Early thoughts on the Nuggets, and the W.C. playoffs
April 17, 2008 | 12:51
pm
Seeing as the first round of the NBA playoffs is scheduled to take about four months, we'll have plenty of time to discuss any number of big issues, but here are some quick and early thoughts on the Lakers vs. Denver and the playoffs in general:
- Round one against the Nuggets is as good a matchup as the Lakers could have asked for, considering every team in the draw hit the 50 win mark. Not a lot of cupcakes to serve up for sacrifice. But the Nuggets, more than any of the other seven teams in the W.C. playoffs, have the ability to beat themselves, saving the opposition the trouble. As I mentioned yesterday, the Nuggets are more likely to win one game by 25 points than four by five.
- Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. If the Lakers keep 'em low, Denver won't have a chance.
- The Lakers, despite their tendency to get triple happy, still pound the ball down low, meaning they can both score on Denver and limit their pace up and down the floor.
- Should Denver go zone, I hope the Lakers try to break it with Pau in the post creating lanes for everyone else rather than by shooting over it.
- It won't be a sweep. Right now I'm leaning towards Lakers in five, though there's a part of me that thinks six is a better number. Along those lines, I'd be surprised if most of the series in the W.C. didn't go six or seven.
- I think Utah is a very good team, and have shown the ability to frustrate the Lakers, but there's no question in my mind that the way the draw played out is a major advantage to the Lakers. New Orleans, San Antonio, Dallas, and Phoenix are all in the bottom half of the draw, and LA won't see any of them until the Western Conference Finals (knock on wood). The Jazz would be a tough foe in the second round, but given their struggles away from Salt Lake City (Utah was 17-24 on the road) while I'm picking Utah to win that series, it wouldn't shock me to see it go the other way. Even if the Jazz do escape that series, the Lakers play well on the road, and have shown they can win at EnergySolutions Arena.
- Should Houston beat Utah, given all the game film from the first round and another seven game series to adjust, the Lakers should be able to beat them. Houston, while excellent defensively, isn't a talented enough team on the other end and I think they can be scouted down, so to speak, in a playoff series.
- Unless Andrew Bynum is 100% healthy and there's no undue risk on his knee, he shouldn't play, even if it means sitting out the rest of the season. He's too valuable to the future of the franchise to risk getting him hurt again.
- Seriously, Phoenix vs. San Antonio in the first freakin' round? That one will be fun to watch.
- If Dallas loses to New Orleans, and I think they will, Avery Johnson is done there.
BK
Betcha a nickel that if Avery gets fired, he has a new job real soon. Knicks anyone?????????
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 17, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Phoenix is 3-1 versus San Antonio this year. Shaq is usually pretty strong in the first round. San Antonio should win the series, but it will definitely be interesting.
New Orleans did not end the season strong. I question their ability to psychologically handle the insanity of the playoffs. New Orleans "should" win the series, but I think that Dallas will instead win it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 17, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I second what Jon K said.
I think NO is not coming in to playoff with momentum, although they should beat Dallas, I have a hunch that Dallas might win this series.
Suns are looking pretty good, but I'd hate to see Shaq gets another ring and gives him another thing to boast about. He was really lucky to get that 4th ring anyway. so go SPURS for the first round!
Posted by: moko | April 17, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I predict the Lakers to win in 5 games as well. I think if we keep up our defensive intensity as we have shown in the past couple of games, we have the goods to get far this playoffs. Hopefully we can shut down Iverson as we did in 2001. GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Chris H. | April 17, 2008 at 01:14 PM
ESPN's Skip Bayless predicted the Nuggets would win in a 7-game series.
Idiot.
Posted by: Adam | April 17, 2008 at 01:15 PM
I'm saying Lakers in 5. Suns-Spurs will be fun, as well as Dallas-NO. I hope Spurs beat the Suns and NO beats Dallas.
SUNDAY. HIGH NOON.
Posted by: ajax | April 17, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Good day all,
well what do ya know? who gets the spotlight on Sunday?
