Challenging Lakerland
Can anyone keep the Lakers from their seemingly pre-ordained return trip to the NBA Finals?
No one in the Western Conference is making the case in the regular season. The Lakers in the West look like the UConn women – a deadbolt lock. But we all know there is the regular season and there is the other season – no one knows that better than the Lakers, by the way – and a few teams out West are at least showing signs that the Lakers’ inevitable march to the Finals won’t be one in which they’re showered with rose petals along the way.
What makes the West so compelling are spots 2-9 because only eight qualify and some decent team is going to get iced. We’ll can concede No. 1 to Los Angeles’ varsity entry; eight games up in the loss column with 21 games left settles that. And that is a major advantage in the playoffs.
Every series starts on your floor (and Phil Jackson has never lost a playoff series after his team wins Game 1) and every series has Game 7, if need be, on your floor. So any team out West hoping to dethrone the current conference champs has that to deal with out of the chute.
We have no idea who will emerge as the other two division champions. Denver looked to be in control of the Northwest, until Utah caught fire. Portland is still hanging around.
The Spurs, Rockets and Hornets all are in contention for the Southwest crown and the Mavericks may be as well if Mark Cuban can find ways to rip them a couple times a week. (It worked against the Spurs at home; then Dallas fell apart the next night in New Orleans.)
But, realistically, which teams can actually make the Lakers break a sweat? As of now, there are probably three, maybe four. I can’t include Denver; any team with Kenyon Martin, Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith makes me too nervous, Chauncey Billups notwithstanding. I can’t include Portland; too young, but look out next year and beyond. Dallas? Nope. Phoenix? Forget it.
That leaves Utah, San Antonio, Houston and, perhaps, the Hornets. All of these teams could do it, but the likelihood, of course, is that none of them will. (The TV folks sure hope that’s the case, especially with the ‘Pass The Remote’ Spurs.)
San Antonio
No team out West has the cachet of the Spurs and their heart, soul and conscience is still there. And no, we’re not talking about Drew Gooden. The Spurs are muddling along (by their own standards, anyway) and waiting for Manu Ginobili to get healthy. If he does, they can beat anyone.
They are not intimidated by the Lakers or by having to win on the road. They’ve added a couple nice pieces this season (Roger Mason has been a pleasant surprise) and they still have the mental toughness that no one outside of LA possesses. And, don’t forget, this is an odd-numbered year and the only odd-numbered year in the last decade that the Spurs didn’t win was 2001.
San Antonio has been on a roll since New Years (20-9) and has shown some signs of late that its trademark, lockdown defense, is coming back. There’s no one that really figured out how to contain Tony Parker and the Fabulous Frenchman is having a terrific season. The Spurs have realigned a bit; Bruce Bowen now comes off the bench and coach Gregg Popovich finally found a use for long-range gunner Matt Bonner.
Gooden’s arrival had some around the league scratching their heads, for he’s not exactly known for his defense (although he does rebound.) But the Celtics would have taken Gooden in a heartbeat had they not had health concerns (Doc Rivers coached Gooden in Orlando.) These guys came within a horrible call last year of knotting the Western Conference Finals at 2-2. Dismiss them at your own peril.
Utah
No team is hotter than the Jazz. And it wasn’t until the team played its 57th game of the season – on Feb. 23 - that coach Jerry Sloan could submit his anticipated starting lineup to the stat crew. When Carlos Boozer played early in the season, either Deron Williams or Mehmet Okur was out. Boozer then went on the shelf for 44 games, but has returned with a vengeance. He had 20 points and 17 rebounds in a recent win over the Rockets.
Sloan has the versatile if occasionally goofy Andrei Kirilenko coming off the bench along with rebounding machine Paul Millsap and sharpshooter Kyle Korver. The Jazz went 20-9 after the All-Star break last season to take the fifth seed in the West. They went into Friday night’s game against Denver – at home – having won nine in a row, eight of them coming after the All-Star break.
They are getting healthy at the right time and if they can stay that way, they have the pieces to not only take the division, but to make things interesting in the playoffs. There’s also the added incentive of winning it for Larry Miller, the longtime Jazz owner who died on Feb. 20. He had his moments, but he had a passion for the Jazz and kept that franchise alive.
