PREVIEW: Houston Rockets (0-0) @ Los Angeles Lakers (0-0)
By Harry Burden
Houston Rockets (0-0) @ Los Angeles Lakers (0-0) – Staples Center, Game ONE, 7:30 PDT.
As a long and arduous off-season finally reaches its conclusion, the time has come, Lakers fans: basketball is returning to the City of Los Angeles, and what a difference six months can make.
Kobe Bryant is set to make his long-awaited return to the starting five, our most tantalizing draft pick of the past decade is ready to make a splash and there’s a new face sitting courtside calling the shots. After stunning the league on opening night last year with a dismembering of our cross-town rivals, the Clippers, the Lakers will hope to silence a handicapped Houston side who themselves enter the season with a reformed roster.
Expect a raw rookie, some harassing of Howard and a hell of a lot of “vintage Kobe” screams; yes, the NBA season has arrived.
The Line-ups
Lakers: J. Lin, K. Bryant, W. Johnson, C. Boozer, J. Hill.
Injuries:
- Henry – sore right knee – Questionable.
- Price – bone bruise, right knee – Probable.
- Hill – cervical strain – Probable.
- Ellington – concussion – OUT.
- Kelly – sore right hamstring – OUT.
- Nash – sciatic pain – OUT.
- Young – torn ligament, right thumb – OUT.
Rockets: P. Beverley, J. Harden, T. Ariza, T. Jones, D. Howard.
Injuries:
- Capela – groin – OUT.
The Key Battle
Kobe Bryant vs. James Harden
As far as out-and-out offensive brawls go, this back-and-forth contest should make for entertaining viewing. Both men have lead their respective teams in scoring during the preseason and with national television bringing the eyes of millions to the Staples floor, you can bet your last cent that Kobe will want to mark his return to the league with an emphatic offensive showcase over the league’s best two guard of 2013-2014
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As both men are prone to defensive lapses in concentration, every opportunity will be ceased to grab a bucket. Harden’s fondness of the free-throw line should be closely observed and whichever player is tasked with guarding him will do well to lockdown his offense and reduce his numbers at the charity stripe.
As for Bryant, look for him to expose Houston’s weaknesses in guarding the mid-range. Kobe’s efficiency in the posts could lead him to tally plenty of easy buckets over vacant defensive presences. The Mamba will also have some added incentive to clock a win in his first outing against Dwight Howard since he packed his bags for Texas. I think we’re all craving to see Dwight’s ‘how the hell did Steve Blake pull that shot off’ face again.
Kobe could explode in this one. A great preseason and encouraging practices really has silenced those who doubted the validity of his comeback. Show them again, Kobe. Show them again.
Major Players
Dwight Howard
Whilst the Lakers relish an opportunity to embarrass former star, Dwight Howard, at his own game, such a feeling must be mutual, and after being absent for a vast chunk of Houston’s preseason games, the eight-time all-star will surely be raring to go come opening night.
The Rockets must take the next step towards greatness this year, and much of that responsibility sits on the shoulders of Howard. Despite harbouring a host of young talent, Houston were a unanimous disappointment come the postseason and now a newly matured, healthy and refined D12 is ready to bear the weight of expectation.
This isn’t the same man that L.A. let walk in 2013. His post game has developed, he finally seems to be healthy again and most importantly of all, he has rediscovered his ability to hustle even the most diligent NBA defenders down low. Without due care and attention, Howard could tear the Lakers apart on Tuesday evening; anything less than 100% commitment when restraining Dwight will not cut it.
Following his explosion into the spotlight in New York, the brakes were applied to Jeremy Lin’s career faster than almost anybody could have imagined. After struggling to adapt to life beside fellow ball-dominant guard, James Harden, Lin’s minutes were reduced, his impact was diminished and he returned to his pre-Knicks position as a second tier rotational option. Then, from out of nowhere, the Lakers offered Jeremy a helping hand and he now looks to write another chapter in his rollercoaster career
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It’s not as if life will be totally different for Lin in the City of Angels. With Kobe Bryant’s ball-hungry nature, Lin will need to continue to remould his offensive game and work more efficiently off the ball, yet encouraging signs from both the end of his Houston career and the start of his time with the Lakers certainly make for kind viewing. Jeremy will need to try to find some consistent aggressive intensity on the defensive end of the court, too. With one of the hollowest defensive starting fives in the Western Conference, contribution will be key from each member as the group hope that determination and aggression will make up for their lack of a proven strategy. All in all, things are looking up for the former misfit and with Steve Nash being ruled out for the entirety of the forthcoming season, he has never had a greater platform to shine upon.
On Tuesday, it’s payback time. Jeremy is sure to silence his critics in Texas by attacking the rim, creating looks for his teammates and injecting his swift, athletic touch into the tie. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Bryant and Lin co-exist in their first 48 minutes of competitive basketball as a duo. Regardless of the events on the other end of the court, this should be an offensive spectacle.
Julius Randle
Cometh the hour, cometh the man; the day that this Wildcat has longed for has finally arrived. After enjoying a monstrous freshman year leading his team to the NCAA final, Julius Randle looks to start his NBA career as he means to continue with a forceful performance against fellow Kentucky alumnus, Terrence Jones. As a player who structures his game a great deal around playing in and around the paint, it will be fascinating to see how he is able to fair against the former Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard, and their lengthy, aggressive and long-armed forward, Jones.
Randle’s underrated athletic prowess should stretch the Rockets’ defence, physically and tactically, and cause Coach Scott a headache when establishing who will spur the offence at different times during the game. Having to compete for minutes alongside Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis will ensure that Randle doesn’t get complacent in his spot, too.
With his first competitive game in a Lakers jersey being broadcast on national television, Randle has been handed the opportunity to put on his own rookie showcase against a talented, resilient and athletic frontcourt. Hats off to you, Julius, this won’t be an easy fixture.
We should be in for an interesting tie, Lakers Nation. As the new season gets ready to roar, let’s hope that the Purple and Gold can stun the league for the second year running.
Go Lakers!
October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) moves to the basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports