<div align="center"> <font color="orange">The Phoenix Suns (54-28)</font> vs. <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)</font> Phoenix lead the season series, 3-1 Sunday, April 23rd, 2006 America West Arena 12:30 PM Pacific; ABC </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="orange"> <font size="1">(S. Nash, R. Bell, B. Diaw, S. Marion, B. Grant)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Shawn Marion - 21.8 PPG Leading Rebounder: Shawn Marion - 11.8 RPG Assist Man: Steve Nash - 10.5 The Bench Man: LeAndro Barbosa (13.1 PPG, 32.8 APG, 2.6 RPG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/steve_nash.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Steve Nash</font> PPG: 18.8, RPG: 4.2, APG: 10.5 the front runner for the MVP, Nash is going to have to be key in every single game. Don't expect to see Smush guarding him, instead, watch Phil Jackson try Kobe on him. That will make things a lot tougher. Nash is going to have to burn Kobe with his court vision and his speed, because he won't score more than 15.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/raja_bell.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Raja Bell</font> PPG: 14.7, RPG: 3.2, APG: 2.6 Raja is a rugged defender, so this will be an interesting matchup. He won't stop Kobe, but he has to force him into a bad shooting game. He could also be the Suns biggest offensive threats, if Kobe's on Nash. Raja should be able to get open and score with ease if Smush is on him.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/boris_diaw.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Boris Diaw</font> PPG: 13.3, RPG: 6.9, APG: 6.2 The versatile Frenchman, Diaw, isn't going to be seeing Odom much, instead he'll most likely see Luke Walton. Diaw can play any position, so the Suns need to switch him around if they aren't doing well. Boris, being the Suns most versatile player, outside of Marion, is going to have to defend and rebound. Anything else should come naturally to him.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shawn_marion.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Shawn Marion</font> PPG: 21.8, RPG: 11.8, APG: 1.8 The Matrix is going to see a lot of Odom, a player that is a mirror image of him. This should be the series' most interesting matchup. Can Odom keep him out of the post? Can Odom keep him off of the boards? Can Marion utilize his skills against Odom's almost equal skills? This matchup will dictate a lot in the series, and for the Suns', Marion is going to have to dominate Odom.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brian_grant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Brian Grant</font> PPG: 2.9, RPG: 2.7, APG: 0.3 Grant is an embarrassment compared to his old-self, you can't expect anything out of him. He's starting because of the injury to Frank Thomas, so he needs to do whatever he can to help the Suns win. Kwame Brown is too powerful, quick, and...good for Grant. Expcet to see Diaw at center, a lot.</font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="purple"> <font size="1">(S. Parker, K. Bryant, L. Walton, L. Odom, K. Brown) </font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant - 35.4 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom - 9.2 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.5 APG The Bench Man: Brian Cook (7.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.9 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Smush Parker</font> PPG: 11.5, RPG: 3.3, APG: 3.7 Smush Parker isn't even close to Nash's level, so don't expect him to be even remotely effective if he's on Nash. Kobe should be on Nash all series long. On offense, Parker has to come out being aggressive. He needs to drive to the hoop, get open on the perimeter, and find open people. He can makes things much easier, if he's aggressive.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 35.4, RPG: 5.3, APG: 4.5 The MVP. Plain and simple. It doesn't matter if he's the MVP by vote, all the players in the NBA know who it is. Kobe should put up nothing less than 40, 5, and 5 this series. The biggest thing that we need from Kobe is defense. Phil should put him on Nash. His size and strength advantage should be too much for Nash.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luke_walton.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Luke Walton</font> PPG: 5.0, RPG: 3.6, APG: 2.3 Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke! He's been playing sensational ball lately. He's been taking it to the hole to score, not to drive and kick. That's what the Lakers need. He'll be at SF this series, not PF. If he was at PF, he would be shredded by Marion. Back to the offensive end, we need Luke to come out assertive. He needs to go to the hole strong. He is a key role player, he needs to be a key factor in the series.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 14.8, RPG: 9.2, APG: 5.5 Is it Marion's twin? Not identically, but skill wise. Odom and Marion should put on one hell of a matchup. If Odom can better Shawn, the Lakers should win this series. Odom needs to score, the first half of the game is his. In the second half, he needs to look for Kobe.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> PPG: 7.4, RPG: 6.6, APG: 1.0 Our beast, Kwame has been sensational at center this year. He should tear the Suns a new one in this game if they leave Grant on him. He needs to demand for the ball in the post. Grant can do nothing to stop him. On defense, we need Brown to snatch rebounds before Marion can get to them.</font> <font size="3">Lakers Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="purple">Aggressive</font> - The Lakers have to realize this is their shot at redemption. Lamar and Kwame, who have been playing great ball lately, can't stop now. We need them to come out aggressive. If they can have an effect on the game in addition to Kobe, the Lakers should steal this one.[*]<font color="purple">Control Temp</font> - If the Lakers get caught in a run and gun game, they'll get blown out. They need to slow the game down and let Kwame control the post. If they're effective from the post, the Suns shouldn't get many opportunities to turn it into a foot race.[*]<font color="purple">Kobe</font> - We've seen Kobe tear it up all season, now he needs to turn it up another notch. This is his chance to redeem himself in the eyes of many people who pay no attention to basketball if it's not the playoffs. Kobe needs to come out and score, pass, rebound, and lock down his man, which should be Nash.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> I think the Lakers come out strong and steal game one. I'm not saying they'll come in and sweep Phoenix. I favor the Suns in the series, but I think the Lakers can win. I see the series going 7 games, with the Lakers to steal it, if they establish their presence in the post. Lakers: 109, Suns: 106..
