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

IDIOT but leaving it here:

Isaac Chotiner (?) is mildly famous for getting people to do print interviews in the New Yorker among other places; His whole deal is that the people who do them think they can outsmart him but he essentially makes them say really stupid things.

He is also a big Rockets fan and a big Sengun hater, and gives him the Chotiner treatment:

"the most frustrating player in basketball"

"This guy is painful to watch"

etc ad nauseum

https://art19.com/shows/nothing-but-respect/episodes/b08ee4aa-217e-48e3-a817-e6a12e861edd

 

Typical IME ( Insane Minutes Enforcement ) style of coaching.

 

On the most recent Hollinger & Duncan pod, they believe that JJ will throw the kitchen sink at Ime - constantly introducing new gimmick plays and coverages to confuse him.

On the Lowe pod, Zach identifies Reed as the only current solution for our stagnant offense and thinks Ime should start him given that the Lakers have no one at guard to attack him.

I don't think Ime alone can lose this series, but I am worried that he'll take too long to figure it out, and the longer the series goes the more pressure will build on our guys as the obvious favorites. I think after LeBron, Ime is probably the best asset the Lakers have.

 

Lebron gets a fat asterisk from me for coasting to the Finals in the Leastern Conference on nothing but curated super teams and the bubblechip with LA. I would take a Prime Kawhi or Prime Curry over a Prime Lebron if I'm keeping it a buck. He is the "most player of all time". Didnt do anything particularly well just above average to really good at almost everything.

The superstar version of A.C. Green. I cant wait until bro bucks off already the NBA will be better for it.

 

The Rockets will win Game 1 and the Series will end 4:1 for Houston. It´s not possible, that Reves or Doncic can play this Series in good health. So if they comes back they cannot take their Roles. 4:1 Houston!

 

@Tfor3

 

Any chance we can have DFS pick up LeBron from 94ft when he plays? Might as well have his minutes and fouls go to some kind of use.

 

not happening. Amen on him all game.

 

I hereby award you with:


The funniest acronym since IDIOT

 

Boring win 1. Of 4 !!

 

@Os Trigonum
@Snow Villiers
Sorry BOFs
Reed Shepard gonna dunk on you

Bronny Only Fans
You know you who are

 

As much as I would like a sweep, I know the league won't let that happen. Not to the "kang"! So Rockets win 4 games to 2.

 

KD Questionable for Game 1

https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/st...onable-for-rockets-lakers-game-1/89669105007/

 

Injured at practice?

 

Yeah, right knee bruise

 

bone on bone