Houston
The wild card if, for no other reason, the Knucklehead Factor (read: Ron Artest.) The Rockets definitely don’t seem to mind at all that Tracy McGrady has packed it in for the season and they got rid of another potential disruption in trading away Rafer Alston, who can be a royal pain in the you-know-where (don’t take my word for it, just ask Sam Mitchell.) That’s 40 percent of the regular starting lineup gone and, until losing to red-hot Utah last Wednesday, the Rockets had won eight of nine.
One league exec called Houston “the fly in the ointment” for what looms as their untapped (and unknown) potential. They have Yao Ming and no one else does. Artest can defend, but he’s, well, Artest. Coach Rick Adelman has several outside shooters at his disposal, including Aaron Brooks, who has taken over for Alston.
The short-term goal for Houston is simply to get out of the first round. Yao has never done that. But if they do and get some momentum going, they present some headaches for anyone. If only they could play the playoffs in February; Houston has now gone two straight years without losing a home game in the month.
New Orleans
A couple weeks ago, it looked like the bottom might fall out on the Hornets and they’d be the odd team out in the West. But with Tyson Chandler returning (at least for now) and Chris Paul continuing to dazzle (27 points and 15 assists on Thursday night), New Orleans has won six straight and is back in the picture again.
They still need to get Peja Stojakovic rolling so he can be the much-needed third scorer behind Paul and the most unappreciated good player in the league, David West. But even with a full deck, does New Orleans have enough to overtake the Lakers in a seven-game series without the homecourt advantage?
They had LA beat recently in a game at the Staples Center before a dumb play cost them the victory in overtime. The addition of James Posey may not be statistically significant (or quantifiable), but he is a big guy when the money games are on the line. Just ask the good folks in Boston or Miami.
The Lakers still loom large, however, but, as David Stern likes to say, that’s why they play the games. But if Andrew Bynum comes back healthy, you might ask yourself, ‘why bother?’
BP8 Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 9:50 am
I especialy like the ending :”But if Andrew Bynum comes back healthy, you might ask yourself, ‘why bother?’”, i really hope that bynum will be back and we get that trophy back in LA.
Erik Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Let me shorten up your article just a bit. You don’t mind do you?
Can anyone keep the Lakers from their seemingly pre-ordained return trip to the NBA Finals? Only a season ending injury to Kobe can do that.
Forget San Antontio. I don’t care if it’s an odd or even year. They are too old, too slow, and without a healthy Ginobili and home court they don’t have a chance. Forget Utah. They can’t win on the road and the Lakers can and will. Forget Houston. Yao can score 30 every game and they would still lose because nobody else on that roster scares anyone. Forget New Orleans. They are still a year or two, and a player away from making a serious run in the West.
jay-rich#23 Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 10:56 am
Great article, but I can’t imagine anyone other than San Antonio being capable of giving the Lakers real competition in the playoffs. Hopefully it won’t be too onesided in the Western Conference come playoff time.
Go Phoenix Go!!!
jay-rich#23 Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 11:19 am
Sorry Erik, but the only team I would consider giving the Lakers real competition in the playoffs is San Antonio. Despite their age, they still are the best defensive team in the league and only they are capable of maybe limiting the Lakers. If they could beat them, I don’t know, but they would at least force them to six or seven games.
Go Phoenix Go!
doyouwantmore Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
Jerry Sloan finally gets a title this year.
jay-rich#23 Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
Sorry Erik, but the only team I would consider giving the Lakers real
competition in the playoffs is San Antonio. Despite their age, they still
are the best defensive team in the league and only they are capable of maybe
limiting the Lakers. If they could beat them, I don’t know, but they would
at least force them to six or seven games.
Go Phoenix Go!
Spurs4Life Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
“These guys came within a horrible call last year of knotting the Western Conference Finals at 2-2. Dismiss them at your own peril.”
Great final point on the Spurs, Mr. May. One other thing people forget about that series is that the Spurs played with Ginobili on one leg. With a healthy Gino, that series is much different and it at least goes 7.
Now you add an expanded role for Bonner, the additions of Hill and Mason who were thrown into the fire with Parker and Manu hurt early and now Gooden. The Spurs have 2 deep at every position. If Gooden brings some added toughness and scoring to the bench, the Spurs could come out of the West again.
