Opinons, mine...
A lot of my thoughts on the series were covered on the PG and B broadcast from earlier today, but here are some of the things I'll be looking for in the series:
- What Pop does with Bowen. In the New Orleans series, he made a great move by taking Bowen off Chris Paul and sticking him on Peja. That helped shut down Stojakovic, and even though Paul was still very effective in the series, the move made the Hornets a much less dynamic team. By now, most of you know that I think teams make a huge mistake when they over play Kobe. He's too good at splitting doubles, and more importantly, passing out of them, and the way the rest of the team moves the ball, a hard double on Kobe usually results in a good shot for someone in purple and gold. Will Popovich try to limit Kobe with Bowen, or use him to take away other options? My guess is a little of both, with time and score dictating.
- On the flip side, the Lakers have a similar decision to make with Duncan. PJ has indicated they'll avoid doubling him if possible (something they've always tried to do), and I think it's a solid plan. As it is with the Lakers and Kobe, or when Gasol has time to respond to a double, Duncan is very good at finding the open man, and the Spurs move extremely well without the ball.
- Fish on Parker. To expect Fisher to stick him all over the floor isn't fair. Virtually nobody can guard an elite PG one on one. Parker certainly qualifies. The question, though, is how effective Fisher can be. He's strong enough to work through picks, and smart enough to go under them at times to try to make Parker shoot. Not that TP can't bury a jumper, but he's less dangerous out there than he is in the lane. The key for L.A. will be making Parker work hard for his numbers.
- I mentioned yesterday that this isn't a series either team is going to lose. Someone is going to have to go win it. The Lakers and Spurs are two very good teams, and will have moments where they make the other look bad. The team that comes up on the short end, though, likely won't be there because they cracked under pressure.
- The Lakers D vs. the Spurs O. Defense is considered a soft spot for L.A., while the Spurs are prone to scoring droughts. Of the two, I tend to see SA's offensive struggles to be a bigger problem. The Lakers might not lock down for 48 minutes like the Bad Boy Pistons, but over the year and into the playoffs have shown an ability to crank up defensive pressure and get stops when they're needed. Not every time, obviously (no team does that), but enough. If they don't hurt themselves by turning the ball over or becoming enamored with the outside shot, I think the Lakers will do a solid job defending their basket.
- Bench play. The winner of this battle will have a huge advantage. From game to game, which team will have the player who steps up and contributes? Can the Lakers bench perform on the road?
Overall, I don't think anyone could have asked for a better matchup. The presumptive dominant team of the next few seasons vs. the one that has dominated the NBA for the better part of a decade. There are solid reasons to pick either team, and I think it'll be very close. In the end, though, I'll go Lakers in seven.
BK
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There it is:
"Bench play. The winner of this battle will have a huge advantage."
Posted by: Charles | May 21, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I'm telling you...
hit the free throws and control the boards...
LAKERS BY 12
GO LAKE SHOW11
LIGHTS OUT!!!
Posted by: keifo | May 21, 2008 at 02:02 PM
I think that Sasha and VladRad will be key for The Show. Rad cannot afford no-show performances like he had in Games 3 & 4 in Utah when he averaged 5 points. Sasha has to remain aggressive on both ends of the court. His improved defense is a big reason why PJ has "The Machine" on the court at the end of games.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 21, 2008 at 02:02 PM
AB news.
http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080521_
bynumsuccessfulsurgery.html
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 21, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Good points, BK. I think the third point and the last point go together, in a way. Parker lacks the upper body strength to compliment his quickness; that's the combination that gave Farmar such headaches against Deron. I think Jordan can do a reasonable job relieving Fish on the defensive end in this series. If he gets a little confidence going there, it isn't a huge leap to think he might start drilling his shots, or at least taking them in rhythm, allowing the Lakers as a team far better shot opportunities and fewer resulting defesive breakdowns. I'm guessing Jordan can turn it around and if he does...
I do kind of feel like an idiot agreeing with Hollinger but I really think we can take the Spurs in five, not least because I think we can protect our homecourt and get a split in SA, allowing us to close them out at home.
Staples has been OUR HOUSE in the playoffs.
Maybe I'm misunderestimating the Spurs though, to borrow a phrase.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 21, 2008 at 02:04 PM
In the end, though, I'll go Lakers in seven.
BK
Uhh..that better be your pick..haha..unless you want a mutiny of outrageous porportions.
hahaha
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 21, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Laker Faze,
Fist pound to ya!!!
Posted by: Charles | May 21, 2008 at 02:18 PM
*repost*
Okay, guys. As game time approaches, I admit I'm getting nervous.
If Kobe can play within himself, we win. Easily.
I'm not worried about that, though.
The Spurs could've lost to Phoenix if they didn't fold like a cheap tent. Once that Duncan 3 went in at the end of Game 1, Phoenix stopped fighting because the fates were against them.
The Spurs didn't win game 7 against NO, the Hornets (change that name, it's stupid cuz it's a Carolina thing) choked it away.
I assert that Utah is better top to bottom than the Suns (who play about as much defense as the Nuggets) and the Hornets. CJ Miles as your last rotation guy? Whew.
Now, I'll agree that the Jazz choked away game 6 much like the Hornets did, but in Games 3 & 4 we had chances to win those games on top of the convincing Games 1 & 2 wins.
