Originally posted by Lord Evolution
And here I am thinking you were rooting for us. 🙄
I don't like Jazz or the Lakers, but obviously as a Blazer fan I must root against the Lakers 😉 And when I said the Jazz will be rested, I meant not exhausted from a long series. I didn't mean they will actually have time to rest as they wait for the Lakers.
Also, when I said Nash/D'Antoni era, I meant in Phoenix, not necessarily the league being in the "Nash/D'Antoni" era.
Originally posted by DanZeke25
What he is saying is that there was no reason to bring it up that Lebron isn't as good as Kobe, but they always do anyway. 😉
Exactly. It just seems to be something I hear people harping on for what reason I don't understand. Lebron is my favorite player, and I don't really like Kobe at all but I gotta respect his game. I've never seen a reason to take shots at Kobe to promote Lebron.
Originally posted by Myth
I don't like Jazz or the Lakers, but obviously as a Blazer fan I must root against the Lakers 😉 And when I said the Jazz will be rested, I meant not exhausted from a long series. I didn't mean they will actually have time to rest as they wait for the Lakers.
They won't be exhausted from a long series, but they will be emotionally worn out since Houston is taking them to the wire every game.
Feels good to be in the 2nd round again, Gasol must be counting his blessing for being traded to LA.
Kobe was spectacular down the stretch and its great to see how he has so much more freedom now the team is improved. Before it would be Kobe vs 5, but now we have viable threats to either score or pass and it makes loading up on Kobe much more difficult.
Our defense has really impressed me so far in the playoffs, it was my main concern after the regular season but we are knuckling down and getting stops when we need to.
Denver has got to be the most unorganised collection of great talent i can remember seeing in the NBA, they have no offensive continuity and defensively they are completely uninterested. I dont know what kind of coach could get through to that rabble but they will never advance in the playoffs until they change their mentality.
As for Boston dropping two straight, i dont think it should surprise many people. Once the Celtics let the Hawks gain some belief and confidence then it was all on. The Hawks are one of the most athletic teams in the league and now they are not intimidated by Boston anymore, you can see it. The Celtics cant keep Ray Allen on JJ, that much is obvious. Posey would be a better choice in the later stages of the game, Allen is too weak and slow to handle JJ once he gets going. The Hawks also have a great clutch performer in Bibby who i feel still has a big part to play in the series. Horford is a load, should have won ROY imo.
If i had a choice of opponent in the next round im going with Utah, the Rockets have Battier and he plays Kobe as well as anyone in the league right now. Our main problem with Utah would be offensive rebounding and the Williams and Boozer pick and roll. Should be an exciting series no matter what.
Originally posted by guy222
Shane got lucky against Kobe last timeKobe remembers. So, if its Houston. Beware Shane
Lakers will advance. Neither Utah or Houston have a center to match Pau. Old man Mutombo and Okur. Pau will dominate
Nobody can stop Kobe, thats been proven for years but Battier does a good job contesting every shot (the old school "face guarding"😉and keeping himself in front of Kobe.
Of course having Gasol for these games will definitely swing things in our favor even more.
Either one is fine with me, but given the choice i'd like Utah. I would imagine that we would have Lamar check Okur and Gasol guard Boozer, mainly because Lamar is more comfortable guarding the perimeter orientated Okur and Gasol should really bother Boozer in the post with his long arms. I think we can take either team, but both teams have more fight and pride than the "Thuggets".
Chris Paul, what can you say? This kid is special, reminds me of Zeke with his nose for the ball defensively and with those handles. Top PG in the league.
Originally posted by Lord Evolution
We'll sweep either team. We wont lose a game until possibly the WCF.
I really hope you're right, the thing i love about these Lakers is the focus they have now. I used to worry about which team would show up in the past, but now they seem like they are all on the same page and have only one goal on their minds. Thats been one of Phil Jacksons strengths all throughout his coaching career, those meditation sessions must be helping.