<div align="center"> <font color="orange">The Phoenix Suns (54-28)</font> vs. <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)</font> <font color="purple">Series Tied: 3-3</font> Saturday, May 6th, 2006 US Airways Center 5:30 PM Pacific; TNT, KCAL </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="orange"> <font size="1">(S. Nash, R. Bell, J. Jones, S. Marion, B. Diaw)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Steve Nash - 23.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Shawn Marion - 9.3 RPG Assist Man: Steve Nash - 9.7 APG The Bench Man: Tim Thomas (16.2 PPG, 0.8 APG, 8.2 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: 23.7, RPG: 4.0, APG: 9.7 Well Nash has proved why he has been named the MVP this year, willing the Suns to force a 7th game. Nash shouldn't change up his game plan in game 7, it's working. Nash will encounter problems if the Lakers force him to be the primary scorer early, so he has to establish the game he wants to play before LA.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/raja_bell.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Raja Bell</font> PPG: 11.8, RPG: 3.2, APG: 2.0 He's back! The Lakers get what they want...Raja Bell. This should be interesting. Bell could have a negative effect on the game in the sense that LA wants him on the court. This could be motivation. I don't expect him to end his physical play on Kobe, so he needs to be physical early. If Bell can knock down open shots as well, PHX will be tough to beat.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/james_jones.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">James Jones</font> PPG: 5.8, RPG: 3.8, APG: 0.2 In game 6, Jones was a good role player. He put in 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. I don't think he's going to be effective in game 7. Luke Walton should come out aggressive, and it could hurt Jones. If Luke goes to the post, Jones has to play the best defense he can to hinder Walton. On offense, Jones will get open shots, he needs to nail them.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shawn_marion.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Shawn Marion</font> PPG: 18.8, RPG: 9.3, APG: 1.7 In the last two PHX wins, Marion has had an effect on the game. Lamar's gone away from dominating him in the post and it's hurt the Lakers. Marion can only hope for the same. If Lamar comes in and decides to be aggressive in the post and off the dribble, Marion could be in for a night of hurt. Marion is going to have to get it going early. He needs to hit his shots, snatch rebounds, and play that defense he's known for.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/boris_diaw.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Boris Diaw</font> PPG: 17.8, RPG: 5.8, APG: 5.5 Diaw is playing with confidence he's never had before, and it's killing the Lakers. Diaw must avoid early foul trouble that could shatter his confidence. He needs to go strong on offense, becuase Kwame can't figure him out...suprisingly. On defense, Diaw won't be able to contain Kwame if they go to him, so flopping is necessary. </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 - 28.5 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom - 12.0 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.8 APG The Bench Man: Brian Cook (6.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.2 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: 8.8, RPG: 2.7, APG: 1.2 For the Lakers sake, Smush will be riding the pine when the whistle blows to start game 7. If not, Smush has to establish himself early, or he'll struggle all night. He's shooting 34% from the field and 15% from 3 this series, and it's killing the Lakers. He's getting torched on defense, to go along with his horrid offense. If Smush is starting, he needs to take Nash to the post up, because he's much stronger. If he's not starting, then Vujacic needs to frustrate Nash like crazy, but stay out of foul trouble.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 28.5, RPG: 6.7, APG: 5.8 Kobe knows how to win, he knows what the Lakers need to do to win. I'm not looking for him to dominate the ball to score, I'm looking for him to dominate the ball to set others up. That's how the Lakers win against the Suns. I'm looking for Kobe to post 24, 8, and 8.</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: 11.5, RPG: 6.7, APG: 1.8 Luke Walton made the key mistake of losing Tim Thomas, who hit the game tying three to send the game to overtime. Knowing Luke, he's kicking himself for that mistake and he wants to right his wrong. This is his chance. When Luke plays strong, the Lakers are hard to beat. I'm looking for Luke to score from the post, dish from the post, and play solid defense.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 20.3, RPG: 12.0, APG: 5.3 Lamar knows that for the Lakers to win, he needs to be the man scoring the ball. He has 3 inches, 30 pounds on Marion, easily. He needs to take Marion to the post, where he'll dominate him. He needs to isolate himself on one of the wings, where he can use his speed to blow by Marion. Once he gets that first step in, he's hard to stop. Look for him to come strong in this game, Phil's drawing it up for him.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> PPG: 13.7, RPG: 6.8, APG: 1.0 Kwame Brown knows he is the biggest factor in the Lakers win. He's going to get the ball pounded to him in the post if he can stay out of foul trouble. If he does do that and converts...the Lakers should have an easy time controlling everything in the game. On defense, we really need him to figure out Diaw...it's imperative to the Lakers success.</font> <font size="3">Lakers Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="purple">Control the Tempo</font> - In games 2-4, the Lakers controlled everything, especially the tempo. Phil and Kobe know what they have to do to win...control the tempo. Look for Kobe to go back to the initiator, and Lamar being the primary threat.[*]<font color="purple">Bench Smush Parker</font> - He's had plenty of time to adjust to the playoffs, and he can't. He isn't hitting anything, his defense is horrible. The Suns don't even worry about him. They can leave him to go double Kobe or Odom. I think starting Sasha or George would be the smart thing to do. Sasha seems to get in Nash's head and it works. He's quick and has been hitting his threes. [*]<font color="purple">Pound the Post</font> - In their wins, the Lakers pounded the post. In game 7, if they want to win, post up Lamar, Kwame, and Kobe. Pound it into them. Playing a half-court post game will slow the tempo down to where the Suns are just the Sparks. If we settle for jumpers and miss them, it ignites the fast break.[*]<font color="purple">Cut Turnovers</font> - In the last two games, the Lakers have been horrible at protecting the ball, and it's led to numerous fast break points for the Suns. In game 7, it's critical that the Lakers control the ball, make sure they know their pass will get there, throw crisp passes, and watch for the charges.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> The Lakers know how crucial this game is, so do the Suns...I'm not making a prediction...let's just say, I have a better feeling for this game than I did for games 5 or 6. Even though the Suns have came back to tie the series, that took a lot of energy out of them. It takes even more energy to win a series when being down 3-1. Lakers: --, Suns: --..
