Top Three Teams in the West that can Knock off the Lakers

[tlongII]

From celtics17.com

http://mvn.com/celtics17/2009/03/top-three-teams-in-the-western-conference-that-can-knock-off-the-lakers.html

The Lakers are slowly running away with the Western Conference. In fact, it seems very unlikely that a team will be able to knock them out of the playoffs before they reach they reach the NBA Finals.

However some teams, like the Spurs, Hornets, and now even the Jazz are contenders to knock off the feared Lakers. The Blazers, Rockets, and Nuggets aren't too far behind. And with a healthy Greg Oden, and a little bit of luck, Portland could be the team to do it.

Who are the top three teams that could knock the Lakers off in an upset? The teams above are certainly able, but only half of them will be mentioned. Could it be Portland with a healthy Oden? Or how about that up-and coming Utah team? Could the Spurs get hot and do it themselves? Time to debate!

3. Portland Trail Blazers (If Greg Oden is available) - The Blazers are a young team that acts like a group of veterans. They have a scary one-two punch with All-Star Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

With a healthy Greg Oden (I'm sure you've guessed by now that it is key for them to have Oden), the Blazers can abuse multiple teams down low with many different post options.

Brandon Roy is now considered one of the league's top three shooting guards, with his shooting touch, and his scrappy paint game. He also has very good passing skills, which he uses to his advantage when he plays lesser shooting guards.

If Oden can ever stay healthy, it's likely Rip City could see yet another Finals appearance.

3. New Orleans Hornets (if the Blazers don't have Oden) - The Hornets have been rising since the return of Tyson Chandler. They definitely have a big three of themselves with Chandler, David West, and top point guard Chris Paul.

Paul's current season is being compared with the likes of John Stockton and Magic Johnson. Pretty exclusive company if you ask me. David West is another All-Star on the star-studded Hornets, and is averaging 20 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season.

The Hornets have a great team this season, and ever since the return of Chandler, they've been playing like it.

2. Utah Jazz - Much to the dismay of other Western Conference teams, the Jazz are back again ever since the return of All-Star forward Carlos Boozer.

Now with their big four (Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko) back on track, the Jazz have won seven of their last 10 games. The Jazz are only 2.5 games out of second place in the conference, but with the West being a tight conference, they currently sit in the seventh spot, slightly ahead of the surging Mavericks.

If the Jazz head into the playoffs with the momentum they have now, along with being healthy, the Lakers could be getting a not so pleasant surprise.

1. San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs, who are currently holding on to a second place spot in the Western Conference, are still one of the top teams in the league, even after all four championships they've won.

Led by two All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, as well as a past All-Star (Manu Ginobili), the Spurs have a 45-23 record. San Antonio has the perfect recipe for a championship contender - experience, a few fresh legs, and a crazy coach. Sounds good to me!

[DeadlyDynasty]

Thread should be renamed "the top 3 teams in the west that might take a game from the Lakers in a series."

[JamStone]

Those are four teams.

[Girasuck]

Any article that lists AK over Brewer isn't worth the read. RB is our x-factor. AK is just going through the motions again.

[Spur-Addict]

Those are four teams.

What he said. :lol

[The Franchise]

Those are four teams.

:lol

[sook]

LOL yea i was going to say that

[Allanon]

Thread should be renamed "the top 3 teams in the west that might take a game from the Lakers in a series."


Why dont you throw in the Clippers as well.

[Bob Lanier]

nH9QejHSMu0

[jbspurs]

Those are four teams.

Without Oden, He doesn't consider his team top 3.

[Ghazi]

Rockets/Spurs belong on there before those 3 teams. Even then, the Lakers are 5-1 against those two teams and 6-0 if not for a miracle Mason shot.

Lakers just seem too good for the West IMO, no team has shown the consistency or firepower necessary to knock off the Lakers. On top of the fact that Kobe/Gasol will play 5-6 more minutes per game in the playoffs, they probably have another gear of intensity to shift to.

And if Bynum comes back, oh my!

[Donkeybong]

Rockets/Spurs belong on there before those 3 teams. Even then, the Lakers are 5-1 against those two teams and 6-0 if not for a miracle Mason shot.

Lakers just seem too good for the West IMO, no team has shown the consistency or firepower necessary to knock off the Lakers. On top of the fact that Kobe/Gasol will play 5-6 more minutes per game in the playoffs, they probably have another gear of intensity to shift to.

And if Bynum comes back, oh my!

Ghazi knows his shit.

[mavs>spurs2]

I actually think the Lakers will be worse come playoff time. Kobe's game will shift into a whole different gear, but I think the rest of the team will play worse. All these role players who are being glorified by Kobe will have to step up against actual playoff defense. Gasol won't put up the type of numbers he's been having once the playoffs roll around. It'll be interesting to see what happens, I still think the Lakers are the favorites though. Probably only Boston can beat them, and it will be a close series, but it IS a possibility that some West teams can give them a run for their money. I just wish the Mavs can somehow get out of the 8th seed, and a team that will give the Lakers more trouble will fall back to 8th.