Am I wrong to think that we could've beaten the Jazz in 4 with a few more free throws in game 3 or few less TO in game 4?
Am I wrong to worry? I would love to see a statement game tonight. Put doubt and fear in the Spurs. Make it happen guys.
Please reassure me, guys.
Posted by: mel | May 21, 2008 at 02:21 PM
GoooooOOOO LaaaaaaAAAAKERS!!!!
All season we have rocked the league. After the Pau trade the Suns and others started collapsing super nova style. If we beat the Spurs (which we will) their days are officially over. They will start to retool and the Lakers wrecking ball will have done it again. Go LAKERS!!!
I hope we can show stability. We are likely to take a game and, sorry to be contrarian, we are more likely to go out of our plan and lose a game.
Homecourt will mean less in this series, but as it is close, all help is needed. If they called this series like the last one, ie allow fouls, it will help us. But again, homecourt and the officiating will not be as wild.
I think we can out run them. If we can do it without turning the ball over, it will be a done deal.
No matter what, the Lakers are back. Next year Bynum will be back and the Spurs will be older. But though Bynum won't be around this year, ending the end of the Spurs this year would be fantastic!!
In the last two series it was us - the good guys- versus evil. Compared to the boring Spurs, we're even a little evil. Time to root for substance and style.
LETS WIN ONE FOR THE GOOD GUYS!!!!
Mamba24 roll it out. We're ready so . . .
GOOOOoooOOOOO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 21, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Charles
Usted sabe quién soy?
Tenga un buen día.
Los que son celosos de los Laguneros pueden irse a la...
Posted by: LAGUNERO | May 21, 2008 at 02:23 PM
HERE WE GO. HANDS IN... LAKERS ON THREE
BELIEVE PEOPLE.
Posted by: CHICK4EVER | May 21, 2008 at 02:29 PM
BRING IT LAKERS!! I too am a little nervous about you guys but you know what, that is what makes this series the one to watch! Both teams i feel are very even in thier talent (well in your guys starting line anyway). It's going to be a dog fight as we all know. Still though I am a spurs fan From San Anotnio and I am going to stick with SPURS IN 7. No way less than that. You guys are gonna be a tough challenge. i can't wait for tonite!! Let the best team win!
GO SPURS GO!!!
Posted by: cello_the Spurs fan | May 21, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Cello_the Spurs Fan,
You are not impolite. I don't even think you a troll. But you are on the wrong blog. Don't the Spurs have their own place? As Lagunero (Gunner??) would say,
Vaya con dios, pero vaya. Adios y malo suerte.
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 21, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Lagunero (Parajo que tien hambre),
Quien es?
Tenemos gente que estan celosos de los Laguneros? Yo Quieseria conocer... Pienso que la palabra es igual como troll.
Pero chico, estas escribriendo de nombres otros? Fuego Treinta y Dos?
Posted by: Charles | May 21, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Okay BK: all good points. Don't agree on final - I think Lakers in 6. But it's all good.
Bronx: Since Trevor is going to play - I think Vlad has a very short leash. PJ will be quick to sub either Walton or Trevor.
I am not really concerned with Lakers scoring. I think someone will step up each game. But also and maybe I am wrong but when we are down - we have shown we can come back pretty well.
I really like our composure for such an inexperienced playoff team. DFish and MVP (& PJ) are the rocks and down the stretch TOGETHER, I think they pull us through and will us to a win if needed in a close finish.
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | May 21, 2008 at 02:54 PM
"Los que son celosos de los Laguneros pueden irse a la..."
ir al infierno.
Posted by: Charles | May 21, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Vale, bastante con Espanol. Okay, enough with Spanish.
You guys remind me of little girls who whisper secrets at the dinner table knowing it will make the brother angry. A blogging community shares info. Hiding your thoughts in secretive conversations destroys our unity.
Come on back to join the rest of us in conversation.
Gracias mis amigos.
GOOOoooOOOO LAAAaaaAAAAKERS!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 21, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Charles
Ése era yo, y me disculpo de nuevo, pero demasiada gente escribe la materia casi igual repetidamente. Era el intentar justo cambiarlo encima de un poco, apenas a la diversión de la subsistencia y a interesar.
pero soy un ventilador del Laguneros a través y a través.
Posted by: LAGUNERO | May 21, 2008 at 03:13 PM
PsychedLakerGirl....
While I welcome Trevor back with open arms and am hoping for the best, I would have to think that after being out for almost 4 months, Trevor is going to require a little adjustment time in order to hit his stride and contribute at a high level. Vlad just has to be a positive ingredient to the mix....he can't be a non-entity or a negative. A good contribution from Rad will allow PJ more flexibility with what he is able to do with the small forward rotation. He can plug in Luke and Trevor into game situations from a standpoint of strategy and not out of necessity. Simply put...Rad has to come to the party and dance!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 21, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Fisher and Odom are missing today...but future in this game for Lakers. Only Pau and Kobe are not quitting.
Posted by: Peter | May 21, 2008 at 08:19 PM
"Los que son celosos de los Laguneros pueden irse a la..."
ir al infierno.
Posted by: Charles | May 21, 2008 at 02:56 PM
No mejor dicho.....
"Los que son celosos de los Laguneros pueden irse a la..."
Pueden irse a la chingada!
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 22, 2008 at 09:05 AM