Lakers vs Nuggets on ABC 3pm.
too bad for the long drawn out schedule, but on the brighter side, maybe it will give enough time for Ariza to get back.
Maybe we should have signed Lue when he was available? :P
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 17, 2008 at 01:26 PM
i don't think marcus camby gets enough love for what he can do offensively...
he's no melo and he's no A.I. and he doesn't jack up wild threes like j.r. smith but camby is friggin' automatic from the elbow... 17 feet and in, that funky looking, two-handed, no-jump jump shot is weird as all get out but effective ... i'd hate for pau to get sucked in on help defense, thinking he can leave camby and he's draining jumpers all day
i'm still confident tho. b/c denver really does bastardize the game of basketball...
Lakes in four
Posted by: CBuck | April 17, 2008 at 01:28 PM
I think Dallas will beat NO. Peja is a well-known playoff dud, and D.West will be outworked by Dirk, leaving only Paul to do any damage. It's just not going to be enough, and Dallas will win in 6.
SA/PHX is easily the best matchup of the 1st round. This might be the first time I actually purposefully watch playoff games that don't involve the Lakers. I predict SA in 7.
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 17, 2008 at 01:28 PM
I AM WORRIED THAT:
-Melo is going to abuse Lamar.
-AI is going to abuse Farmar and Fish. (We should've signed Tyron Lue).
-JR Smith will go crazy from behind the arc.
-Kleiza, who always seems to play well against us, will have a big series.
-KMart will hurt one of the Lakers with his overly aggressive fouls.
-Camby will dominate the glass.
-AI is going to get all the calls. (AI is quite possibly the best actor/flopper in the entire league, and the refs always seem to bite.)
-Farmar will turn into a ballhog when AI starts attacking him at will.
-Vlad will get less than 20 minutes a game.
-Luke will get more than 20 minutes a game.
-the bench mob will be nervous.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT:
-this Kobe-lead Laker team is more confident than the Nuggets. (I am also certain that Denver was rooting like crazy for the Hornets to beat the Mavs last night, to avoid playing the Lakers.)
-Kobe wil be KOBE.
-Lakers will have no problem scoring on Denver's D.
-the Laker defense will come through in the clutch.
-Fish will hit some big shots and force AI to play some defense.
-Lamar will not back down to KMart's dirty tactics.
-Lamar will offset Camby's dominance on the boards.
-somebody on the Nuggets will get a T for slapping Sasha out of frustration at least once in this series.
-George Karl will not make the proper adjustments and be outcoached (again).
-Coby Karl will get at least a couple minutes in the series.
-Pau will win his first playoff game this Sunday.
-Lakers will win the series.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 17, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Skip Brainless is an empty windbag.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 17, 2008 at 01:39 PM
ROSE - hang your head in shame. Repeat after me: I WILL NEVER AGAIN HOPE FOR THE LAKERS TO LOSE. Say it now - loud & proud - I WILL NEVER AGAIN HOPE FOR THE LAKERS TO LOSE.
ONLY good vibes please - and remember, always be careful about what you ask for....
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 17, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Justanothermambafan,
Believe me, I want nothing more for them to go all the way. I guess I am being selfish because I want to so badly see a playoff game at the Staples Center and if they sweep well I guess I don't get to go. That being said, I do believe we WILL GO ALL THE WAY!!
Posted by: Rose | April 17, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Posted by: Rose | April 17, 2008 at 01:39 PM
pslakerfan
Excellent post from the earlier thread. Did you sell the tix for Wednesday already?
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 01:41 PM
We've seen all season long what predictions are worth, so other than Suns-Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, I'm not inclined to make any. It's all in the hands of the Basketball G-ds. All we know for sure is that Kobe is the most deserving MVP candidate and that the Lakers are the best equipped team to win the NBA Championship.
I'm trying to make the most of the time between the regular season and playoffs, without the daily anxiety of how my team will do. I'm hoping that will lead to better work-outs, and more success practicing my bass guitar. Still, I can't wait for Sunday, when I can shout once again, "Go Lakers!"
