the le is up for grabs!!!!!!

[mogrovejo]

Ghazi, to me the favourites are Orlando. But the favourites don't always win.

Shaq negates Howard. Jamison negates Lewis.

What the heck does this mean? Shaq negates Howard? Are you arguing that Shaq can match Howard's contributions and impact in the game? That he can defend Howard well and limit his offensive contributions?

Anyway, even if Cleveland and Orlando play each other it'd be in the conference finals and perhaps Shaq can improve in the next few weeks, but right now, the way Shaq is playing, he would negate Adonal Foyle. Maybe.

[mogrovejo]

No it wouldn't.

Agreed. Never understood that "oh, I'd rather lose now than later on" mentality.

[Giuseppe]

It's been up for grabs since MJ left the Bulls for good.

[Muser]

A Finals loss would do damage to Duncan's legacy in my opinion. How many great players in NBA history can say they went to the Finals multiple times and never lost?

I guess losing in the 1st/2nd round would be much better!!

[Muser]

It's been up for grabs since MJ left the Bulls for good.

Nah ever since Daddy left L.A after Detroit took him behind the wood shed.

[m33p0]

I don't think anyone else in the west can give the Lakers as much trouble as OKC has. Lakers could very well recover and roll over the Thunder in the next 2 games. Their record since the Gasol acquisition speaks for itself and is not easily dismissed.

If the Lakers do get knocked out, I don't think whoever comes out of the West can beat either Cleveland or Orlando.

But it seems pretty silly to count the Lakers out right now IMO.

any team with a quick, aggressive point guard will give LA trouble.

[Giuseppe]

Nah ever since Daddy left L.A after Detroit took him behind the wood shed.

Then you fellows turned that wood shed into that Piston Wailing Room just down the hall there.

[bostonguy]

What the heck does this mean? Shaq negates Howard? Are you arguing that Shaq can match Howard's contributions and impact in the game? That he can defend Howard well and limit his offensive contributions?

Anyway, even if Cleveland and Orlando play each other it'd be in the conference finals and perhaps Shaq can improve in the next few weeks, but right now, the way Shaq is playing, he would negate Adonal Foyle. Maybe.

Shaq should improve in the next 2 weeks. He hasn't played in months and is shaking off the rust and finding his rhythm. Shaq will not only lock Howard down on D but he will get him in foul trouble constantly with his O. This Cavs team is just a bad draw for the Magic. Orlando is also intimidated by them as well.

[HarlemHeat37]

Orlando isn't intimidated at all, where does that come from?..they beat them the last time both teams played at full strength..

Shaq isn't going to hurt anybody..with Nelson playing the way he is, they're going to exploit Shaq's p&r defense and defense in general..Howard and Nelson + Carter and Gortat have been working the p&r extremely well of late..Shaq can easily be exploited and I fully expect him to be..

Shaq is still a contributor IMO, but Cleveland really won't be able to play too much of a Shaq-Jamison frontcourt, they're going to be severely exploited if they run that lineup out too much..

[DJ Mbenga]

too bad carter is playing like its preseason

[mogrovejo]

Yeps, I think Orlando will pick apart Cleveland's interior+pick'n'roll defence if they play each other. I expect to see Varejao playing large minutes in an attempt to avoid that. Shaq cant play lock down defence on Howard, he doesn't have the mobility for that. It's not all about size (Shaq is great to defend players like himself). The Cavs will need to use lots of help, especially when Howard is used as the picker/roll man. Plus, Shaq isn't exactly an offensive juggernaut. He isn't the kind of player that can give Howard or Gortat fits.