Now that the TimberWolves won game 7 (score:83-80) they will face the well-rested lakers. I think this is gonna be a good match-up to watch. what do all of you think? I think the T'Wolves gon win
id love for the t-wolves to advance to the finals. However thy have alot of work to do in order to beat the experienced lakers. this isn't going to be an easy series for either side (thats right, i dont think the wolves will get pushed around). I was reading an article saying how lakers are going to beat the wolves in 4! i really think wolves have a legitimate shot at beating the lakers. Hassel and Spree are going to have to play great D on Kobe and somehow find a way to contest alot of his offence. I think Gary Trent is goin 2 have to play some minutes on Shaq daddy and muscle him pound for pound.. i know Olowokandi certainly won't be.. GP and Cassell will have an interesting match up, both like to play, both love to talk.. its gonna be a great series. can't wait to watch.. my heart is telling me wolves in 7.. my mind is tellin me lakers in 6.. i really want wolves 4 a championship this season.. we can do it! GO WOLVES!
Well the TWolves got homecourt advantage. But Sam is pretty banged up and even though the Wolves got a 3-1 advantage over the Lakers during the regular season(<font size="1">because of all the Lakers key injuries during those times</font>). It will be different I predict this time around with the Lakers who seem to be geling right now. Malone will rough up KG quite a bit, and fustrate him. Shaq really doesn't have to play defense against no one. No disrespect to Olo's and Ervin Johnson, but they're no Duncan. I don't expect the Lakers to sweep or anything. Because of the homecourt advantage, I say the Lakers in 6.
Well both teams have some advantages the Lakers who have been resting for a while should come out energetic and confident the T-Wolves get one day off and could still be tired when Game 1 starts,even though they have homcourt.Its also going to be an easier job for Shaq, because the lack of an offensive threat at the center position.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 30 standing ver:</div><div class="quote_post">Well the TWolves got homecourt advantage. But Sam is pretty banged up and even though the Wolves got a 3-1 advantage over the Lakers during the regular season(<font size="1">because of all the Lakers key injuries during those times</font>). It will be different I predict this time around with the Lakers who seem to be geling right now. Malone will rough up KG quite a bit, and fustrate him. Shaq really doesn't have to play defense against no one. No disrespect to Olo's and Ervin Johnson, but they're no Duncan. I don't expect the Lakers to sweep or anything. Because of the homecourt advantage, I say the Lakers in 6.</div> That isnt exactly true, the Lakers big 4 played in 2 of those games which were split 1-1 And in the other T-wolves win Shaq & GP played. And in the 1st win by the wolves, GP & Kobe played. All of the big 4 members(except Karl Malone) played against the wolves at least 3 times this year. And 2 times all together. But the playoffs & regular season are totally different so it really doesnt matter what happened record wise during the regular season.
Minnesota has no chance in winning this series. Payton can play one on one defense against Golem cuz he is to old to be driving past him like Parker and Francis were doing. Latrell has no chance of stopping Kobe and if he doesnt gaurd him, Hassell (is that how you spell his name???) will be working for his paycheck, cuz the way Kobe is playing, its over. Malone did a great job at getting under Tim Duncans skin, and he is capable of doing it to this years "so-called" MVP. And if he gets by Malone Shaq will have no problem coming for help cuz he can leave, Mark Madsen or Ervin Johnson or Olowakandi or Oliver Miller, this will be an absolute blow out cuz of one person TROY HUDSON Lakers in 5
So we have no chance winning this series because Cassell can't get past Payton? Latrell has no chance of stopping Kobe? Dude, look at what Minnesota's defense did to Bibby and Peja. Bibby is as quick if not quicker than Kobe to the basket and we held him to absolute crap shooting and also held Peja to absolutely nothing too. How can you justify this being over? You really think Malone will contain Garnett that efficiently? Malone is ancient compared to Garnett and can go right by him if he wants too. You think Shaq can stop Garnett? Shaq's a loaf who one on one couldn't stop Garnett because he can't even run let alone even shoot outside remotely at all. Garnett's moves can get by anyone and with his height and reach, forget about it.
