Game 1: Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns

<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Game 1</span>April 22, 2007 on 3:00 PM EST PG: Jordan Farmar - 4.4 PPG, 1.9 APG, 1.7 RPG, .61 SPGSG: Kobe Bryant - 31.6 PPG, 5.4 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.44 SPGSF: Luke Walton - 11.4 PPG, 4.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 1.00 SPGPF: Lamar Odom - 15.9 PPG, 4.8 APG, 9.8 RPG, .95 SPGC: Kwame Brown - 8.4 PPG, 1.8 APG, 6.0 RPG, 1.2 BPG PG: Steve Nash - 18.6 PPG, 11.6 APG, 3.5 RPG, 0.75 SPGSG: Raja Bell - 14.7 PPG, 2.5 APG, 3.2 RPG, 0.64 SPGSF: James Jones - 6.4 PPG, 0.6 APG, 2.3 RPG, 0.55 BPGPF: Shawn Marion - 17.5 PPG, 1.7 APG, 9.8 RPG, 1.95 SPG, 1.53 BPGC: Amare Stoudemire - 24.0 PPG, 1.0 APG, 9.6 RPG, 1.34 BPG<u>Los Angeles Key Players Off Bench</u>Maurice Evans - 8.4 PPG, 1.0 APG, 2.9 RPG, 0.5 SPGRonny Turiaf - 5.3 PPG, 0.9 APG, 3.6 RPG, 0.9 SPGVladimir Radmanovic - 6.6 PPG, 1.2 APG, 3.3 RPGBrian Cook - 6.9 PPG, 1.0 APG, 3.3 RPGAndrew Bynum - 7.8 PPG, 1.1 APG, 5.9 RPG, 1.56 BPG<u>Phoenix Key Players Off Bench</u>Leandro Barbosa - 18.1 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1.2 SPGBoris Diaw - 9.7 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.3 RPGKurt Thomas - 4.6 PPG, 0.4 APG, 5.7 RPG<u>Key Matchup</u>May 3, 2006. Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers. NBA Playoffs. Game 6. This is what it's all about. Raja Bell commits a very hard foul on Kobe Bryant grabbing him by the neck and throwing him onto the floor. Ejection. Suspension. A new rivalry is born. After this, I think Kobe Bryant really wants redemption on Raja Bell and the Phoenix Suns. This matchup is going to be key because not only is Kobe going to have to step up on the offensive end but Raja Bell is going to have to contain him and not make any stupid fouls taking himself out of the game and forcing one of the bench players to play Kobe, the most explosive scorer in the NBA. This matchup will not only be key in Game-1 but through the entire series. Can Kobe get hot and can he be stopped? That's the question.<u>Los Angeles X-Factor</u>Lamar OdomLamar really needs to be aggressive offensively. He's going to most likely be defended by one of the best defenders in the league, Shawn Marion. He needs to take advantage of the height advantage he has on Marion (Nearly 3 inches) and be aggressive like he was last year. He needs to be efficiant and make most of his shots, to take the pressure off of Kobe.<u>Phoenix X-Factor</u>Raja BellRaja needs to play very tough defense on Kobe and get in his face. He needs to limit Kobe's shots and make him hit tough shots. If Kobe shoots less than 40% because of the amount of shots he takes, the Suns are able to win this game with their fast paced offense. Bell just needs to contain Kobe because Kobe can't be stopped but he can be contained.<u>Los Angeles Injuries</u>None<u>Phoenix Suns Injuries</u>None<u>Next 3 Games</u> Game 2: Tue., Apr. 24 @ PHX, 10:30, TNT Game 3: Thu., Apr. 26 @ LAL, 10:30, TNT Game 4: Sun., Apr. 29 @ LAL, 3:30, ABC Thoughts and predictions on the game and series?

 

This is definetely going to be the most emotional and exciting series. I'm sure Kobe doesn't want to face another first round exit but chances are he will playing an offensive powerhouse like the Pheonix Suns. I'll say Suns win this game and the series in 6 games.

I remember how this thread turned out last year.

 

I think Phoenix will win this in 5 or 6. I went with 6 in the predictions thread for one reason only: Kobe Bryant. I think it could be 5, but I think Kobe will come through and make it interesting. It will be interesting to see if Odom can annihilate Shawn Marion, like he did in the first round last year. Will Kobe/Raja be as good as last year? I sure as hell hope so. The biggest thing this year is obviously Amare. They didn't have him last year and he's clearly a big time difference maker, especially with a shaky Kwame and an inexperienced/raw Bynum going up against him.

Bottom line: Phoenix will win this. The question, to me, is really just 5 games or 6? We'll see, I just hope the intensity level is at least close to where it was last year in the first round between these two teams.

 

I think James Jones is starting, unless you're sure... thoughts will come soon, but watching baseball now.

 

:wtf1:BTW I think Farmar is going to start in place of Smush.

