Gentry: ‘I’ll be shocked if (Lopez) doesn’t play’

[Covert Rain]

In the past, Amare has matched up defensively pretty well against Gasol (I am thinking of the Memphis sweep). Amare is going to have to step up and play D in this series.

The entire team will. This will be by far the toughest challenge. The lineup that scares me the most is Fischer, Artest, Odom, Gasol, Bynum. I have seen the Lakers do that. That is alot of size.

Nash scares me a bit on Fischer and if they try and hide him on Artest he will be posted up. Nobody can guard Kobe. Artest is very guardable IMO. Amare needs to man up against Gasol and I think Lopez can keep Bynum honest. I like Frye on Odom because they are very similar in size and speed.

I think both teams have match-up issues IMO. The difference here could be the bench. I like our bench more then the Lakers bench. If our bench plays like they have the 2nd half of the season and in playoffs I like our chances.

The biggest challenge I see is getting in the paint. We MUST. When the best 3 point shooting team faces the best 3 point defending team...the edge always goes to defense. The Suns struggle when teams play good 3 point defense. Yes, we have had bad 3 point shooting games in the playoffs and won but I am not so convinced the Suns can do that on a regular basis.

So, that means we need production around the lane and in the paint on top of having some guys step up defensively. The only way to get the Lakers off the 3 point line is to get some pick and rolls going, layups and penetration in the lane.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

The only way I see us effective in the paint is if we offensive rebound.

 

[elindholm]

I like players that hate losing.

 

[nashman]

The Suns have been playing great, no one thought we matched up with the Spurs either and look how that one turned out. Many talking head had the Spurs as the team to beat in the West as they were rolling until they ran into us! I think it hilarious that people just think the Lakers are so talented that they can beat anyone. Besides Odum who the hell do they even have off the bench thats worth a crap? You can't play your starters for the entire game so the edge definately goes to our bench. Last time I checked the Spurs were known as a defensive team as well and we took them out, after they put down a pretty good Dallas 2 seed team. I like our chances in this series and it WILL NOT be a short series!

 

[ninous26]

Where is Artest in your mix?

Artest will be guarding JRich, Kobe on Hill, Bynum on Lopez I'd guess, Pau and Amare. When Frye comes in, LO will spell Bynum and guard him for the stretch out to the 3 point line.

You know what? You totally got me there, I forgot about artest... You are right.