Lakers lose again.

[TwoHandJam]

Discuss.
:wakeup

[JR3]

What the? Now I'm upset at them.. I'd rather them look good before we take them out! But then again... lakers losses are still like a drug for me.

[TVI]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176612

[Strategic]

They got beat by another team that's better than they are. Guess they are fortunate that Pop won't spend Duncan to kick their asses on Tuesday. They're washed up or they don't want it, what's the difference. The result will be the same.

[15 and counting]

They got beat by another team that's better than they are. Guess they are fortunate that Pop won't spend Duncan to kick their asses on Tuesday. They're washed up or they don't want it, what's the difference. The result will be the same.

Yes you are right. Every team in the NBA is better than the Lakers. I just hope that someone can take the almighty Spurs down. They clearly are the best team of all time. I just hope the lakers can at least compete with any team. I am so scared of all these teams. Thank you Spurs for being great and giving the poor Lakers a bone. You will destroy us in the playoffs.

[TwoHandJam]

Yes you are right. Every team in the NBA is better than the Lakers. I just hope that someone can take the almighty Spurs down. They clearly are the best team of all time. I just hope the lakers can at least compete with any team. Aim so scared of all these teams.

Thalidomide or just Lakerfan? One can only speculate.

[D-rob fan]

Spurs lose 6 in a row, 4 with injuries and 2 while trying to get back on track. After this, the media proclaims the Spurs done. How many of you think that the media will still make excuses for the Lakers again and proclaim that nothing is wrong and that they'll just turn it on in the playoffs. Lately, media seems selective with their judgment in regards to anything they can pick on the Spurs for.

[ShoogarBear]

Memphis and NO are now tied with NO owning the tiebreaker. The Lakers vs. either Memphis or Portland in the first round would be nice.

[crc21209]

Memphis and NO are now tied with NO owning the tiebreaker. The Lakers vs. either Memphis or Portland in the first round would be nice.

That is exactly what we need. New Orleans wouldnt threaten or make LA sweat at all, while Portland and Memphis both could....

[TD 21]

Spurs lose 6 in a row, 4 with injuries and 2 while trying to get back on track. After this, the media proclaims the Spurs done. How many of you think that the media will still make excuses for the Lakers again and proclaim that nothing is wrong and that they'll just turn it on in the playoffs. Lately, media seems selective with their judgment in regards to anything they can pick on the Spurs for.

Of course they'll give them the "they're bored" excuse. They always do. It's not just lately that they're doing that.

The Lakers are going to be loaded for bear. Pop shouldn't rest the starters to avoid a potential confidence crushing loss. Instead, they should treat the game like it's a playoff game and play the starters as many minutes as it takes (within' reason) to attempt to pull out the victory. A victory would give the Spurs a confidence boost going into the playoffs, but more importantly, it would go a long way to holding off the Bulls.

Speaking of the Bulls, inexplicably, the Spurs don't appear to care much about the holding them off. The Bulls have slightly more than a one in three chance at being in the Finals. Which means if the Spurs get to the Finals, there's somewhere between a realistic and a good chance that they could face them. Why hand away home court in the final two games, when they've had it virtually all season and it's especially crucial in the Finals (because of the format)? It makes no sense, yet it appears they're willing to do it. If they lose game 7 of the Finals on the Bulls home court, that decision will haunt Pop forever.

I don't want to hear about rest. The minutes have been managed all season. They're the most rested team in the league, they'll have played one game in fives days and be coming off two days off going into the game and they'll get two - three days off after the Suns game before opening the playoffs.

[TwoHandJam]

Of course they'll give them the "they're bored" excuse. They always do. It's not just lately that they're doing that.

The Lakers are going to be loaded for bear. Pop shouldn't rest the starters to avoid a potential confidence crushing loss. Instead, they should treat the game like it's a playoff game and play the starters as many minutes as it takes (within' reason) to attempt to pull out the victory. A victory would give the Spurs a confidence boost going into the playoffs, but more importantly, it would go a long way to holding off the Bulls.

