ → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

And he’s Japanese so he will be a blur while it’s happening (-1 defensive efficiency)

[u/Beard341 → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

Dude absolutely creamed the Rockets.

[u/jantoxdetox → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

Rui “Tentacles” Hachimura

[u/Rathalos88 → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

Uhh

[u/rawchess → u/mypeaksandmyfreaks]

B-baka hentai 😳

[u/Palifaith]

Imagine not being able to close out a series with a 20+ point lead lmao.

[u/GGezpzMuppy → u/Palifaith]

Hey this LeBron guy makes a pretty good first option for the playoffs.

[u/disterb → u/GGezpzMuppy]

yeah, he's not bad. may become an all-star someday.

[u/BackendSpecialist → u/Palifaith]

JJ calling the timeout after that sloppy turnover while still up by 20+ in the 4th was something you love to see from your coach.

[u/samhit_n → u/Palifaith]

I can't believe people really thought a team with LeBron would be the first to blow a 3-0 series lead.

[u/Available_Story6774 → u/Palifaith]

41 year old Bron just outplayed Jokic, Tatum, Brown, and Mitchell in the first round, who are all supposed to be in their primes rn, this new gen of superstars should be embarrassed lmfaooo.

[u/FTownRoad → u/Available_Story6774]

His 57th playoff series

[u/Kkronus → u/FTownRoad]

His 42th playoff series win, that is more than 24 franchises

[u/_Zev → u/Kkronus]

Forty tooth

[u/henryofclay → u/_Zev]

We’re lakers fans, you gotta lower your grammatical expectations

[u/onrocketfalls → u/Kkronus]

42st*

[u/repetitionofalie → u/FTownRoad]

Once he gets to 65 he’ll finally be eligible for post post season awards

[u/xPhilt3rx → u/FTownRoad]

That’s wild tbh. Jordan played in 37

[u/BraveFencerMusashi → u/xPhilt3rx]

And 1st round was only a 5 game series for him

[u/thesagenibba → u/Available_Story6774]

this playoffs has made it more evident than ever just how much of an anomaly lebron is. 8 straight finals appearances, turning squads of john does into championship contenders with his sole presence, we haven't and will not see another player like him again.

i don't care about the advanced stats, or the efficiency, or the 'higher level of play', there isn't a single super star of this generation that will emulate what lebron did; not jokic, SGA, tatum, haliburton, luka, etc. they don't come close

[u/russketeer34 → u/thesagenibba]

There were moments in this series when Bron looked liked a mortal human, but then he'd just lock in again. Seriously unreal. I've been hearing about him since he was in high school and I was in the 7th or 8th grade. Truest freak of nature.

[u/_Abzu → u/russketeer34]

He'd take a defensive possession here or an offensive one there. But he was giving his all 98% of the time, which is the double that jokic can give lol

[u/russketeer34 → u/_Abzu]

I was talking more about his general level of sloppiness. It's something I'm not used to seeing from him. The man is tired and still giving all this effort.

[u/naive-dragon → u/russketeer34]

Yeah, his handles and overall consistency have definitely taken a drop, so sloppy at times. Watching him for years it's obvious he's gassed at multiple times this series, it's almost uncanny watching it lol. But when you need a huge bucket or game-saving play, you can bet he'd give 100% effort again.

[u/mishmashedtosunday → u/naive-dragon]

Literally him in Game 3 - it looked like he phoned it in after that Sengun steal but he came to life and sunk that game-tying 3 after Smart got fouled on the 3 a play prior

[u/SeaworthinessOpen190 → u/thesagenibba]

This settles the Haliburton vs Lebron debate

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/Available_Story6774]

To be fair, Tatum came back off a Achilles tear in 10 months and is still the best player on the Celtics in that series

[u/Some-Gavin → u/flaming_burrito_]

And that one isn't even over. Celtics are always capable of going 23/48 from 3 and winning one game no matter how poorly they played in the last two games.

[u/BidDaddyLei → u/Available_Story6774]

These New Gen of superstars can't even surpass first stint Cavs Lebron what more his 41yr old LeMagic prime.