Holla Bolla Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
Spurs4Life,
Great points…except not really.
Selective haters like you forget the play before that “horrible call” vs. your boy Brent Barry. I’ll remind you that the Lakers got the rebound on a shot that clearly hit the rim, as the shot clock expired. Our bound, time runs out, game over…but you got the ball back and an excuse that never gets old at the Alamo.
One unlucky call deserves another. Deal with it.
Manu was hurt, true..but Bynum was not even there. What gives? Bynum looks like he is coming back, and I know you saw how he contained Duncan on National TV, in January.
Keep believing your own garbage. The truth is not found in hate.
Holla Bolla
WhatWhat Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
The Spurs aren’t too old and too slow to beat the Lakers. The Lakers SHOULD beat them, but they will definitely not go out without a fight. Parker can run circles around Fish and Farmar…and Duncan is Duncan…so I think the key to beating them is containing Ginobli. If those 3 are all playing well then they’re VERY tough to beat…
I’m honestly not very worried about any other team, though, besides Utah. Utah has enough firepower to make you sweat a bit, but not enough to beat the Lakers.
Holla Bolla Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Spurs4Life,
Great points…except not really.
Selective haters like you forget the play before that “horrible call” vs. your boy Brent Barry. I’ll remind you that the Lakers got the rebound on a shot that clearly hit the rim, as the shot clock expired. Our bound, time runs out, game over…but you got the ball back and an excuse that never gets old at the Alamo.
One unlucky call deserves another. Deal with it.
Manu was hurt, true..but Bynum was not even there. What gives? Bynum looks like he is coming back, and I know you saw how he contained Duncan on National TV, in January.
Keep believing your own garbage. The truth is not found in hate. Love LA.
Holla Bolla
Jorge S. MD Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
Don’t sleep on the Houston Rockets this year. They have the best defensive wings (Battier/Artest) in the NBA. The only team that can slow down Kobe, Lebron, Pierce & Ray Allen. In addition, the Rockets now have depth and the perfect role players (Scola, Landry, Brooks, Lowry, Wafer, Battier, Hayes and Brent Barry) around Yao. Artest has been a model citizen for years now but the media will keep calling him a knucklehead for life I guess, even though nothing he ever did was as bad as what Kobe has done. The Rockets are built for the playoffs this year. Stay tuned!
mike Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
lets get this much straight… to contain the lakers you have to play man up defence on kobe.. spurs have bowen for that rockets have artest and hornets hav posey!! with that said the team lakers should worry about is the spurs. no team in this league has more experience then them… just look at thier compusure through injuries they did not hesitate at all with duncan out ginobli out at times and parker out at times.. they kept doing thier own thing not caring about anyone else. Now with everyone healthy look for them to gel towards the end and make things intresting come playoffs!!
Lakers Chokeee!!!!!! Lakers Chokee!!!!!
Celtics Baby!!
chris Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
The Spurs are always contenders. Tim Duncan is too good of a player and Popovich is probably the best coach in basketball today.
But being a Laker fan, I always check to see which player on the other team can slow down Kobe. And guess what? Houston has two players that can do it.
Ron Artest and Shane Battier are both strong defenders that can slow Kobe, not stop him. If that happens, we would need Pau and Lamar to step up. Pau will. Lamar,… who knows?
miz5zou Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
The problem I see with the lakers is the problem I see with their fans. They think they’ve got this thing in the bag, and true, there is no way you can argue against that because they are playing the best ball right now, but in the playoffs, a team with a chip on its shoulder is very very dangerous.
I think The Jazz, Hornets, and Spurs (in no particular order) can take the lakers. The Jazz are the hottest team in the nba, followed by the Hornets. The hornets match up with the Lakers better than people give them credit for. Dwest is better than Pao - he can shoot the jump shot, take it to the rim, and get rebounds better than pao. Chandler is playing some inspired ball right now, and if bynum plays, I think chandler can play well enough to stop him. Cp3 is cp3 and Kobe is Kobe - however, Posey gave kobe fits last year in the finals.