Speaking of the Bulls, inexplicably, the Spurs don't appear to care much about the holding them off. The Bulls have slightly more than a one in three chance at being in the Finals. Which means if the Spurs get to the Finals, there's somewhere between a realistic and a good chance that they could face them. Why hand away home court in the final two games, when they've had it virtually all season and it's especially crucial in the Finals (because of the format)? It makes no sense, yet it appears they're willing to do it. If they lose game 7 of the Finals on the Bulls home court, that decision will haunt Pop forever.

I don't want to hear about rest. The minutes have been managed all season. They're the most rested team in the league, they'll have played one game in fives days and be coming off two days off going into the game and they'll get two - three days off after the Suns game before opening the playoffs.

I have thought about this but some part of me stubbornly still feels Pop has more to gain by resting the starters against the Lakers and mostly playing the bench in the second half.

Remember that it seems that beating us is somewhat of a catalyst for the Lakers. The last time they beat us I believe it snapped a losing streak and sparked a long win streak. After this last loss they will be desperate for a win. I doubt they have intended to drop this many games.

If Pop plays hard to win and loses, I say they Lakers are re-energized and we suffer a blow in the psychological battle- not to mention more wear-and-tear, risk of injury and less rest. If the Lakers win against scrubs, it's a hollow victory and robs them of any real satisfaction. If the bench actually guts one out in LA, it will be devastating at this point. Win-win.

Yes, we open the window to the Bulls but I'm willing to side with the roughly 70% odds(you mention) we won't see them in the finals.

[Old School 44]

The Lakers are going to be loaded for bear. Pop shouldn't rest the starters to avoid a potential confidence crushing loss. Instead, they should treat the game like it's a playoff game and play the starters as many minutes as it takes (within' reason) to attempt to pull out the victory. A victory would give the Spurs a confidence boost going into the playoffs, but more importantly, it would go a long way to holding off the Bulls.

I disagree. No need to risk injury on essentially a meaningless game. If we make it to the finals and meet the Bulls and they have HCA so be it. I'd rather not give the Lakers any satisifaction of beating the Spurs playing like it's a playoff game. I'd pull the starters early and put in Novak, Anderson, Neal, Bonner and Green and let them rain threes. Treat this game like a shoot around.

[TD 21]

If he's going to mostly rest the starters in the second half, they he shouldn't play them at all. I'm against resting them, but if that's what he intends to do, then rest them all the way and don't risk injury.

Look at how you guys are viewing this, though. The mentality screams "we're scared of the Lakers". If this team is going to get to where they want to go, they're going to have to go through the Lakers. No more running away from the Lakers; it's time to run through them. Send a message of their own heading into the playoffs. If not to the Lakers (because they're too arrogant to take heed to it), then to themselves.

The Lakers won't get satisfaction, other than from knocking the Spurs confidence down a peg. But it's not like their own confidence will inflate (I'm not sure it could anyway). They clearly don't take the Spurs seriously and they won't until they're on the verge of being eliminated. This is '03 all over again in that respect.

The odds are high enough that they could be a potential Finals opponent to where getting guys who are already rested an extra few minutes rest would be ridiculous. If they're seriously going to risk losing home court so that they can play, for example, Duncan 32-34 minutes instead of 36-40 (if it takes it) in one game, then they deserve to lose game 7 of the Finals on the Bulls home court.

[JsnSA]

I don't understand why so many people think playing the starters regular minutes over the next 2 games is going to risk wearing them out for the playoffs. With 2 games (even with a back to back) we have plenty of time to rest before the playoffs.

I mean the goal is to be the NBA Champions not the Western Conference Champions. If the Spurs make it to the finals then playing a game 7 at home will be a huge advantage that we should not just throw away. This team worked too damn hard over the season to throw that away right now.

