Rockets Vs Lakers KEY FACTORS: Alperen Sengun Set To DOMINATE & Will Luka Doncic Make Series RETURN?
Rockets Vs Lakers KEY FACTORS: Alperen Sengun Set To DOMINATE & Will Luka Doncic Make Series RETURN?
Houston Rockets eye playoff breakthrough in high-stakes battle with Los Angeles Lakers. Can Alperen Şengün deliver an All-NBA performance and put the Rockets over the top, or will LeBron James and a possible Luka Dončić return change the series’ momentum?
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) spotlights Houston’s major advantages, from Amen Thompson’s defense on LeBron to Jabari Smith Jr.’s X-factor scoring and the looming threat of turnovers. The episode also covers JJ Redick’s coaching chess match with Ime Udoka and Rafael Stone’s controversial “not our year” comments sparking fan debate. Key storylines include the Rockets’ strategy against aggressive double teams on Kevin Durant, injury impacts for the Lakers, and the importance of playoff consistency for Houston’s rising stars.
Will the Rockets capitalize on this rare opportunity, or will mistakes haunt their postseason dreams? Don’t miss this sharp analysis of Houston’s playoff path.
#Rockets #NBA #Lakers
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#HoustonRockets #Rockets #NBA #KevinDurant #AlperenSengun #AmenThompson #JabariSmithJr #TariEason #ReedSheppard #FredVanVleet #DorianFinneySmith #StevenAdams #AaronHoliday #JaeSeanTate #JeffGreen #ClintCapela #JoshOkogie
47 Comments
Now I want Stone gone almost as much as I want Ime gone. Fertitta is absolutely too dumb to parse ego and earned confidence. Not sure if he has any say but if so expect more cocky incompetents in leadership positions.
Lonzo ball should’ve got picked up up on the buy out market. One the best passers and he fits perfect with Defense with the rockets and he shoots 3 at a better clip as well. And even if it didn’t work out it was a min vet contract. He would helped solve the pg issues. Low risk HIGH reward. Imagine Lonzo throw full court pass to Amen for easy buckets 🪣
KD is better than LeBron it’s not a wash stop the bs! Luka is playin with a top 3 player and his second option is Austin a 25 a night guy! The rockets have one shooter for spacing Reed! KD and Reed are the only shooters on the roster lakers have much better shooting! But to say Kevin and bron are a wash isn’t true! KD is better than bron the lakers will double triple team him no team is doing that to bron and never really has through his career
Mark my works again, you lose one game against the lakers and Luka will come back game 4. Also Austin is slated for a round 2 return
I am afraid of KD losing the basketball causing turovers when he is double-teamed. He should pass the ball as fast as possible whenever that happens. I hope they are practisin on that.
i say go big with capella sengun, bari , amen kd. Let Reed and Tari eat off the bench
Put Ayton in the middle and defend Sengun with a smaller Guy. Ayton help Sengun defence. You don't need to defend Amen, just don't let him dunk or take rebounds with Ayton. This way you stop Sengun and Amen. Then hope for jabari+tari bad shots.
Atack Reed with your guards/forvets and when Sengun come to help Reed easy dunks or layup behind..
Mark my words! Thats what we gonna see in every game. It is damn easy to defend Rockets and easy to attack and find easy buckets vs Rockets.
We are still very bad at transition defence. Lakers also will abuse it.
In the off season the rockets organization needs to add more scoring off the bench we need 2 more players that can create their own shot and we need spot up shooters to take pressure off of KD and to give him and sengun more space
Most important factor Ime can't be braindead and be ready to counter JJ….
KD is one of the best shooters, but sucks when it comes to leadership. His role as a punishing shooter suits the best.
Common, man. Be confident and say it. At this point, KD is way better than LeBron.
