Size matchup vs Lakers

[rmt]

SA isn't any closer to beating LA now than they were 3 seasons ago in the WCF. If anything, they are much farther away because the team just doesn't have anything left in the tank by that time of the year.

SenorSpur is correct in that Boston was only able to give LA a battle because of surpassing LA in doing the dirty work - defense, rebounding, physical play, loose balls. When SA went away from that approach - they lost any realistic hope of beating the Lakers.

No team is going to beat LA on the offensive end. Even when LA isn't efficient - they still have Kobe and the edge inside, not to mention an offense that will get enough when it counts. Whether its a slugfest or shootout, LA is still going to score.

Any team who beats LA has to bring the physical play to LA, dominate the glass, not give up easy points inside to Pau and Bynum, AND make it tough for Kobe on the perimeter. Not many teams have been built to do that in recent years. Houston got close. Boston did once and was right there the 2nd time. Every other team they played - once LA figured them out it was over.



I can't see the Spurs having a chance in the playoffs as long as Duncan and Manu play 60+ games. Even then, Duncan isn't as good as Pau is now and Many isn't Kobe. Yeah - the SA guys have glimpses but they can't do it every night like Pau and Kobe can. And Tony Parker isn't beating LA. No PG is beating LA. You can only beat LA inside-out. Tough to do when LA has the most talented trio of big men.

SA's Big Three isn't good enough to beat LA's best Three. When that's the case its all downhill from there.

So unless Splitter is Mose-Malone like, the Spurs won't be able to physically beat up on LA, and because of LA's length, they won't be able to control the glass either. And who is going to slow down Kobe ala Battier, Posey, Allen. LA was slick by grabbing Artest and Barnes - 2 of the better defenders on him.

The Western Conference will likely end just like it did the past 3 seasons. That's not me as a fan - just the evidence at hand.

Perfect answer. LA's only "weakness" has been addressed with the addition of Ratliff, Barnes and Blake to the bench. They can survive any injury except a season ending one to Kobe. Spurs, instead of addressing their need for defense, re-signed RJ and Bonner to long-term deals. I'd rather have Barnes and Ratliff who bring some toughness and at ude and shorter contracts than soft players like RJ and Bonner.

[2Cleva]

Perfect answer. LA's only "weakness" has been addressed with the addition of Ratliff, Barnes and Blake to the bench. They can survive any injury except a season ending one to Kobe. Spurs, instead of addressing their need for defense, re-signed RJ and Bonner to long-term deals. I'd rather have Barnes and Ratliff who bring some toughness and at ude and shorter contracts than soft players like RJ and Bonner.

Thanks. I'm not saying LA is invulnerable but a team has to have some serious advantages over LA to beat them and SA doesn't have one. Parker does well against him but its been a long time since a PG was the deciding figure in a Laker series.

I'm impressed how LA addressed their weakness. Their starters are all tough players but their bench was flaky. That's all out the window now and their team consistency will improve. Individualism and Ego is the biggest threat to LA but the chemistry and coaching likely prevents that.

And even injury hasn't derailed them - considering Bynum and Bryant finished the playoffs both need surgeries and they still won it all. Despite going to 3 Finals in a row, LA may actually be healthier/well-rested this season because of Kobe and Pau not playing international ball this summer, Bynum only facing a minor off-season surgery, and a vastly improved bench.

[mingus]

yeah the Spurs have some serious disadvantages going up against LA, but i don't think anyone can count them completely out of the hunt unless they're crazy. at the end of the day, they'll give themselves a chance, even it's a small one. and i'm perfectly happy about that considering they're already basically on their last legs.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Doesn't matter. Even with Bynum/Kobe injured and Fisher/Farmar rotating at PG the Lakers still had the best defense in the playoffs.

They'll be better next season with Barnes taking Luke/Sasha minutes.

The Lakers gave up over 97 points a game in the playoffs. Barnes may be an upgrade on defense but he cannot score points. Other than Kobe and Gasol they have no true scorers on their team. Relying on Fisher and Artest to score heavy points is dangerous and Kobe is getting up their in age (32 this August).

[2Cleva]

The Lakers gave up over 97 points a game in the playoffs. Barnes may be an upgrade on defense but he cannot score points. Other than Kobe and Gasol they have no true scorers on their team. Relying on Fisher and Artest to score heavy points is dangerous and Kobe is getting up their in age (32 this August).

97 ppg but that was skewed because of the Phoenix series and that uptempo play. Take that series out of the equation and LA only gave up 92.9 ppg vs OKC, Utah, and Boston. Pretty damn good.

Barnes fits because he moves well without the ball and cuts. The offense will find him points. In general - the execution of the tri will be much greater because it will be Blake instead of Farmar/Shannon running PG, Barnes moving off the ball instead of Sasha/Walton.

Also, Bynum - despite breaking down at the end of the Finals had some good offensive games to compliment Kobe and Pau

13 & 12, 13 & 10, 21 & 11 vs OKC - all before hurting his meniscus again. 17 & 14 vs Utah, 21 & 6 vs Boston.

