2004-2005 Playoff Prediction for the Lakers

I'll start. The Lakers will win their division and grab the 3rd seed.

Minnesota and San Antonio will have the two top seeds. Then you'll have the Lakers, Rockets, Kings, Mavs, Nuggets and Grizzlies in that order...

Minnesota will beat the Grizzlies in 5 games.
San Antonio will beat the Nuggets in 5 games.
Los Angeles will defeat the Mavs in 6 games.
Rockets will beat the Kings in 6 games.

Wolves over Rockets in 6 games.
Spurs over Lakers in 7 games.

That's where the road ends, unfortunately, unless we get Malone back and a decent PG.

<font color="Red">By the way, here are the divisions. The winner of each division gets the #1-3 seeds (3 divisions, three top seeds in the playoffs...go figure).

<font color="Black">Southwest Division:</font>
San Antonio Spurs
Houston Rockets
Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets

<font color="Black">Northwest Division:</font>
Minnesota Timberwolves
Denver Nuggets
Utah Jazz
Seattle SuperSonics
Portland Trail Blazers

<font color="Black">Pacific Division:</font>
Los Angeles Lakers
Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Clippers
Golden State Warriors</font>

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">I'll start. The Lakers will win their division and grab the 3rd seed.

Minnesota and San Antonio will have the two top seeds. Then you'll have the Rockets, Kings, Nuggets, Suns, and the Mavs in that order...</div>



Well...IMO, Of course the dominant center aint there no more but they can still make the playoffs. Lamar Odom resurrected his career in Miami pairing with Dwayne Wade to take the Heat to the 2nd round of the playoffs. I think hes going to be good with Kobe. They got a pretty good young player in Caron Butler that will probably be a great 6th man for the Lakers. Vlade is aging and i dont think he has that much left but he can still pass effectivly and can score when needed. Probably 6 and up. Again since this is the Lakers board, my ass will probably get bashed but it's my opinion.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rocketz 4 Sho:</div><div class="quote_post">Again since this is the Lakers board, my ass will probably get bashed but it's my opinion.</div>
You won't get bashed as long as you speak your opinion and try not to state things like, "Kobe is trash and a loser." I'll respect the Rockets, if you do that for us in the Lakers forum. We really like to have visitors here, even those who can't stand Los Angeles.

 

Of course I'll respect the Lakers even though I hate them motherfockers. My fault for starting to start something with you on the other board. I just got a little carried away.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rocketz 4 Sho:</div><div class="quote_post">Well...IMO, Of course the dominant center aint there no more but they can still make the playoffs. Lamar Odom resurrected his career in Miami pairing with Dwayne Wade to take the Heat to the 2nd round of the playoffs. I think hes going to be good with Kobe. They got a pretty good young player in Caron Butler that will probably be a great 6th man for the Lakers. Vlade is aging and i dont think he has that much left but he can still pass effectivly and can score when needed. Probably 6 and up.</div>
Last year, the Lakers had Kobe and Shaq...supposedly one of the best duos of all time. Also, they had Malone and Payton...yet, a Malone coming off a 40+ game injury and a Gary Payton that played terrible in the playoffs. His understanding of the triangle (which was no understanding) actually hurt the Lakers. Then consider Devean George, who tossed up more threes than anyone else on the team, and was proven to be inconsistent all year long.

On the bench, you had Medvedenko backing up Shaq...who's actually a PF with absolutely NO defense whatsoever. The power forward backup? Medvedenko. Walton, Rush and Fisher highlighted our bench, actually...yet shot inconsistently all year long.

Now, we have Kobe, Odom, and Butler...along with Grant, Divac, Mihm...guys that have started previously. We still have Rush and Walton...George is on the IR (which is a good thing)...and it just looks much better than last year. Obviously, the Lakers are going to have to pass the ball to win, which I believe will happen.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rocketz 4 Sho:</div><div class="quote_post">Of course I'll respect the Lakers even though I hate them motherfockers. My fault for starting to start something with you on the other board. I just got a little carried away.</div>
No reason to be sorry. It's not like I'm mad or anything I just like to debate with guys when it comes to the Lakers' success next year. I am very optimistic for this upcoming season, if you couldn't tell from all of my posts in the Lakers forum already.