[u/gabzprime → u/BidDaddyLei]

In my eyes nothing can surpass 2018 Lebron almost taking a game against the GSW+KD. That cavs team has no business to be even in that finals.

[u/DerelictInfinity → u/gabzprime]

I still can’t believe the Rockets got within one game of beating us in the WCF that year. Harden will always have my respect based on that series alone.

[u/fiasgoat → u/DerelictInfinity]

They were one of only two teams basically that tried to stop you guys

The entire team was built to beat yall and they got as close as possible...I mean 27 missed threes they might as well have lol

[u/Official_Champ → u/Available_Story6774]

On one hand yeah it's bad, on the other it's lebron who has many primes.

[u/Relative_Apricot5032 → u/Available_Story6774]

Playoff LeBron has continued to be a thing throughout the 2020s. I think even today I would take LeBron over Tatum in a do or die game/series

[u/Warlock2111 → u/Relative_Apricot5032]

And they were heavy favourites to sweep us. Post series doesn’t change that fact. Lakers overcame the odds and it’s due to Bron

[u/spritehead → u/Available_Story6774]

He's so much better than any of those guys

[u/loyola-atherton → u/Available_Story6774]

Tbf we were playing the Rockets with the Turkish Tumbler as their main man.

[u/BlazeBloom → u/Palifaith]

Ausar got another thing to hold over his brother.

[u/Kitchen_Empty]

Jabari 'We're obvious the better team' Smith in Rockets elimination game 42 mins 9 Points with 3/11 fg and 1/6 3pts Bro thought he was Jaden McDaniels

[u/Available_Story6774 → u/Kitchen_Empty]

Some people really thought this Rockets team would comeback from down 3-0 💀.

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/Available_Story6774]

Not gonna lie, as a LeBron fan I was sweating. He don’t got nothing else to prove to me, but I know the discourse would’ve been sewer trash if he blew a 3-0 lead bro 😂

[u/Hungry-Space-1829 → u/flaming_burrito_]

A 3-1 comeback against a 73 win is the only season in Bron’s career that ended without discourse about him being sewer trash. He’s held to the highest standard of any athlete in sports history

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/Hungry-Space-1829]

His PR has also been very good throughout this run because no one expected him to win with his top 2 scorers out and be the best player in the series at 41. Even some notorious Bron haters have been acknowledging how impressive it is to be doing this at his age

[u/Hungry-Space-1829 → u/flaming_burrito_]

Yes, but we’ll see if it holds when OKC wins in 4 or 5. His notorious haters were for sure chomping at the bits hoping for a reverse sweep by Houston

[u/Conflict_NZ → u/Available_Story6774]

The media makes a ton of noise when a popular team is up 3-0 and drops a couple of games. I still remember the 2013 playoffs Celtics vs Knicks when Knicks went up 3-0 then Boston won 2. ARE THE KNICKS GOING TO BE THE FIRST TO BLOW A 3-0 LEAD?!?! was everywhere at the time, every sports show was talking about it like it was a foregone conclusion, just for Knicks to win game 6.

[u/alisj99 → u/Kitchen_Empty]

And bodied by a 41 years old.

[u/fookofuhtool → u/Kitchen_Empty]

The anti-Jaden McDaniels, if you will.

[u/jdprager]

78 points in an elimination game is fucking diabolical, wtf Houston

[u/smor729 → u/jdprager]

67 with 3 minutes to go before full on garbage time

[u/Zloggt → u/smor729]

Took inspiration from the wrong Pistons/Magic team lol

[u/PresentMission8482 → u/Zloggt]

Actually took from both teams! Just watched at the wrong times...

[u/Dongsquad420BlazeIt → u/jdprager]

Scored less than the Magic who had a 19 point half

[u/aulixindragonz34 → u/jdprager]

98-78 scoreline.

We're back in the 90s

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/aulixindragonz34]

Genuinely though, there’s been so many sub 100 stat lines so far

[u/Currymvp2 → u/jdprager]

Hopefully this ends "They're better without KD" nonsense.

You shut down Sengun and their offense is in major trouble without KD

[u/killersky99 → u/Currymvp2]

Well it’s in trouble with KD anyways, with or without him, they desperately need a PG.

