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

No one is untouchable but this game showed Udoka is clearly incompetent if he isnt fired Rox should hire assistants and consultants who can do his job for him.

 

Roster construction is fine if we have no injuries.

 

No, the Rockets weren't a talented team last year either except on defense where they had 2 *more* all defense team guys + Adams to make up for Sengun weakness.

As a result they were actually elite on D - up in the top tier behind OKC

This year they don't have that. Not a very talented team

 

Naw bro, we have a poorly constructed roster...bunch of wings who can't shoot and create their own shot.
Teams clogged the paint on Sengun and Amen.

 

I see some thing little b****es. Any guesses?

 

Luke Kennard is 194th on defense efficiency while Reed is 119th.

Why the Lakers could keep scoring on Reed while we can't do the same on Luke?

Ime sucks.

 

You realize Udoka didnt even play JD and played Tate instead?

Eason made all his shots too bad Udoka only played him 24 mins while JJ had a brain and played Kennard 36 mins.

Dont you realize who plays on the court decides the game? If coach plays the wrong guys then we lose.

 

They had KD who shot 26 on near 50/40/90 and also 4rth on defensive FG%

 

Ok whatever, experience matters only when you say it does, I get it

 

It all comes down to who is behind Reed in the post

 

Its funny seeing that we actually hit 1 more 3 than they did.

We just shot 37% for the game lol omfg

 

I'm not superstitious so I don't believe in curses. I strongly believe that this team is limited because of the GM and front office. Trading for KD was a mistake. The Rockets prematurely thought they were talented enough to give up a FRP to go all in for a championship with KD. With KD this team is a second round exit at best. With FVV and KD this team is a WCF exit at best. We don't have a superstar among our young core. That is the main issue and the grievance I have against Stone.

 

Yeah, that's your opinion, their record said they were.

And yeah, obviously if you remove players from a team that makes the team weaker...obviously. I don't think that's a good argument that you keep having to go "Well yeah if they didn't have this player and that player!!!"

This year they also have injuries, so obviously they would be less of a team considering that

 

Sarr, Castle, and Clingan are all better than Reed. Reed is a 2 guard that can't defend.

 

You could say that for both sides, but doesn’t change the fact we had 27 more attempts.

 

We can point the finger at Udoka or Stone… or injuries or certain players. At the end of the day, the people making decisions for the Rockets aren’t as competent as the people at some other organizations.

The owner makes the ultimate decisions…. The GM hires his help and has input on who the coach is, which players will be drafted and signed… and the coach impacts how the team plays and makes adjustments.

They all just haven’t been good enough to satisfy the fan base.

This is year 7 for Tilman…. Year 6 for Stone and year 3 for Udoka and they haven’t won a playoff series.

No it isn’t fine.

Also counting on a 37 year old KD, 33 year old Adams and high mileage FVV to be healthy is foolish.

 

it’s not just defense. Its decision making. He forced several shots today from the perimeter and in the paint. Put Capela in bad situations with high arc passes to the baseline. Had couple bad TO’s passing to no one with no where to go or getting blitzed and dribbled backwards instead if trying to break it or passing it out quickly.

 

Sarr was taken before Reed. Castle cant shoot how will he help this offense? Clingan when we have 2x all star Sengun and need shooting?

Luke Kennard also cant play defense how come he won the game for the Lakers?

 

It wasn't a mistake at all. You get a superstar to give the young core more time to grow.

The younger players are still growing.

On to game 2

 

Adams the biggest loss