the poll we've been waiting for

[D-Dogg]

That's where you're not understanding the Suns offense. The Suns averaged 31 points in the paint against the Lakers in games in which Nash played. The last game Nash played in, the Suns knocked in 40.

That's where you're not understanding the things Phil did in the regular season that he will not do in the playoffs. Such as playing small ball with you. Playing Kwame only 17 minutes, etc. Phil's already said the bigs are the key, and that's good stuff since his attempts at playing your game have failed.

If you think Phil will do the same in the playoffs as he did in the regular season, you have a lot to learn about Phil.

 

[D-Dogg]

Let Kobe shoot all he wants and the SUNS will SWEEP!

Only if the supporting cast shoots 18/49 again like the last time the Suns beat the Lakers.

However, I doubt you'll see that when you aren't playing them on back to backs after overtime.

How many chickens are in those eggs, anyway?

 

[Gaddabout]

If you think Phil will do the same in the playoffs as he did in the regular season, you have a lot to learn about Phil.

If Phil can figure out how to stop Nash from penetrating at will given your current roster, Kwame or no Kwame, in a 7-game series, his genius will be certifiable in my book.

That said, I've got 7 games that show he doesn't have a clue. That's not a knock on your coach, just the reality that your roster is woefully incomplete for this kind of playoff matchup.

 

[myrondizzo]

However, I doubt you'll see that when you aren't playing them on back to backs after overtime.

are you going to always use this as an excuse? you didnt beat us last year either is that also because of back to back ot games? besides Kobe still managed to put up some big numbers and you still lost. i could see if kobe had an off night or something but he was putting up 50 so it just seams like a really lame excuse.

 

[D-Dogg]

are you going to always use this as an excuse? you didnt beat us last year either is that also because of back to back ot games? besides Kobe still managed to put up some big numbers and you still lost. i could see if kobe had an off night or something but he was putting up 50 so it just seams like a really lame excuse.

Last year was a completely different and terrible team. I hated the team last year, with poor coaching and no cohesion.

This year's team is light years better.

And yes, b2b ot game losses do mean something, and yes Kobe played well in them. However, the rest of the team didn't, as they don't have near the willpower or conditioning that Kobe does. 18/49 shooting for everyone not named Kobe in the last game in Phoenix.

If the other starters play that way again, your guys will roll. However, I'm sure they won't play like that with plenty of rest.

 

[elindholm]

You mean 82games?

LOL, yes. When I was writing that, it didn't look right, but I had to run off to class and didn't have time to check it.

 

[SirStefan32]

I'm gonna say Suns in 6.

They'll lose one game because they won't be able to make open jumpers, and lose one due to Kobe EXPLODING.

 

[Wally]

Suns in 6. The couple days rest between games will let the Lakers keep up with us easier - and Kobe is good for at least 1 victory by himself.

If a game comes down to the wire I am going to start getting really nervous. The Suns are absolutely attrocious when games are within 3 points (i think that was the number), and Kobe is the last person I want to see on the other team in those situations.

We will need a solid 8 point lead in the last 2 minutes in each of the games for me to feel good.

I agree with everything you said except the part about "a SOLID 8 point lead in the last TWO MINUTES".... Either change the 8 points to 20 - OR change the 2 Minutes to 20 seconds - then I am in complete agreement.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I agree with everything you said except the part about "a SOLID 8 point lead in the last TWO MINUTES".... Either change the 8 points to 20 - OR change the 2 Minutes to 20 seconds - then I am in complete agreement.

LOL fair enough

 

[Errntknght]

Suns in 7. And I see I'm the only one that picked that so far. I think it will be a tough series for us and I'm not sure the players are ready for that. I'm very glad it's not a five game series because you have less time to re-adjust your thinking if you underestimated your opponent. In the NBA you don't have to be better than another team to beat them - just better than they think you are.

 

[nothin' but net]

Lakers in 1...

Why? One of two reasons.

1. As forseen by Lakers fans, Kobe explodes for 305 points. Suns have no choice but to consider themselves unworthy to share the court and immediately fall to their knees and bow to the God of Hoops.:notworthy

2. Nash, Marion, Diaw, Bell, JJones, House, Grant and Barbs all have season ending injuries. Suns send Amare and KT in shirts, ties and crutches in with Skita, Burke to finish off the 4th quarter. Kwame cries after Amare dunks on him repeatedly, but other than that matchup, Suns lose horrifically.

(OK, really, Suns in 6)

 

[D-Dogg]

Lakers in 1...

1. As forseen by Lakers fans, Kobe explodes for 305 points. Suns have no choice but to consider themselves unworthy to share the court and immediately fall to their knees and bow to the God of Hoops.:notworthy

Sounds good to me!!!

All bow down to the God of Hoops!!!!

 

[CardsFan222]

If anyone watched the Phx-LA Matchup at all this season you would know the dont have the firepower to to match Phoenix

I say Suns in 5......


Also.......I hope We kick the crap out of the lakers

I hate the Lakers.......

