Guest Redhawk Report post Posted February 22, 2003 I would say so. Even if they get into the playoffs as a 6, 7 or 8 seed, I can see them getting back to the championship round. Maybe they won't cruise through like they have for 3 years, but as of right now, no one would want to play them. What do you all think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 22, 2003 The Kings, Mavricks, Spurs and even the Pacers are considered better shots because the thought is that L.A will burn themselfs out fighting for the Playoff... If they can play Dallas in Round One, they can advance but not if they draw Kings or Spurs... I am CONVINCED that my gut feeling is right...The East is gonna win this year for some reason... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted February 22, 2003 Its 1999 all over again, my friend as the Spurs will become the Champions, with the TRUE MVP Timmy Duncan leading the way. Even the role players are improving their game as Malik Rose is now a rebounding fiend along with Kevin Willis as the muscle in the center and the guards Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker adding some much needed scoring threat, and Steve Kerr can come off the bench for a 3 pointer whenever someone needs a rest. The Lakers might make the playoffs but without a healthy Shaq, they are going nowhere. I doubt that they can beat the Mavs, Spurs, or the Kings in the 1st round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted February 22, 2003 The Lakers are almost a lock to make the playoffs. The Spurs still lack a 2nd scoring threat. They have Duncan and a bunch of role players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted February 23, 2003 The scoring is a problem, but the defense is what will win the big game in a best of 7 series, if by some miracle Bruce Bowen can score 18 points on a regular basis then the Spurs are a lock to win. Right now most of the points come from the forgeiners Duncan, Parker, Ginobli with the inconsistant Stephen Jackson shooting 3 pointers and Malik Rose offensive rebounding for 2nd shot attempts. The bench has the 2 Steves Kerr and Smith in waiting if somebody gets into foul trouble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Redhawk Report post Posted February 23, 2003 I like San Antonio, and if they hadn't caught that "We're the Lakers' bitches" disease from Portland a few years ago, they'd have a decent shot. Remember, David Robinson could conceivably get rejuvenated in the playoffs, which would give them that No. 2 threat. And guys like Kerr, Steve Smith and Kevin Willis have tons of playoff experience. Still, like the Blazers, San Antonio has been pimp-slapped by the Lakers to the point where L.A. is in their head. I don't know who is in what seed right now for the West, but I can say for sure that L.A. would beat the Spurs in the first round; they'd definitely beat Portland; they would struggle most against Sacramento and they'd likely beat Dallas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted February 23, 2003 I don't think the Lakers are the favourites now (although they definitely were in the preseason), but since they're defending champs, they have a big target on their backs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted February 23, 2003 Spurs are not #1 seed so 1st round match of Lakers vs Spurs will not happen this year, so it will be either the Kings looking for revenge or the Mavs looking to set an example. The Spurs proved that they can win without David Robinson, the Lakers are almost helpless without the Shaq-fu, just look at the record as they are on the bubble for a playoff spot. In 1999 the Spurs did go through the Lakers to be the Champions. The last 3 years has been a journy as the Spurs try to mix and match free agents to beat the Lakers, it wont matter this year as the Lakers will not be a big factor in the Playoffs. Let us give praise to Kevin Willis for being a great pick up as David Robinson's back up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rob Van Dam Report post Posted February 23, 2003 just so you all know the Lakers will at least get the sixth sead, they are only have a game out of the seventh seed and like two games away from the sixth sead, come playoff time, It's a hole nother Laker teams, and in the playoffs they play even better basketball. Did anybody else notice that the lakers have eliminated the Spurs, Kings, and Trailblazers in each of the last three playoffs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crazy Dan Report post Posted February 23, 2003 You definately can't count the Lakers out. They are playing better of late, or more like Kobe has been carrying the Lakers, with a lil' help from the big guy. But, one thing that hasn't been mentioned, the Lakers are under .500 on the road. All championship teams need to be able to win on the road. And the Lakers have not shown me that they are Road Warriors, yet. But any team with Kobe and Shaq, are very dangerous. One thing I have noticed with many championship teams is that sometimes that team suffers a heart breaking seven game series lost, in order to take it to the next level the next year. The Pistons suffered heart breaking losses to the Celetics in 1987, and to the Lakers in 1988, before they won two in a row. The Bulls lost to the Pistons in seven in 1990, before they went on to win 6 out of 8 championships. When the Kings are fully healthy, they are very loaded. They still remember the lost and all the trash talking over the summer (Sacramento Queens anyone?) There defense is vastly improved. And they picked up a shot blocker in Clark, a scoring threat in Jackson, and a solid back up in Jones. They also play unselfishly. And when Webber is fully healthy, the Kings have one of the best passing big men in the NBA. I think this is their year. I also like how the Spurs are playing too. And the Mavs have three players over seven feet tall, two who can drain threes. When they are running on all cylinders, they are very dangerous. But I think that this is the year of the King. If the Lakers do win this thing, I will be the first admit I was wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Johnson1620 Report post Posted February 23, 2003 To sum it all up, nobody can beat the Lakers in a best of seven series. It won't happen, they are too tough. And that is the main reason why they are the current favorite. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mindless_Aggression Report post Posted February 23, 2003 I'd say the favorite is still the Kings. I mean look at all the injuries they've had to key All star calliber talent this year and look how they've still got one of the best records in the league, unlike the Lake show which turned into a big pile of shit without Shaq clogging the lane. They needed a lil more last year. This year they signed a guy who used to average 23 points or more a game in Jackson and another who is just flat out hungry in Clark. I think its there year. Then again, I also at times think the Pistons could honest to god pull it off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rob Van Dam Report post Posted February 23, 2003 Just to let you know, lakers have been playing awsome on the road in there last 12 games they are 10-2 with both losses at home, they beat the kings, pacers, suns, jazz, rockets, and knicks on the road during that streak Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AlwaysPissedOff Report post Posted February 23, 2003 They played a Webber/Jackson-less Kings team when they beat them. In the Christmas Day game they played a full strength Sacramento, they got owned pretty much the entire game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted February 23, 2003 Spurs just destroyed the Pacers the other day which had the return of David Robinson. In 15 minutes Mr Robinson score about 10 points. The Spurs are on a mission to win another one for David who is playing his last season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted February 23, 2003 The Spurs, King, and maybe the Blazers (even though they lost to the Lakers the other day) are all ahead of the Lakers in my mind. Dallas could beat the Lakers, but there is major mental obstacle to get over if they're to do it. If Dallas puts up points like they are capable of the Lakers don't have enough scorers to keep up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted February 23, 2003 the only problem with Dallas is the defense, in one game they had a huge lead like 20 points but ended up losing as in the 4th quarter the 3 pointers stop going in and had problems rebounding and stoping the fast break. Having three 7 footers who can shoot from the outside is not always a good thing. Nowinski and La Frentz need to focus more on the offense rebounding and if Popeye Jones is healthy or still on the team they should use him in the Dennis Rodman role. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Johnson1620 Report post Posted February 24, 2003 To sum it all up, nobody can beat the Lakers in a best of seven series. It won't happen, they are too tough. And that is the main reason why they are the current favorite. So, I'm I the only person that knows this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
