The way i see it... Lakers will end up at least in the top 3... Therefore we could probably face The Rockets (i see them slipping all the way down) Warriors, Mavs, Spurs and Maybe even the Nuggets (if they catch up) Who would you rather face? For me... it would be a toss up between the Mavs and the Rockets. We have the Mavs number with or without Gasol and Bynum since they have no bench. The Rockets won the last time but that was because it was our bench vs. theirs. If we had Gasol and/or Bynum we would easily beat them.
Give me the Warriors. With Gasol and Bynum patrolling the paint, I don't think they stand a chance. Last night, Stu pointed out that when he talked to the Warriors' players, they all mentioned how attacking the rim was going to be so much easier without Gasol and especially without Bynum out there.
Well if the Mavs even make it to the playoffs, I wouldn't mind facing them. I don't know the extent of Dirk's injury, but I doubt he'll be coming back any time soon. The Mavs haven't beaten a winning team ever since making the Kidd trade, and we always seem to own them every season anyways. I wouldn't mind the Warriors either. Even if Bynum doesn't come back, all we need is Gasol. There is no way they will be able to stop us in a seven game series.
The Lakers would kill the Warriors if they had Gasol/Bynum. Wouldn't even be close. They are both notorious Warrior killers and we have no answer for them.
The thing about the Warriors is that they have Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson. I'm not as worried about Jackson, but he seems to have the knack of hitting the big shots (see yesterday). Baron Davis is something else, we won't be able to stop him in a seven game series. I still believe we can take them pretty easily when healthy, but the Mavericks seem like the better team (for us to face). Is there anybody on that roster that scares you? Jason Kidd? He's not going to be a huge difference maker, he won't take over games. Dirk? He's a choker, and who knows if he'll be 100%. Everyone else on that team, maybe with the exception of Stackhouse, are pussies. At least the Warriors seem like they can put up a big fight, given last year's playoff run, but the Mavs just seem like a big group soft minded whiny pussies. I wouldn't mind facing either, but if I had to choose, I'd pick the Mavericks
Kobe is practically the CEO of the Mavericks. Give me them in any 7-game series and I won't be scared. They've played poorly with Dirk and Kidd over the last month as well.
If I were the Lakers, I'd wanna go against the no-defense Nuggets. With Fish, Kobe, Odumb, Gasol, and Bynum (or even 4 of the 5, in case one gets injured), you'd be scoring 200 a game.
Hes not Odumb anymore...lol I'll take Warriors, Nuggets or Dallas we could easily beat any one of those teams, I'll be scared to play the Spurs for sure.
Do the Mavs even get in now? With the way the west is, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Nuggets or someone steal their spot.
Honestly.. i think the Mavs are bluffing everyone that Dirk will be back in 2 weeks. They want their players convinced that Dirk will come back in time for a playoff run. LOL
I've been saying this for a while but I honestly think Dallas is going to miss the playoffs, with or without Dirk. Their recent play has been terrible. Their offense is stagnant and their defense hasn't been as good as it was last year. The Jason Kidd trade that was supposed to put them over the top has taken them a step back. His offense has been the epitomy of pathetic in Dallas and the style of play that they use doesn't even utilize his strengths. The Mavs were dead in the water before this happened, now they're just sinking further down.
I'd say Warriors, Odom plays like a beast against them, and the Lakers can beat them without Gasol and Bynum, once they return who can stop Bynum or Gasol on the Warriors?