If SA fans are assuming Duncan/Ginobili are healthy for the Finals, the flip side is you have to assume Bynum is healthy. Odds are about equal for both sides of those key players being ready to go.

[Leonard Curse]

Doesn't matter. Even with Bynum/Kobe injured and Fisher/Farmar rotating at PG the Lakers still had the best defense in the playoffs.

They'll be better next season with Barnes taking Luke/Sasha minutes.

[PublicOption]

come one man, the lakers only play good defense when the refs let them hack.

besides we have a secret weapon

[SenorSpur]

Perfect answer. LA's only "weakness" has been addressed with the addition of Ratliff, Barnes and Blake to the bench. They can survive any injury except a season ending one to Kobe. .

Exactly. The Fakers DID NOT stand pat. They were astute enough to address their areas of weakness with the right players.

Spurs, instead of addressing their need for defense, re-signed RJ and Bonner to long-term deals. I'd rather have Barnes and Ratliff who bring some toughness and at ude and shorter contracts than soft players like RJ and Bonner.

It's actually quite shocking how, over the past few years, Pop and the Spurs' coaching staff has sold their defensive-minded souls, to the Devil of offense. Meanwhile the results have been all too apparent. The defensive dropoff was underscored during that epic 4-game playoff sweep to the Suns. A series where the Suns made the Spurs look as defensively helpless as the Golden State Warriors.

As it stands, this team just does not have the same defensive mindset, or even the players required to forge the mindset that was evident in years past. The type of defensive mindset that the Celtics have employed for about 3 years now - even with a roster that is older than that of the Spurs. That ability and mindset left with with the retirement of Bowen and the diminishing skills of Duncan - and little has been done to mitigate the loss. Obviously, you have to score points to win, but you also have to stop people - especially in the playoffs. You do that with more skilled and willing defenders.

While the addition of Splitter and Anderson were sound moves that should really make the team better next season, it likely will not be enough. I would argue that bringing back both Bonner and RJ (though they had little choice on the latter), does nothing to make the team better. In fact, it will likely again become detrimental in the playoffs, as their production diminishes.

As the Spurs supporting cast has gotten older, it becomes much more imperative that the supporting cast be strong enough so that there is not a dependence on 3 players to carry the team against the grind of playoff compe ion. As far as the gap between the Spurs and Fakers, it's still there. Judging from the dramatic moves the Fakers employed to shore up some of their obvious weaknesses, that gap between them and the rest of the conference, may have just gotten wider.

[2Cleva]

I always lamented how LA had too many guys who cared about offense first, and only played defense if they are getting touches.

Now, LA is almost completely the other way. LA now has become the Spurs of the 90s/00s. A superior team that beats you mentally as well as physically. However they are more versatile than those SA teams and can win any style of fight.

Miami has the brightest future but I can't see anyone beating LA this year unless the injury bug bites harder than last season.

[Cane]

When it comes to winning versus the Lakers, it comes down to health and HCA; both of which I think the Lakers are going to lose out in this upcoming season:

• Probably the most tired and fatigued core in the league, 3 consecutive Finals runs does that
  
• Kobe's having a third surgery on the same knee and his athleticism has been declining
  
• Lamar Odom's playing for Team USA in the summer, even more miles for the player thats been one of the team's leaders in MPG
  
• Bynum's health seems to always be a question and he's having surgery this summer as well
  
• Lakers only finished 2 wins higher than the 2nd seed
  
• Imo you really don't want your core thats about to embark on its 4th trip to the Finals with the above concerns imo

If they are healthy and have HCA then the West will be their's to lose but I see this season possibly being the worst for the Gasol-era Lakers in those areas. If the Spurs, Blazers, Rockets, Mavs, Thunder, etc can stay healthy they all have a compe ive shot at knocking out LA imo....and most of those team's cores haven't played anywhere near as much basketball in recent years FWIW.

[2Cleva]

LA cruised to end the season (4-6) record and sat Bynum and Kobe because they knew no one would catch them. There was no point in stressing across the finish line - after the Spurs game. Pointing to the 2 game end lead is foolish,

Kobe Bryant kept his shooting hand raised high, smiling while backpedaling to halfcourt after burying the San Antonio Spurs.

A seventh straight win for the Los Angeles Lakers looked that easy.

Bryant scored 24 points and hit a pair of backbreaking 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping the Lakers preserve their second-longest winning streak of the season with a 92-83 victory on Wednesday night.

"It was a playoff-type of atmosphere," Bryant said. "We were down in the first half. We had to battle back. It was a good win for us to start this road trip."

He means a five-game road trip, the longest left for the Lakers before the playoffs. With just 11 games remaining, the West-leading Lakers have a six-game cushion over Dallas.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300324024

[Cane]

Solid point although the rest still stand imo, and it also points that LA's Bynum and Bryant need rest as well.