Everyone keeps bringing up the regular season records, injuries or not, those games dont mean a thing come playoff time.... The T-wolves need to take game 1 to set a tone for the series...the lakers took four straight against the spurs and the wolves need to slow that momentum if they wish to win.
I just don't see Minnesota winning this series. They just don't matchup well against our team. Look at the centers they have going against Shaq. Michael Olowokandi? Ervin Johnson? Oliver Miller? Flip Saunders could rotate these three lean bodies if they get into all kinds of foul trouble, because they stand no chance at all to stop Shaq. All they can do is foul him constantly, and force him to earn his points at the charity stripe. Sam Cassell has back spasms, who knows if he'll be at 100%. GP will easily use that to his advantage offensively and defensively, and I think in this series, GP will make a name for himself once again and silence his critics. The only advantage I see Minnesota having in this series is Kevin Garnett. Kevin Garnett displayed an MVP performance in Game 7 yesterday night, and can he continue to put up those numbers? Karl Malone frustrated, disrupted, and made Tim Duncan work for each and every field goal opportunity, he could do the same for Garnett. Also, Minnesota's bench is much deeper than our bench, although Troy Hudson is out with his injury. To be honest, this series is finishing in no better than 6 games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PLATWolve:</div><div class="quote_post">So we have no chance winning this series because Cassell can't get past Payton? Latrell has no chance of stopping Kobe? Dude, look at what Minnesota's defense did to Bibby and Peja. Bibby is as quick if not quicker than Kobe to the basket and we held him to absolute crap shooting and also held Peja to absolutely nothing too. How can you justify this being over? You really think Malone will contain Garnett that efficiently? Malone is ancient compared to Garnett and can go right by him if he wants too. You think Shaq can stop Garnett? Shaq's a loaf who one on one couldn't stop Garnett because he can't even run let alone even shoot outside remotely at all. Garnett's moves can get by anyone and with his height and reach, forget about it.</div> First....let me congrat your wolves for making it to the WCF's.....they have come a long way in a short time and are a fine young team....I think that very few lakers fans have nothing but respect for your team.... BUT.... It is really unlikely that this will be the Wolves year....and I will tell you why... - the weaknesses (which the lakers overcame) in previous games were usually trying to find a way to match the team speed of teams like the Spurs....this is not going to be a problem in this series....GP will be able to stay with his man...... - 2nd....you really have no size to use against Shaq.....you can throw bodies at him but in the end all that does is get our opponents in the penalty and guys like Shaq and Kobe shoot tons of free throws....Shaq is going to be a offensive force in this series.... Malone wont stop Garnett....just like he didn't stop Duncan....but he will contain him to the point where KG wont be able to take over the game..... and then....we have the greatest player on the planet in Kobe....and any player you have faced so far is NOT Kobe....not by a long shot..... I dont see this series as a blowout....but I do think that as the series goes on the Lakers will simply wear you down......mistakes will compile....you will at some point lose the home court advantage.....and the lakers will advance.... I do think that the wolves are a quality opponent though......
Lets be real here, the only person who could honestly stand in against Shaq and probably dominate him remotely out of all NBA history is Wilt Chamerlain. No one is even as big as Shaq in the NBA so no team out there can really contain what Shaq does, but that does NOT mean teams can't beat LA.
I think Hassel is one of the most underrated defensive players in the league , I think he will do a good job with Kobe ..not stopping him but contain him. KG is too fast for Malone and Shaq , I'm sorry but when he is hyperd up he can just flash through his defender and finish anywhere near the basket. Latrell will do his job , even if he has bad nights theres always Wally to back him up. Sam Cassel and Gary Payton will be the Big difference , Sam Cassell really plays screens with KG and when he doesn't make the mid-jumper or pass it to KG going to the basket he finds Latrell for an open shot , I don't think Payton will stop Cassell and I don't think Payton will be much of a fact at the offensive end. I have my money on the Lakers , but I really wish the Wolves win this series they deserve everything after this season , I told my bro Wolves will go at least the the Western Conference Finals , I was right. Wolves in 7.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NikeHoops3:</div><div class="quote_post">Keep in mind that Shaq isn't the same as the last 3 years. He's lost a step to his game</div> He didn't put up big numbers against the Spurs but they still one.... Why? Kobe, Malone, Payton......and occasional appearances by Fisher and George...... To me it doesn't look good for the T Wolves....there is basically only one way they can beat the lake show and the lakeshow can beat them in a multitude of ways......