[ace3g]

Caption:

http://l.yimg.com/a/p/sp/tools/med/2011/04/ipt/1302497202.jpg

[Hoops Czar]

Spurs lose 6 in a row, 4 with injuries and 2 while trying to get back on track. After this, the media proclaims the Spurs done. How many of you think that the media will still make excuses for the Lakers again and proclaim that nothing is wrong and that they'll just turn it on in the playoffs. Lately, media seems selective with their judgment in regards to anything they can pick on the Spurs for.

They lost Duncan and the Spurs were more than capable of winning those games without him. And Ginobili and Parker missed the Portland game for precautionary reasons and nothing more.

The Lakers were proclaimed done last year when they backed into the playoffs losing 7 of 10. That was prior to steamrolling into the finals against the Celtics. They are still the defending champs and until they're beat, they will be the favorite. Why is this so hard to understand?

The Spurs have a myriad of problems facing them come playoff time. The defense wreaks (Blair, Bonner, Neal, Jefferson) and they rely too heavily on the three point shot. Two of their most reliable three-point shooters have either never shown up in the post-season (Bonner), or has never played in the post-season (Neal). They're are too many unknowns to make a proper evaluation of this team and thus, are picked as long shots by many analysts.

[TwoHandJam]

The defending champs have just lost 5 in a row. A proud (to the point of arrogance) team got punked in their own building in embarrasing fashion by crumbling in the 4th. Just how fired up do you think this team will be to beat us? In Staples no less.

I don't think it's worth it. To win this type of game Pop would likely have to show some of the wrinkles he's saving for the playoffs. Why tip your hand now when your conference seed is secure and it's not likely the Bulls make the finals.

[PÒÓCH]

I disagree, from what I've seen the bulls seem to be the best team in the NBA since after the all star game.
Don't discount them.
They could surprise everyone, their record is not a fluke and they play good team defense.

[Old School 44]

It's not about resting the big three or being scared.
I just don't think it's worth playing all out for HCA against the Bulls, if in fact we meet them in the finals. By not taking this game too seriously, I think there's more positive outcomes vs. going all out like it's a playoff game.

[coachmac87]

If he's going to mostly rest the starters in the second half, they he shouldn't play them at all. I'm against resting them, but if that's what he intends to do, then rest them all the way and don't risk injury.

Look at how you guys are viewing this, though. The mentality screams "we're scared of the Lakers". If this team is going to get to where they want to go, they're going to have to go through the Lakers. No more running away from the Lakers; it's time to run through them. Send a message of their own heading into the playoffs. If not to the Lakers (because they're too arrogant to take heed to it), then to themselves.

The Lakers won't get satisfaction, other than from knocking the Spurs confidence down a peg. But it's not like their own confidence will inflate (I'm not sure it could anyway). They clearly don't take the Spurs seriously and they won't until they're on the verge of being eliminated. This is '03 all over again in that respect.

The odds are high enough that they could be a potential Finals opponent to where getting guys who are already rested an extra few minutes rest would be ridiculous. If they're seriously going to risk losing home court so that they can play, for example, Duncan 32-34 minutes instead of 36-40 (if it takes it) in one game, then they deserve to lose game 7 of the Finals on the Bulls home court.

It just doesn't make sense for the us to try and win this game, when it does nothing for us other than give us a "moral" victory. I understand you would love to make a point and keep the losing streak going, but it just isn't worth it for the Spurs IMO.

In all honestly, not sure how the players will react mentally on Tue, knowing the season ends the next night and that you already own the #1 seed. It could have blow out all written all over it. Just play Splitter HEAVY mintues and start Hill and hope great play out of RJ. Role players need the experience and confidence boosts compared to the Big 3 anyways....

[TD 21]

The defending champs have just lost 5 in a row. A proud (to the point of arrogance) team got punked in their own building in embarrasing fashion by crumbling in the 4th. Just how fired up do you think this team will be to beat us? In Staples no less.

I don't think it's worth it. To win this type of game Pop would likely have to show some of the wrinkles he's saving for the playoffs. Why tip your hand now when your conference seed is secure and it's not likely the Bulls make the finals.

