Can any western conference team take out the Lakers?

[JR Giddens]

I think the Lakers are just as good without Bynum besides the fact he makes the team's roster deeper but I starting to believe that I'll have to get used to see Kobe in in 6th Nba Finals. Jazz, Hornets, Spurs, and Rokcets are toast this spring. Trevor Ariza would have creamed Paul Pierce in last years finals if he was healthy. The Celtics lazy game on Feb 5th makes me madder than anything. We could have won that game by 15 points if they wanted too.

[Donoghus]

A bit premature to be discounting the San Antonio Spurs, don't you think?

[JR Giddens]

Unless Amare gets traded sumwhere in the WCF the Lakers have an 85% of being in the finals unless 2 of their starters are injured. Kobe is still the best player in the league now that Lebron can't hit an open jumper outside of 8 feet in the last 3-4 weeks sans New York.

[Steve Weinman]

Unless Amare gets traded sumwhere in the WCF the Lakers have an 85% of being in the finals unless 2 of their starters are injured. Kobe is still the best player in the league now that Lebron can't hit an open jumper outside of 8 feet in the last 3-4 weeks sans New York.

How'd you come up with that figure?

Also, I'm not buying that best player in the league business.

-sw

[CelticsWhat35]

Unless Amare gets traded sumwhere in the WCF the Lakers have an 85% of being in the finals unless 2 of their starters are injured. Kobe is still the best player in the league now that Lebron can't hit an open jumper outside of 8 feet in the last 3-4 weeks sans New York.

How'd you come up with that figure?

Also, I'm not buying that best player in the league business.

-sw

I'm guessing that figure came from the same place he declared Paul Pierce "creamed" in the Finals had the Almighty Trevor Ariza been 100%.

[coco]

I think the Cs could have lost by 15 if the Lakers would have half their free-throws.

The Lakers are for real.  we'll have to see how Scal would have changed things.  He is our "Posey" this season and the only "wing" with enough size and lateral quickness to keep up with LOdom.

As for any, what team can defeat the Lakers in the WC?  I think SA has the best chance as long as Ginobili gets back to his old tricks.  But right now, Ginobili is looks 70% and TParker about 80%...and they would still need a heck of a series by MBohner to have a good shot.

[JR Giddens]

Unless Amare gets traded sumwhere in the WCF the Lakers have an 85% of being in the finals unless 2 of their starters are injured. Kobe is still the best player in the league now that Lebron can't hit an open jumper outside of 8 feet in the last 3-4 weeks sans New York.

How'd you come up with that figure?

Also, I'm not buying that best player in the league business.

-sw

If you ask NBA fans 50% will says the Cavs will be in the finals and 50% will say the Celtics in the finals. However in the west 90% will say the Lakers will be in the finals which makes them the front runner to win the NBA championship.

[Who]

I think the Houston Rockets are the only Western Conference team capable of beating a healthy and in form Lakers team.

I think Andrew Bynum is a huge factor for the Lakers and someone I'd consider to be a deciding factor against numerous other Western Conference teams. If the Lakers do not have Bynum, or if Bynum returns and is a lesser version of himself, I think that opens the doors up to a whole bunch of teams -- San Antonio being the team that comes to mind first, also New Orleans.

[KCattheStripe]

Unless Amare gets traded sumwhere in the WCF the Lakers have an 85% of being in the finals unless 2 of their starters are injured. Kobe is still the best player in the league now that Lebron can't hit an open jumper outside of 8 feet in the last 3-4 weeks sans New York.

How'd you come up with that figure?

Also, I'm not buying that best player in the league business.

-sw

If you ask NBA fans 50% will says the Cavs will be in the finals and 50% will say the Celtics in the finals. However in the west 90% will say the Lakers will be in the finals which makes them the front runner to win the NBA championship.

Because fans are always the most knowledgeable about greatness in the game. *cough*Allen Iverson*Cough*

[wil]

Unless Amare gets traded sumwhere in the WCF the Lakers have an 85% of being in the finals unless 2 of their starters are injured. Kobe is still the best player in the league now that Lebron can't hit an open jumper outside of 8 feet in the last 3-4 weeks sans New York.

If you ask NBA fans 50% will says the Cavs will be in the finals and 50% will say the Celtics in the finals. However in the west 90% will say the Lakers will be in the finals which makes them the front runner to win the NBA championship.

First off, how did I guess that this forum was started by JR Giddens....

Second, as a C's fan (which i'm not wholey convinced JR is) I worry more about the Spurs than the Lakers.  The Lakers have shown what type of intestinal fortitude they have when it counts (i.e in June, NOT December).  While the Spurs have shown their desire to win, and ability to come through in big spots in unmatched.  If Ginobli had been healthy last year we would have beaten the Spurs in the finals, and Kobe would probably have ran Bynum out of town by now.  As for this year, I still think a healthy Spurs team will beat the Lakers.  The Lakers have looked great with Lamar Odum contributing like he has recently, but once again, in June he doesn't do that.  We'll see, but I think as long as the Ginobli isn't crippled like he was last year, that the Spurs will beat the Lakers (and then lose to the C's)

[Chris]

I think a healthy Spurs team matches up very well with the Lakers, and that series would likely be decided by who gets the lucky rolls, and who is hot at the time. 

And if they are able to add another big man, or upgrade another position, I wouldn't be surprised if they win going away.

I really think people have been sleeping on the Spurs all season.  They just execute so incredibly well, and when they are healthy, are still one of the most talented teams in the league. 

[Steve Weinman]

Unless Amare gets traded sumwhere in the WCF the Lakers have an 85% of being in the finals unless 2 of their starters are injured. Kobe is still the best player in the league now that Lebron can't hit an open jumper outside of 8 feet in the last 3-4 weeks sans New York.

How'd you come up with that figure?

Also, I'm not buying that best player in the league business.

-sw

If you ask NBA fans 50% will says the Cavs will be in the finals and 50% will say the Celtics in the finals. However in the west 90% will say the Lakers will be in the finals which makes them the front runner to win the NBA championship.

What was it, seven of eight ESPN analysts that said the Lakers would win the Finals against the Celts last year?  That didn't mean the Lakers had an 87.5 percent chance of winning the Finals last season.  It meant a bunch of talking heads thought they'd win.  No mathematical basis there.

And even so, how did you come up with your fan numbers?

-sw

[celticmaestro]

I was ready for a serious debate before I saw the creator of this thread.

No one can take out the Lakers. They are the definition of sublime and Kobe is the personification of perfection.

[D Dub]

I think San Antonio, Denver, Houston, Portland, Dallas and possibly Phoenix could all beat LA this year.

People forget what a cake-walk LA got to the Finals last year.  They are built for the regular season, and can be beaten by any defensive oriented team with a physical big man.  

[KCattheStripe]

I think San Antonio, Denver, Houston, Portland, Dallas and possibly Phoenix could all beat LA this year.

People forget what a cake-walk LA got to the Finals last year.  They are built for the regular season, and can be beaten by any defensive oriented team with a physical big man.  

Houston and Dallas have physical big men? Since when? Did they build one?