Well, we just bitchslapped your team with ease. And that was a game the L*kers had circled. So, do we fear LA? Not in the least.
Record 2-1 LA. Playoff record 9-2 LA. HCA - LA. You're lucky in 1 regard though....you won't be playing the Lakers. You won't make it past the first round.
Wrong. I know Lakers fans like to pretend it didn't happen, but Detroit whipped the Lakers 4 - 1 in the 2004 finals. The Lakers had HCA in that series. BNM
If I were a Laker fan (shudder!!), I'd be more concerned with this article than I would this SI piece. http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-fyi10-2009mar10,0,1329149.story Tex Winter knows Laker basketball better than just about anybody alive. The fact that he's concerned that the Lakers aren't anywhere near as good as their record would indicate...especially given that he was interviewed before the Blazers lambasted the Lakers on Monday, should give even the most ardent Laker supporter pause to consider whether these guys really have what it takes to take it all this season.
Tex Winter is a smart man. Needless to say, I agree with him (and Nate). If they don't have Bynum in the play-offs, their odds of winning a title goes way down. There is no doubt the Lakers have a ton of talent - especially offensive talent. However, defense and rebounding is what wins games in the post season, and without Bynum, the Lakers aren't anything special on defense or on the glass. Boston exposed those weaknesses in last season's finals. The Lakers will still be favored against weaker oppononents, but they don't match up well with teams that rebound well and play good defense (San Antonio comes to mind). BNM
They didn't just lose, they were totally owned in that series. But, that's why they play the games. I also remember when a very young, inexperienced 42-40 8th seeded Nuggets team upset the 1st seeded 63-19 Sonics in the 1st round back in 1994. At the time, it was unprecidented. Anything can happen. You can't count on an upset if the Lakers end up playing the Blazers, but it certainly could happen - and given the Lakers well documented struggles in Portland, it wouldn't exactly surprise a lot of people. BNM
Sure, it's possible. Just not very likely(very being a big understatement). You admit yourself a number 8 seed upsetting the number 1 seed happened, what, twice in NBA history? And has it ever happened that a team with 0 playoff experience ever beat the 1 seed? Didn't think so.
the end of every season is disappointing for every fanbase but one. I don't see why Blazer fans shouldn't be excited about their team especially after recent struggles, or why they shouldn't be aloud some amount of speculation of what the playoffs might hold for their young inexperienced rooting interest. In 1977 the average age of the starting lineup was 24 and they had zero playoff experience... but thats why they play the games! STOMP
The difference, though, is that the first round was five games back when the Nuggets knocked off the Sonics, and it's seven games now. Longer series benefit the favourite. That said, it's certainly within the realm of possibility that Portland could beat LA in a series, but the chances of defending home court 3 times AND overcoming Portland's mediocre road record vs. LA's sterling home record is vanishingly small. If Oden is back and healthy and Bynum isn't, it might be interesting to see, though.
Just an example of a good reebounding team that plays defense and has plenty of post season experience. Without Bynum, the Lakers will have a tough time in the play-offs against any team with a big, physical post player, or any team that rebounds well and plays physical defense. Look on the bright side, you don't have to worry about playing Charlotte in the play-offs, and won't have to face the Magic until the finals (if you and they make it that far). BNM