The faciliator HAS TO BE Alperen. This doesn't mean he should take a lot of shots. Because when Alperen isn't handling the ball, KD and Amen are, and both of them isn't great at playmaking; (both are far more effective in finishing roles.) So give the ball to Alperen, and he should feed KD, Jabari, Amen, and Reed every time. When this happens, Alperen will also have more space. Ultimately, eliminating the Lakers won't be a success; the important thing is to be competitive against OKC. If we want to be competitive against OKC, the entire rotation has to step up because even if Alperen, KD, and Amen score 100 points together, you can't beat OKC without the rest of the team's support.
Fans should be upset with the rockets for not making a move everybody know they need a point guard a lot of teams wants Tari Eason.
i hope yall know if u drop a single game that’s pathetic
Their was not an answer on the market in September, at the deadline, or on the buyout market. This team isn't failing due to lack of moves, its failing because Sengun isn't improving and isn't good enough to lead us forward.
With Okogie starting Reed been getting 18 mins shit trash okogie getting 27 mins 2 points Aaron stealing extra mins Reed could be getting if you gon Let okogie get all them mins
Jabari Smith Jr is an interesting question on where you would draft him(in terms of overall best player on the two teams). It's because I've long thought this season you guys are unbeatable when his shot is dropping, I think the rockets went into Denver and dominated when that was happening iirc. He's quite a body to deal with when that's happening.
I've heard Rockets fans have at times been Kevin-Durant-throw-the-water-bottle level of frustrated with Jabari and the team can be up and down(the end of that Wolves game was almost like a microcosm of the ups and downs of the season).
That whole ramblr being said, I'd throw it back at you with the Lakers' equivalent low floor high ceiling player, DeAndre Ayton… We don't know if Jabari's shot is gonna be dropping same as we don't know what DA's mood is gonna be or if his hands are gonna work lol but let's assume in a draft you got the best version of each player who do you take?
I think with with S Adams on the board I'd take 'hypothetical best of DA'(Lakers fans say DA bringing his 'Clint Capella') for rebounds and some self creation of the shot, without Van Vleet Luka and Reaves and also boards, but since No Adams maybe Jabari because he's got that high draft pick pedigree size and mobility.
After l what I’ve seen from Al P in the Euro cup playoffs and him outplaying literal first ballot HOFers and taking his team to the finals I am confident he will show up even more this playoffs
As a 46 year Laker fan, I am hoping the Rockets win so the LeBalco James era can finally end. This clown has held our team hostage for 8 years, he can either retire or take the circus elsewhere. In all seriousness, the Rockets are a better team and should win in no more than 5 games to be honest.
WHAT IS THIS EFFORT TO BRING ALPEREN DOWN?
YOU SAY ALPEREN ŞENGÜN PLAYED BADLY LAST YEAR,
HE DIDN'T PLAY WELL,
BUT YOU ALSO SAY HE LED THE ROCKETS TO THE LEAD.
WHY DON'T YOU SAY ALPEREN IS VERY IMPORTANT, LET'S GIVE HIM PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT?
HE'S NOT JUST FIGHTING ON THE FIELD
COULD IT BE THE COCAINE-ADDICTED OLD KD'S SICK PERSONALITY,
UDOKA'S INADEQUATE COACHING,
THE LACK OF BALLS FROM THE TEAM,
KD'S SELFISHNESS?
IS THERE NO ONE ELSE RESPONSIBLE IN THAT TEAM EXCEEDING ALPEREN ŞENGÜN?
YOU'RE ALREADY ATTACKING A YOUNG PERSON BY SAYING EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON ALPEREN ŞENGÜN.
WELL, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PLAYERS?
THEN LET ONLY TWO PLAYERS FIELD THE MATCH: KD AND ALPEREN.
REMEMBER ALPEREN (WHICH MEANS FEARLESS WARRIOR BUT ALSO MEANS HOLINESS, ALP+EREN) THIS KID LEARNED ENGLISH IN 3 YEARS, PLAYS IN A FOREIGN LEAGUE, AND IS ALWAYS SUBJECTED TO OPEN/COVERT HOSTILITY.