I think it will be SA though who does it. Over the past ten years they win the finals on an odd year, and with their big 3 still in tact, what’s to say this year won’t be the same? They are the best defensive team and they just flat out know how to win playoff series.
robert dylan ocampo Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
the teams mentioned to challenge the lakers r the teams that they beat, handily! on last year’s playoffs,well except for the rockets (because they cant get past the 1st round) and the hornets , because they aint tough enuff to advance to the final round….spurs? jazz? both teams didnt scare the mighty lakers and in case you need to be reminded, they were beaten badly by the lakers w/o ariza and bynum.. and yeah..good point there bp8, whey bynum gets back, why bother?
lakers all the way this time!
Really??? Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
People, people come on. This article treats the Lakers like they are one of the greatest teams ever. They are a great offense, that plays average defense. How many teams with that make up win championships now-a-days? They are built for the regular season because they are so much more athletic than most teams, they crush teams on back to backs and teams with little time to prepare from game to game. You know who the Lakers are, the Suns from a couple years back. Great offense, average defense.
Shawn Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
“What makes the West so compelling are spots 2-9 because only eight qualify”
Spots 2-9 comprise of eight teams, of which only seven will qualify. Right idea, bad wording. On a separate note, Houston will advance this year so long as they do not get paired up against Utah in the first round. The Jazz have had their number the last 2+ years.
KyleLowry Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Houston will surprise everyone and give da lakers a run for their money..Mark my words..u heard it here first
jazzcrazy Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
Although I am a dyed in the wool Utah fanatic, I believe San Antonio to be the biggest threat this year to the Lakers. Duncan has leadership qualities that the Lakers can only dream of….GO UTAH!
mistaspur Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 11:50 pm
i opt 4 da “kobe rule”….he gets away with everything….u touch him foul he touches other players i didnt c n e thing….so players are forced to play very light defense on him…..so of course he gets easy looks its pretty much handed 2 him…hes da new hype da wanna be jordan…..so like da bad boys did the jordan rules lets switch em up…if u dont believe me just watch a laker game….i wont discredit the rest of the team they can actually play..but when they r shut down give it 2 kobe he can win it….thanx 2 the league…spurs will win it…the team of the decade…..
SPURS IN THE NEWS March 8th - SpursReport.com Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 3:20 am
[...] HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Peter May Challenging Lakerland by Peter May Can anyone keep the Lakers from their seemingly pre-ordained [...]
ALdsTaR Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 5:10 am
well i cant wait for the playoffs anything can happen, but if bynum returns we can just skip the playoffs and hand the trophy to LA cause with or without bynum we probably make the finals and with bynum, well probably win it with ease
Michael Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 8:05 am
Bynum is soft. Odom is soft. Gasol is a marshmallow.
The Lakers need to grow a pair or bring someone in who was born with balls.
They ain’t winning it this year. They’ll get to the finals. But Kobe is just too easy to shut down in a 7 game series.
Henry Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 8:09 am
Only a team that plays good physical defense, and smart team offense can beat the Lakers but if team does those two, they can. In the west, its the Spurs and Jazz. No one else. In the East, only the Celtics. For the Spurs, its basically Ginoboli’s health, the Jazz whether they can play on the road as well as at home (which is why the Lakers likely will prevail due to their home court advantage). Both teams have great speedy point guards which will put pressure on Fish.
Melvin Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 8:18 am
seriously i think when the playoff starts, i any lower-seeded teams can match LA pound-for-pound. just the way i am seeing it…
http://www.basketballnonsense.com/
LA Lakers domina en el Oeste… ¿pero lo harán también en playoffs? Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 10:43 am
[...] Según los expertos de HoopsHype, sólo cuatro equipos podrían poner en apuros a los angelinos: San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz y New Orleans Hornets. Portland Trail Blazers es demasiado joven para esta temporada y Denver Nuggets es muy inestable. [...]
chanman Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
I like how “Really???” describe the laker defense as average…last time i checked the cavs are allowing the same amount of points as the lakers and every body say they play “great Defense”. the only great defensive team is Boston. no one else will shut down kobe and pau on the same night, then u got odom to worry about. and they crush them on “back to backs” so u dont think the lakers crush teams when THEY play “back to backs”? check your stats before u speak boy
LA Lakers domina en el Oeste… ¿pero lo harán también en playoffs? : Blogografia Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 1:22 pm
[...] Según los expertos de HoopsHype, sólo cuatro equipos podrían poner en apuros a los angelinos: San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz y New Orleans Hornets. Portland Trail Blazers es demasiado joven para esta temporada y Denver Nuggets es muy inestable. [...]