So basically, "we're scared of the Lakers". In a nutshell, that's what not playing the starters or playing them limited minutes would signify. It would indicate that, given the situation, "we don't think we can beat the Lakers anyway, so let's save our guys the embarrassment and not have their confidence crushed".

It's very worth it. Pop wouldn't have to show shit. He'd just have to play it like it's a playoff game and play Splitter. That's it. He does those two things, they've got a chance. The Bulls have a fairly good chance to make the Finals and if they do and the Spurs make it too and lose game seven on the road, it'll haunt them forever. And why; all so they could get already rested players an extra 5-8 minutes of rest in one game? That's worth risking home court in the Finals for potentially? Not a chance.

[coachmac87]

The defending champs have just lost 5 in a row. A proud (to the point of arrogance) team got punked in their own building in embarrasing fashion by crumbling in the 4th. Just how fired up do you think this team will be to beat us? In Staples no less.

I don't think it's worth it. To win this type of game Pop would likely have to show some of the wrinkles he's saving for the playoffs. Why tip your hand now when your conference seed is secure and it's not likely the Bulls make the finals.

+1 I mean just imagine if somehow we beat them while resting the big 3.....:lmao

[Hoops Czar]

+1 I mean just imagine if somehow we beat them while resting the big 3.....:lmao

It would mean absolutely nothing.

[coachmac87]

So basically, "we're scared of the Lakers". In a nutshell, that's what not playing the starters or playing them limited minutes would signify. It would indicate that, given the situation, "we don't think we can beat the Lakers anyway, so let's save our guys the embarrassment and not have their confidence crushed".
It's very worth it. Pop wouldn't have to show shit. He'd just have to play it like it's a playoff game and play Splitter. That's it. He does those two things, they've got a chance. The Bulls have a fairly good chance to make the Finals and if they do and the Spurs make it too and lose game seven on the road, it'll haunt them forever. And why; all so they could get already rested players an extra 5-8 minutes of rest in one game? That's worth risking home court in the Finals for potentially? Not a chance.

It would indicate that this game means NOTHING. Kinda like a preseason game... I can see playing our starters is a case of the Spurs not being confident, like we got to prove to ourselves we can beat this team. We can, we have done it before. Big 3 is rested and ready and its been a long time since we have been able to do that. Lets keep it that way......:lobt:

[coachmac87]

It would mean absolutely nothing.

Your telling me if the Lakers lost to the Spurs B team on Staples on National TV...6 game losing streak??? Im sure that would stir a few things up.....You gotta feel uncomfortable if your a Laker fan if that happens lol

[TwoHandJam]

So basically, "we're scared of the Lakers". In a nutshell, that's what not playing the starters or playing them limited minutes would signify. It would indicate that, given the situation, "we don't think we can beat the Lakers anyway, so let's save our guys the embarrassment and not have their confidence crushed".

It's very worth it. Pop wouldn't have to show shit. He'd just have to play it like it's a playoff game and play Splitter. That's it. He in a game does those two things, they've got a chance. The Bulls have a fairly good chance to make the Finals and if they do and the Spurs make it too and lose game seven on the road, it'll haunt them forever. And why; all so they could get already rested players an extra 5-8 minutes of rest in one game? That's worth risking home court in the Finals for potentially? Not a chance.

I very much doubt Pop is ready to play Splitter meaningful minutes in a hotly contested game at Staples. He has shown no indication to do anything like this with Splitter all year so maybe your point is moot to begin with.

[Hoops Czar]

Your telling me if the Lakers lost to the Spurs B team on Staples on National TV...6 game losing streak??? Im sure that would stir a few things up.....You gotta feel uncomfortable if your a Laker fan if that happens lol

It would mean nothing from the Spurs standpoint. The Lakers are slumping and a loss would add insult to injury but if these two teams met in the WCF's, the Spurs wouldn't hold court with the B team. The Spurs will be heading to Staples with nothing to lose and could very well pull off an upset but it wouldn't have a bearing on a future playoff series should these two teams meet.