AND HE'S ONLY 23 YEARS OLD.
DFS was like the best player for a minute on the Lakers last year and now he's 🗑️ age and injuries really do be like that
Sengun should destroy their bigs for 30 a game
I think we found our stride. Holiday needs minutes. Reed off the bench just since Okogie is so steady in his role. He doesn’t make bad decisions for the most part.
Ime has to watch out for those Tate lineups on spacing.
It’s been crazy to watch fans willfully misquote Stone. One statement is a question the other is definitive.
Choosing the definitive just because you want to is crazy work. “Is this just not our year?” Is literally what the man said. He did not say “It’s not our year.”.
So honestly, Stone is right. I do think they should’ve made moves at the deadline though.
Even in this podcast you said the quote once correctly then proceeded to say it incorrectly repeatedly. I’m a fan but yeah…gotta call it like I see it.
Man was just crying 2 weeks ago about no hope of lakers play yall now he excited!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 if yall lose to my lakers I swear im in every video talking BIG SHIT
If Sengun plays like himself and Durant doesn’t fumble, this should be an easy series for Houston. If they dominate, there’s light ahead for the rest of the playoffs🚀🚀
KD have to be careful dis series . Smart will try to injure him . Mark my word .
Stone will the reason this team doesn't succeed. Being saying that for 3 years. He is a weak GM
Even with double team KD need to be super agressive . Throw the efficiency out , dis is the playoffs .make sure you put up 25shots every game .
Alperen Şengün, kendi kurgusu ve yeteneği ile sayı buluyor ve takıma da hücum için pozisyonlar hazırlıyor. Bütün bunları yaparken ; savunma, top çalma ve blok gibi hususları da önemli bir başarıyla yerine getiriyor.Rockets'ın en büyük eksikliği, iyi bir oyun kurucuya sahip olmamasıdır…Zira Alperen'e de pozisyon hazırlayacak biri lazımdır.Kd kasıtlı olarak bunu yapmıyor, yaptığında da niteliksiz ve hatalı paslar veriyor…Özellikle Alperen'in top kaybına neden olabileceği şekilde zorlamalar yapıyor…İyiniyetli oyun oynamıyor ve kendi istatistikleri için oynuyor…Ama Alperen tüm olumsuzlukları aşacak kadar değerli bir oyuncu olduğunu gösterecektir…Udoka Kd'yi sadece atıcı olmakla sınırlar ve Alperen'i lider olarak konumlandırırsa bu takım güzel sonuçlar elde edebilir …
KD vs Bron Playoffs All time
KD – 32 8 5
Bron – 32 10 9
i am not capella guy RIP.
Kd ve Udoka çoktan satmıştır . Nerdeyse hiç serbest atış kaçırmayan K.dnin uzatmaya gidecek maçta,bilerek 2 atış üst üste kaçırması , İdiokanın uzatmada 20 sayı fark ödeyken , saçma sapan oyuncu değiştirmeyle takımın yenılmesine sebep olması. İnşallah ben yanılırım.
Alpi will dominate in the playoffs.He is a playoff player
Somehow, Luka returned………
Disney Star Wars reference, lol!
I dont think Alpi having great series. They will pack the paint, Press KD and dare Rockets to shoot via Amen, Tari and Alpi from 3 point line. Of course he will have his impact but not a breakout fantastic impact.
I will say I understand not making a move, trading an injured FVV or Stevo feels cheap when you consider how much they've both helped this franchise.
I just really hope they don't make a big trade this offseason and just add some more consistent shooters
First off Sengun ain't all that but he's alright I like him. The Rockets need to do one simple thing to win the chip. Stop worrying about Reed Sheppard defense start him and play wild and free like OKC. Don't focus on Durant and Sengun the whole game we have too much talent. Get Amen off playing the point guard he's horrible at that. Jabari is another Tracy McGrady/Kevin Durant and we just use him as a spot up 3 point shooter. Cut Reed loose don't take him out if he misses 2 shots. Use all our good players like OKC and the Olympic team and we win the whole thing. Our games are always close cause we always bog the game down trying to give it to Sengun or Durant. We should play like the last game when no starters started and we won by 30 because we was just spreading the ball around.