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 17, 2008 at 01:44 PM
ESPN's Skip Bayless predicted the Nuggets would win in a 7-game series.
Idiot.
Posted by: Adam | April 17, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Adam,
Skip Bayless sucks!!! He's just a serious hater and Spurs butt kisser. I wish I was sitting across from him during a debate so that I could slap him. I guarantee that if the Spurs fall to the Suns in round 1 that Skip Bayless will go with any other team over the Lakers to come out of the West. He sucks!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 17, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Amazing_Happens,
The MVP is awarded to the player in the first game of the second round of the playoffs. In todays high paced media world, secrets are rarely kept, and we will know who is the MVP well before they give it out, probably the second week of the playoffs like last year. The news was out that Dirk had won the MVP after the third game in G-State Warrior series. I expect to know who won the MVP by the end of next week, around Game 3 for the Lakers. Stern better watch his back if Bryant isn't chosen for the award. I am pretty sick of people finding excuses not to vote for KB24. When they were second in the conference, it was oh Chris Paul has elevated his team to win the conference, now that we nabbed the western conference, it is Oh KG has turned the celtics around, did anyone bother to check that roster, turns out PP and Ray Ray have been pretty instrumental in getting that team to turn things around as well. To even think it is all KG is a slap in the face to all basketball players and fans. Give the man his due, I was serious before and I am dead serious now, I will start LA riots part 4 if Kobe is slighted anymore. That being said, there is nothing more important than Game one of the playoffs, where correct me if I am wrong, Phil Jackson has only one lose in a Game ones'. Here they come.
Posted by: Nik Kannan | April 17, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Rick F,
Longtime. Hope all is well.
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Man, I can't wait for the playoffs to start. Sunday is too far away!
Posted by: Xodus | April 17, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Hey Rick F.: hear ye hear ye! Totally agree. No predictions from me - other than I expect the entire WC first round will be excellent drama, strategy and mental mind games, however long all of them last.
So, I too am upping the workouts but also the social calendar to keep me out every night this week and get my mind off the Game 1 countdown. Of course that means more drinks....but at least they aren't anxiety drinks.
For this week - I am off the vodka now too - here's to good tequila and excellent wine!
Cheers all!
LET's GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 17, 2008 at 02:02 PM
How do people like Skip Bayless and T.J. Simers get work in the media? Did they blackmail people or something?
Half the bloggers of Laker Nation are more qualified to do Skip Bayless's job. The guy's an idiot.
Moko,
I have this powerful desire to play Phoenix in the playoffs. I want vengeance so badly, but I don't think it's going to happen. If it does, it'll be in the Western Conference Finals, but I don't think the Suns are capable of making it that far.
Rick Friedman,
I didn't know you played bass guitar. I play guitar, bass, piano, and flute, but guitar's my main instrument. We should form the "Official Laker Nation Jam Band" with Charles and then compose the "Official Lakers Theme Song".
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 17, 2008 at 02:05 PM
I guarantee that Kobe will live up to his MVP status in the playoffs. Kobe is no Dirk Nowinski. He's not going to rest on his laurels after winning that award. He's going to shove it in the face of the competition.
This playoffs we will see the best Kobe ever. The competition simply will not have an answer for that. Who could?
NO MVP? NO PEACE!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 17, 2008 at 02:07 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds
Hollinger's robot only giving Lakers 99.6% chance of making playoffs. The guy picked Kobe 4th for MVP. Nice.
Posted by: laughing | April 17, 2008 at 02:08 PM
LAKERS LEGACY,
We do not really need Lue on AI, just make sure whoever that will be covering AI must wear a black arm sleeve to remind him of Tyrone Lue!
Actually, Sasha with a black arm sleeve would really look good!
