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

Did I just say Charles? Literally every one that talks about NBA ball says the Rockets offense is bad. I haven't found a single ex-player or coach that's complimented this offense. Not yet. Not all year long. We had Tmac and Melo laughing about the team. Coaches like SVG and others that call games will openly criticize what's going on because it looks like a mess.

Also, Kenny clearly said he doesn't have the efficiency of Joker. The "Baby" moniker being the emphasis here.

Hell, Sam, YOU criticize the offense all the time, you just can't fathom that maybe playing in a garbage offense means players will look worse in said offense.

Reed IS a role player, yes, and guess what, all these players had worse games than Luke Kennard, a deep bench journeyman player outplayed all of our guys because he was getting good looks and our guys were not. That is on the coach. The players are winning games DESPITE the offense and despite Ime.

 

Kevin Durant just needs the rest, we gonna beat them good next 4. Lets hope.

 

As a fan, I want us to win this series!
However, we all know this Rockets team is not winning a championship this year...might as well let KD rest game 2 to see how the young core bounce back.
I just feel with KD being hurt, this gives the Rockets organization excuses to run it back if we lose this series.

 

And his mid-range, Scola was automatic.

 

I hope Jalen has a great career. We got Durant out of it. A more consistent scorer. They wouldn't have taken FVV, I don't think.

 

Corrected this for you.

 

LOL Steve Kerr is a ****ing p***y. That mangina can suck a ref D all the way to his grave.

 

Kerr took over from Mark Jackson and won a championship.
Mazulla took over from Ime and won a championship.
We're not a dumpster fire, just need some tweaks from a coach with a better hoops IQ

 

JJ got lucky he had a playmaker in LeBron to set up the open threes

 

I really miss Coca Scola. Mid range, Free Throws, 3 Point shot all better than Sengun.

 

whole time he was yapping I was thinking “Man, FVV doesn’t break down any defense nor does he generate good offense. Tf does he know?”

 

They cant rebuild cuz we dont have our pick. By next year we are too late since the players end their rookie contracts. Rox are even lucky Stone got KD at such a low price and also extended at a discount.

I dont think the roster is poorly constructed at all, its just we have injuries and the coaching is bad and plays the wrong guys on the court and does little development apart from defense.

 

Well this game sucked.

On the upside, the offense can't get any worse than today, right?

RIGHT???

 

So you want him to shoot 40 times? That seems to be the implication. I honestly did not see the Lakers picking him up in the back court cowering in terror like you suggesting

Just tell me exactly what it is that you want to see - him run 20 pick & rolls a game like 2022 Trae Young?

It's insane to me people think Reed is that good. He's a nice shooter, that's it so far. He's not Curry. He's just not. I don't know what to tell you

 

We still owe him money.

 

The Rockets are being run over by a Laker Bus and the Bus is reversing and running over the team again.

 

Most GMs only last around 6 yrs before being replaced. Also, Stone has squandered a lot of draft capital. I have completely lost faith in his ability to build a championship roster. If the Rockets lose this series against the Lakers, Stone should be replaced - not Ime.

 

We had JD who made good playmaking decisions when he got PT but Udoka played Tate instead.

 

The Rockets also were the 2 seed WITHOUT KD last year, yeah, I don't think the team is as untalented as people make it out to be.