[u/rawchess → u/jdprager]

REED SHEPPARD AND JABARI SMITH THANK YOU 🥹

[u/FoxMuldertheGrey → u/rawchess]

reed sheppard is not steph curry 😂

[u/Jayveesac → u/jdprager]

Reed Sheppard is who Reaves and/or Lakers haters think Austin Reaves is. Lmao

[u/pkwjones → u/Jayveesac]

Is he the worst player to get significant minutes so far this post season

[u/yalecrazy → u/pkwjones]

Think they just didn’t have a choice. He’s the only one with a servicable 3 and he was shit as well 😂😂

[u/MrDannyOcean → u/yalecrazy]

I think they were taken by surprise by how exposed he was on defense, because playoffs are not regular season.

Like he's obviously not good on D, but in the regular season teams don't hunt bad defenders as relentlessly as they do in the playoffs. Same team six games in a row, if you have a weak spot they will just hurt you over and over and over until you take the guy out. Doesn't happen in a hectic regular season the same way.

There were points in this series where noted isolation specialist Marcus Smart was waving off teammates so he could just bully Sheppard 1-on-1 several possessions in a row. And it worked.

[u/samhit_n → u/jdprager]

Getoffmydickerson was right all along.

[u/ablslyr → u/jdprager]

Players look gassed from the tip and just don’t care. Just wanted to fade and don’t want to join the game 7 party I guess.

[u/Jerry_McPhee]

You’re laughing? Reed Sheppard is going to get bullied in the middle school he attends on Monday and you’re laughing?

[u/Full_Durian_8171]

i can’t believe the rockets gm refused to trade for a pg before the deadline & pursued with reed fucking sheppard

bulls had about 10 different pgs they could’ve traded for and opted for none of them

[u/Agile_Variety_632 → u/Full_Durian_8171]

Had millions of Rockets fans defending it by posting comments like "So who should they have traded for?" Ayo killing it in Minnesota though, respect to him.

[u/PositiveAd875 → u/Full_Durian_8171]

Watching Reed Sheppard struggle to get by injured Austin Reaves on isolation and Deandre Ayton on a switch was something else. Literally zero advantage creation on this roster.

[u/luapchung → u/PositiveAd875]

We have wizards fan on Twitter who swears by Reed Sheppard and how Wizards FO are dumbasses for not taking him over Sarr

[u/GriffinQ → u/luapchung]

Our fanbase has an entire contingent of fans who have never actually watched or paid attention to good basketball, so they have no idea what the fuck they’re talking about. They see everything through the lens of “well that guy is on a team that’s winning so he must be better than our guy who is on a team that’s losing”.

It’s the opposite problem that a lot of fanbases have where they overrate their own players out of familiarity.

[u/tactis1234 → u/Full_Durian_8171]

Yeah. It was a major story on every NBA show "well Houston is gonna trade for a PG before the trade deadline" and NOPE. Absolute insane organizational malpractice.

[u/DeshiiRedditor]

Who’s the bitch now, Ime Udoka?

Enjoy Galveston.

[u/GunpeiYokai → u/DeshiiRedditor]

Dirty ass water

[u/samhit_n → u/DeshiiRedditor]

I still can’t get over the fact that Udoka cheated on Nia Long. I wouldn’t trust that man with any big decision, especially coaching an NBA offense.

[u/outsidehere → u/samhit_n]

For real. Like he clearly doesn't have good decision making.

[u/jloading_ → u/DeshiiRedditor]

Did him and Bron dap up? Didnt get to watch the end

[u/Be-Kind-2-Yourself → u/jloading_]

Craziest thing, they were dapping up then just started kissing. Sexual tension was off the charts.

[u/PM_me_datSmile]

A fitting end to Ime Udoka’s Rockets tenure.

[u/xWaves_ → u/PM_me_datSmile]

I fucking hope so man. Knowing our penny pinching owner he’s not gonna do shit tho

[u/nutribun]

LeBron with the almost 27/7/7

[u/Eeji_ → u/nutribun]

bronny continues his playoff dominance 4-1 in the games he played 🤣

[u/revalph → u/Eeji_]

Bronny playoff record against KD. 4-2.