Jabari, Reed and Tari's shooting is the key not only for this match up but for the whole playoffs.
The Lakers RIGHT NOW doesn't have enough to go shot for shot against Houston. The 2 things that can make this Rockets team lose are
1. over confidence bec of the undermanned lakers
2. getting out hustled by LAL
Lebron will put lebron numbers, just not sure how long because of fatigue factor and age. If the Rockets look lost against traps, It's an upset
İlk 2-3 maç için Houston balyozu indirip darbeyi vurması lazım ki daha sonra doncic iyileşse bile gelmesinin bir önemi kalmasın ve bu seneki lakers maçlarına baktığımızda Houston doncic’siz lakers’ı rahatça yenebilir görünüyor zaten son iki maçı lakers doncic’in acayip zorlama atışları ve sayılarıyla kazanmıştı işte onun da eksikliği yeteneğini fiziğinin kaldırmaması Alperen de o kadar aşırı yetenek yok ama fiziği sağlam; bununla birlikte Houston Lakers’ı 4-0, 4-1 veya 4-2 ile geçebilirse OKC karşısında bana göre min. %30 şans yakalayabilir nedeni genç oyuncuların özgüveni patlar ve daha rahat ve daha ciddi oynayabilir ki OKC ye karşı ekstra motive ve sağlam oynayabilirler.
In English:
Houston needs to deliver a knockout blow in the first 2-3 games so that even if Doncic recovers, his return won't matter. Looking at this year's Lakers games, Houston can easily beat the Lakers without Doncic; in fact, the Lakers won their last two games thanks to Doncic's incredibly forced shots and points. His weakness is that his physique doesn't match his talent. Alperen doesn't have that much talent, but he has a solid physique. With that in mind, if Houston can beat the Lakers 4-0, 4-1, or 4-2, I think he could have at least a 30% chance against OKC. The reason is that the young players' confidence will skyrocket, and they can play more comfortably and seriously, which means they can play extra motivated and solid against OKC.
When will you invite guests again? its nice to hear you discussing with the other person?
This series does not appear to be a cakewalk at all. Whoever thinks that is delusional. This is a LeBron James team we're talking about here. This is the LA Lakers. The NBA has more of an interest in the LA Lakers going further in the playoffs, not the Houston Rockets.
It's going to be the Houston Rockets versus the LA Lakers and the refs.
Amen is going to dominate this series
I don’t why and don’t ask me. But I have a feeling that the Rockets will do a big playoffs run and the X factor will be DFS. I know he's played poorly this year, but that's due to his injury. If we consider the days that have passed since he was out of the rotation, plus this week of rest he's had, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that a veteran defensive player who's been in the Finals and can score threes is 100% ready. Furthermore, if I were part of the coaching staff, I would have had DFS training more aggressively during this week off to integrate him back into the rotation. Think about it, it's the perfect secret weapon.
Im gonna br honest, with how everyone's talking in national media, giannis' comments, narratives around kd and amen and lebron….
This whole thing is a wash.
For one, houston wins, no ones gonna say good job.
Sengun plays well or not, it feels like they already closed the giannis deal (unless warriors or knicks does another package), and so thats pointless.
Amen plays well or not, he gonna get the max.
Kd already planning to exit for seattle end of next year.
Udoka wants less shooters and even more wings, aka giannis and even more dfs.
Tilman has no interest in a winning team, just profits.
Stone is making weird fan blaming shit.
Sheppard prolly gonna get benched heavily by ime because playoffs. Good luck getting him any experience.
I think they might as well cancel this series and the next and skip OKC to WCF. Its that level of feeling pointless.
Starting Capela at center with Sengun at power forward should help Sengun or at least doing it throughout the course of the game.
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