it really can...
Chris Paul knows he owns the lakers front court...there is not a god damn thing fisher or artest can do to stop him, and its not like packing the paint will do much either since Chris Paul is an excellent shooter from the outside.
Chris Paul will stat pad so much in this series because he knows this is his ticket out of New Orleans to a big fat contract the best point guard in the league deserves (rose is probably better but whatever).
Kobe will notice a star shinning brighter them him, and as the arrogant piece of he is, he will try to one up him and fail because he is over the hill. In the process, he will ball hog so much Pau Gasol and company will never get to an offensive rhythm. Kobe has return back to the Hornets...