I just wanted to pull this debate away from the Rockets forum, since it was more about how the Lakers are going to finish rather than how the Rockets will...that's all. Plus, it should be discussed with the Laker fans anyways...and as well as the other fans.

 

I won't predict anything I will take it day by day I learned my lesson from last season. But I will go with Realdealbneal's prediction on <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Lakers will win their division and grab the 3rd seed.

Minnesota and San Antonio will have the two top seeds. Then you'll have the Rockets, Kings, Nuggets, Suns, and the Mavs in that order...</div>

 

Slava is a funny guy. He takes way too many bad shots. I guess that where he gets the " I never met a shot that I didn't like" rep. I also think that he doesn't seem to know the game very well. I've seen him do a lot of moves, like: not knowing where to go, who to gaurd, and who to pass to. It kind of reminds me of George. I hope this all changes and he has an awesome season, but I won't get my hopes up.


But then again, Medvedenko can excel in an open court system. He can run the floor well and you know he can shoot well when he has his days. He provides a threat from 12'- 18' consistently. Thats something that you guys could use greatly. Especially to open up driving and cutting lanes for Kobe and other perimeter players. Imagine Divac playing the high post, with cutters consistently lurking around the basket forcing the opposing Bigs to decide between staying back (and leaving Slava open) or staying with Slava and opening up the lanes for Divac to pass to the cutters. Would be ideal if Slava could keep his shooting % between 46-48. Ofcourse this is in accordance with Malone not being a Laker - because if KM is a Laker then he is the better option - he can be a threat from the same range, only he can pass too.

As for Grant - imo he will be more valuable providing Hard-nosed defense and some offense off the bench

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">I'll start. The Lakers will win their division and grab the 3rd seed.

Minnesota and San Antonio will have the two top seeds. Then you'll have the Rockets, Kings, Nuggets, Suns, and the Mavs in that order...

Minnesota will beat the Mavs in 3 games.
San Antonio will beat the Suns in 4 games.
Los Angeles will defeat the Nuggets in 4 games.
Rockets will beat the Kings in 4 games.

Wolves over Rockets in 6 games.
Spurs over Lakers in 6 games.

That's where the road ends, unfortunately, unless we get Malone back and a decent PG.

<font color="Red">By the way, here are the divisions. The winner of each division gets the #1-3 seeds (3 divisions, three top seeds in the playoffs...go figure).

<font color="Black">Southwest Division:</font>
San Antonio Spurs
Houston Rockets
Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets

<font color="Black">Northwest Division:</font>
Minnesota Timberwolves
Denver Nuggets
Utah Jazz
Seattle SuperSonics
Portland Trail Blazers

<font color="Black">Pacific Division:</font>
Los Angeles Lakers
Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Clippers
Golden State Warriors</font></div>

Wait a second for the first round how is minnesota going to win in 3 games isnt it the best out of seven they changed it about two years ago didnt they lol??

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheNextJordan8:</div><div class="quote_post">Wait a second for the first round how is minnesota going to win in 3 games isnt it the best out of seven they changed it about two years ago didnt they lol??</div>
Haha, yeah...I have no idea what I was thinking Good eye.

 

No Problemo lol

 

I don't see the Lakers winning the Pacific Division. I'm still sticking to my prediction that they'll finish no better than the sixth seed in the playoffs. As much as it kills me to say, Sacramento should take the Pacific Division crown because Mike Bibby can destroy our starting point guard in Chucky Atkins. (Unless the Lakers go ahead with the trade by sending Walton and George to Boston in exchange for the quicker Marcus Banks,) Sacramento has more beef in their interior with Brad Miller and Greg Ostertag. (Who knows if Divac's injury will extend for a long period of time) And easily matches up better against our thin frontcourt, and with their run and gun offense, would we be able to capitalize on their offensive systems with the newly installed Rudy T offense?