Holla Bolla Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
From Jon Barry (some call him a Laker-hater, so no Laker bias here)
Now they (Spurs) are looking a little more like an up-tempo team. I think Gregg Popovich realizes that the goal for everyone in the Western Conference has to be to beat the Lakers. The only way the Spurs will do that is by improving their offense. I think that’s why there were serious talks about bringing Vince Carter to San Antonio. I really think that was close to happening. They wanted to get more athletic and offensive. Ultimately, that’s why they ended up with Gooden.
They haven’t stopped playing defense, but if you look at the numbers, they are nowhere near what they have been in the past decade. The style they are playing now is easier on them physically as well.
All that being said, I can’t see them beating L.A. in a playoff series. I know Ginobili was hurt when the Lakers beat them in five games in last season’s Western Conference finals, but they just seemed to run circles around the Spurs. Even without Andrew Bynum, the Lakers are better, and I’d have to take them again in the West this season.
Newmonic Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
I appreciate that, for the most part, people on this tread can talk about their teams and other NBA teams with an ounce of objectivity. I’m a big Spurs fan and I feel that the Spurs have recieved more than our share of hatred over the last 10 years. Of course that’s a compliment, but I just think there are things about the Spurs that basketball fans should be able to appreciate.
By the same token, there are things about this Spurs that are real concerns for us. The health of Manu is one issue–that’s been mentioned a lot, obviously. But the age of Bruce Bowen is another. If you gave me this Spurs team, as-is, with a Bruce Bowen from two years ago, I would feel very very strong about our chances. Say what you will about Bruce (and someone probably will), but he is a master at getting in a shooter’s space. I don’t think any defender has been able to challenge the best offensive players in the league at the most crucial moments of the playoffs the way Bowen has for the last few years. The problem is, it looks like he’s having more and more trouble staying with the more atheletic (see: Kobe, Lebron) players now. You’ll notice that when Bruce is not guarding those guys, it’s either Manu (also a pretty decent option), Finley or Mason (considerable drop-offs defensively). Gooden is an upgrade for our interior defense over Bonner, but I think we’ll need The Pest to be at his best (heh) to have a chance.
Anyway, looking forward to a great game with Phoenix in a few minutes!
Go SPURS!
kobe09 Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
the NBA playoffs should be like college football, just let the best two teams play in the finals and let the the other 14 teams play bowlgames, the playoffs are to long, we know the lakers are going to be there, the upset will be who do you choose out East he celt’s our Cavs! i chose the Magic
LA Lakers domina en el Oeste… ¿pero lo harán también en playoffs? : Diario de Deporte Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
[...] Según los expertos de HoopsHype, sólo cuatro equipos podrían poner en apuros a los angelinos: San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz y New Orleans Hornets. Portland Trail Blazers es demasiado joven para esta temporada y Denver Nuggets es muy inestable. [...]
Howard Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Erik Said….
“Can anyone keep the Lakers from their seemingly pre-ordained return trip to the NBA Finals? Only a season ending injury to Kobe can do that.”
Well, there is a chance of that as the Lakers play the Charlotte Bobcats and Raja Bell at least one more time….and we know how he loves to give Kobe the noogie neck hug before throwing him to the floor, with the blessing of Stern…and you never know, Radmanovic may have some frustration, after all, when he got busted for snow-boarding, he probably should have said, “well Kobe does it” (ala Kobe and Shaq and Colorado deades ago)…. I wonder if Kobe and Shaq and Phil have “can’t ride motorcycles in their contracts….Probably driving the Porsche didn’t help Phil’s back for those years he did, I heard he got rid of it, wonder what he’s driving now? I would guess a Range Rover…
Bobby Hubbard Said,
March 8, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Yob ya’ll best watch out for the nuggets, even if they have a selfish 2guard and Carmelo’s incredulous self. All’s I is sayin is Chauncy is goin to show u y his name be Mr. Big Shot and he will guide them to the conference finals where they face the lakers. They will lose though. Next comes the celtics. The only way the lakeblood win this year is wit Bynum cuz Pau and Odom will crumble, again, under the heavy hearted champs’ frontcourt. The only way they get the ship is by not having to play the celtics, which may happen if Wade or LeBron decide to prove this year that they are hall of famers and take over a series. Watch dis nut biy ya yi ya itch!!!!!!!!!!
