Does Houston have a shot? Eh, not really...

With the city bursting over the edges, bathed in a crazed excitement not seen since the "Clutch City" days back in the early '90s, does anyone really believe that the Houston Rockets have a chance to upset the Los Angeles Lakers, widely viewed as the most talented team in this entire playoffs and the already-crowned Western Conference Champs? Probably not, unless you live in Houston or happen to be Chinese. The Rockets are a fantastic defensive team, with two stout perimeter stoppers in the physical Ron Artest and charge-taking Dukie Shane Battier, and they have the advantage of L.A. having a few extra days of rust (along with a cross-your-fingers moment in Kobe missing practice today), but there isn't enough individual offensive talent on this team, and they are simply missing that go-to scorer in crunch time that can take over a game and send shivers down an opponents' spine (see Brandon Roy, followed by the Black Mamba). A healthy T-Mac in his prime would have filled that role, but all that whiny team-killer is good for now is looking dapper in a suit coat and cursing Houston's chances from the bench. Does it say something about the poor guy that Houston wins their 1st playoff series in around a decade with McGrady sidelined, or is it just a product of bad luck? You be the judge. Either way, I can't see Houston faring too well against the Lakers' bevy of talent. The regular season matchups tilted 4-0 (with a heavy 20 point scoring advantage) in L.A.'s favor, and Artest's boneheaded attempts to talk some trash and land in Kobe's head only resulted in more scoring outbursts for Bryant and embarassment for Mr. Artest, who was left with the painfully true remarks that Kobe had just "kicked his ass." Active, athletic bigs like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom are the types that give plodding Yao Ming fits, as he struggles to keep up with their foot speed, but with his size and touch I think he should be able to get his 20-10, he just might be giving up that much and more defensively. The only reason anybody is giving Houston a shot is their defense, but if Yao can't contain the big men, does it matter if Artest can lock down Kobe? Houston beat a good, talent-heavy Portland team that just wasn't ready to make a deep playoff run yet, but L.A. is seasoned, much better, and they have Kobe Bryant in the 4th quarter. Enough said. I can't see this series going past 5 or 6 games in L.A.'s favor.

At the point guard spot, Aaron Brooks is matched up with veteran Derek Fisher. Brooks is crazy-fast with big testicles range and a smooth motor, allowing him to get in the lane against much bigger foes, but he still needs to learn how to play balanced and under control, and when to take his own shot instead of creating for others. He is immensely talented, however, and I think with his speed he should eat the slower Fisher alive. Point guard is L.A.'s achilles heel, and Fisher is a tad past his prime, but the guy can still lead a team, hit big shots, and get the ball in the hands of the Lakers' playmakers. He will be solid and fulfill his duties, but if Brooks can bring some of that Oregon Ducks' swagger, than he could be an offensive x-factor in the series.

Shane Battier will probably be matched up with Kobe most of the time on the perimeter, as he moves his feet better than Artest, takes more charges, and doesn't foul as much as Ronnie. No matter how good of defense Shane plays, however, Kobe dictates how many points Kobe gets, not anyone else. The guy is unstoppable, and there is only so much Shane can do. Battier was actually a big offensive player for Houston against Portland, knocking down the majority of his set three point shoots, and will need to continue to do so, along with playing stout defense, if Houston will have a chance to win. He probably has the biggest role of anyone in this series, and we will see if he has the legs to hang in there. If Houston takes this to a Game 7, you guys know who to thank-most underrated player around. Stay tuned.

Artest will also do his share of guarding Kobe, as his bulky frame and pushy tactics might get under Bryant's skin moreso than Battier's and fire up this team, but like I said above, getting under Kobe's skin might not always be the best strategy. Lost beneath his defensive effort and fabulous Game 6 in Round 1 was Ron's relatively horrible offensive series. Whether it was the tiresome work of keeping up with Roy or just a side-effect of his broke jumpshot, Ron couldn't hit anything consistently except layups and free throws. That would be okay if he didn't think he had to take every three pointer or 18-foot fadeaway shot that came around. If Ron can play with offensive discipline, stay stringent on his defensive duties, and get his Humvee body to the free throw line, than the Rockets will be okay. Trevor Ariza has been a big surprise for the Lakers, as his shooting has skyrocketed and athleticism been on full display. he will most likely be the guy Houston most often ignores on defense, so if he makes shots, than watch out. All I can say is, don't mess with the "Tru Warier" dawg.


Luis Scola has been a godsend at power forward, scoring with his arsenal of quirky, herky-jerky fakes, jives, and awkward hook shots. He can also hit the 15-footer with consistency, and plays physical, hard-nosed defense with his opponent. Unfortunately, he is matched up with Odom, who will exploit all of his athletic weaknesses. Odom is one of the most versatile players in the league, a 6 foot 10 forward who can run point, attack the basket, post up, and hit the outside shot. He will test all of Scola's abilities, and I see this being a major matchup problem for Houston.

At center, big Yao Ming takes on Pau Ga-Soft, whose Charmin-grade post moves and French pastry physicallity in the lane are screaming for an Artest body slam or a Yao Ming jump hook at the least. Gasol really is a talented, athletic player with freakishly long arms and a great shooting touch, and his quickness and solid range will test Yao's defense and rebounding ability. Big men like Gasol and Boozer (the past two years) have given Yao major defensive issues with their ability to hit 15-18 foot jump shots, as Yao doesn't have the speed to close out on them. He should be able to score at will, but like I said above, he will give up just as many points. This matchup is even.

Finally, the bench. Laugh if you will, but losing Mutombo was a big deal. He was Yao's only official backup, and since he was rested the entire regular season he had the energy to play major minutes, providing a defensive presence at the rim and great rebounding help despite his age and lack of mobility. Now, the only backup big men Houston has are Carl Landry, still looking a step slow from a scary gunshot wound, and Chuck Hayes, an undersized fullback of a power forward known more for his hilariously bad free throw hitch than for his basketball ability. Landry is a guy who can score and clean up around the rim, a really valuable bench guy, while Hayes, despite being only 6 foot 5, can guard anyone in the paint with his strength and rebound with the giants, even if he cannot make a layup. The major two bench guys for Houston, at least offensively, are Kyle Lowry and Von Wafer, two unheralded players who are enacting HUGE roles. Lowry was an afterthought in the Rafer Alston trade, but has quickly proved his mettle by stepping in at the backup point guard role and often outplaying Brooks. Lowry can bull his way into the lane and score at anytime with a body made for driving, while Wafer, who barely even made Houston's summer league team, played so well in the preseason that he earned a roster spot and made Luther Head expendable. Wafer plays with reckless abandon and doesn't know when to turn the switch off, but has an incredibly explosive first step, shocking leaping ability, and an unconventional but deadly three point shot. He is instant offense off the bench, and some much needed scoring punch/energy for a relatively dry, defensive-minded squad. That's what makes him and Lowry so valuable. The Lakers have Bynum coming off the bench now, and we all know what he can do when healthy. He will give Yao problems with his size and athleticism, and if any of Houston's bench is forced to guard him, look for Bynum to dominate inside. Not a good depth matchup here. Shannon Brown has been playing like Wafer as of late for L.A., so look for those two to trade buckets, while Sasha Vujasic is an x-factor with the three point shot. I give the bench advantage to L.A. just because of Bynum. Let's hope Yao makes him his bitch:)