Now they lead 2-1 can they go all the way?
The Lakers have an inexperienced squad with only Kobe and Fish (....well ok L. Walton too) with championship experience. Not saying that they aren't talented enough to go all the way, but the erratic series with the Rockets showed their lack of seasoning. Kobe and Fish need to (here comes the athlete cliche) "play with leadership and emotion and step it up down the stretch". The Lakers saving grace would be that the other three teams are more inexperienced. None of Mello, D. Howard and LeBron have won the whole thing yet. I see the Lakers beating Denver in six to advance. LeBron and his Cavs have lost homecourt, but I hope they'll beat Orlando. Since Andy Bynum seemingly have a hard time showing up consistently in the playoffs, D. Howard poses a tough match up problem. For that reason, I'd much prefer we play Cleveland in the finals. Should we go up against the Cavs in the finals, Cleveland will have homecourt and LeBron is the league MVP. That might be a tall order but I'd still prefer to play the Cavs over Orlando. Even though LeBron is the best player on the planet, the Black Mamba is the best closer. I don't think LeBrons time is here yet. This is Kobes time to do it without Shaq Diesel. In the event that Orlando advances, and they might very well do that, I think the Lakers have more of a match up problem than they do with the Cavs. On the other hand, we do have homecourt in a Lakers vs Magic final. The finals 2-3-2 format will favor the Lakers who play well at home. Winning three in a row at home and 1 away, will be tough for Orlando. I see a parade in Downtown LA in June but only after a grueling battle against whoever comes out of the East. Second to bowl season, this is my favourite time of the year. -Peter Oh -Peter Oh
Carmello Anthony might as well have stayed home tonight, and Denver still beat LA by 19. Denver showed its depth tonight.
Lame game tonight. Some really bad/ no calls. This years officiating has been horrid. None the less Lakers committed too many errors.
Cleavland vs Denver... I hope. CAN'T stand Kobe! Just an ass even when you meet him in public. I have 3 times and he's just an ass!!!! Local store owners say the same. EVERYONE of them!!!!! Sorry for the Kobe hate.
I hope lakers in 6 against denver. It also looks like magic will be the team from the east. That should be an interesting matchup.
The good news is: Neither Cleveland nor Orlando is as good as Boston was last year and the Lakers are better now with Bynum back and Ariza playing like a madman... Lakers in 5 in the finals!
I think your crystal ball as a crack. Now if Labron and the boys can pull off the miracle 2 game comeback, it will be an epic finals.
Lakers are a great team, but the Magic are pretty good too... and Cleveland is nowhere near as good as the Magic or the Lakers. Who would play Rashard Lewis or Hedo if the Magic make it? No one is big enough... and Kobe doesn't play D... I'm looking forward to see Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard go at it... hopefully the Magic win tonight. If so, Lakers in 7.
I can see Ariza on Hedo and Lamar on Rashard when he is playing the 4 position. Orlando doesn't have too many big guys when Dwight is out of the game. Should be a good series.