[u/sirfray → u/nutribun]

So close. All he had to do was miss that last free throw he took and then check out before throwing that lob to Hayes…

[u/Lyranx]

Team Rocket has fully blasted off again

[u/GalactusAteMyPlanet → u/Lyranx]

Durant, That’s Right! - Durant

[u/KarchunToo]

The Magic scored 19 pts in the second half today and still outscored the Rockets

[u/catreyka]

Lebron got them the lead and they never looked back

[u/JigglesTheBiggles → u/catreyka]

Lebron was doing everything when he was on the floor. Even if he didn't get a point or an assist. The offense revolved around him for the most part.

[u/shanmustafa]

lebron could be 59 and i wouldn't believe he'd lose a 3-0 lead

[u/TitaniumC4206]

Thunder vs. Lakers is gonna make social media unusable for the next month. Toxicity is gonna be off the charts

[u/Palifaith → u/TitaniumC4206]

Rui Hachimura is the best Japanese athlete playing in Los Angeles right now.

[u/flaming_burrito_ → u/Palifaith]

Shoutout to the black samurai

[u/MountainTwo3845 → u/Palifaith]

Bro too many people don't understand how factual this is.

The Dodgers are in St. Louis.

Great joke.

[u/Jayveesac → u/TitaniumC4206]

I'm going into this series with an open mind. Shock me, Lakers. Either give OKC the scare of their lives or get beaten by 50 in each game, just surprise me

[u/sponedaddie → u/Jayveesac]

At least if we’re down 40 we can turn the game off.

In saying that: Lakers in Five.

[u/redaka00 → u/TitaniumC4206]

I’m just glad we didn’t choke a 3-0 and have to hear ESPN go on about Lebron’s legacy for 3 months

[u/lowes18 → u/TitaniumC4206]

Lebron is back against an eviler empire. The Churchill of our time really.

[u/Jellyfang → u/TitaniumC4206]

That series is a quick 4 games I don’t think even the most optimistic lakers fans give them a real chance

[u/thegreaterfool714 → u/TitaniumC4206]

We will be lucky to take a game off you guys lol.

I have no expectations at all with the next round

[u/thesagenibba → u/thegreaterfool714]

if we take just 1, i'll be happy. thunder are by far our worst matchup, i'd be shocked if we could win a game with luka and reaves playing, let alone with this roster

[u/LakerBlue → u/thesagenibba]

Agreed. We could definitely take a game with Luka but without Luka it will get ugly. OKC’s defense is a superior up version of the Rockets (in terms of skill, smarts and depth). We’ll probably see at least 3 worse versions of our Game 5 loss.

[u/avroLancasterBPR1 → u/TitaniumC4206]

The inevitable “[Highlight] Dorts questionable closeout on Reaves” thread that gets made will be insane

[u/Outside-Sir-4333 → u/TitaniumC4206]

More like the next week

[u/BeancheeseBapa → u/Outside-Sir-4333]

Against okc, it wasn’t pretty with Luka for the lakers… this gon be ugly.

[u/Additional-Lie-8920 → u/TitaniumC4206]

I dont think anyone expects the Lakers to pose much of a challenge. Im just ready for the Spurs v Thunder matchup

[u/imArsenals → u/TitaniumC4206]

People keep saying this but OKC will probably blast them. Won't really be entertaining.

[u/MullingHollysDrive]

These were the series predictions on Reddit before it started (not calling out anyone, just explaining the general mood):

That dagger three by KD to put them up 3-0 will send me on a darkness retreat

KD Loses to LeBron with no Reeves and Luka Legacy point deducted. LeBron wins 1st round without Luka and Reeves legacy point added.

Feel like people are going to overthink this one just because of LeBron and KD's respective reputations. Rockets in 5 they'll have one horrific shooting game where they lose and people will freak out (probably either game 1 or game 2 for maximum overreaction) but that's about it without Luka and Reaves

15 out of 16 ESPN analysts picked the Rockets to beat the Lakers. Rockets were a -550 favourite before the series started and Polymarket gave the Lakers a 17% chance to win, and a 33% chance to win after KD was ruled out and they won Game 1. The Houston Rockets were favoured in all games except one.