 

I want to see Kobe do what he did in game 6! What an exciting series!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaptorFan#1 @ Apr 20 2007, 08:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want to see Kobe do what he did in game 6! What an exciting series!</div>Game 6? Do you mean game 4?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Apr 20 2007, 11:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'> :wtf1:BTW I think Farmar is going to start in place of Smush.</div>could you show a link or somethinnah man I believe you I just wanna be 100% sure before I go and change it

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Apr 20 2007, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>could you show a link or somethinnah man I believe you I just wanna be 100% sure before I go and change it</div>Here's a link:http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sport...cle_1654982.php<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>EL SEGUNDOSmush Parker signed with the Lakers two summers ago as a journeyman and ended up starting 162 consecutive games. Jordan Farmar could barely get off the bench late in the regular season but might be the team's starting point guard in the playoffs.While both make great stories, neither figures to be the answer next season.How the Lakers address the position in the offseason might be revealed some in the playoffs in regards to how big a role Farmar will have and whether it will be enough to steer them from bringing in a more established guard this summer.</div>I'm am glad Phil is starting Farmar over Smush. Parker already proved unreliable in last year's playoffs...besides the steal and three-pointer late game 4...he played his worst basketball as a Laker. Farmar started the last two games of the season if you didn't know, and played pretty well as a starter while Smush played a bit better off the bench.

 

We NEED this series over in at least 5, but I'm worried it may go to 6. Amare is the difference here as well as Kurt. Last year LA got ahead because we didn't have anyone to defend inside so guys like Kwame and Odom killed up. Amare has talked about the Lakers not being a worry so he needs to step up and make the difference that we all expected him to make if he was there last year. I'd also like to see Kurt get some more time to help us win the rebounding battle or at least be close. Another factor in the series is James Jones' shooting. If he makes his shots we will win in 4 or 5. If he doesn't make them Phil Jackson's D will just let him shoot and throw up bricks all day and it will be a long series. This is no time for him to hit a cold streak.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Apr 20 2007, 08:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Here's a link:http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sport...cle_1654982.php</div>And to add on to that, James Jones has been starting a lot lately. D'Antoni loves the guy and we have done well with him in the starting line-up since Diaw seems to be a lot more effective from the bench right now. Unless you're sure, or Diaw started the last game and I missed it, you should put Jones.

 

Oh brian, OH BRIAN YES BABY YES PUT IT I- uh o we're caught.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ Apr 20 2007, 08:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh brian, OH BRIAN YES BABY YES PUT IT I- uh o we're caught.</div>And it begins...

 

Looks like an intense series. But I am a little shaky on starting Farmar over Smush. Even though Smush is retard, worst PG in the league, and hates Phil he has the expirience. Alot of pressure will be on Farmar.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinoy Balla @ Apr 20 2007, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Looks like an intense series. But I am a little shaky on starting Farmar over Smush. Even though Smush is retard, worst PG in the league, and hates Phil he has the expirience. Alot of pressure will be on Farmar.</div>That is true and a good point, but we have to put this pressure on Farmar early. After all, he is our point guard of the future. This experience will be good for him. Besides, I think he is ready for the challenge.

 

Suns in 5 and 6. With all the momentum last season we still lose. Were coming into the playoffs with 2 wins against lottery teams.

 

Suns in 5. Kobe will try but the Suns won't find it too hard this time round.

 

Fixed it for LakersFan and ASUFan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Apr 20 2007, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Game 6? Do you mean game 4? </div>Oh, game 6 went into OT itself, my bad.

 

I'm so excited...Barbosa has a mohawk! Hopefully he keeps it for the playoffs but it sounds like he doesn't want to. It would be cool to have the whole team with mini-mohawks for the playoffs.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Barbosa sports new hairdo at practiceDoug HallerThe Arizona RepublicApr. 21, 2007 01:19 PMAt their last practice before Sunday's Game 1, the Suns insisted they didn't feel additional pressure.And to prove the point, all anyone had to do was point to guard Leandro Barbosa, who practiced Saturday with, of all things, a low-cut Mohawk.?The team always does something (for unity),'' Barbosa said, smiling as he prepared to tell the story.Apparently, the team had a discussion Friday about unity and someone brought up mustaches.?Let's do something different,'' Barbosa said.?Like what?'' his teammates asked.?Something with our hair.??Like what???A Mohawk.??No, nobody will do that,'' Shawn Marion said.?I will,'' Barbosa responded.?Let's bet,'' Marion said.So this morning Barbosa went to the barbershop before practice, lost his locks ? and maybe his dignity.?I show up and (Marion) couldn't believe it,'' Barbosa said. ?Everyone was laughing.''Did Marion pay up??He didn't pay me,'' Barbosa said. ?But whatever. It was a fun time.?Said Marion, grinning: ?I don't owe nobody any money.?Marion was planning to get his haircut after practice, but he told reporters not to count on anything drastic.?I ain't coming with no Mohawk - or a suspect Mohawk at that,? he said.As for Barbosa, he's having second thoughts. As of early Saturday afternoon, his girlfriend hadn't seen his new cut. Nor had his mother.?I don't' know,'' he said, thinking about the long-term effects of his decision. ? I might go take it off right now.?</div>Also, a nice little stat that I only shared with Melo so far. In the last 3 years, in games between the Lakers and Suns when Kurt Thomas is healthy and/OR Stoudemire is starting, the Suns are 10-0. They should be able to reduce what the Lakers' bigs were able to do to us last year.