good preview, hopefully they can take at least one of two from the Suns at home. My keys to the game are: 1. Maintain Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw, we all know what Steve Nash can do so stop his wingman. 2. Bang bodies downlow to establish some presence. 3. Possibly slow Nash down by throwing Kobe on him.
Good Preview but in the starters you have Brian Cook instead of Luke Walton. I think the Lakers can and will come up on top, Kobe's averaging 42.5 PPG against the Suns, Odom has been doing great, and Our bigs are too much for the suns to handle. 123 - 114, Lakers in OT.
The Suns ended their season with a 12-11 record. They aren't playing with the confidence they had earlier in the season, and I think Diaw's lack of playoff experience is going to show up in Game 1. I predict Diaw getting into early foul trouble and not having much impact in this game. The Laker bigmen are going to go right at him and he's going to be forced to foul them. The Lakers know the importance of the first game because a win is going to skyrocket the confidence of their young squad. It will also plant the seed of doubt in the Phoenix locker room, and their two best players (Nash, Marion) have an infamous history of choking when it counts. With the Lakers finally healthy they have the depth to match up with the Suns. Aaron McKie is going to be a key player in this series because he's their best perimeter player and can guard either guard position. The Lakers take this game 108-100.
LOL, oh sh!t, take a look at both teams starting five. Doesn't Brian Grant look like Lamar Odom with hair? or am I just trippin? Also, what Shape said, Lakers win this one, yessir
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">so we get two previews for one game?</div> Yup. That's how hype Laker fans are about being back in the playoffs!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Yup. That's how hype Laker fans are about being back in the playoffs!</div> Well one of you moderators should delete the other one since there's no point responding to two same game threads.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Empra!15:</div><div class="quote_post">Well one of you moderators should delete the other one since there's no point responding to two same game threads.</div> haha. lol. seems like you put a lot of time in it too
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Phoenix is going to run LA out of the gym in this one IMO. I take the Suns by 15.</div> Man everytime you come here, you just come with your negativity about the Lakers. Give us a break. I think we have a good chance.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Empra!15:</div><div class="quote_post">Man everytime you come here, you just come with your negativity about the Lakers. Give us a break. I think we have a good chance.</div> So I'm being negative by predicting a Phoenix blowout? Nobody can ever predict a blowout? Most of the time I read posts in this forum, I see total bias.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">So I'm being negative by predicting a Phoenix blowout? Nobody can ever predict a blowout? Most of the time I read posts in this forum, I see total bias.</div> You can predict whatever you want. You have a career awaiting you in BSPN
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Empra!15:</div><div class="quote_post">Man everytime you come here, you just come with your negativity about the Lakers. Give us a break. I think we have a good chance.</div>it's not negativity if you're a suns fan. let's face it, y'all Laker fans are very touchy. i'm not a laker fan, i'm an NBA fan. not being able to take criticism is a sign of insecurity. any NBA fan would like to see a great series whether kobe or nash takes it. personally i don't care who wins it as long as both teams play hard. but I THINK phoenix will win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Empra!15:</div><div class="quote_post">You can predict whatever you want. You have a career awaiting you in BSPN</div> Calm down lol. People are allowed to post their opinions. Although I do believe some people take things a bit too far. Relax, when we beat The Suns it will be all good. We're the underdogs in this game, victory will be sweater this way. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">it's not negativity if you're a suns fan. let's face it, y'all Laker fans are very touchy. i'm not a laker fan, i'm an NBA fan. not being able to take criticism is a sign of insecurity. any NBA fan would like to see a great series whether kobe or nash takes it. personally i don't care who wins it as long as both teams play hard. but I THINK phoenix will win.</div> Don't class everyone by a few fans. Theres nothing wrong with believing in your team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_fan:</div><div class="quote_post"> Calm down lol. People are allowed to post their opinions. Although I do believe some people take things a bit too far. Relax, when we beat The Suns it will be all good. We're the underdogs in this game, victory will be sweater this way. Don't class everyone by a few fans. Theres nothing wrong with believing in your team.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Empra!15:</div><div class="quote_post">You can predict whatever you want. You have a career awaiting you in BSPN</div> I don't even know what the hell your complaining about.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't even know what the hell your complaining about.</div> he does have the right to speak his mind, theres nothing wrong about thinking the suns will win.
