Reply With Quote
Makes sense to me. Lets do it.
1) The Spurs have owned the Lakers in the regular season in the past several years. Even during the Lakers' last repeat of championship years, the Spurs were compe ive every game, winning 2 out of 4 meetings in 2010, even though the Spurs themselves only went on to win 50 that year. The Spurs have won 4 in a row in the series and two in a row during springtime, winning the last two games in April (home and away) in more than convincing fashion.
2) The Spurs are simply smarter than the Lakers. When healthy, they don't settle for too many jumpshots or rely on freak plays to win them basketball games; instead, they methodically push the other team to the limit on both ends of the court, penetrate and dish, screen and dish, pass, pass, pass until they find the best possible shot. And when all else fails, they still have the unbreakable tandem of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili which is way more than enough firepower to get them over the hump in crunch time scenarios.
3) The Spurs' defense, along with the Grizzlies', is the best out of the Western contending teams. Although the Spurs' PPG values (even when healthy) are a little higher than Popovich may want them to be, we have seen remarkable flashes throughout the year of the Spurs absolutely putting the clamps on the opponent. One such instance was against the Lakers in November, quite possibly the Spurs' worst offensive game of the season, where we won the game on defense (Kawhi denied Kobe the ball and made Gasol take a difficult forced three pointer). With the Spurs' efficient offense, which is more like the triangle than the Lakers' current system, the Lakers' defense will be torched again and again, while the Spurs will always have the ability to stop the Lakers on the other end.
4) Popovich OWNS D'Antoni, and Tony Parker OWNS Steve Nash. On both ends of the court since 2004-05. 'Nuff said.
5) With Bynum gone and Howard/Gasol shaken up, one could argue that the Spurs are the much more physical and brutal team up front. No longer will the Spurs be outrebounded under the Lakers' goal by 30. The Lakers might even struggle to gain a rebounding advantage at all. Same thing applies if they face Memphis.
Overall, I believe the Lakers do have a chance in the playoffs this season, and that chance lies in a first-round date with either the Thunder or Clippers. The Lakers can beat both teams; although they have lost thrice to each team this season, most of the losses were early, and the Lakers have been compe ive with the Thunder all season, and looked great in their home victory over the Thunder a month ago. If the Lakers stick to their M.O., play a team game, find the right shooters, force it in to the paint on offense, don't turn it over, etc., they can force OKC, a jumpshooting team, to play into their hands, and LAC, a pick-and-roll team, to be stymied offensively at times.
The Lakers DO NOT want the Grizzlies or Spurs, AT ALL. The Grizzlies would put the clamps on them defensively and expose them on the other end while the Spurs would drain their defensive energy and then shut them down on the other end.
Makes sense to me. Lets do it.
Lakers still imagine their size advantage exists on us. They're used to Blair starting, or Diaw/Dice. Duncan and Tiago are more than formidable. It will be fun to watch TP shred them
They still remember Bonner/Blair, they won't be scared, but i agree they should. Spurs in 5
In the Duncan/Kobe era, the biggest thing to fear about the Lakers has been Phil Jackson.
Also, a Lakers/Grizzlies matchup is improbable. The Grizzlies would have to beat out Denver and LAC for #3 and have the Lakers climb up to #6.
On the other hand, a Spurs/Lakers matchup is possible and even likely. If you sort the West by point differential, Spurs vs. Lakers would be the 2/7 matchup in round 1.
Lakers imagine the victories they've had against the bottom of the barrell combined the Spurs shalackin' at the hands of bottom Trailblazers, they have a chance to upset the Spurs. Also, they think they are as good as the Grizzlies, who upset the Spurs two years ago.
Yes, the Lakers should avoid the Spurs by avoiding the playoffs because they would get pwned by the Spurs.
Count me in. Where are we going again?
Bonner/blair 0 minutes then we sweep.
I want the Lakers to play us in the PO, eliminating them would make this season a succesful one even if we don't ring.
Can you write one for the Rockets pls
The Grizzlies already have less losses than both the Nuggets and Clippers so they control their own destiny for the #3 seed
Wait for Gasol`s return, to whole D`Antoni rotation. They started to click, and old, slow Gasol will ed them up. Pringels clearly have no idea, how to play Gasol and Howard same time. And he cant make Gasol a backup for bible Kemp.
Lakers would be dangerous, but let's face it, is there a team that makes the playoffs in the west that you want to face. Maybe Utah, but they are still a tough team. Houston is scarey. So is a Warriors team with Bogut. I am concerned regardless of who the Spurs face. Whoever gets out of the West will earn it.
You're right. I hadn't checked the standings below #2 in a while. I didn't know the Grizz had been playing so well. The Speights/Ellington salary dump hurt their depth, but getting Prince and Ed Davis for Gay was straight up robbery. Addition by subtraction.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
