2009 Lakers Rockets Playoff Matchup

Lakers Rockets 2009

2009 Lakers Rockets Playoff Matchup

In 2009 the Lakers were thought to be the team to beat. They had won over 60 games and were second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers in total wins in the NBA that year. It was thought little stood in their way between the start of the playoffs and an NBA finals appearance against the winner of the eastern conference. The experts were wrong. The Lakers Rockets playoff match up proved to be a great series and almost sent the Lakers home for the summer.

The 2009 Rockets were not considered favorites in the playoffs, in fact many thought the Lakers would beat them in five games. The Rockets were without the oft injured Tracy Mcgrady for the whole series and lost Yao Ming after game three of the series. After Yao Ming was injured many thought the series was all but over, they were in for a surprise.

Even though they were down 2-1 when they lost their superstar center, the Rockets were able to extend the series to seven games. Ron Artest was key to helping the Houston Rockets stay in this series. He played defense against anybody he was asked to cover and scored when he had to. Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest seemed to have a rivalry going on with each other during the series. The Lakers Rockets series kept NBA fans nationwide glued to their television sets waiting to see who would prevail. Many fans couldn’t believe the fight that the Rockets put up without two of their superstars.

While the series ended in game seven with a 19 point Lakers victory, many people gained a great deal of respect for the game Houston Rockets and for their superstar Ron Artest who had a never say die attitude and played hard until the very end. It seems that Ron Artest grew fond of the Lakers and Kobe Bryant during their series, as he went on to sign with the Lakers during the free agency period in the summer of 2010.

Rating: 5.0/5. From 1 vote.
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4 thoughts on “2009 Lakers Rockets Playoff Matchup”

  1. While superstars are good for selling tickets and winning less-knowledgeable fans, it just goes to show that defense is much more important in terms of winning games. It’s also possible that the Lakers didn’t take the Rockets as seriously since two of their “better” players were out.

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  2. Lake Show in 6, maybe 7 if they drag it out like they did with the Rockets. I’d like to see the lakers not make the finals but I don’t think the Thunder will do that. At least the OKC Thunder piss off bitter Seattle fans. lol. That’s always good to hear.

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  3. While superstars are good for selling tickets and winning less-knowledgeable fans, it just goes to show that defense is much more important in terms of winning games. It’s also possible that the Lakers didn’t take the Rockets as seriously since two of their “better” players were out.

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  4. Cool victory of Lakers, it was a very great deal to Rocket. Both of the team give their best and Lakers won among best.

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