Omar Aberilla Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 4:10 am
It’s definitely the Lakers. I can’t think of any team that’s going to have the poise or the mettle to unseat the Lakers in the West. And when they get to the finals, even against Boston, they have better chances this season. They let last year slip, but I don’t see it happening this year. No disrespect to Boston. It’s just real.
Omar Aberilla Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 4:11 am
It’s definitely the Lakers. I can’t think of any team that’s going to have the poise or the mettle to unseat the Lakers in the West. And when they get to the finals, even against Boston, they have better chances this season. They let last year slip, but I don’t see it happening this year. No disrespect to Boston. It’s just the real.
PostPlay Aguilar Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 7:11 am
Just so happy to see so many Spurs fans fired up.
A laker fan myself, but I’ve always had deep respect for how the Spurs as a team have operated. Nice infusion of complimentary talent this year, and they seem to be rolling the right way. Only thing missing is getting Manu in full health.
Lakers are marginally better, but the Spurs are just too solid and play too consistently well on D to be discounted. it’ll be great matchup but one where I hope and expect the Lakers to come out on top!
Go lakeshow!
lakeshowfan Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 10:10 am
I love the Lakers an cant wait for the play-offs but I really get tired of the Kobe haters…I watch Lebron play an I am not crying about the travelling an fouls he gets calls to shoot free throws…or Kevin Garrnet hollerin an actin a fool but gets no technical foul calls…did I cry about BOSTONS win last year NNNNNNNOOOOO. So sit back relax an watch history being made..an as for SHACK…see How KOBE %#! TASTE THIS YEAR………….
Big J Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 11:02 am
I really like the lakers and boston repeat but it also depends on who playing well in the playoffs and who’s healthy. The playoffs is another monter all to it’s self.
roberto Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Hornets are the most dangerous, in my opinion. Nobody can’t stop CP3, West is a unsolved problem for Odom and Gasol, and Posey can “disturb” Kobe
kenneth Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
Its all about the lakers. no one can stop them right now. they have the best player in the nba and thats kobe bryant. plus they have the best bench so, they are un-beatable. Also they do have the best record in the nba. Lakers all the way!!!!!
Mike Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
The Cavs give up 90.4 points per game, and 101 points per 100 possessions. They allow opponents to shoot 42.7% from the field.
The Lakers give up 100.8 points per game, and 105 points per 100 possessions. They allow opponents to shot 45% from the field.
The Cavaliers are a significantly better defensive team than the Lakers. The Lakers are decent, but no better than a team like the 76ers in terms of statistical production, and their penchant for letting bad teams score lots of points against them is a knock on their defense.
For what it’s worth, the Celtics give up the same 101 points per 100 possessions and 42.7% from the field as the Cavaliers.
ArnVanHaLen Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
ALL I can say is that no one in the West can present much of a challenge to the LAKERS. The Lakers are destined to challenge and to be challenged by the CELTICS.
earlmonroe Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
lakers in 5 in the the finals
jubei Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
I see the largest problem is with Pau at Power forward for LA, this means that Bynum is at center, and the Spurs have no center. That leaves the middle wide open and all LA has to do is lockdown the perimeter. TP’s drives to the hole gets stifled each time bynum was in the middle because he’s fast enough to react to the drives, just ask Rondo.
Even with ginobli, if Bynum is back they are done, theyre all done. Even boston. LA is hard as heck to take down without Bynum, but with an “Active” bynum they are heckuva hard.
Chuckey Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Hope the Lakers get it this year.
I don’t know if I could stomach a guy like Marbury winning a championship.
Mike Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
The Spurs aren’t too old, only Duncan,Finley and Thomas are over 31 amongt their day to day contributors. they might not be good enough but the “old” reason isn’t why. they’ve quietly restocked and with a healthy Gooden will be a very hard out in the playoffs.
Jay Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Can’t wait to meet the LAkers in the playoffs,,,bottom line–the hottest team at that time will prevail. Let Kobe get his 30 then let the other Lakers settle for jump shots and the odd year team will rise to the top…Go Spurs!!!!!
