OKC vs LA can they upset?

[j804]

so heard over espn they will be going up against each other in the 1st round.

should be a good series thunder been playing real solid and also play d, but could they upset the lakers? i doubt it but would be nice lol westbrook will have his way im sure and also durant. on the other hand gasol and bynum if hes back will have there way as well.

[pearljammer10]

This year I dont think so. Lakers are too good and the Thunder dont have the experience. Kobe vs Durant will be great to watch however, but i dont think the Thunder have it in them this season. Maybe add a couple vets over the summer and next year we could see a different story.

[PosImpos]

No, but they can perhaps give them a tough series, softening them up for the next team they face.

OKC doesn't have enough size inside to really deal with LA in my opinion.  Having a fast, strong PG and a great perimeter defender certainly helps against Fisher (LA's biggest weakness) and Kobe (LA's biggest strength), though.  But Artest will likely do a good job containing Durant.

I'd give OKC a 5% chance of beating the Lakers.

[Fafnir]

If Bynum isn't able to be effective they have a chance. The Lakers should be favored of course, but the Thunder definitely would have a 20-30% chance.

With Bynum the Thunder will get beat up too much inside.

[Drucci]

I don't think so. The Thunder lacks interior presence (especially against Gasol and Bynum) and they don't have any experience whatsoever.

However, without Bynum or with a limited Bynum, and with a limited Kobe (he seems to be playing through injuries) they really have a chance.

But ultimately I see them winning two games on their homecourt and lose the series.

[boston.balla]

Yes. Especially if Bynum is out of form Kobe doesn't understand that he's not the player he was 3 seasons ago and currently he can't be the first option for the Lakers unless the matchup is there. And in this case, with Sefolosha+Westrbook outside and only Ibaka inside, the matchup is there for Gasol/Bynum but not for Kobe.

[nyceltsfan]

I know someone will tell me that I am a pessimist and that I am a conspiracy theorist, but the league has been salivating for a Kobe-Lebron Finals for a few years now.

There is no chance the Lakers lose in the first round.  (I'd be happy if I am proven wrong, but I just can't see anyway the league lets this happen).

[RJ87]

It'll certainly be entertaining to watch... Sefolosha does an excellent job on Kobe (the last time they played, he had 9 TO's), and Artest will probably have to deal with Durant... Westbrook will run circles around Fisher for sure, but Gasol will be a force inside (not including Bynum until he's confirmed to be playing and shakes off the rust a bit). Personally, I think this could go 7 games, the Lakers will win with experience in the end but that won't stop me from cheering on OKC.

[LB3533]

I am going to give the Thunder a 45% chance of upsetting the Lakers, not because the Thunder are better than the Lakers...but because the Lakers have show a tendency to play down to their opponents...especially on the road.

If the Thunder can win a game in LA, they have a real shot to steal the series.

[incoherent]

The refs might stop showing love to KD, will be interesting to see.

[LarBrd33]

Love the Thunder, but I think the Lakers will probably find a way to shut out Durant.  Once Durant is shut out... I'm not sure what else the Thunder can do.

[xmuscularghandix]

LA will crumble on the road against OKC, That building is going to explode. Golden State x2.

[Fafnir]

Love the Thunder, but I think the Lakers will probably find a way to shut out Durant.  Once Durant is shut out... I'm not sure what else the Thunder can do.

I think Westbrook can destroy Fisher for a game or two sufficiently to make up for an off game by Durant.

[fairweatherfan]

Love the Thunder, but I think the Lakers will probably find a way to shut out Durant.  Once Durant is shut out... I'm not sure what else the Thunder can do.

This'll be the first real test of Durant's career - Artest is gonna do anything and everything he can to get under his skin.

[Fafnir]

Love the Thunder, but I think the Lakers will probably find a way to shut out Durant.  Once Durant is shut out... I'm not sure what else the Thunder can do.

This'll be the first real test of Durant's career - Artest is gonna do anything and everything he can to get under his skin.

Artest doesn't do that good of a job on Durant. Durant is long enough to get a shot over him and too quick for him. Unless the officials let Artest just beat him to death Durant will win it solidly.