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NikeHoops3:</div><div class="quote_post">Keep in mind that Shaq isn't the same as the last 3 years. He's lost a step to his game</div> Everybody knows that. But he did put up good numbers in the Spurs series. Like I stated before. Who's gonna defend Shaq and who does Shaq have to defend during this series. Kandi Man. Rahh anyways he should be putting big numbers this series.
This will be a great series. A big factor for the series is homecourt advantage. The Wolves will have that and they are very capable of winning on the road. They won a game at the Arco arena, one of the hardest place to do that. The Lakers are also a great at home but I think the Wolves will be able to win ,atleast, one at the Staples center. On matchups, you will clearly see a big advantage for the Lakers at the center spot. The Wolves will have a hard time defending Shaq. The Wolves will need to find a answer for him in Ervin, Mark or Olowokandi. I really hope that Olowokandi will play better and contribute. The Wolves will need him more than ever. But KG will also be a problem for the Lakers. Malone is a great defender but KG is very quick for his size. KG was swarmed with double teams but still found a way to contribute. He does everything, so even if he doesn't shoot well, he can still get rebounds, block shots, force turnovers, get his teammates involved. That is why he is the MVP. The match-up with Kobe will also be huge. Trenton and Spree can both defend very well. Hoiberg can come off the bench to defend him too, so the Wolves can do a good job guarding him. But Kobe will eventually have a big games. Defense, the Wolves are a great defensive team but the Lakers have also taken their defense up a notch. This will be great series. I am a Wolves fan so I want the Wolves to win but the Lakers are still very deserving of winning. Whoever wins, I hope they win the championships. The Mailman and the Glove really want to get a ring, so I hope they will get one in the near futur. I predict the Wolves win in 7 games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting John from Hemet:</div><div class="quote_post"> Malone wont stop Garnett....just like he didn't stop Duncan....but he will contain him to the point where KG wont be able to take over the game..... and then....we have the greatest player on the planet in Kobe....and any player you have faced so far is NOT Kobe....not by a long shot..... </div> Okay, hassell and Spree are not going to stop kobe but they are going to get under his skin and make him work for everything.. he is NOT the greatest player on the planet.. that award goes to Kevin Garnett. How is Malone and his rusty old legs gunna stay with KG.. i don't see any real blow out type of mismatches apart from Shaq.. Shaq is really the only MAJOR threat to this team and im sure Flip is going to strategise defensively and work somethin out to at least slow him down.. other than that i see fairly matched squads and some quality basketball on its way.. It really isn't going to be a lake show like many think..
If the Timberwolves beat the Lakers, when they really won't, they will automatically win the championship.
T'Wolves can win the series but they have to be on point with at least a few things... Hassell is the T'Wolves (Championship) Bruce Bowen? You can if, and, but your way and argue that he isnt as good... but Hassell is proving he can bother a primary scorer... and knock down the open shot. Garnett can not let Malone bother him. Malone is older, and plays more with his knowledge and will try to get into Garnett's head... KG has always had trouble with the Jazz throughout his career... he needs to dominate the PF position like he did last year. The Wolves centers must knock down the OPEN layups and dunks. Oneal isnt going to have to gaurd any of these centers... so he will be free to wonder... but if they open down open shots, they keep Shaq from help defending and make him run full court. These are not unreasonable things to ask out of the Twolves... everyone keeps saying the Payton will run wild on an injuried Sam Cassell... since when has Payton run wild for 4-7 straight games? He is just as the Lakers flow... inconsistent... the Wolves have a real legit chance at winning the series... and the Lakers may just get lazy again (as usual) when all these "experts" tell them that will win the series with little resistance. Oh and P friggin S to my buddy Vintage out there... I called the Wolves making it no less than the WCF buddy.
