...and otherwise
Opinions on Lakers vs. Spurs from around the Blogosphere:
SportsHubLA.com has a variety of posts-
- Roland Lazenby checks in with Tex Winter, and gets into the Mind Games of Phil Jackson.
- Rahshaun Haylock looks at perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the series, Jackson vs. Popovich.
- John Krolik believes that this is a Battle of Eras (stylistically speaking, not regarding each franchise) and some entertaining matchups:
"Kobe and Bowen
This probably won’t get mentioned (at least not more than 500 times), but Bruce Bowen will spend a lot of time guarding Kobe, and he’s really good on defense while Kobe’s really good on offense. Personally, I’m much more interested in how they’re covered than the actual matchup itself, as they’re two of the most polarizing players on the planet. It’s pretty much been a love-fest for Kobe so far this playoffs, so does this mean that TNT is going to give us “dirty, nut-stomping lunatic” Bruce Bowen instead of “self-effacing, self-made, effort-driven” Bruce Bowen? Tune in and see."
Kurt at Forum Blue and Gold has a lot of great links, including some to Basketball Prospectus.
The Lakers are probably the best team in basketball: They combine outstanding offensive talents with an excellent system, and feature long, aggressive and smart defenders who are very well coached by Phil Jackson & Co. But the Spurs are also expertly coached, and they play with no fear of losing their crown. Little bothers them, including starting out in a 2-0 series hole. Sometimes we have to look past the records, past the stars, and notice when a team seems to be "destined" for a title. Starting with Duncan's clutch 3-point prayer in Game 1 of Round 1, this team has had that look.
Prediction: San Antonio 4, Los Angeles 2
Ball Don't Lie wonders who Samaki Walker will be rooting for?
HoopsAddict.com has a podcast for the Conference Finals.
Like I said in the Eastern preview, it comes down to what's obvious. And the Lakers were obviously the best team in the Western Conference this year. When you factor in, "They have Kobe, no one else does" and "Lamar Odom is playing better than any player in the NBA right now" there's not a lot left. I think this is the series where Lakers fans really start to question Pau Gasol and what he can do. He's not getting any of those easy little lay-ins he's used to getting, nor is he going to have as much space to work in. But the Big Three for the Lakers are going to open up things for the perimeter shooters, and I'm not sure the rotations are going to come as easy for the Spurs against them as they did against the Hornets.
Have more? Send along the links.
BK
Roland Lazenby is one hell of a writer. I always enjoy his stuff. I sure wish he posted occasionally to this blog.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 21, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Jon K
I remember when he used post back in the ay. Check hoopshype I asked him to post again at the blog.
Posted by: Charles | May 21, 2008 at 03:06 PM
BOwen is not as good on defense as he used to be, though, and Kobe is better on offense.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 21, 2008 at 03:14 PM
exhelodrvr.....
I agree about Bruce BowWowen. The guy has lost a step.
And Kobe IS better than ever on offense. He's still a deadly scorer and now that he has reliable shooters and scorers surrounding him, he has channeled his inner point guard and is a very willing and efficient passer.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 21, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Speaking of opinions . . . has anyone seen the latest headline from Michael Ventre which reads "Memo to Bryant: Put Up or Shut Up"? These writers with opinions are getting a little tiresome for my taste. Each day this blog gets us better information and insight than 100 articles from the likes of Ventre. Kudos to the K bros! Now if only Ventre could just shut up!
Posted by: Waiting4Rings | May 21, 2008 at 05:03 PM