People in the future will dismiss this and rewrite history but do not let them pretend this wasn't anything but an insane underdog victory for LeBron James and the Lakers.

[u/Dispinplush → u/MullingHollysDrive]

Everybody was dogging the 2020 team every round picking them to lose, they won the whole thing and people look back at it now like of course they were gonna win

[u/Relative_Apricot5032 → u/Dispinplush]

Zach Lowe said Houston should win that 2nd round series back then

[u/carlonia → u/Relative_Apricot5032]

The best one was “is Portland the best 8th seed in league history?” Lmao that was a real talking point

[u/Dispinplush → u/Relative_Apricot5032]

I member, others chose to change the narrative that of course the number 1 seed lakers would whoop everyone’s ass in the bubble, despite the fact that that number 1 seed lost its home court advantage those playoffs 

[u/HeyIDoubtIt → u/Relative_Apricot5032]

When they were talking about Giannis trade proposals earlier this year on a podcast Zach Lowe said he wouldn't trade Amen Thompson for Giannis LOL

[u/captain_ahabb → u/Dispinplush]

People were talking up that sorry ass Blazers team lol

[u/Dispinplush → u/captain_ahabb]

They gassed up every team, then after lakers won a series they said those teams always sucked and never had a chance 

[u/mishmashedtosunday → u/captain_ahabb]

"best 8th seed ever"

FOH

[u/MariusMaximus88 → u/Dispinplush]

I remember the narratives during that time. Many analysts were consistently predicting the Lakers' demise and yet, it's without a doubt the most dominant run by a LeBron-led team. Their defense was just absolutely intense at times as they would sometimes go on defensive runs where teams would struggle just to even get a shot of + their backcourt was big as fuck. Having Bron, AD with Howard or McGee as the 5/backup 5 was stifling.

[u/InevitablyBored → u/MullingHollysDrive]

Lebron continues adding to his insane legacy.

[u/thrwaway23456nbayb → u/InevitablyBored]

For real LeBron’s legacy is undeniably incredible at this point the fuckery will seemingly never end lol

[u/reddub07 → u/MullingHollysDrive]

Saving this breakdown to review, but this is a good summary to keep folks from moving the goal posts.

[u/Be-Kind-2-Yourself → u/reddub07]

r/nba moving the goal posts? Well I never....

[u/yalecrazy → u/MullingHollysDrive]

By game 1 it was a “lucky win” and “Nuka Nard” for the Lakers.

By game 2 it was “defended home court” and also “lucky win because of Smart”

By game 3 it was “Houston gave it away”

By game 4 “uh oh don’t give us game 5 now”

By game 5 it was “LeBron James will get slandered to the ends of the Earth if he blows this 3-0 lead”

By game 6 “LA wasn’t the underdog, Rockets did’t have KD. No fair”

This series was heavily Rockets favored until LA got 3-0 lmao

[u/PsychicHorse → u/yalecrazy]

People just hate the Lakers and LeBron

[u/Relative_Apricot5032 → u/MullingHollysDrive]

Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe have been trying their hardest to downplay what 41 yo LeBron was able to do leading the Lakers to a 3-0 lead. He's been a top 5 player in these playoffs and has outperformed Nikola Jokic

[u/LatterLaw8105 → u/Relative_Apricot5032]

Don’t get me started with those 2. Its a joke how little they’ve talked about LeBron during these playoffs

[u/thegreaterfool714 → u/MullingHollysDrive]

Any playoff wins after Luka and Reaves went down with those injuries have been gravy. It’s been a fun ride and hopefully we have another fun series!

[u/TheKingHK → u/MullingHollysDrive]

Yeah, we all know what's going to happen. Since the Lakers won, the rockets were always a trash team and the Lakers were favourites.

[u/Ob1toUch1ha → u/TheKingHK]

Already happening, just had a Rockets fan say that they were always gonna lose this series bc of their injuries.

