It has been about 4 years since the last time the Los Angeles Lakers were the #1 seed entering the playoffs. Not only did they secure home court advantage, and an almost assured trip to round 2, but they pretty much secured the MVP for Kobe Bryant. This will be the first time in his career that he wins it. Yes I know, it is hard to believe. So welcome to the 2008 NBA Playoffs.
As it sits right now I believe the Lakers first round opponent will most likely be Denver. The Nuggets have the small possibility to move up to the 7th seed, but I highly doubt that they will win their last game. Especially if Melo plays drunk. Dallas may or may not beat New Orleans, but with the Hornets secured a playoff spot, I don’t see this meaning too much for them. I think, but I haven’t researched to see how close San Antonio is though. But regardless of whether it’s Denver or Dallas it really doesn’t make a difference. Either way the Lakers pose HUGE match-up problems for either team. Dork Nowitzski, or however it’s spelled, will not be able to maintain the middle by himself, while the Lakers continually pound it down low to the inside. With the improvement of Sasha and Farmar the outside shooting is just too lethal for the Mavs to handle. If we get Dallas, 4 game sweep.
Now Denver doesn’t even stand a chance against the Lakers, let alone anyone in the league. They have played horrible the second half of the season, and snuck in BARELY to the playoffs. Thank you Golden State for being even more garbage.
So like I said Second Round here we come. Even at that I personally don’t see ANY Western Conference team being able to match up with the Lakers. This HAS to be their year. We have the team to do it again, and we have the drive and momentum. Could you imagine a Lakers vs. Celtics final? That would be HUGE for the NBA. If everything works out well, that’s what it will come down too. I can’t wait. On another note the MVP voting ends today. Who do you think is going to win it? Me, I gotta go with the homie Kobe. Lakers 2008!!!!!
Copyright 2008 – E. Mendez
2 Comments
April 17, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Well put….And I agree…The Los Angeles Lakers are the team to beat in the Western Conference Playoffs…Kobe Bryant is poised to lead the team, Pau Gasol is hungry and Lamar Odom is playing the best basketball of his career now ever since Pau came over. I don’t see anyone who is able to matchup with the Lakers depth at this moment. The Lakers may have the deepest team since The Show Time Era – (sorry Glen Rice, Brian Shaw, Ron Harper and Ty Lue)…With that said, I see the Lakers maybe losing one game in the first round…maybe….Lakers in 5 over the Nuggets.
As the regular season wound down…Several possibilities remained open for playoff seeding including a possible four-way tie between the 3-6 seeds. In that scenario, the tiebreakers would have placed the seeding as follows:
3) Utah
4) Houston
5) Phoenix
6) San Antonio
This scenario would have matched the Phoenix Suns against the Lakers in the second round. And we were one game away from this happening. Had it not been for a stubborn Utah team throwing the towel in against the Spurs on Wednesday night, the four way tie would have been a reality. But Utah realized all a win would do is match them up with home court against the Spurs in the first round. The Jazz played their cards, conveniently lost the game, and drew the wounded Houston Rockets team who’s number is had. Without Yao Ming and a Rafer Austen in the first 2 games and who was playing way better then he’s capable of lately, the Jazz see this series as a doormat to the second round. Especially with home court in their favor where they finished 37-4 at the Delta Center. Tops in the league for a home record.
Of course the Rockets were one of the four teams to beat the Jazz in their own building…The other 3? The Celtics, a Portland team on fire in the middle of their mid-season 13 game winning streak…oh…and the LA Lakers. Expect the Jazz to advance in 6 bringing out the best in Utah fans pumped up to play the awaiting Lakers in the second round.
Pitchforks and Cowbells in hand, The Jazz fans will make the Delta Center the hostilest of environments when the Lakers show up 2-0. But Kobe, unfazed and unchecked will drop a 50 spot on the Jazz in game 3…Lakers in 5
Dust in the Face Utah….
The Commissioners dream will come true….Boston vs. Detroit in the East Finals…
Kobe and the Lakers versus Shaq and the Suns in the West Finals…
To be continued……..
April 17, 2008 at 8:31 pm
very nice my friend. However the “Showtime Era” had nothing to do with the players that you mentioned. This was the GREATEST era in Laker History. Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Scott, Rambis, Cooper, Green. That was The Showtime Era my friend. Update: Lakers vs Denver in the 1st round. Denver should prepare themselves to be urinated on. As far as Lakers vs Suns in the Western Conference Finals…..dont see it happening. They wont get through the Spurs.