Can any western conference team take out the Lakers?

[Redz]

First off, I think we need to see who ends up where after the trade deadline.

If Vince Carter in San Antonio happens and that group clicks then they could be scary, and they still could take down the Laker as currently comprised. 

We also need to see the state of Bynum or other major injuries that happen between now and April.

Short answer:  Yes, but it depends on a lot of things.

[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.  

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

Eric Dampier and Yao Ming would both have their way with Gasol, Bynum or Odom.

[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? 

Eric Dampier and Yao Ming would both have their way with Gasol, Bynum or Odom.

I wouldn't exactly call Yao physical, especially offensively, and Dampier just isn't that good.

[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.  

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

Eric Dampier and Yao Ming would both have their way with Gasol, Bynum or Odom.

I wouldn't exactly call Yao physical, especially offensively, and Dampier just isn't that good.

It's not really about the offense, imo.  Dampier is on par with Perkins for the most part, and we know how effective Perk is against the LA bigs.  As for Yao, its hard not to to be a physical presence at 7'5".  Gasol certainly won't be shooting over him, which takes away his go to move.

LA really leans on their hieght advatage down low, and only had to go through one legit big to get to the Finals last year (Duncan and his hobled Spurs squad).  I think this year they won't be quite as lucky.  Guys like Dampeir, Oden, a healthy KMart, Duncan, Yao and Shaq are going to cause problems for LA.

[celticinorlando]

somebody is going to surprise LA

[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? 

Eric Dampier and Yao Ming would both have their way with Gasol, Bynum or Odom.

I wouldn't exactly call Yao physical, especially offensively, and Dampier just isn't that good.

It's not really about the offense, imo.  Dampier is on par with Perkins for the most part, and we know how effective Perk is against the LA bigs.  As for Yao, its hard not to to be a physical presence at 7'5".  Gasol certainly won't be shooting over him, which takes away his go to move.

LA really leans on their hieght advatage down low, and only had to go through one legit big to get to the Finals last year (Duncan and his hobled Spurs squad).  I think this year they won't be quite as lucky.  Guys like Dampeir, Oden, a healthy KMart, Duncan, Yao and Shaq are going to cause problems for LA.

I don't think that just because Yao is as tall as he is that means he's physical. Shawn Bradley wasn't particularly physical. Yao is coordinated and skilled, but not physical. Dampier's physicality wasn't enough to matter against Golden State in 2007 so I doubt it would matter against the Lakers. So I don't think either of these teams brings interior toughness that it would take to beat the Lakers.

[RAcker]

Without a single move, the Spurs can in a 7 game series.  Just my opinion.

[wdleehi]

Spurs can beat them.