Wow, some nice generalizations in this thread.
I will say this, the Lakers obviously have their fair share of bandwagon fans, but that will happen when you have the string of success they have achieved for the last 50 some years.
That said, there are just as many die hard Laker fans that can be honest with themselves and with their opponents as there are with any other fan base. People on a message board, especially one as large as LakersGround, will have it's share of both. The problem is, that a lot of times the bandwagoners are also the ones who like to post the most.
I don't go to LakersGround anymore, mostly because I couldn't handle the bi-polar mood swings. After every win we were the greatest team ever. After every loss the world was crumbling. However, true, passionate, die-hard Laker fans are among the smartest most basketball savy fans in the world (and I have lived in Phoenix, Boston, New Jersey, and now in Reno (Kings country) so I feel like I have been exposed to quite a few fan bases). That may not be everyone's experience, but I know for me and my Laker fan friends, that we are of that ilk.
As for the series, you won't catch me saying it is a mismatch. There are things about the Suns that scare the crap out of me. That said, I still think the Lakers are better, and have some advantages (home court, front court scoring, #1 3pt defense, Kobe matchup, etc.) that will be tough for the Suns to overcome. Unless there is some unforeseen injury/suspension to an impact player for either side, I think the Lakers will win a VERY hard fought 6 or 7 game series. It wouldn't completely shock me if the Suns won, because I have A LOT of respect for Nash, Hill, Amare, and even Jared Dudley (even though it might behoove him to tone it down a little bit in respect to Kobe).
As per the OP, I heard the Dudley podcast with the Sports Guy. He seems like a good dude. In fact, after his first podcast appearance I started following him on twitter (along with Nash and Amare). I also comprehended that he was joking a little bit. No matter what he said though, it will most likely have zero effect on the series. Although if it was me, I would just not say anything before a series like this that could be even closely considered "chalkboard material". Guys like Kobe, much like Jordan, Bird and Magic back in the day, thrive off of any perceived (real or not) lack of respect. Not saying it will happen in this instance, but IMO, it is not worth the words to find out.
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