 

[nothin' but net]

Sounds good to me!!!

All bow down to the God of Hoops!!!!

I had a feeling you would say that.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

If anyone watched the Phx-LA Matchup at all this season you would know the dont have the firepower to to match Phoenix

I say Suns in 5......

Like it has been said a million times - each time the Lakers lost they played on the second night of a back to back - and they went to OT the night before each time....

The playoffs will give the Lakers the rest to try and keep up the pace. It isn't going to be such a cakewalk as some people are suggesting...

 

[boisesuns]

This thread should be "the trolls we've been waiting for"

 

[D-Dogg]

I had a feeling you would say that.

 

[nowagimp]

I'll say the suns in 6. Kobe may win one game all by himself, and the suns will have 1 game with a drier dryspell than the lakers supporting cast.

I would say 5, but the suns are trying to get TT integrated into the starting 5, and I think that the last aspect to be integrated is defense. I dont think that the garbage time games after clinching are real productive in this area.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Suns in 5.

And the reason that Phil Jackson only plays Kwame Brown a few minutes is because he is terrible in transition defense. That isn't going to change in the playoffs.

 

[D-Dogg]

Suns in 5.

And the reason that Phil Jackson only plays Kwame Brown a few minutes is because he is terrible in transition defense. That isn't going to change in the playoffs.

Wrong. Very wrong. Kwame is good in transition defense and in showing on pick and rolls. He's quick and athletic. Phil will use Kwame heavily in this series, and I understand now (I think) why he tried to play small ball with you earlier. Phil is a weird, but smart, cat.

I wrote this on another board:

The only time the Suns have thumped us in these recent games is when we try to small ball with them. 1st and 3rd quarters we played with them ok on Friday (last road game in Phoenix). 2nd and 4th quarters, they annhilated us. Kwame was out and so was Turiaf during those 2nd and 4th quarters.

The fact that the Suns go on runs with bigs sitting more often than they do when the bigs are in tells you that playing their game is not a good call.

Our bigs don't get run off the court...this isn't Shaq we're talking about...Kwame and Mihm aren't slow. They are both fairly quick bigmen, and Kwame is very athletic.

The way to beat the Suns is not to run with them, unless you have a fast team and great shooters. The Lakers will not beat the Suns playing small ball. They will only beat them by controlling the tempo and keeping Kwame/Mihm/Turiaf in the game at all times for post defense and not allowing layups.

Look at the shot chart for Friday's game on ESPN.

Q1 - Suns in the paint 5-8 - Kwame plays
Q2 - Suns in the paint 5-7 - Does not play

No real difference in layups given up, or percentage. Negligible.

Q3 - Suns in the paint 1-4 - Kwame Plays, until 3 minutes left. Doesn't return. We close to 1 pt game at end of three. Strong quarter not allowing layups with bigs in, so not getting run out of the gym.
Q4 - Suns in paint 4-6. Nash not even playing, the game is sealed. Small ball got the Lakers killed.

To me, this says two things...we don't get run out of the gym any more with bigs in (6-12 in 1st and 3rd) than we do playing small ball (9-13 in 2nd and 4th). However, with bigs they shot 50% in the paint, and without bigs they shot 69%.

I don't see how those numbers justify anyone's contention that small ball is the way to play the Suns. It is the way to lose to them, ESPECIALLY if your smalls can't shoot to save their lives...18/49 in that game for anyone not named Kobe Bryant.

 

[elindholm]

18/49 in that game for anyone not named Kobe Bryant.

You keep referring to this like it's horrible. It works out to 37%, which is below average, but hardly terrible for a group of players who aren't all that skilled offensively. I think if the Lakers' chances rest on getting much better production from their supporting cast, they are in trouble.

 

[D-Dogg]

6 more makes and the Lakers win that game...

And 37% IS horrible. It's a disgusting percentage. The lakers team averages 45% shooting as a team...a little bit better shooting and they are in business.

Down the stretch, the team has been shooting much better as well.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

6 more makes and the Lakers win that game...

And 37% IS horrible. It's a disgusting percentage. The lakers team averages 45% shooting as a team...a little bit better shooting and they are in business.

Down the stretch, the team has been shooting much better as well.

To be fair, can't you make the same claim when any team loses? You need to let that go.

 

[elindholm]

6 more makes and the Lakers win that game...

And 37% IS horrible. It's a disgusting percentage. The lakers team averages 45% shooting as a team...a little bit better shooting and they are in business.

Check your math. Over 49 attempts, the difference between 37% and 45% is only about four makes. So the Lakers would have lost even with average shooting from their supporting cast.

 

[myrondizzo]

6 more makes and the Lakers win that game...

And 37% IS horrible. It's a disgusting percentage. The lakers team averages 45% shooting as a team...a little bit better shooting and they are in business.

Down the stretch, the team has been shooting much better as well.

6 more make would have also had them shooting almost 49% which is 4% higher than there average. and 4% higher than even kobe averaged for the season so that might be asking a little much from them.