[Lakers999]

complete shit

[tlongII]

No way that Boston beats the Lakers this year. However, the Cavs would beat them if they had HCA. The Blazers are the only team in the West that can take them out.

[aka_USAPA]

From celtics17.com

1. San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs, who are currently holding on to a second place spot in the Western Conference, are still one of the top teams in the league, even after all four championships they've won.

Led by two All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, as well as a past All-Star (Manu Ginobili), the Spurs have a 45-23 record. San Antonio has the perfect recipe for a championship contender - experience, a few fresh legs, and a crazy coach. Sounds good to me!

At least they didn't state the "odd" year factor in there. We can almost forget about #1 now. The Spurs have been exposed to be old, slow, predictable. On top of that, they are plagued with injuries. It will take a major miracle for the Spurs to come out of the West.

[j-money24]

the teams who could knock off the lakers in order:
1- Portland Blazers
2-Utah Jazz
3-San Antonio Spurs

[Pelicans78]

the teams who could knock off the lakers in order:
1- Portland Blazers
2-Utah Jazz
3-San Antonio Spurs

None of those teams have a chance. They may win 2 at the most.

[Pelicans78]

No team has a good chance to beat the Lakers. Not right now. They may win a game or two, but that's about it. Let's not kid ourselves.

[Ghazi]

No team has a good chance to beat the Lakers. Not right now. They may win a game or two, but that's about it. Let's not kid ourselves.

No, the Hornets do. After all, you told me CP3 was the best player in the game, and is complimented by a top 5 center, ALL STAR PF David West, two GREAT shooters in Peja/Butler, YOUTHFUL energy with Hilt and Wright, HEADY VETERAN clutchness with Posey, and HEART with Bowen and Marks.

Oh and they won in Staples!!!11

[j-money24]

No, the Hornets do. After all, you told me CP3 was the best player in the game, and is complimented by a top 5 center, ALL STAR PF David West, two GREAT shooters in Peja/Butler, YOUTHFUL energy with Hilt and Wright, HEADY VETERAN clutchness with Posey, and HEART with Bowen and Marks.

Oh and they won in Staples!!!11

:lol

[jag]

Rockets/Spurs belong on there before those 3 teams. Even then, the Lakers are 5-1 against those two teams and 6-0 if not for a miracle Mason shot.

Lakers just seem too good for the West IMO, no team has shown the consistency or firepower necessary to knock off the Lakers. On top of the fact that Kobe/Gasol will play 5-6 more minutes per game in the playoffs, they probably have another gear of intensity to shift to.

And if Bynum comes back, oh my!

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2650/281akc8.gif

[Pelicans78]

No, the Hornets do. After all, you told me CP3 was the best player in the game, and is complimented by a top 5 center, ALL STAR PF David West, two GREAT shooters in Peja/Butler, YOUTHFUL energy with Hilt and Wright, HEADY VETERAN clutchness with Posey, and HEART with Bowen and Marks.

Oh and they won in Staples!!!11

I can sue you for lible. I never said any of those things.

[Ghazi]

Jannerooooo PARGOOOOO

[sook]

Jannerooooo PARGOOOOO

olddddddddddddddddddddddd :wakeup

[Pelicans78]

Jannerooooo PARGOOOOO


:sleep

[Ghazi]

:)

[fevertrees]

If the Hornets were healthy and could learn how to play LA in New Orleans, it might be a series. Devin Brown owns Kobe in one on one play. :)

[Ghazi]

If the Hornets were healthy and could learn how to play LA in New Orleans, it might be a series. Devin Brown owns Kobe in one on one play. :)

Health? CP3' only missed 4 games this year. No one else who is worthy of mention has missed any games for the Hornets.

[fevertrees]

Health? CP3' only missed 4 games this year. No one else who is worthy of mention has missed any games for the Hornets.

:lmao:lmao:bang:bang

I don't even know where to start on this

[Ghazi]

Sorry, guys like David West Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler shouldn't be used as injury excuses. That would be like me using J-Ho's 20+ missed games this year as an injury excuse.

[iggypop123]

Any article that lists AK over Brewer isn't worth the read. RB is our x-factor. AK is just going through the motions again.

i think kobe loves brewer. never guards him. just dares him to shoot jumpshots and then on offense if brewer is moving well defensively he then destroys him in the paint. brewer has no strength to defend kobe. same with AK. gets destroyed in the post

[crc21209]

In the West, Portland is too young to knock off the Lakers, New Orleans is not as good as they were last year. The only team who can do it is the Spurs.

[cobbler]

There is only one team that could have any impact and derail the Lakers making it back to the finals this year.

