The Rockets ran out the munchkins and dropped the Toyota Center on Kobe. Somewhere, Don Nelson is dialing up Bill Simmons and cackling like a madman. Let's hit the quick review:
- If anyone had any doubts that Phil Jackson is right now slumming with the late '80's versions of Tom Landry, Don Shula, and Chuck Noll, this game erased them. The papers will say 'lethargic', I say 'how in the name of Hubie Brown do you not gameplan for midgets running circles around your team'?
- Then again, maybe he couldn't. For all the Lakers' talent, there is a glaring lack of athleticism on that roster. Sasha Vujacic? Luke Walton? Derek Fisher? If Kobe's feeling an old 30, this series just got reeeeeeeeeeal interesting.
- Speaking of #8- er- #24, I can't remember if it was Mark Jackson or the Mortician who brought up the Rockets' brilliant gameplan: Keep Kobe stuck between the permeter and paint and watch the fun. They pulled it off perfectly and Mamba chalked up a horrifyingly quiet (if you're a Lakers' fan) 15 points.
