Boy does Portland look to be turning it on at just the right time. I really hope this team is clicking when they play LA. Should they beat the Jazz in 6 games or less, and not suffer any injury, I'll most likely be picking them to beat the Lakers. Rasheed Wallace especially looks to have kicked it into another gear. Some things to look at in a potential LA/Portland matchup: Free throws. Portland knocks them down, LA (Shaq) doesn't. This eliminates Shaq from being a go-to guy down the stretch, which some say is the Blazers' big weakness. Sabonis pulling Shaq out of the middle. I'm not a big Sabonis fan, but if he can pull Shaq out of the middle by hitting the jumper, that further opens it up for Rasheed to dominate AC Green, Horry, or whatever other scrub LA decides to guard him with. Finally, Kobe has a tough matchup. I know he lit Pippen up at times last year, but let's face it, the Rockets' team defense was absolutely horrible. If Pippen can get sufficient weakside help, Bryant shouldn't have it very easy this series, like he did against the Kings. I would definitely put Pippen on Bryant defensively, as Steve Smith should be able to handle the little-utilized Glen Rice. I look for Bryant to guard Stoudamire on defense (tough one for Blazers), with Harper on Smith. Experience. The Blazers' big guns have it, LA's don't. Bench. The bench isn't as important in the playoffs, but when you compare Horry, Knight, Fisher, Fox, and John Salley to Anthony, Grant, Shrempf, and Wells, you have to give Portland a decisive edge in this category. The keys to this series, I think, will be whether or not Shaq will be able to deliver in the clutch, and whether or not Rasheed Wallace can punish LA down low. Can LA afford to rest Shaq at all and let Portland's bruisers have a field day inside in the process (In Portland's win at LA this year, Shaq played 48 minutes, and was virtually non-existent in the final minutes due to fatigue)? The playoffs are all about your main guys delivering in the clutch, and if Shaq can't do it, the Blazers should take the series. What's going in Portland's favor, is that I believe they have more talent than the Lakers all-around (the only team you can say that about, probably). Unfortunately, their talent doesn't include the best or maybe even the 2nd-best player in the series. In order for Portland's talent to win out, LA's best guys (mainly Shaq) will need to be neutralized down the stretch, and be exposed as not-yet-ready-for-prime-time players. Hopefully Dunleavy has a plan on how to do this. ------------------ "It was the House of Whores, and then it became...the House of Horrors." -C.C. Deville
God Freak, I hope you're right. While I think I still hate the Jazz more than the Lakers, it won't be long until the Lakers are my most hated team (Stockton will be retiring soon, they basically have no chance after this year, IMO). I haven't really ever gotten the expected hatred for Quitten. Do I like him? Hell no. However, I thought it would reach the level of Shaq, Satan, and his mistress, Rat Boy. Do I want them to win it all? Hell no. I'm really rooting for the East, more specifically, the Knicks, this year. ------------------ Get your proper swirve on...visit www.swirve.com (coming in late May, for now visit www.eesite.com)
Freak, I agree Portland looks like the most legitimate threat to the Lakers. They still have a team with what 5 or so current or former all-stars, lots of skilled bodies, and this is the same team that coasted to the second best record of the league. They also can play good defense. Smith, Pippen, Grant and Wallace all look like they are playing better now that the playoffs have started. I suspect the Lakers will dispose of them because when it all bogs down in close games Kobe and Shaq will be better answers than anyone Portland has. But the Blazers have a major advantage at the 4 spot, and if Rasheed can play the series of his life they have a chance. Now what I am hoping for is the Blazars sweep the Jazz so the Jazz get a bunch of eggs on their face, and then the Lakers sweep the Blazers as Kobe hands Pippen his jock back over and over and over, but I know we have different foremost rivals. Don't be suprised if Portland does get swept by the Lakers either, remember SA did this to them by consistently out executing them in close games. ------------------
It could be a great matchup. I disagree on a couple of things though: 1. I think I saw somewhere that Shaq has been hitting something like 65% since Feb. That is at least respectable, especially when you consider that he is so strong that even if you try to foul him he can usually overpower the fouler and at least put up a decent FG, which allows him to get alot of 3 point play attempts. 2. Sabonis can pull Shaq out on the defensive side, but on the offensive side Shaq will dominate. With as many calls as Sahq gets look for Rasheed to blow up on the refs for a few Technicals in the series. But getting Shaq out of the middle could open things up for Rasheed or Grant, assuming Sabonis can knock down the jumper from the foul line if Shaq does give help. 3. Pip can't guard Kobe. Kobe has showed the last 2 years that he dominates pip. Pip is playing well in the playoffs but I think Kobe is in his head. 4. Expereince I disagree with as well. Shaq has been to the finals, Harper & AC have a few rings each and Horry has a couple from us. All Portland has in playoff experience is Pip. Smith never made a long run in Atlanta did he? Others all played in Western finals but were beat by the Spurs just like the Lakers last year. 5. Phil Jackson is a superior coach, IMO. Phil will find a way to get over on Portland. He is again coaching the best player in the league. I also think the key is Rasheed. I think it is more likely that he gets pi$$ed about Shaq getting all the calls, than of him playing level headed enough to be a force. Brian Grant has also been a monster on the boards! Also look for Ron Harper to take Damon out of the games by posting him up early. Could be a great series, and assuming it happens I'll take the Lakers in 6. ------------------
