ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/18/2026 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

Insert leslie Alexander laugh

 

How many adjustments have they made? I’ll take it beyond coaching. Have you seen any real ability to learn or adjust by this organization? They are a very dated organization.

They have Eli W. and a couple of good number crunchers, but that is basically it when it comes to “our guys are smart than your guys”.

 

Even with low expectations I am still disappointed

 

I just don't think you can play a guy who doesn't score in the starting lineup these days. Eason over Okogie would have been better.

 

When you let a middle aged guy continue to shoot 3’s.. All the while knowing he’s a streaky shooter, but ignore the fact that he’s on a heater, you deserve to lose.

KD better get cash that agent/media/bonus check he got for sitting out a playoff game first thing tomorrow. If not, we know he just another westbrick padding stats at to get in the record books and doesn’t care about winning culture.

 

The Rocket's are good at one thing though. Giving large sums of money, to players, who's on-court play, doesn't justify it.

 

Did we watch the same game? We shot 27 more shots and still somehow managed to have 5 less makes.

 

If Durant is not back, then put Eason in the starting lineup instead of Okogie

 

I don't care how many shots he takes, I want the offense to generate good looks and use his gravity to do so. Not just have him swap on to a big and have him go at them like he's Harden or SGA, actually run him around the court, use motion, and get him and others good looks.

We basically put him in KDs role tonight, he's obviously not KD, so obviously he's going to struggle playing that role.

 

Nah when Stone took the team Rox hadnt made a draft pick in 5 yrs what tf are you talking about?

The Rocks roster so much better than the Lakers everyone was calling for a sweep. But Stone is the one who needs to be fired and not Ime? Clearly you just have a massive bias. I can understand people who say both Stone and Ime should be fired but saying Stone should be fired rather than Ime LOL wtf

 

Need to make him coach and GM for him to come.

 

I don’t think KD even spends a dollar of his nba money anymore. Guys almost a billionaire from all his investments.

 

21 offensive rebounds to 3. How many were just taps at the rim off an offensive rebound?

 

that doesn’t answer my question. And i have the same question for you. Did you watch the same game?

 

But Jabari was playing like loser this game.

He is the 6th man of Lakers.

 

You are in trouble when Tate takes threes

 

You see this happen a lot throughout NBA history but some people think coaches can't have this big of an impact. Teams flip it around completely with just a coaching change, happens a lot.

 

The Rockets last season had the same record as the Rockets this season… last season the #2 seed Rockets won 52 games…. The #8 seed won 48 games. There were 7 teams with almost the same record. That #2 seed went in to lose to the #7 seed in the playoffs first round.

The 2024-2025 Rockets played very hard but were not the typical #2 seed in the Western Conference most years.