By the way, I expect the Spurs to lose this game. The Spurs don't want the Lakers in the second round.

[xtremesteven33]

Tank the game. Fuck the Lakers

[coachmac87]

It would mean nothing from the Spurs standpoint. The Lakers are slumping and a loss would add insult to injury but if these two teams met in the WCF's, the Spurs wouldn't hold court with the B team. The Spurs will be heading to Staples with nothing to lose and could very well pull off an upset but it wouldn't have a bearing on a future playoff series should these two teams meet.

By the way, I expect the Spurs to lose this game. The Spurs don't want the Lakers in the second round.

Yeah it wouldn't benefit the Spurs or change the outcome come playoff time. Im just sayin, if the Spurs rest their guys and beat LA on Tues....what to take of that if your LA. Spurs pretty much gave you a chance to make yourself feel better and you blew it. It won't happen, but it would make great Tv.

[TD 21]

I very much doubt Pop is ready to play Splitter meaningful minutes in a hotly contested game at Staples. He has shown no indication to do anything like this with Splitter all year so maybe your point is moot to begin with.

I know he's more than likely not going to play him meaningful minutes. I said he should, not he would.

coachmac87, one game of starters playing roughly a handful of minutes above their season average, when they'll have played one game in five days coming in and fresh off two days off (in addition to being the most rested team in the league to begin with) is not going to wear them out for the playoffs. Especially considering they get two - three days off between the Suns game and game one of the playoffs.

[coachmac87]

I know he's more than likely not going to play him meaningful minutes. I said he should, not he would.

coachmac87, one game of starters playing roughly a handful of minutes above their season average, when they'll have played one game in five days coming in and fresh off two days off (in addition to being the most rested team in the league to begin with) is not going to wear them out for the playoffs. Especially considering they get two - three days off between the Suns game and game one of the playoffs.

Its not about rest.... You want the Spurs to treat this like a playoff game, when by all means its NOT. Lakers NEED this game. Why??? Because unlike the Spurs they have not secured a seed. Why play with fire.

[Hoops Czar]

Yeah it wouldn't benefit the Spurs or change the outcome come playoff time. Im just sayin, if the Spurs rest their guys and beat LA on Tues....what to take of that if your LA. Spurs pretty much gave you a chance to make yourself feel better and you blew it. It won't happen, but it would make great Tv.

True, but I don't think it would make LA feel better by beating the Spurs B team. It would just add insult to injury.

[Budkin]

Let's just hope the Bulls lose to the Knicks on Tuesday.

[coachmac87]

True, but I don't think it would make LA feel better by beating the Spurs B team. It would just add insult to injury.

If they clinch a seed they may feel just a little better.....

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

man if we do get past the west "if" im thinking my boston prediction was tainted with that stupid ass trade.

they say derrick rose should be given his ring due to telling stats, but just like lebron "the king" father theodore duncan has to show em how to lose before they win lol

im actually really worried about the bulls i mean i guess hill will have to defend rose while parker teaches rose the teardrop. i think it would be a great fight

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

Its not about rest.... You want the Spurs to treat this like a playoff game, when by all means its NOT. Lakers NEED this game. Why??? Because unlike the Spurs they have not secured a seed. Why play with fire.

good point, however think about this

the lakers have never ever ever won a championship after losing FIVE games in a row, now on top of that i dont think theyve ever beat us when we dominate them in the regular season right?. i think its definitely worth going full force at this team.

kobe/gasol/bynum/artest/fisher all look at those stats! if you think they dont your delusional, now i know for a fact that this will beat the lakers mentally and they will eventually get knocked out before we even play them.

notice they were hot while we were losing, they watched us play the suns game and what happens? they start losing again... its like playing one game thats as meaningful as their whole season..


lets say we go with YOUR OPTION :
we rest most of the big three, the lakers will get a win and start rolling again just like we did when we beat a nash-less suns, all they need is a win, doesnt matter if its w/out manu its still the spurs!!