[rascal]

Perfect answer. LA's only "weakness" has been addressed with the addition of Ratliff, Barnes and Blake to the bench. They can survive any injury except a season ending one to Kobe. Spurs, instead of addressing their need for defense, re-signed RJ and Bonner to long-term deals. I'd rather have Barnes and Ratliff who bring some toughness and at ude and shorter contracts than soft players like RJ and Bonner.

Ratliff is finished. Won't be making any difference at all. If he was any good he would still be with the spurs.

[rascal]

LA cruised to end the season (4-6) record and sat Bynum and Kobe because they knew no one would catch them. There was no point in stressing across the finish line - after the Spurs game. Pointing to the 2 game end lead is foolish,



http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300324024

LA won the west easily. They coasted from start to finish.

[2Cleva]

Solid point although the rest still stand imo, and it also points that LA's Bynum and Bryant need rest as well.

Yes they do.

LA's deepest team in a long while, combined with the motivation of Phil's last year and the underdog role from so many crowning Miami will keep the engine going.

Eventually LA will fall apart but I don't see that this year. About 2 more seasons until that.

[2Cleva]

Ratliff is finished. Won't be making any difference at all. If he was any good he would still be with the spurs.

On the court I agree. I think Caracter plays better than what Ratliff does. Theo will help in the locker room and hopefully teach Bynum a thing or 2.

[ohmwrecker]

LA cruised to end the season (4-6) record and sat Bynum and Kobe because they knew no one would catch them. There was no point in stressing across the finish line - after the Spurs game. Pointing to the 2 game end lead is foolish,



http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300324024

Kobe played 41 min. in this game and Gasol played 43. What are you trying to prove?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300404013

I'm not saying the Spurs can beat L.A. in a series, but I don't think the match-up is as disparate as some are making out to be.

[2Cleva]

Kobe played 41 min. in this game and Gasol played 43. What are you trying to prove?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300404013

I'm not saying the Spurs can beat L.A. in a series, but I don't think the match-up is as disparate as some are making out to be.

Point was LA had the conference well in hand.

[ohmwrecker]

Point was LA had the conference well in hand.

True enough, but I think the Spurs proved if the match-up is favorable, it doesn't matter who has HCA. They hit a bad match-up with Phoenix and had flamed out. I'm disappointed that we didn't get to see Spurs vs Lakers in the playoffs.

[mingus]

i think LA fans are exaggerating their advantages though. we had a good record against LA last year. granted, both teams were injured. we also played Boston well. but LA is far from the powerhouse that some of their fans make them out to be. they almost lost to an old Boston team without their best interior defender. a young OKC team played them extremely well.

i'm personally much, much more afraid of Miami.

[Laketown]

i think LA fans are exaggerating their advantages though. we had a good record against LA last year. granted, both teams were injured. we also played Boston well. but LA is far from the powerhouse that some of their fans make them out to be. they almost lost to an old Boston team without their best interior defender. a young OKC team played them extremely well.

i'm personally much, much more afraid of Miami.

Do not let the hatred towards the Lakers cloud the mind. Miami is going to be good but to say you are "much, much more afraid of Miami" is simply ignoring or downplaying the team to beat which is LA. I personally am still worried in these teams (in order)before Miami:

1. Boston
2. Portland/San Antonio (as long as Duncan is playing I will be worried)
3. OKC/Chicago
4. Dallas
5. Miami

Miami is simply an unknown right now. Futurewise they will be a worrisome team.

[Duncan2177]

i think LA fans are exaggerating their advantages though. we had a good record against LA last year. granted, both teams were injured. we also played Boston well. but LA is far from the powerhouse that some of their fans make them out to be. they almost lost to an old Boston team without their best interior defender. a young OKC team played them extremely well.

i'm personally much, much more afraid of Miami.

[DJ Mbenga]

spurs seem too worried about the size issue and dont realize they dont have a guy to guard kobe. ginobli got raped by kobe. jefferson isnt gonna get it done, and that leaves artest to bully ginobli in the post. sure you can use hill but then you either make him a 2 and force ginobli to become a 3 or you take parker out of the game. size for the lakers allows them to not double team which allowed the spurs to get hot from 3. while bynum plays solid defense duncan will get his but they cant isolate him anymore. its basically hope ginobli's pick and roll works. if at any time the spurs size does match up well the lakers can counter with odom's speed which the spurs (in the regular season games) had no answer for.

[21_Blessings]

we had a good record against LA last year.

Stop acting like the regular season means anything to a team like the Lakers. Three straight finals appearances. They will coast through 82 because they can.

i'm personally much, much more afraid of Miami.

Their front line is a joke and it's not like San Antonio has any chance at facing them in the playoffs anyways.

[21_Blessings]

97 ppg but that was skewed because of the Phoenix series and that uptempo play. Take that series out of the equation and LA only gave up 92.9 ppg vs OKC, Utah, and Boston. Pretty damn good.
.

Yeah PPGs is a misnomer. The Lakers are capable of playing slow or high tempo depending on the opponent. It's easily the worst statistic to use when talking about defense if you're not considering the pace factor to go along with it.