I was just curious as to what you Laker fans feelings towards winning another championship, which I believe is thru the Spurs. Do you guys fear the Spurs coming up in the next round? Do you respect them? Or do you feel as though you can beat them pretty easily? My thoughts on this is that the Spurs hold the edge. They are playing great basketball and have a huge winning streak to prove it. They are on their way to sweeping the Grizz which I think they will. The Lakers have also started off this postseason very nicely. I think it will be a great battle with the winner of this series making it to the finals. What are your thoughts on the Spurs and your chances at winning another NBA Championship?
I agree that the Spurs are probably the biggest threat to the Lakers, and vice versa. As of right now, I think the Spurs have the edge. They haven't lost a game in a month (13 consecutive wins I believe). They are just humiliating a very good Memphis team. In addition, they are the defending champs, which almost automatically makes them the team to beat. However, hopefully when it's all said and done, u guys will see me lighting a police car on fire
I'm indifferent about the Spurs, as I am with most teams in the league. The only time I hold negative feelings towards a team is when they play dirty and trash-talk on top of that...hmmm sounds like a good reason to hate LA if I wasn't a fan. A few months ago I thought the title was going to come down to LA and Sacramento, but since then the Kings have slumped and the Spurs have surged, so I'll probably be counting them out now. Minnesota-Sacramento will still be a hell of a series though...here's to hoping my housemates don't hog the TV...or fall asleep in the living room as was the case tonight...bastards
As a fan of the Lakers there is a competitive dislike for them. However, I have a lot of respect for the Spurs and what they have accomplished this season despite losing the heart and soul of their team, in David Robinson. I believe the winner of this future series will be the eventual NBA Champion. The Spurs team is built for the post-season, because they have surrounded their franchise player with the perfect combination of complimentary players. They've also added players specifically to compete against Shaq and Kobe over the last couple of seasons. Those additions allowed the Spurs to beat the Lakers last season. However, the Lakers addressed their two weaknesses by adding Payton and Malone. Health will be a key factor for the Lakers, and they need to contain Tony Parker to win the series.
Deep down the Spurs are the only team in the NBA that Laker fans respect and are worried about. Maybe because Kobe is always guarded by one of the best defenders in the NBA or the way Duncan always dominates inside and has his way with Shaq, or the fact quick guards like Parker and Manu are allowed to attack the basket at will. Got to be all those choices, one thing Lakers have against them is the fact they will be on the road in the playoffs when they face San Antonio, we all know what happened when teams had to face the Spurs on the road in the playoffs, no one could stop them. Also lets not forget the Robert Horry factor who is playing GREAT basketball BTW
I think if you were to look at the Spurs and Lakers on paper...you'd say Lakers easily. But it seems that San Antonio has found a winning formula, one dominant big man (duncan), a penetrator (parker), a playmaker(ginobli) and a defensive stopper(bowen). San Antonio reminds us what basketball is all about, a TEAM, not individuals who pretend that they are a team. I don't think that the Lakers play a better team game than San Antonio but I think they do have better individual talent. Let's hope that's enough.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Deep down the Spurs are the only team in the NBA that Laker fans respect and are worried about. Maybe because Kobe is always guarded by one of the best defenders in the NBA or the way Duncan always dominates inside and has his way with Shaq, or the fact quick guards like Parker and Manu are allowed to attack the basket at will. Got to be all those choices, one thing Lakers have against them is the fact they will be on the road in the playoffs when they face San Antonio, we all know what happened when teams had to face the Spurs on the road in the playoffs, no one could stop them. Also lets not forget the Robert Horry factor who is playing GREAT basketball BTW</div> I have a lot of respect for the San Antonio Spurs. They don't talk much, but they go out there and play basketball for 48 minutes. The big question for the Lakers is can they contain Tony Parker and Manu GInobili? These two players use their speed and quickness to their advantage, and they quickly put Gary Payton and Kobe on their heels the last time these two heavyweights met in Los Angeles, and I can't forget about the two time MVP in Tim Duncan. However, I don't think it matters if we play at SBC Center or not. Last year, we couldn't even win a single game at your place due to the fact that Shaq and Kobe didn't perform to the best of their abilities, and when that happens, you're not going to get much production from your role players. But with Mitch Kupchak going out in the market and signing Payton and Malone who are very hungry and focused to win an NBA championship, they are experienced veterans, and they understand this could be their last final chance to win a ring. If these two teams meet in the second round which seems very likely, then the Lakers will take it in 7.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DonJuan:</div><div class="quote_post">I think if you were to look at the Spurs and Lakers on paper...you'd say Lakers easily. But it seems that San Antonio has found a winning formula, one dominant big man (duncan), a penetrator (parker), a playmaker(ginobli) and a defensive stopper(bowen). San Antonio reminds us what basketball is all about, a TEAM, not individuals who pretend that they are a team. I don't think that the Lakers play a better team game than San Antonio but I think they do have better individual talent. Let's hope that's enough.</div>Very nice post. Summed it up there. Spurs in 6 or 7.