Frankly whichever team wins I'll be sad. Because this is one of the best playoff series in a LONG time.
i know what you mean PD. this has to be one of the craziest playoff series ive ever been a part of. either way, nice preview as always BM, and this is a must win for the lakers! (duh)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">I promise you Lakers will prevail!</div> you lost your bet. get out of here. no one wants you. jk.
D'Antoni is not letting Odom kill him anymore, and is doubling baseline. What we need to try is moving Kobe to the strong side corner and isolating Odom in the post. They double Odom, Kobe baseline for the dunk. That will be there all day for Kobe. That will force the Suns to stop doubling and Odom will kill Marion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheBlackMamba:</div><div class="quote_post">Guys, don't make promises. We did that last game...and look what happened.</div> NP. You will thank me tommorow.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bench Smush Parker - He's had plenty of time to adjust to the playoffs, and he can't. He isn't hitting anything, his defense is horrible. The Suns don't even worry about him. They can leave him to go double Kobe or Odom. I think starting Sasha or George would be the smart thing to do. Sasha seems to get in Nash's head and it works. He's quick and has been hitting his threes.</div> I don't like this idea, yes we need to bench Smush if he doesn't get it going early but make Sasha a starter? I don't like it, I would prefer Mckie as his defense is supposedly good though I haven't seen him do his "thing" yet.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">dont curse us LO7. please! </div>
Sasha hasnt been a really bad defender against Nash and House...I think he'll do fine...my worry is that McKie is too slow on defense cause of age (although he will be fresh)...and offensively he is limited
Benching Smush does nothing for his confidence, he's still the best option to start for the Lakers. The difference has to take place on offense for Smush Parker and the spots on the court for him to get high percentage shots. This will get his confidence back up and energize him defensively. If Smush is struggling, then PJax definitely needs to have a short leash in this game to settle him down and get him focused on the court. Sasha staring doesn't work, because he gets fouls in bunches. He has to be used in specific situations for him to be effective.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sasha staring doesn't work, because he gets fouls in bunches. He has to be used in specific situations for him to be effective.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If Smush is struggling, then PJax definitely needs to have a short leash in this game to settle him down and get him focused on the court.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Benching Smush does nothing for his confidence,</div> AND <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> he's still the best option to start for the Lakers.</div> Wham bam thank ya ma'am.....you covered it all here Shape.
The Lakers better get their act up on defense if they want to win Game 7. I'm afraid our inexperience and being young going to kill ourself in this game. I had a feeling Kobe is going to pull a GW shot again in Game 7. Looking forward to this game tomorrow. GO LAKERS! PLEASE DON'T DISAPPOINT US AGAIN!
oh man im going to miss part of this game.... Im my brothers sponsor for his confirmation but I gotta take care of business. I hope lakers win this one or else im going to be sad and not even watch the playoffs. As a fan I think this one will be a toss up.
smush parker needs to get going, he is a great player when his head is in the game. but sasha should start over him if he continues to play like he did for the previous games. I really hope the Lakers prevail in Game 7. I look forward to Kobe's leadership. He has been in numerous Game 7's and finals. He will know what it takes to win.
This is too tight to call. On one hand, I can't see us making it into the second round, but on the other, I can't see The Suns in the second round. All I can say is C'mon Lakers!
well, apparently nobody is giving us a chance. i watched the wiz and cavs game, and after that, they had some talk about the nba playoffs. they said that the lakers basically blew their chances of winning the series with the loss, and for phoenix to have the home crowd behind them in game 7 is huge. lets just hope the lakers prove them wrong
Starting lineup: PG Luke Walton-He's an excellent passer and has great vision. We NEED to move the ball tonight. SG Kobe Bryant-Need I say more? SF Lamar Odom-Having the Suns PF guarding our SF? This will really hurt the Suns, and allows Lamar to run with the ball. PF Ronny Turiaf-I say this because then he will be defended by Boris Diaw. Put him on the post and can you say MISMATCH? C Kwame Brown-Kwame NEEDS to use his anger from the rape allegations on the court, like Kobe did. (Remember that long streak of 40+ point games)?