1. Lakers

[tlongII]

If Bynum isn't back the Lakers have no hope of matching the Blazers' size. It would get ugly for them.

[wijayas]

Thread should be renamed "the top 3 teams in the west that might take a game from the Lakers in a series."

:lol :lol :lol Good thinking...
Although I seriously think Spurs with Manu and Tim healthy can go blow by blow with the Lakers.

[tlongII]

:lol :lol :lol Good thinking...
Although I seriously think Spurs with Manu and Tim healthy can go blow by blow with the Lakers.

Maybe, but when have those guys been healthy at the same time over the past year?

[Manufan909]

Maybe, but when have those guys been healthy at the same time over the past year?

The troll makes a decent point.

Hope besides the handful of games this season, most of the POs.

[jack sommerset]

Only injuries will cost the Lakers a place in the finals. Noone is even close to them in the West and thats without Bynum! You are dreaming if you think anything different.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

No way that Boston beats the Lakers this year. However, the Cavs would beat them if they had HCA. The Blazers are the only team in the West that can take them out.

What the hell are you talking about Tlong? The Cavs would get ass raped by the Lakers.

[Ghazi]

What the hell are you talking about Tlong? The Cavs would get ass raped by the Lakers.

You underestimate the King :bking:bking:king

[Banzai]

You underestimate the King :bking:bking:king

king of what?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

king of what?

a question no one can answer

[tlongII]

King of the NBA. The Cavs have the best record in the league and it's no accident.

[dirk4mvp]

King of the NBA. The Cavs have the best record in the league and it's no accident.

you won't be hard pressed to find that some of these guys will tell you that Mo Williams is the Cavs mvp.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

you won't be hard pressed to find that some of these guys will tell you that Mo Williams is the Cavs mvp.

JJ Hickson is their MVP.

[Agloco]

From celtics17.com

http://mvn.com/celtics17/2009/03/top-three-teams-in-the-western-conference-that-can-knock-off-the-lakers.html

The Lakers are slowly running away with the Western Conference. In fact, it seems very unlikely that a team will be able to knock them out of the playoffs before they reach they reach the NBA Finals.

However some teams, like the Spurs, Hornets, and now even the Jazz are contenders to knock off the feared Lakers. The Blazers, Rockets, and Nuggets aren't too far behind. And with a healthy Greg Oden, and a little bit of luck, Portland could be the team to do it.

Who are the top three teams that could knock the Lakers off in an upset? The teams above are certainly able, but only half of them will be mentioned. Could it be Portland with a healthy Oden? Or how about that up-and coming Utah team? Could the Spurs get hot and do it themselves? Time to debate!

3. Portland Trail Blazers (If Greg Oden is available) - The Blazers are a young team that acts like a group of veterans. They have a scary one-two punch with All-Star Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

With a healthy Greg Oden (I'm sure you've guessed by now that it is key for them to have Oden), the Blazers can abuse multiple teams down low with many different post options.

Brandon Roy is now considered one of the league's top three shooting guards, with his shooting touch, and his scrappy paint game. He also has very good passing skills, which he uses to his advantage when he plays lesser shooting guards.

If Oden can ever stay healthy, it's likely Rip City could see yet another Finals appearance.

3. New Orleans Hornets (if the Blazers don't have Oden) - The Hornets have been rising since the return of Tyson Chandler. They definitely have a big three of themselves with Chandler, David West, and top point guard Chris Paul.

Paul's current season is being compared with the likes of John Stockton and Magic Johnson. Pretty exclusive company if you ask me. David West is another All-Star on the star-studded Hornets, and is averaging 20 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season.

The Hornets have a great team this season, and ever since the return of Chandler, they've been playing like it.

2. Utah Jazz - Much to the dismay of other Western Conference teams, the Jazz are back again ever since the return of All-Star forward Carlos Boozer.

Now with their big four (Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko) back on track, the Jazz have won seven of their last 10 games. The Jazz are only 2.5 games out of second place in the conference, but with the West being a tight conference, they currently sit in the seventh spot, slightly ahead of the surging Mavericks.

If the Jazz head into the playoffs with the momentum they have now, along with being healthy, the Lakers could be getting a not so pleasant surprise.

1. San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs, who are currently holding on to a second place spot in the Western Conference, are still one of the top teams in the league, even after all four championships they've won.

Led by two All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, as well as a past All-Star (Manu Ginobili), the Spurs have a 45-23 record. San Antonio has the perfect recipe for a championship contender - experience, a few fresh legs, and a crazy coach. Sounds good to me!

How did I know that the Blazers would make the list, even ahead of the Nuggets :rolleyes

[mavs>spurs2]

The funny thing is, Jet >> Mo Williams. Seriously. Lebron still doesn't have much help, but look what he can do with at least SOME help.