and when your playing for chips its all CEREBRAL my friend. so if you really want to think about it its best to finish em off :wakeup

[coachmac87]

good point, however think about this

the lakers have never ever ever won a championship after losing FIVE games in a row, now on top of that i dont think theyve ever beat us when we dominate them in the regular season right?. i think its definitely worth going full force at this team.

kobe/gasol/bynum/artest/fisher all look at those stats! if you think they dont your delusional, now i know for a fact that this will beat the lakers mentally and they will eventually get knocked out before we even play them.

notice they were hot while we were losing, they watched us play the suns game and what happens? they start losing again... its like playing one game thats as meaningful as their whole season..


lets say we go with YOUR OPTION :
we rest most of the big three, the lakers will get a win and start rolling again just like we did when we beat a nash-less suns, all they need is a win, doesnt matter if its w/out manu its still the spurs!!

and when your playing for chips its all CEREBRAL my friend. so if you really want to think about it its best to finish em off :wakeup

There is no throat to go after with the Lakers. If we win by 30 or lose by 30 Spurs will still be the #1seed and the Lakers will still be the defending champs. This game doesn't mean anything. You can twist it however you like. Dont think the players will be mentally prepared for the game either, and I dont blame them.....

[Baseline]

Geez, sit 'em down. Chicago isn't going to be in the Finals. But Miami will.

Give Tim a bit more time off that ankle, Manu and TP another day or two off, and we'll be as healthy at playoff time as we've been since 2007.

I can't do anything about the well-being Pop's brain, but hopefully our players can compensate for what is apparently atrophy of a treacherous degree.

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

i didn't think chicago would be in the finals at first either, but if you watch basketball you know the last two years derrick rose has improved at an incredible rate, i mean people dont realize derrick rose is a point guard yet has the ability to destroy teams on his own.

last year they were screwed with injuries and the dude was scary good, i mean this year their team is healthy and have been getting knocked out of the playoffs by celtics and cavs, but i dont see rose and the bulls losing to anyone in the east.

i mean it's either celtics or bulls and the celtics look very bad i mean since they lost perk they are the "lowest scoring team in the NBA" last night they barely scored 77!!! i mean theres n way you go to the finals like that

[boutons_deux]

Spurs absolutely don't want to start these Finals with 2 games in Chicago.

Spurs said that had the HCA objective since pre-season, and that includes Finals HCA.

Spurs @ LAL is a must win.

[TampaDude]

Spurs absolutely don't want to start these Finals with 2 games in Chicago.

Spurs said that had the HCA objective since pre-season, and that includes Finals HCA.

Spurs @ LAL is a must win.

Miami is coming out of the East, so HCA in the Finals is a non-issue.

[itsamanuthree]

I don't think Miami will get past Chicago. I respect the argument of resting starters and giving away HCA. But I disagree, and lets be honest, it wont happen, Pop will play the big three, not like it is a playoff match, but he'll try to get the win and, aside from HCA, it will be a little extra blow for the Lakers, who may well even loose their final game against Sacramento and get into the playoffs against Portland riding a seven game loosing streak.

[SA210]

Spurs absolutely don't want to start these Finals with 2 games in Chicago.

Spurs said that had the HCA objective since pre-season, and that includes Finals HCA.

Spurs @ LAL is a must win.

:tu

I agree. The objective is to reach the Finals and win it all. Whats the point of trying for that, then give it up the last 2 games?

Ridiculous.

[DMC]

I don't think the Lakers care. That will change in the playoffs.

[itsamanuthree]

?!? The Lakers don't care??? Hold on! You can tell me they won't play lights out until the playoffs, I give you that, but come on, they do care if they end up 2nd, 3rd or 4th, if they play NOH, POR or MEM. They do, or they are playing with fire.

[ATXSPUR]

Spurs absolutely don't want to start these Finals with 2 games in Chicago.

Spurs said that had the HCA objective since pre-season, and that includes Finals HCA.