Ldawg Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
Spurs will take out LA! Spurs aren’t the same team last year!
We have Hill a longer extension of Parker, Mason a younger Robert Hory, Mat Bonner a younger Barry………etc.. Please don’t forget 2 of those games last year against LA, SA was up by 18 and 20 points before they ran out of gas. And that was with an injured Manu.
So what about Bynum! Hes unproven in the playoffs. And anyone will tell you Duncan is a beast in the playoffs. Bring on Bynum……. Duncan will have him in foul trouble in no time then who you got! Lamar!!! hahahahahaaa…….. Like Kenny Smith said on TNT its gonna come down if LA can contain Duncan! And we all know what Lamar is all about! lol . NADA!
So when I hear about LA running circles plz ….. SA offense has greatly improved. SA is much younger than years past. Look at are starting five Parker, Duncan , Mason, Oberto, Finn. It doesn’t look old to me so keep trying to fool your self in thinking SA too old. LA forget get that Kobe and Duncan have been in the league about the same amount of years and parker is still a pup…. and Bonner is in his prime.
So if saying my Spurs are old makes you sleep well at night …. well to each his own!
Go Spurs Go !! one for the thumb!
rdc22 Said,
March 10, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
Erik is stupid, San Antonio is so old that can teach u class boy. U Know nothing about basketball, they are the toughest boys on the NBA and Spurs Celtics Finals is on baby.
Xiang Said,
March 11, 2009 @ 8:10 am
Bynum will come back, Lakers will get to the finals after being challenged to a couple of 6-7 game series then….will lose to the Celtics.
Kobe will get pissed and he’ll do the same parking lot shit he did about Bynum.
Daniel Said,
March 11, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Seriously Chanman? The same amount of points? The Cavs give up 90.41 points per game and the Lakers give up 100.57. As Jim Calhoun would say “Get some facts and come back and see me, GET SOME FACTS AND COME BACK AND SEE ME!!”
John Said,
March 11, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
I think it’s really inspirational the way the Jazz have played since Larry Miller died. You have respect people who care about everyone around them. Larry Miller did that. He had a huge heart for people and a passion for that game. I see the Jazz players being inspired by that passion and love for the game. I also see them caring enough about each other to pick each other up when they themselves might not be playing well. An inspired team is both wonderous and dangerous. =)
In other words, I have a good feeling about the Jazz this year. Just think of how special that would be for the Utah Jazz to win their first title after losing the owner that kept them in Utah in the first place. I think it would be really great if anyone, even other fans, cheered them on–putting their own feelings and biases aside. The country needs something like this to get behind.
Thank you, Larry Miller, for being such a great leader and caring person for others to look up to. This is for you, Larry.
follysgambit Said,
March 11, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
Ya gotta give the mighty Lakers their props…great regular season to get the taste of getting BEAT DOWN by the celtics last year…do you think a bench warmer like Ariza and a untested center like Bynum (if he comes back healthy…with this kid, you never know…remember last year) what has the Lakers really added? The Jazz took em to the end of a game 6 last year, w/ the Jazz still learning to play high level ball together ( this was before Milsap’s coming out party, remember )…and the spurs were hurting last year, timmy wasn’t right….he’s right this year (well, 90%)…I’m still betting on the Lakers in the finals ( to loose ) but don’t get cocky on the west laker fan, if you get portland in the first roung, your gonna be worn the f out by the time 2nd servings come your way (if they come your way).
AMac Said,
March 13, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Spurs4Life-
“With a healthy Gino, that series is much different and it at least goes 7.”
If it goes, AT LEAST 7, then how many could it go? 8? 9? If you check the playoff structure, all series go AT MOST 7.
Don’t be an idiot.
frank B Said,
March 13, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
If the Lakers continue to start Ariza, and Bynum comes back, it looks awfully good for Lakerland.
San Antonio doesn’t have the size of speed to stay with the Lakers. In fact, no one has the size and speed to stay with the Lakers barring injuries to key players of course.
Utah is playing well right now but how come they can’t win a road game? That doesn’t bode well for them in the playoffs.
Basically it boils down to the Lakers, Cavaliers and Celtics. Has anyone else noticed that the Lakers are 4 and 0 against their two East Coast rivals?