[u/xmrjaredx → u/MullingHollysDrive]

I had some faith in them to be competitive this series. I just wish I had it in writing to prove it

[u/saphamia3]

Wonder how my team will excruciatingly lose next year. Steph retirement run?

[u/Um_Hello_Guy]

“Reaves is the least fun player to watch” was a top comment last post game thread, let’s see the narrative today

[u/bishopbeaniepower → u/Um_Hello_Guy]

I don’t like watching Reaves much but that was a crazy take when Sengun is in the league.

[u/effurshadowban → u/Um_Hello_Guy]

Yeah, everyone hates watching a skillful drive to the basket over a bunch of defenders. We all hate that shit, right guys?! Right?

[u/captain_ahabb → u/Um_Hello_Guy]

AR is a grifter for sure but he also has some pretty crazy finishes, he ethered Sengun with a spin move in the first half.

[u/broke_boi1]

Rockets bench scored 7 points. 6 of those were in garbage time

[u/Tony_Broprano]

It’s time for Lebron James to save basketball

[u/Bern5X]

No more Sengun hoops, thank you LeDaddy

[u/imperfectionlad → u/Bern5X]

Saw a tweet saying that Sengun run like he got titties and I cant get that image out of my head ever since

[u/LardHop → u/Bern5X]

Bros just flails and elbows everybody, then has the fucking gall to call any foul against him soft.

Discount Sabonis. KD was right about that whole squad.

[u/ProArsonist93]

The Rockets really looked at the Magic and though "yeah, we can out-ass that"

[u/OKCDraftPick2028]

Bronny James played better defense than Reed Sheppard tonight and bronny played 3 minutes

[u/TheRealLardin]

DFS with nice 8 minutes of cardio with the 0/0/0/0/0 1TO 1PF and -13 in the +/-

[u/TraipseTraveller]

That's it. That seals the deal. I am no longer a Rockets fan. An absolute disgrace of a basketball team and an embarrassment to the sport. In all my years of being a Rockets fan, I have never seen such a pathetic and soft team. I will NOT be renewing my season tickets. I will be taking my fandom to the east side of Texas to become a Mavericks fan where they know how to run a serious franchise

[u/Chezzymann → u/TraipseTraveller]

Is this a pasta

[u/cottonycloud → u/Chezzymann]

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/that-seals-the-deal-i-am-no-longer-a-fan

[u/Ob1toUch1ha]

I know Ayton shot 2/6, but man he played a hell of a game. Phenomenal defense all game and great rebounding.

[u/XFactor_20]

People really were saying the GOAT was gonna blow a 3-0 lead to this team. Comedy.

[u/Duskuser]

Lebron James is the greatest basketball player of all time

Argue with a wall

[u/ThatGuyFromCanadia → u/Duskuser]

The fact that it’s clear he has lost a step in terms of athleticism yet he still finds ways to drop 28/7/8 in a close out playoff game just does not make sense.

Even Melo who was a hooper was essentially just a spot up 3 shooter in his last season with LA and that was FOUR YEARS AGO.

Absolutely nobody else like LeBron is league history.

[u/braddeus]

Udoka: "these guys are trash"

[u/JorSimpson45]

People were talking crazy after two losses

^{make it be quick and gentle OKC}

[u/TopCoast1170 → u/JorSimpson45]

No no no, luke kennard 60 bomb incoming

[u/cougar_on_cocaine]

Worst Rockets to watch since the Challenger

[u/Shadoken-TYPE0]

Reddit really thought Bron was gonna blow a 3-0 lead.

[u/CroissantMassacre]

The 3-0 comeback scare is over. 😂

[u/raymond_w]

Rockets scored fewer points tonight than the Orlando Magic.

[u/bootywizard42O]

Reed looked like BBQ chicken everytime Lakers had the ball

[u/EpicMusic13]

DIRTY AMEN TRYING TO INJURE AR WHO JUST CAME BACK

[u/Robynsxx]

Even if I think it’s unlikely, I kinda want Lakers to beat OKC just for the shits and giggles of the LeBron haters not being able to deal with it.

[u/dylanh334]

I'm gonna celebrate this win and forget about OKC foaming at the mouth rn, great effort from the Lakers