Ok! Call me crazy if youd like but wouldnt be nice? Just picture this. The standings as of Wednesday, January 18th 2006. Denver (8) VS Spurs (1) Lakers (7) VS Suns (2) Clippers (6) VS Wolves (3) Grizzlies (5) VS Mavs (4) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakers (7) VS Spurs (1 Wolves (3) VS Mavs (4) Lakers () VS Wolves So before you guys advise me to quit somking, I just wanted some thoughts.
the #6 spot would be best for the Lakers and very acheivable for them. They get to face the #3 seed(Minnesota, if they keep it up) which is far better than facing the Mavs, Suns, or Spurs in the first round. That's their best chance of getting to the 2nd round. And well...the rest is going to take a lot of prayer.
I guess its possible if Nash, Marion, Duncan, Ginobli, Parker, Dirk, Jason Terry all get injured for the entire playoffs. EDIT: I forgot Minny would have to beat the Clipps so add Brand, Cassel, and Maggette to that injured list.
Ok I'm calling you crazy. More so because of the TWolves prediction. I agree with authentiq, #6 seed should be the target for the Lakers so they can beat who ever ends up winning the Northwest division, Minnesota, Denver, or Utah. I still predict Denver ends up winning it, and Minnesota won't even make the post season for the second straight year. If the Lakers have to face Phoenix in the 1st round, I don't like their chances. We have no answer for Steve Nash in a 7 game series, while the Suns have players who can give Kobe a tough time, Raja Bell & Jim Jackson. They won't shut Kobe down, but they'll make him use a lot of energy to score on them. Plus the Suns will have Amare by then, which compounds the matchup problems for the Lakers. Until the Lakers can get better at scoring inside the post, the Suns will be tough for this team to beat. In this scenario you have the Lakers knocking off the Suns & Spurs. I'd love to see it happen, but their chances of doing so are slim and none.
Lakers have the potential to beat anyone....but the most favorable position is playing the 3rd seed because the 3rd seed is at a lower level compared to lets say Pheonix and SA.....if they beat the 3rd seed (which is highly likely) hopefully they can ride the momentum and get as far as they can...honestly I think reaching 2nd round is beyond what anyone thought they could do....(cept us Laker fans)...but good luck to them
