<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Lakers and Suns have met in the playoffs the past two years, with Phoenix the winner both times. Coach Phil Jackson and Suns coach Mike D'Antoni have exchanged words. This has become a more intense rivalry, and now O'Neal has been added to the mix. "I don't know if it can be any more (intense)," D'Antoni said. "It's pretty good. ... Hopefully, we don't meet them in the playoffs.</div> LINK I am loving this. What happened to "Just wait till the playoffs where we bust them every year." ?
i wouldnt get too cocky, i wouldnt put the lakers too far ahead of phoenix. i would say that series definately goes 7 games.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 21 2008, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>i wouldnt get too cocky, i wouldnt put the lakers too far ahead of phoenix. i would say that series definately goes 7 games.</div> That's because you're a hater.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 21 2008, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>i wouldnt get too cocky, i wouldnt put the lakers too far ahead of phoenix. i would say that series definately goes 7 games.</div> Though the Suns coach doesn't sound as confident. -Petey
In all seriousness, when we've had a big man present this year (Bynum in the first two, Gasol in the last meeting), we've controlled the tempo throughout the game. In the first game with Bynum, we murdered them in Phoenix. In the second game on Christmas, it was a game where it was close throughout, but we always had the momentum and control. Same with the 4th game. Amare Stoudamire couldn't handle Andrew Bynum, in the 3rd game...Amare exploded when Bynum was out with injury. Gasol gave Shaq and Amare fits all night in the 4th meeting. We took the season series 3-1, I don't see how they could push us to a 7 game series if everyone is healthy. I think for sure we'd beat them 4-1, or 4-2.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 21 2008, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>i wouldnt get too cocky, i wouldnt put the lakers too far ahead of phoenix. i would say that series definately goes 7 games.</div> Are you delusional? Did you watch the game last night? The Lakers were dominant throughout. Sure, they're defense was pretty awful, but the offense looked as good as it has all season. Kobe scored an efficient 41 points and did it within the tri for the most part. Odom scored an easy 22 as well, and considering I didn't realize how much he had until game's end, that shows just how easy it was. Gasol was also terrific offensively, as he gave both Shaq and Amare fits with his length and quickness. His defense...well, that's a different story, but offensively he looked great. Phoenix also got lucky last night night with rebounding. There's no way they dominate the glass that way if Bynum is in there. In all, I think the Lakers showed just how good they were last night and proved they can play any tempo they want. There's no way the Suns beat the Lakers in a 7 game series, and I don't know if it'd make it past 6 games. The Lakers are too good, they're too deep, and too talented at every position to get beaten by a Phoenix Suns team that plays zero defense and has as much depth as my beloved Iowa Hawkeyes, and for those wondering, that's next to none.
Lakers will beat them. I almost want us to throw a couple of games (if it came down to it) to face the Suns in the first round. I want to knock them out so bad. There is absolutely no way they will be able to stop a Bynum/Gasol front court. Then we'll have Odom cleaning the boards and Kobe lighting them up all over the court. Can't wait.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 21 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lakers will beat them. I almost want us to throw a couple of games (if it came down to it) to face the Suns in the first round. I want to knock them out so bad. There is absolutely no way they will be able to stop a Bynum/Gasol front court. Then we'll have Odom cleaning the boards and Kobe lighting them up all over the court. Can't wait.</div> Stupid, bro. You don't throw games.
I want to beat them, but we don't need to throw games to do it. I'd much rather get the top seed anyways. If we don't meet them in the playoffs, it won't break my heart, thought I'd LOVE to beat the crap out of them for a change.
Honestly, I don't care who we get first round. As long as it isn't the defending champs. When they are healthy, they are going to be SCARY! And now they have Kurt Thomas?!?!?!?!? Are you kidding me????? But, if we see SA 2nd or 3rd rd., we got them. Duncan and Kurt can't guard Gasol and Bynum, no big man duo in the league can. LAKERS 2008 CHAMPS!
Honestly, the only thing that scares me about SA is their experience. No roster, up and down, has as much playoff experience as them (none that I can think of at least). They know how to win in the playoffs, even if they're not the better team, they find a way. However, I find it hard to fathom them being able to shut down Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Odom and keeping our bench out of the picture. We just have too many weapons for them to handle I think.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lakerman34 @ Feb 21 2008, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Honestly, I don't care who we get first round. As long as it isn't the defending champs. When they are healthy, they are going to be SCARY! And now they have Kurt Thomas?!?!?!?!? Are you kidding me????? But, if we see SA 2nd or 3rd rd., we got them. Duncan and Kurt can't guard Gasol and Bynum, no big man duo in the league can. LAKERS 2008 CHAMPS!</div> That might be the most non-logical post I've ever read. What makes the Spurs any different in round 1, 2, or 3? If anything, I'd rather face them in round 1 compared to round 3 because round 3 is the conference finals. The urge to win is going to be greater, there.
that was only the first game shaq has played with his new team. there gonna get better. im not a hater, im not delusional, i just wouldnt get too full of your own team just yet because the regular season is ALOT different than the playoffs. You guys might be the ones eating your own words.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 21 2008, 08:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that was only the first game shaq has played with his new team. there gonna get better. im not a hater, im not delusional, i just wouldnt get too full of your own team just yet because the regular season is ALOT different than the playoffs. You guys might be the ones eating your own words.</div> Hey, I'm not the one bragging about it. Those words came out of D'Antoni's own mouth. Keep notice that we beat them yesterday in PHX without Bynum and Ariza.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 21 2008, 08:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that was only the first game shaq has played with his new team. there gonna get better. im not a hater, im not delusional, i just wouldnt get too full of your own team just yet because the regular season is ALOT different than the playoffs. You guys might be the ones eating your own words.</div> And we are going to get better as well. We are still without Bynum and Ariza
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 21 2008, 07:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that was only the first game shaq has played with his new team. there gonna get better. im not a hater, im not delusional, i just wouldnt get too full of your own team just yet because the regular season is ALOT different than the playoffs. You guys might be the ones eating your own words.</div> I don't see the Suns getting that much better, honestly. They're still a weak rebounding team, even with Shaq. They still can't defend either. I realize the Lakers aren't that great of a defensive unit, but we can at least get stops when we need to, and that was shown last night. The Suns still can't stop anyone, even when they have to, and that's going to hurt them come playoff time. They're still also a terrible halfcourt team. They're only play at the moment is the pick and roll, so if you shut that down, you can easily shut the Suns halfcourt game down. And the other big issue with them is they still can't defend the pick and roll, which the Lakers exposed big time last night. The Suns are simply not a team built to win in the playoffs. They have no depth and play no defense at all, two things you have to have come playoff time.
