I'm still pumped over the win last night in Minnesota! I'm even more confident the Lakers will make the playoffs and could even pull an upset in the first round. The media has been quick to point out the Lakers have not been able to win three games in a row. Hell, even Rudy T made some sarcastic comments to his team saying they cannot handle success. As inconsistent as the Lakers have been from game to game, they have also not LOST more than 2 games in a row this season. Playing without their star player, the Lakers are now 3-1, and gaining confidence as a team after big wins in close games. Most of the other playoff teams currently in the West have all gone on worse losing streaks. Phoenix - currently at 5 games without Nash & Barbosa Sacramento - lost 3 games to start the season off Dallas - lost 3 in a row in November Memphis - had a 4 game and 5 game losing streak Minnesota - had two 3 game losing streaks in January Only the Spurs and Sonics have managed to lose only 2 games in a row, and for the most part both have avoided serious injuries to their star players. Currently the Lakers are the 6th seed in the West, and I predict they will end up no higher than the 6th seed. This spot is their best chance to pull off a first round upset as well. The Lakers would likely face off against the Suns or Sonics and I think the Lakers are capable of beating either team in a 7 game series. So far the Lakers have been outmatched, but come playoff time, the style of basketball the Suns and Sonics won't be as effective. With coaches having more time to focus on just their roster, they are going to be able to shutdown what the teams like to do and with the lack of playoff experience I don't think the Suns or Sonics can make the adjustments. On the flipside the Lakers have plenty of WINNING playoff experience. Kobe Bryant steps up his game even more in the post-season and if he gets in the zone, he'll will the Lakers to victories. The Lakers have also found a gem in Caron Butler. He's shown he can create his own offense in Kobe's absence and is aggressive at attacking the rim. The Lakers have better post up players than either team and more size in the paint. The Lakers also have two closers, in Kobe and Odom. Just like with Shaq and Kobe, teams have to now worry about two capable players able to hit winners down the stretch. In the playoffs, the Lakers have the edge in the matchups because of their versatile lineup. Amare Stoudemire has been on a tear, but in the playoffs teams are going to smoother him and not allow wide open dunks and layups. He still does not have the go to post up moves to be dominant in the playoffs. Just take a look at how KG performed early in his career in the post season. On the court he was the most athletic and explosive player similar to Amare, but once teams smoothered him he didn't have the patience or the post play to be effective. KG has since added those moves to his game, but Amare is still a season or two away from being a force in the playoffs. For the Sonics, they live and die with their jumpshots and dribble penetration. As we saw with teams like the Kings and Mavs, this strategy is hit or miss in the playoffs, and in a 7 game series, this strategy fails 4 out of 7 games. I also don't think the Sonics are good enough defensively in the paint. For starters they don't have much size or atheleticism in there, and they don't have any shotblockers. Surprisingly the Lakers lead the league in rebounds per game. In the playoffs it's all about controlling the boards to get more opportunities than your opponent. If the Lakers can get away from shooting 30 three point shots a game, and attack the basket consistently, they will pull off the 1st round upset in the post season. Go Lakers!
good analysis shape. i agree with you. hopefully we'll be able to make the playoffs and pull a first round upset.
Impressive win over the Wolves without Bryant. I was saying Minnesota would win 2 hours before the game started. Hopefully this will allow Butler and Odom to see that they can score by creating their own shots and step up to give Kobe some support.
I love your optimism, but remember this was a home game and the Twolves are just a .500 team and are without their starting point guard. We have yet to beat a top five team other than Sacto even with Kobe. We still need backcourt help off the bench and Walton needs to get out of Rudy T's dog house. Our bench is not any help and will not get us out of the first round if we make it. The teams behind us are getting better--Houston, Memphis and Minn with SamIam back eventually will give us all we can handle just to make the playoffs. Our front office still needs to make moves to get us in and out of the first round.
Very nice analysis shapecity. I'm already more confident, just from reading that. I never thought we'd lose first round in the playoffs anyways, when we have Caron, Lamar, and Kobe playing to their potential and Chris Mihm grabbing those rebounds ... well, we're very hard to beat. We torched the Kings this way. Come play off time, the Lakers will be ready. Sides, we're getting better already.
