I think I loathe the Spurs more than I do to the Kings. Tim Duncan is too perfect. Bruce Bowen thinks he's the Kobe stopper. Tony Parker is a 100% point guard, and doesn't make errors. Ginobili is an annoying player, with the worst cross over (meaning ugly looking) and the worst, unathletic lay ups ever. I don't like them period. they also play rowdy, and are very pesky on defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Progidy:</div><div class="quote_post">I think I loathe the Spurs more than I do to the Kings. Tim Duncan is too perfect. Bruce Bowen thinks he's the Kobe stopper. Tony Parker is a 100% point guard, and doesn't make errors. Ginobili is an annoying player, with the worst cross over (meaning ugly looking) and the worst, unathletic lay ups ever. I don't like them period. they also play rowdy, and are very pesky on defense.</div>You just named everything that makes them a great team.:thumbsup: You were right on the money though.
I respect the Spurs. They are the most consistent team in the NBA and the one that has the best chance of knocking down the Lakers. There is hardly any trash talk between us and the Spurs because game respects game. If the Lakers are sleeping San Antonio will capitalize. We could be looking the real NBA finals with LA and SA
I think the key in this series is going to be Gary Payton. The times that San Antonio has beaten the Lakers was when Parker has gotten to good start and scored above his average. As a matter of fact, ever since Parker stepped into the league he's had Gary's number. This is going to be a gutcheck for GP for sure. If he wants to contribute to winning the champsionship this is where he has to make his mark. This is what he was brought in to do. Whining about playing time when you're shooting 35% and can't keep anybody in front of you will not get you more minutes. He's proven that he can be a defensive stopper in the past. GP needs to quit yapping and start sliding...on defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DonJuan:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the key in this series is going to be Gary Payton. The times that San Antonio has beaten the Lakers was when Parker has gotten to good start and scored above his average. As a matter of fact, ever since Parker stepped into the league he's had Gary's number. This is going to be a gutcheck for GP for sure. If he wants to contribute to winning the champsionship this is where he has to make his mark. This is what he was brought in to do. Whining about playing time when you're shooting 35% and can't keep anybody in front of you will not get you more minutes. He's proven that he can be a defensive stopper in the past. GP needs to quit yapping and start sliding...on defense.</div> I agree. The only reason GP was brought here was for his defensive abilities. Even with the pay cut, he has yet to earn the little (in comparison to everyone else) the Lakers pay him in the real season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DonJuan:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the key in this series is going to be Gary Payton. The times that San Antonio has beaten the Lakers was when Parker has gotten to good start and scored above his average. As a matter of fact, ever since Parker stepped into the league he's had Gary's number. This is going to be a gutcheck for GP for sure. If he wants to contribute to winning the champsionship this is where he has to make his mark. This is what he was brought in to do. Whining about playing time when you're shooting 35% and can't keep anybody in front of you will not get you more minutes. He's proven that he can be a defensive stopper in the past. GP needs to quit yapping and start sliding...on defense.</div> You bring up a very good point. I just don't see Payton being able to handle or contain Parker. Steve Francis is getting past Payton almost at will and Parker is quicker than Francis. Parker loves the pick and roll. If Payton goes under the screen, he'll knock down the trey. If Payton goes over the screen, Parker will penetrate and break down your defense. I would say they should throw a double team his way, but than you have sharp shooters like Hedo, Manu, Horry and even Bowen, not to mention Ducan in the post.
The way to wear down Parker is to punish him on offense. It's likely not going to happen, but Gary Payton is one of the best point guards in the post. Phil Jackson has not found plays for Payton to take advantage of his low post game, but this would be a perfect opportunity to get GP more involved on offense, and to get Parker in foul trouble. Parker has had Payton's number the last few seasons, and Fisher is one of the worst at defending against the high pick and roll. The Lakers's offense has to be sharp to keep up with the Spurs in this match-up because the Spurs are too, good defensively to let the Lakers back into a game. But first things first, the Lakers need to wrap up the Rockets series and then prepare for a war in San Antonio.
<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> Really? I thought the Lakers moved to the 2nd seed because they had the tie breaker over the Spurs and won their division. I know the Spurs had 1 more win, but because of what I stated above that would give the Lakers the homecourt advantage. Why would a 2 seed playing a 3 seed play in the lower seeds court despite having 1 more win. So the Nets would have to play in Detroit even though their 2nd seeded too. Thanx for letting us know Rudeezy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 30 standing ver:</div><div class="quote_post">Really? I thought the Lakers moved to the 2nd seed because they had the tie breaker over the Spurs and won their division. I know the Spurs had 1 more win, but because of what I stated above that would give the Lakers the homecourt advantage. Why would a 2 seed playing a 3 seed play in the lower seeds court despite having 1 more win. So the Nets would have to play in Detroit even though their 2nd seeded too. Thanx for letting us know Rudeezy.</div> We won the 2nd seed because we won the Pacific. The Conference champions get the first two spots regardless of their records. The Spurs have homecourt advantage.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">The way to wear down Parker is to punish him on offense. It's likely not going to happen, but Gary Payton is one of the best point guards in the post. Phil Jackson has not found plays for Payton to take advantage of his low post game, but this would be a perfect opportunity to get GP more involved on offense, and to get Parker in foul trouble. Parker has had Payton's number the last few seasons, and Fisher is one of the worst at defending against the high pick and roll. The Lakers's offense has to be sharp to keep up with the Spurs in this match-up because the Spurs are too, good defensively to let the Lakers back into a game. But first things first, the Lakers need to wrap up the Rockets series and then prepare for a war in San Antonio.</div> You hit the Key to the series right on the head. I made this same point in another thread, inorder to beat the Spurs you got to make Parker work on D. And with Payton not apart of the offense, Parker is going to be full of energy to run & penetrate the Lakers defense. The Lakers' point guard have already shown in the past vs Parker. And also vs Steve Francis that they have know way of stoping penetration. The reason why the Lakers imo are surviving Francis penetration is because he turnover & decision making,keeps him from taking full advantage. Parker haas had turnover problems in the past but not really anymore, so I fuilly expect him to be killing Fisher/GP off the dribble. And its going to kill Payton because the Lakers offense isnt setup for him to go back at Parker.
I see lakeshow beating the spurs. If they start playing better defense, gary and fisher have to find out the way to stop tony.
As a Laker fan, I'd say I feel good about this year's Lakers team facing the Spurs, although not as good as I was two and three years ago when the Lakers swept the series 4-0 and won the series 4-1 in pursuit of their 2nd and 3rd championships. I guess last year's Lakers being eliminated 2-4 humble most of us Laker fans and we will bite our nails sometimes. If Kobe and Shaq decide to show up together and play their best around their supporting cast, I'd say the Lakers hold the edge for the series. Sure the Spurs will have homecourt advantage but I see the Lakers stealing one of the first two from them.