Hopefully, (if you are Lakers fan) what we are seeing is a 3, 4, or 5 year run by the Lakers like what we saw with the Bulls in the 90’s.
Fantasy, wishful thinking? I don’t think so. We should be able to keep at least Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and Ariza together for that long and to me that pencils in just as well as Jordan, Pippen, Harper, and Grant. I don’t think this Lakers team is as good as the Dennis Rodman incarnation of the Bulls although it really might be close.
I really like Trevor Ariza. He is the fastest guy on the floor and has arms that belong on a 7 footer. His jumpshooting is a little suspect, but he makes up for it on offense with a decent 3 point shot and a great slashing ability. His defense disrupts entire teams’ offensive philosophy at times, which is very unusual for a small forward. He wants to win. You can see it in his face. You can fell it in his demeanor.
Don’t forget one Phil Jackson. Michael Jordon never won sh%t until Phil Jackson went to Chicago. When Phil Jackson took over the Lakers they had just been swept by San Antonio the year before. He took virtually the same roster and won the championship.
When Phil wasn’t coaching the Lakers after the ShaqKobe divorce, the Lakers sucked. When he came back his starting lineup included Kwame Brown and Smush Parker, and Incredibly, we made the playoffs and took Phoenix 7 games in the playoffs.
It would be poetic justice if the Lakers played Boston in the finals and Phil got his 10th ring in Red’s backyard. I wonder if Phil would light a cigar?
AMac Said,
March 13, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
frank B.-
The best thing about Trevor Ariza is his willingness to commit a blatantly dirty foul (See Rudy Fernandez). And then, not only will he not man up and admit it was dirty and unnecessary (born out of frustration, no doubt), he talks so much sh%t that Brandon Roy gets heated, and it takes A LOT to get a guy as level-headed as Roy heated.
Ariza is a dirty player who can’t simply say, “Whoops, that was a mistake, I sent that guy to the hospital for no reason.”
Clean it up, Trev.
frank B Said,
March 13, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Trevor was judged to have made a flagrant foul and was ejected from the garme. If one thinks that it was a dirty play, then he was certainly punished for his actions. I think an ejection was more than enough punishment. Personally, I thnk the contact was only a flagrant one, but the out of control fall caused by the contact caused the ejection.
I think Fernandez was surprised that Trevor caught him because he certainly didn’t brace for contact when he jumped and was unprepared when he was hit.
As a Soccer referee, we would call a play of that sort a “dangerous play” or a penal foul that would result in a yellow card. I think that we can all agree that that play was dangerous because Fernandez didn’t see Ariza coming and Ariza played in a reckless manner.
That being said, I don’t think we can call Ariza a dirty player, especially if you watch him game after game. He doesn’t have a pattern of hard fouls, just really this one incident. On that play he was clearly going for the ball, and got a lot of ball, but then committed a hard foul.
Los Angeles Lakers 08-09 - Pagina 58 - Olimpia Milano Forum Said,
March 14, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
[...] HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Peter May Challenging Lakerland __________________ "If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will" Kobe Bryant "Once you are a Laker, you are a Laker for life" Earvin Magic Johnson "Non chiedere cosa i tuoi compagni possano fare per te. Chiedi piuttosto cosa tu possa fare per i tuoi compagni" Earvin Magic Johnson "Posso accettare la sconfitta, ma non posso accettare di rinunciare a provarci" Michael Jeffrey Jordan GO LAKERS!! 23.10.07 - 06.06.08 03-12-08: OLIMPIA MILANO - cska 80-79 [...]
michael Said,
March 15, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
AMac is an idiot
Porky Said,
March 17, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Lakers could make it to the NBA finals. Could. That being said, they will lose to either the Cavs or Celtics (probably the latter if they can get healthy). Fakers cannot deal with superior defense, both of which Cavs/Celts will play. Therefore, the Fakers will be Losers once again, even if they get there (not assured).
gesias cavalcante Said,
March 19, 2009 @ 4:41 am
I can’t see why everyone hates on the spurs. They don’t trash talk and they are all quality citizens. No druggies or malcontents here. Also where do they get off calling a team with tony Parker and Manu ginobili boring?