However, I do have these teams meeting up against each other in the first round and with the Lakers taking them out in seven just because of the fact Sacramento has never beaten us in the playoffs before when it mattered most, and they seem to choke on every golden opportunity they get. But I would have the Lakers going down to either Minnesota or San Antonio in the conference semifinals in six.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see the Lakers winning the Pacific Division. I'm still sticking to my prediction that they'll finish no better than the sixth seed in the playoffs. As much as it kills me to say, Sacramento should take the Pacific Division crown because Mike Bibby can destroy our starting point guard in Chucky Atkins. (Unless the Lakers go ahead with the trade by sending Walton and George to Boston in exchange for the quicker Marcus Banks,) Sacramento has more beef in their interior with Brad Miller and Greg Ostertag and easily matches up better against our thin frontcourt, and with their run and gun offense would we be able to capitalize on their offensive systems with the newly installed Rudy T offense?

However, I do have these teams meeting up against each other in the first round and with the Lakers taking them out in seven just because of the fact Sacramento has never beaten us in the playoffs before when it mattered most, and they seem to choke on every golden opportunity they get. But I would have the Lakers going down to either Minnesota or San Antonio in the conference semifinals in six.</div>

Emo that you made a very good point about the Lakers not getting higher than the 6th seed,and the Kings winning the Pacific crown.and Bibby has had a field day eating up Atkins

With Miller and Ostertag controlling the Kings frontcourt we should have a good year.

I Agree with you Emo about the Kings and Lakers facing each other in the Playoffs,as if they do face each other in the playoffs,it will determine how much depth both teams have,and also it will determine on how the season has been for each franchise.

The Kings and the Lakers Rivarly will get more intense this year.

Looking forward to seeing these teams play against each other.good luck to the best team,hopefully it will be the Kings.

 

I can't stand some Kings fans, but MR_SAC_KING is an alright fan :thumbsup:

 

I'll stick with my prediction and say 82 games.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't stand some Kings fans, but MR_SAC_KING is an alright fan :thumbsup:</div>

I know what you mean man.I Can't stand some Laker fans,but you,Emo,30 standing version,and Jesseca 328 are alright for Laker fans :mrgreen:

It's all good

 

Lakers will have a hard time just making the playoffs unless they can beat out the Kings (not likely) and the Pheonix Suns (cant forget them). All the points have been made about Bibby making Atkins night a very long one and the Kings having a better front court. Someone before said that the Kings wont beat the Lakers because they cant win when it matters. You cannot base a whole playoff series because of that. It's a new season and definetely a new and not so improved Lakers. Cant say a team will beat another team because B team chokes. Unless your talking about the Boston Red Sox but that's a whole other story.

 

You guys can't assume that the Lakers are worse either.

The Lakers picked up Odom, Butler and Grant...three players that were a huge part of the Heat last year, the same Heat team that almost beat the Pacers in the second round. If anyone remembers...that same Pacers team almost beat the Pistons...who were eventual champs.

Shaq and Kobe were not going to work ever again. Anything that's removing Shaq from this team is considered an improvement, whether it's long term or this season...but with who we acquired, I can assure everyone that it's only a matter of a year or two that we are all back on the road to the NBA Finals again.

 

The Lakers won't be as sucessful as last year,but i do still see the Lakers as playoff material.and as long as you have Kobe on the team,the Lakers will be a great team.

 

Aww...Come on. Mavs cant finish as low as 8th!!! Can you please explain why? And Suns finishing ahead of Memphis to make playoffs? Jeez... I place Mavs anywhere between 4-6. If Mavs-Lakers play first round I'd like Mavs in 6.