Posted by: Robyn | April 17, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Jon K. ,
If you need a sax for your band, let me know.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | April 17, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Predictions:
Lakers in 5 over Denver
Suns lose to the Spurs in 7
NO loses to Dallas in 5
Posted by: lakerfaze | April 17, 2008 at 02:21 PM
The Lakers aren't a completely health team or at their best without Bynum and Ariza however, they're playing team basketball and if the play every game with a will to compete and win, they can win the championship this year!
Posted by: sidney | April 17, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Well as all Lakers fans in this forum I believe the Lakers will go all the way and win the championship.
And I also think that we are the most talented roster in the entire league.
But I need to see our team do well in the playoffs because this roster still haven´t won anything in the post season.
And I am a little scaried of hungry teams like the Suns and Mavs that know this is probably their last good chance to win, especially Phoenix.You know how desperation can be dangerous.
And finally I believe that our first round series shouldn´t be that quick (at least 5 games) because gives more time to our injured players to get back, and could be good for a young team to lose a game here and there and avoid getting over confident.
Playoffs prediction (1st round) :
East Bos 4 Atl 0; Det 4 Phi 1; Orl 4 Tor 2; Cavs 2 Was 4
West Lal 4 Den 1; No 2 Dal 4; Sa 2 Phx 4; Hou 2 Utah 4
Posted by: bcb | April 17, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Nemaia Faletogo,
You mean elbow-knee instead of slap?
Got Plum Training?
http://tinyurl.com/5wodf7
T minus 3:28 and Counting. Application of the training.
http://tinyurl.com/6dem36
Poor Rich Franklin. I like the guy too. Silva is the man...
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Robyn, lol! That is a great idea, I would love to see Sasha wearing an arm sleeve.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 17, 2008 at 02:38 PM
the Nugget confusion:
It's been a while since teams scrambled to find a body that can match up Kobe's physicality, foot speed and smarts to be able to have a chance against the Lakers. For the past 4 years team have used the triple double technique to match up with Kobe and hell if Lamar, Smush, Kwame, Luke, the 11 oclock machine and Justin make one out of seven open jumpers.
Close Kobe and you beat the Lakers have been the name of the game when the Nuggets have regrouped and have changed the face fo their franchise from JV to a Westen conf playoff team. Therefore no plans for Kobe's new team.
I donno if they've got the MEMO late or if they havn't got it or they miss calculated some thing here but other than an INCOMPETANCE COACH in Coby's daddy, they have nothing to offer in deffending Kobe 'MVP' 'Mamba' Bean Bryant.
So there you have it. If they double Kobe they're gona give up two or three and if they don't....well they're still gonna give up two or three.
Posted by: rayray | April 17, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Hi Charles,
Thanks for the shout-out. Hope you are well along now on your recovery. We should try to figure out an 818 viewing party for one of the playoff games. Blogging is good, but deep down I'm a people person. Game 1? Game 2? Whaddaya think?
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 17, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Robyn, while we are at it, might as well put some cornrows on Sasha too!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 17, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Jon K.
Brotha how are you? You play flute? Do you have "Band Camp" stories?
"We should form the "Official Laker Nation Jam Band" with Charles and then compose the "Official Lakers Theme Song".
We need to register that track with Ascap and get the publishing and licensing.
Rick Friedman,
If we put out the track ourselves. Don't have to worry about "All Favored Nations Clause."
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 02:41 PM
bozz,
You're in!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 17, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Bozz Rick F Jon K.
http://tinyurl.com/5gfbf2
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Psssssssst Hey YOU...............
Before enlighting the blog with your thought,opinion or concern, do me a big favor will ya? click on the link below, take about 3mins to fill out the form, skip everything east coast related (unless of course you have more than one pro bball team which I find, strange, but thats for another thread) copy the following... "LA Times Laker Blog" and "Andrew/Brian Kamenetzky" Open another browser, hit up the link below, copy and paste the 2 answers above.. wah la !! do it as many times as you can before it burns you out ( and it WILL lol ) then come back, finish your post, and tell me to STFU heh
LETS GO PEOPLE !!!!!! CHOP CHOP !!!!!
http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/04/nba-blogger-season-awards-2008.html
Giantsquid posted a link on the previous thread regarding Drew. I found the article both insightful and sad in a strange way, yet enjoyable enough to want to keep the story going for others to enjoy that havent read it yet. Thanks Giantsquid....