Spurs @ LAL is a must win.

Problem is, if we beat LA, there's a risk of them falling to the 4 seed and us getting them in the second round. DO NOT WANT!

I'd much rather them have to go through Grizz, Blazers, Thunder, or even Mavs for a couple of series before we get them.

[silverblk mystix]

Problem is, if we beat LA, there's a risk of them falling to the 4 seed and us getting them in the second round. DO NOT WANT!

I'd much rather them have to go through Grizz, Blazers, Thunder, or even Mavs for a couple of series before we get them.

There is no guarantee that the lakers (or spurs for that matter) will GET to the second round...

what if the lakers fall to four and then Denver upsets them?

[rmt]

If Spurs beat LA, that's a lot of pressure for LA to win their last game or they could potentially fall to #4 if both OKC and DAL win out. Don't know if I'd even want to mess with that possibility.

[TD 21]

Its not about rest.... You want the Spurs to treat this like a playoff game, when by all means its NOT. Lakers NEED this game. Why??? Because unlike the Spurs they have not secured a seed. Why play with fire.

Then why else would you sit the starters or limit their minutes, if it's not about rest? The only other reasons would be to avoid injury or because you're scared of the Lakers and given that they've lost five in a row, don't want to feel their wrath and risk having the Spurs confidence crushed. If that's going to be the mentality, then this team has no chance to beat them in a series.

The Spurs need this game. Not only would it give them a confidence boost going into the playoffs, but, more importantly, it would go a long way to holding off what could easily be a Finals opponent for home court. Home court in the Finals is especially huge because of the format. If the Spurs-Bulls meet in the Finals and the Spurs lose in game seven on the Bulls home court, not aggressively pursuing wins in these final two games will haunt them forever.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The Spurs have every reason to mail in tomorrow night's game, if only because an LA win assures that they will be either 2 or 3 and keep them out of the 4 spot.

Conceivably, if the Spurs win at Staples tomorrow, LA could end up with 27 losses and, if OKC wins out (@SAC, v. MIL), would drop LAL (v. SA, @SAC) to the 4 spot (assuming no similar swoon for Dallas (@HOU, v. NOH)).

No matter how great your belief in the Spurs' ability to beat LA, you'd have to guess that the Spurs would rather see LA in the Conference Finals and (assuming both can make it there) and not in the WCSF (assuming each would make it there).









Sometimes, when I post, my own genius amazes me.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Thanks FWD for making my posting SOOOOO easy.

[Ice009]

the lakers have never ever ever won a championship after losing FIVE games in a row, now on top of that i dont think theyve ever beat us when we dominate them in the regular season right?. i think its definitely worth going full force at this team.


I'm pretty sure we won the season series in 2001 and got ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED by the Lakers in the WCF. Although DA was out for the first two games and gave us nothing for the series we still got hammered.

Even if I am incorrect on the 2001 season series, regular season doesn't really mean that much.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We have everything to gain and nothing to lose by limiting the big 3.

The earliest we would play the Lakers is in the WCF. The momentum at that point will be determined by the previous two series.

Its not like we are a young, mentally weak squad.

If we sit the starters we get the second unit more time to gel which helps and if they pull it out and win then it demoralizes the Lakers.

And if we lose? Who cares?

Very little downside and a significant upside.

[EricB]

We have everything to gain and nothing to lose by limiting the big 3.

The earliest we would play the Lakers is in the WCF. The momentum at that point will be determined by the previous two series.

Its not like we are a young, mentally weak squad.

If we sit the starters we get the second unit more time to gel which helps and if they pull it out and win then it demoralizes the Lakers.

And if we lose? Who cares?

Very little downside and a significant upside.



The sane person would say getting Tiago minutes vs Bynum and or Gasol could give you an idea of how he might do but we know that point is moot....

[DJ Mbenga]

its a battle of the stats. the lakers went 17-1. when they have done that its been guaranteed nba finals appearances. losing 5 in a row means no appearance. basically its back to trivia stats meaning little.