The Lakers just hit their playoff stride and Kobe is 30+ PPG and 6 APG average in the last five games. They are the No.1 rated defense among the four playoff teams and defense wins championships (recent team stats on NBA.com). They are rested, hungry and look as good as any of the four teams left. Kobe and crew -- if they remain healthy -- will win it all. Personally, I hope for a 2008 payback with the Celtics. A Celtics vs. Lakers final would bring back some memories and be a great series.
#1 - Fri May 14, 2010 3:58 AM EDTSorry,the Magic are the saviors of the world and will prove so in the NBA Finals.
The Suns will shock the Lakers. The way they dominated the Spurs was amazing. The Lakers have struggled so far. And as we saw with Lebron, Kobe is a one man team and wont be able to carry the Lakers against the super hot Suns right now (no pun intended). The Suns will win the series in 7. The Celtics are playing really well and will be tested against the Magic who are really good. I give the edge to the Celtics though because they have a little more depth on the bench (which doesnt always show up at game time). The Celtics will win the series in 6 maybe 7 games. I give the championship to the Celtics over the Suns in 6.
#2 - Fri May 14, 2010 11:51 AM EDTCeltics over the Suns??? Wow! Ummm, no!! I will give you that the Celtics reach the finals (actually I HOPE they reach the finals), but they sure as hell ain't beating the LAKERS! Phoenix didn't dominate the Spurs...the beat them yes...but they didn't dominate. Winning by a 6 point average isn't dominating, and the Spurs are not all that good. Lakers will beat the Suns in 5...possibly 6. THEN...they sweep the Celtics. Well, I can't say that. Too much rivalry, Boston wins one in the Garden but the Lakers win game five (and the clincher) on Boston's turf. Oh my...how sweet that will be. Lakers are not a Kobe show...only in the fourth when the team needs him. With Pau, Lamar, Ron Ron and the rest...they are a wicked bunch. Lakers - Back to Back!
I'll start by saying, you gotta love Steve Nash. Poster boy for hard work, toughness and dedication to the game. Also, leader and all around good guy. Los Suns are a good team and have great potential. That being said, they have to overcome more of the same and then some with the Lakers. L.A. has too much height, inside power (2 vs 1), speed and team experience and balance. Plus, the Coaching is above reproach (see Phil's fingers and count the rings). Lakers are on a mission of redemption and that includes knocking off the Suns and then hopefully, the Celtics (if they make it past the Magic).
Steve Nash, "Hard Work, Toughness, Dedication," and the defensive presence of a helium filled balloon. Sorry, the Suns have no chance.
Against the Lakers, Nash's defensive shortcomings aren't all that critical: he's guarding Derek Fisher, ferchrissakes. If, as I hope, the Suns make it past the Lakers, Rajon Rondo or Jameer Nelson are a whole 'nother story, though.
Has anyone seen the Suns play lately?? Our defense is much improved, our bench can take games over and we have all the offensive firepower any team would need. We get Lopez back and it will be no contest. Year of the SUNS!! Kobe who??
suns swept the celtics this year
and are playing much beeter now than early nov and late dec
there touch match wil be against lakers
you have size we have a better nench
if bynan is hurt
we can knock you off in 7
then touch series with celtic or magic
anyone can beet anyone with this final 4
who ever doesn t screw up
will win
@Jodeman, because sweeping the Jazz = struggling? The Jazz had better statistical numbers than the Suns, in the playoffs and the season. Sorry, but Lakers in 5 or 6 over the Suns. The irony is if OKC played the Suns, they would have eliminated Phoenix and we wouldn't even be having this discussion.
#4 - Fri May 14, 2010 1:58 PM EDTIf Boston wins conference..LAKERS. If Orlando wins...a toss up. Home court comes into play for Lakers with BOSTON/ORLANDO. Suns good, but Lakers are too big for Phoenix.
#5 - Sat May 15, 2010 10:01 AM EDTwhy does everybody say that the celtics couldnt beat the lakers. If the magic get to the championship and face the lakers I hope dwight throws it down hard and posterizes injury man bynum.