The winner of this series will be the NBA Champ The Spurs are the only obstacle that hinders the Lakers from becoming champs again. Injuries have hurt the Lakers all year but they managed to pull it together to win the Pacific division. The spurs have had there end of the injuries through the year but towards the end everyone became healthy and they've looked real sharp. If the Lakers want to get another ring they are going to have to get healthy play as one and they will pull out the series. Kobe and Shaq aren't going to be able to have off and ongames either because i can guarantee the Spurs will be coming to play every night. I see the Lakers in 7 more so becuase they have home court.(Plus they have the fab 4)
Although this will be a great series and the winner will have the momentum going into the Western Conference Finals, don't forget that the winner will have to play the Wolves/Kings in the next round. I have picked the Kings to beat the Wolves in the next round, just a gut feeling, but the Wolves are perfectly capable of winning the West. They are the number one seed and remember that the Wolves almost elimated the Lakers from the playoffs without Spreewell and Cassel. With these guys and Wally starting to play well, not to mention the MVP KG, the Wolves will make a push at a title.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe=DaMAN:</div><div class="quote_post">I see the Lakers in 7 more so becuase they have home court</div>Wrong. The Spurs will have the homecourt advantage because they have the better overall record. That is just another reason why I give the Spurs the edge in this series.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Wrong. The Spurs will have the homecourt advantage because they have the better overall record. That is just another reason why I give the Spurs the edge in this series.</div> dude, how can u say somebody is "wrong" when it hasn't happened yet?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">dude, how can u say somebody is "wrong" when it hasn't happened yet?</div>He is wrong about the Lakers having home court advantage. What don't you understand?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">He is wrong about the Lakers having home court advantage. What don't you understand?</div> oic, my bad...i thought u were saying he was wrong cuz he picked the lakers in 7... Anway...I don't know who's gonna win but I think its going 6 games... that Sac-Minn series aint gonna be too shabby either...i expect great things in this playoff
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">oic, my bad...i thought u were saying he was wrong cuz he picked the lakers in 7...</div>haha...I'm not that biased.
yeh i think that whoever wins this series , will win the NBA championship , i think its almost to tight to call , but coz im a lakers fan , ill say lakers in game 6 on the buzzer haha ... worth a try
After watching the last couple of Spurs games (against the Grizz) and watching the last couple of Laker games, I'm REALLY worried.... If the Lakers play like they've been playing against the rockets, they will not beat the Spurs...something needs to click on soon, or else L.A. is toast ...IMO
a Mod double posted.... Im not a laker fan, but i still. I see the lakers having the capabilityu to win. But as DonJuan said, the spurs have the winning formula. THey have been doing awesome, and I think they will win. The Lakers don't want it to happen so I say it will happen in 7. Then they will lose to the kings in 7 games, who won over Minny in 6 games.(I wish.)
The Spurs are the only team I'm worried about in the playoffs being a Laker fan. But, I'm not too worried for that matter. I think the Lakers are fully capable of beating them in a 7 game series. They've done it 2 times before, and for that matter, absolutely dismantling them in 2001. So, they can do it. Personally, I don't think the Spurs can contain all four of the big four if they can play together. When the Lakers play together and keep the ball moving, they're the toughest team in the league to beat. But, the one thing you have to look at, will they be able to contain Duncan? If they can do that, I think they will win this series in 6 or less. But, if Duncan can light them up like he did last year, they'll be in trouble. But, than again, it also comes down to what the role players do in the series. What will the supporting casts do? Right now, if you look at it, they're probably fairly equal. Spurs might have the edge though. But, the Lakers do have Kobe and Shaq, and that's been enough in the past. So, I think, if the Lakers can somewhat keep Duncan in check and make the role players beat them, I think they'll win. But, if they contain Duncan and allow role players like Parker and Ginobli to consistently knock in the open jumpers, they will be in trouble. Same with the Spurs. We know that they're going to be doubling Shaq and Kobe on a consistent basis, and, if players like Payton, Fisher, Malone, George, if they can knock down the open jumpers they will likely get, the Spurs will be in trouble. But, I think overall, this is going to be a great series. I see the Lakers in 6 or 7.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post"> They've done it 2 times before, and for that matter, absolutely dismantling them in 2001. So, they can do it. </div>Two totally different teams than 2001. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Personally, I don't think the Spurs can contain all four of the big four if they can play together. </div>The Rockets have done a pretty good job, are the Rockets a better defensive team than the Spurs? Hell no. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> When the Lakers play together and keep the ball moving, they're the toughest team in the league to beat. </div> Same could be said for the Spurs. There is a reason they have won 15 in a row. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> But, the one thing you have to look at, will they be able to contain Duncan? If they can do that, I think they will win this series in 6 or less. </div> Are you kidding? Didn't you learn anything from last year's series? Ducan can score 10 or 12 points and the Spurs can still win. The real question is can the Lakers contain Parker. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But, if Duncan can light them up like he did last year, they'll be in trouble. </div>If my memory serves me well, Duncan scored 12 points in one game last year yet the Spurs still won. There is more to beating the Spurs than simply shutting Duncan down. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> But, than again, it also comes down to what the role players do in the series. What will the supporting casts do? Right now, if you look at it, they're probably fairly equal. </div>I have to disagree with this aswell. The Spurs bench is playing A LOT better than the Lakers right now. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Spurs might have the edge though. But, the Lakers do have Kobe and Shaq, and that's been enough in the past. </div> It wasn't enough last year. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> So, I think, if the Lakers can somewhat keep Duncan in check and make the role players beat them, I think they'll win. </div> The only BIG problem with that is, the rest of the Spurs ARE capable of beating the Lakers. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> But, if they contain Duncan and allow role players like Parker and Ginobli to consistently knock in the open jumpers, they will be in trouble. </div>Controlling their penetration will be key, they would rather them shoot than to break down their defense off the dribble. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Same with the Spurs. We know that they're going to be doubling Shaq and Kobe on a consistent basis,</div> No, they will be doubling Shaq. Bruce Bowen has already proved he can guard Kobe one on one. Don't expect a double team there. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> and, if players like Payton, Fisher, Malone, George, if they can knock down the open jumpers they will likely get, the Spurs will be in trouble. </div>Thats a big IF, but I agree. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But, I think overall, this is going to be a great series. I see the Lakers in 6 or 7.</div>I'm picking Spurs in 6, possibly 5.
