And that's basically what it is.  The Spurs may not be the most dynamic team athletically (though it's hardly like they're all limping around, run 7.5 40's and have six inch verticals), but they're smart, very talented, well coached, and extremely disciplined.  San Antonio is generally a team that requires the opposition to beat them, since they're not going to beat themselves.  On the other hand, when LA is going strong, they don't do a lot of favors for the other team, either.  Odom believes they have more than enough skill and experience to match up with the Spurs. 

 

"When you look at our team, we have guys who have played in Game 7s before.  My stomach is definitely a little bit different when I go out there now than it was in that first Phoenix series, or the first time I was in the playoffs with Miami.  You understand what it's like to be on the road.  Even be home.  I don't know if you saw the game last night, but the crowd never seemed (to get into it).  They were, "Oh man, we're in a Game 7!  We're just gonna watch!"  We've got Derek Fisher.  We have Kobe Bryant.  And our coaching staff, they have rings.  Their poise and knowledge rubs off on us, especially Kobe's and Derek's."

Odom believes that the experience that most of these guys have together, not just winning this year but failing to close out the Suns two seasons back, then getting waxed in last year's playoffs, will come in handy for the WCF.  Some of the players haven't experienced a parade, but for the principal players, it's not anyone's first day at the rodeo.  I tend to agree.  Between Kobe, Fish, PJ, and a very experienced coaching staff, and the lessons of previous seasons, the Lakers have more than enough to fall back on.  If they don't win, I don't see lack of experience being the primary reason.  Nor do I expect either team to lose this series. 

One is going to have to win it.

Other notes:

• Phil Jackson said after practice today that it was certainly possible that Trevor Ariza could play in Games 1 or 2.  He didn't commit to a specific course of action, but certainly left the door open. 
• The media Katamari ball is growing again, in a big way.  The circus is definitely here, and only going to get bigger.
• Along those lines, Craig Sager was at practice, wearing a very nice TNT polo shirt and a fashionable pair of jeans.  Frankly, seeing him in civilian clothes was a little disconcerting. 
• The team was scrimmaging in the half court, with the starters (plus Walton) up against the reserves.  Lots of crisp passing and ball movement from both sides.  Ariza didn't look limited in any way. 
• Line of the day goes to PJ, when asked if, given all the history between the two teams in both the regular season and playoffs, the Spurs are LA's biggest and best rival-  "You mean after the Clippers?"
• There was a big time consensus, both among players and media types, that a San Antonio/LA series is an incredibly appropriate way to determine who wins the W.C.  The Lakers are certainly shaping up to be the next big dynasty, while the Spurs aren't quite ready to be shown the door.  Not to get all Ric Flair on everyone, but to be the man, you gotta beat the man (so to speak). 
• PJ said he hoped the Lakers could single cover Tim Duncan as much as possible.  As a team, they've generally tried to avoid doubling The Big Fundamental as much as possible, and the responsibility will fall primarily to Pau Gasol.   Jackson also said he expects the Spurs to go right at Pau, trying to get him in foul trouble, and that they'll likely do the same on the other end with Duncan. 
• Audio from LO (some of which is quoted above), talking about what makes the Spurs so good, where the Lakers have been and how they've grown, and other topics of interest: Download lamar_odom_5.20.mp3

BK