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=granderson/080417&sportCat=nba
Posted by: complex brotha | April 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM
BK -
I totally agree that Socks shouldn't rush back for the playoffs - once the Pau trade happened, I thought that the mental goal for the Lakers would be to get out of the first round. Anything after that would have been gravy. It's not too often that teams just become champoinship caliber after 2 first round exits.
I just want him ready for the get go next season. Remember, we almost beat Phoenix with Kwame a couple of years ago; we can go far with just Gasol.
Get well Socks!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | April 17, 2008 at 02:50 PM
LAKERS LEGACY,
Good idea. I am with you!
Posted by: Robyn | April 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM
PsychedLakerGirl,
Ah, yes. Glad you added "having a life!" When going the tequila route, hope you're going for the good stuff... Don Julio 1941, or even Herradura Suprema (if someone else is buying, LOL). Party hearty!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 17, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Jon K.,
Thanks, you're a gentleman and a scholar.
Posted by: bozz | April 17, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Hey Charles and Jon K.!
Do you need a vocalist or a PT drummer for your band? I'd need about 2 months of steady practice, but I'm sure that I could shake the rust off!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | April 17, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Aren't we going to have to leave two players off of our roster? Don't we have to cut it down to 13 (12 active)? If that's true, who do we leave out. Karl? Mihm? Newble? Ariza? Just cursious though because it sounds like everyone thinks that we'll be able to wait around for Ariza and Bynum and Karl and still keep Newble and Mihm on the roster...
Posted by: thedropper | April 17, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Jon K and Charles,
I'll let you music mavens handle the licensing. Our NBA Champion Lakers will make it very marketable. A rockin' jam with lots of soul. I can already hear it in my head. We've already got Bozz on sax. Let's round-out the line-up and go for it!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 17, 2008 at 03:04 PM
3 new articles in one day? You guys need to pace yourselves. We still have Friday and Saturday to hammer the same topics into oblivion before we have something new to talk about.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 17, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Wow. STHs are looking to cash in. I just took a look at their ticket postings and most of them are asking for anywhere from 3-9 times the actual price of their seats.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 17, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Nemaia Faletogo,
You mean elbow-knee instead of slap?
Got Plum Training?
http://tinyurl.com/5wodf7
T minus 3:28 and Counting. Application of the training.
http://tinyurl.com/6dem36
Poor Rich Franklin. I like the guy too. Silva is the man...
Posted by: Charles | April 17, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Charles,
LOL, good post mate. I would like nothing more than to give Skip Bayless an elbow-knee right up side his head, haha.
Hope all is well with you Charles. Have a good day, go Lakers!!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 17, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Are the Lakers the tallest team in this years playoffs?
Bynum, Mihm, Mbenga, Gasol---all 7 footers
Odom, Radmanovic, Turiaf---6'10"
Posted by: Botsoy | April 17, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Lakers in 5, because I don't want to sound cocky.
4 wouldn't surprise me.
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 17, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Hey all,
Everyone give a big shout out that we only have to play the FUNS or the Bowen Thugs from San Antonio and NOT BOTH!!
Let's cut the leash on the machine and let him fester in the nightmares of "Unmellow Anthony".
GO LAKERS!!
janaya
Posted by: janaya | April 17, 2008 at 04:03 PM
" Great idea. I just finished five votes for AK and BK.
Everybody, go to this site and vote for the L.A. Times Lakers Blog. - Laker Tom"
BAM !!!!!!! You heard the Man.... Thanks a Zillion for the grassroots support Charles, Laker Tom and anyone else with enough downtime to impose Laker Will on the Blogworld. WE CAN DO THIS !!!!!!!
http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/04/nba-blogger-season-awards-2008.html
Posted by: complex brotha | April 17, 2008 at 04:03 PM