#6 - Sat May 15, 2010 11:18 AM EDTEveryone "seems" to forget who now has best record AND home court advantage. It is Orlando and most people are STILL writing them off. Orlando SHOULD beat Boston and then we see about "el aaaaaa" UNLESS PHX knocks them off. Now THAT would be an interesting matchup. Orlando vs Phx.
#7 - Sat May 15, 2010 11:35 AM EDTI'm not even a Magic fan but the Magic are the best team on the planet!
#9 - Sun May 16, 2010 3:12 AM EDTWhich planet? Not this one. Uranus maybe. :-) This planet belongs to The Lakers.
Which planet? Not this one. Uranus maybe. :-)
Nope, planet Earth, you're more than welcome to join us.
I'm so not a LA Quaker fan.
The way to beat the Lakers is to drive to the basket and get their big men in early foul trouble. Phoenix may be able to do that. If the Suns are hot from the outside they have a chance. I still think the Lakers will win the West, but will lose to the Magic in the Finals. That is, if Howard can stay out of foul trouble.
I am a big Celtics fan, and did not expect them to get this far, but this is the end of the road for them. My second favorite team is whoever plays the Lakers.
Go Magic!!
#11 - Sun May 16, 2010 8:44 AM EDTLakers will beat the arizona Setting Suns in 5 games and then hopefully will face the Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Magic haven't been tested yet and will have a tough test in the Celtics.
#12 - Sun May 16, 2010 9:00 AM EDTIt's going 7 games. It'll be a battle, but the Lakers will fall. I can guarantee we will beat the Celtics, they don't match up against us, we are too quick. We have shot blockers too, by the way. Hill, Amar'e, J-Rich, Lopez, Amundson. Nobody even sees the storm coming in! The playoffs will be epic.
The only team I worry about is the Magic. I don't care about the Lakers, if we play well, we can beat them. Same for the Celt's
Hopefully, Bynum will be healthy if the Lakers meet Boston in the finals. I'd hate to see a repeat of 2008. Of course, some things are different this time: Lakers have Artest, Pau is more seasoned, Kobe & Company still feel the sting of their game 6 loss in Boston. So just as it will be a nice payback to take Phoenix out of the Western Finals for a change, it'll also be nice to take Boston (or Orlando) out of the NBA Finals!
Go Lakers!
#13 - Sun May 16, 2010 9:47 AM EDTNot this year, ain't gonna happen... Suns vs Magic - Finals, don't know who will win.
GO SUNS!!
Celtics all the way !!! The Celtics are the only team that plays as a team. Not depending on one superstar to do the job. This is our year and we want it badly. So tired of the broadcasters (especially ESPN) not giving them any credit. Stop worrying about LeBron. He lost!!!!
#14 - Sun May 16, 2010 10:11 AM EDT"The Celtics are the only team that plays as a team."
You've obviously never watched a Suns game...
The Lakers will find a way to win the crucial games in the last minutes. They have too many underused weapons waiting for a chance to prove their worth.
#15 - Sun May 16, 2010 10:21 AM EDTPhil Jackson the greatest coach? You gotta be kidding me. How much coaching do you have to do with Jordan/Pippen and Kobe/Shaq. Why do you think he's stooping to his new low and degrading Durant and Nash in the press. Trying to play mind games because he's worried. Best Coach HA!
#16 - Sun May 16, 2010 10:33 AM EDTWhoever wins it all must play team basketball and avoid injuries. It's going to be glorious!
#17 - Sun May 16, 2010 11:36 AM EDTFor those that haven't been following along, this isn't the same old Suns. Hottest offense in the league, but now with much improved defense. That combination was deadly against the Spurs. The same Spurs who used to knock the Suns out year after year couldn't win a single game against them. Watch-out. In the past they've been the Laker beaters in the playoffs, and now they're set to do it again.
#18 - Sun May 16, 2010 11:43 AM EDTUnfortunately, the Lakers will probably win, and King Kobie the Egotist will be looking smug as usual.
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The OKC thunder woke the sleeping giant, and now the black mamba is well rested. no chance for anyone.