I know there was a thread about this much-hyped series recently, but now that this matchup is set in stone and everyone is ready to go, I thought I'd bring it up again on the eve of Game 1. The winner will undoubtedly - miracles aside - become this season's champion, and the series has the potential to even supplant last years Lakers-Blazers Conference Finals. So, what are your predictions for the battle of the league's best? Along with your prediction, please indicate who you'll be cheering on, just for interest's sake. My prediction: Spurs in 7. This might simply be due to the fact that I have money riding on this series, but I honestly believe homecourt advantage will be the ultimate decider between these two evenly-matched teams. Not to mention the fact that L.A has not historically (past 2 years) against this team at all. Of course, we cannot base everything on the past; both teams have evolved. Shaq will continue to put up dominating numbers, but will have to put up a lot more shots to get there, with the Admiral making him work for every basket. Robinson will probably be more effective than both Sabonis and Divac before him on the offensive end, as well. He is simply much faster than Arvydas, allowing him the mobility to drive on Shaq. He also has a deadlier outside shot than Vlade's, stretching the Lakers D. As for Duncan, he is playing with a fire inside of him that I don't think I've ever seen him play with. I think that fire is going to only intensify once he steps on the court with those Jackson-led Lakers. Kobe will give the Spurs all kinds of trouble, but San An can throw a bunch of capable people on him. Elliot has the versatality, Porter has the veteran-savvy while Daniels has the energy and athleticism to keep up with Bryant. Then again, Kobe just came off being guarded by Scottie Pippen and Doug Christie without too much trouble. If Derek Anderson can return, it would be huge. But I don't think they need him to win - if anything it will force the rest of the backcourt to step up as they did against the Mavs. I have a feeling Sean Elliot's game will be a big factor in this series. No one is expecting him to play like he did in '99, but this guy can still seriously play. Ditto for Rick Fox's significance for the Lakers. If he shut down Peja Stojakovic, he shouldn't have too much trouble with the one-dimenstional Ferry. Finally, I believe the past comments the Lakers have made about the Spurs (asterik, Shaq's criticisms, etc) will ignite a spark under these rather proper group of guys. Motivation is the key. All in all, should be an exciting and excruciatingly close series. GO SPURS! Azim da Dream ------------------ Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the hell alone. http://www.clutchtown.com
Lakers in 7. I think the enormous Laker advantage in the backcourt will be too much for the Spurs to overcome, though I will be cheering for them to do so. However, the Spurs will take game 1. ------------------ Charles Barkely on the Raptors defeating the Knicks in Round 1 :"I think it was the Lord. The Lord was with the Raptors. You know the Knicks like to talk so much about religion, but I think the Lord was a Raptor fan." [This message has been edited by Puedlfor (edited May 19, 2001).]
Lakers in six. Kobe is going to <font color="red">torch</font> the San Antonio defense. ------------------ My dream job is to be a Houston Rockets towel boy.
Spurs in 7. And even though I will have to listen to the Fair Weather Spurs fans in Austin, they are preferable to the Faker$. I am hoping that the officiating doesn't play a part, but we all know what kind of season it has been. ------------------ GATER
I have no predictoin. Both teams are rolling ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
I can't tell. It seems Lakers in 7. But I wish Spurs will win so that nobody wins 2 in a row, and O'neal will not be regarded as better than Hakeem, yet. ------------------
They both have their advantages, but I feel the lakers have the upper hand. If they can shut down Kobe, then they will do good. Shutting Kobe down is the key. The Spurs need to exault all their energies here in their first two games. Its obvious that Kobe is going to have the right of way to the ball on the offense. If they manage to shut him down and win the first two games, we very well may see another Laker meltdown. Shaq will get pissed because Kobe is not getting the job done. If they do manage to win the first two games, you just might see a sweep. With Duncan and Robinson in there, they should be able to control the rebounding. If Shaq matches up with Robinson on the offense, Duncan is going to have to torch them. Here's to Kobe having a bad series! Spurs in 7! ------------------ If Bill Gates had a dime for every time Windows crashed... Oh, Wait!! He Does!
I see, but do you have a prediction? Honestly, this one is too close to call. My heart says Spurs, but for some odd reason my instinct is starting to tell me Lakers. I hope the Alamadome is rocking today. San An can use every little edge that they can get. Azim da Dream ------------------ Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the hell alone. http://www.clutchtown.com
lol Typo I'm pretty much with you, I want to see the Spurs advance to the finals, but I keep thinking Shaq, Kobe. Lakers are 7-0 during the playoffs, while the Spurs are 7-2. Anyone else rather watch this than the real finals? ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
This is the real Finals. I hear they'll have one more series after this one, but I think that'll be something like the "world championship" they have every year with the NBA champ going against some European team. I have no rooting interest (there are reasons why I'd like each team to win, and lose), and no prediction -- these are two championship-caliber teams, both playing in top form ... and each has every reason to think they can't be beaten. So I'm just going to sit back and enjoy what should be one hell of a series. The only downer note I can think of: I sure hope foul trouble doesn't decide any games, but I fear it will. ------------------
This is just like last years Western Conference Finals where the Blazers vs Lakers matchup was the Finals. ------------------
lakers in 4 or 5. "if you dont double, there's gonna be trouble" shaq ------------------ http://www.democrats.com mgh 1924-2001
I think this series could depend alot on how well Derek Fisher plays, which is why the Spurs should win. Fisher has hit big shot after big shot in these playoffs for the Lakers, and I don't think a tough defensive player like Terry Porter is gonna let him go off on the Spurs. Also, limiting Rick Fox's points will be important. If only Shaq and Kobe score, the Lakers are in big trouble, and unlike other teams the Spurs don't necesarily have to double Shaq. Hopefully Robinson doesn't get in foul trouble, because Malik and Samaki would get eaten alive. ------------------
Sperz in 5. Fakers have no one to stop Danny Ferry. Having D-Rob and Timmy allows the Sperz to double Kobe. Shaq-Fu will be in foul trouble often. ------------------ One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
Lakers in six. But I'm probably just picking that way because I like the Lakers more than the Spurs. Seriously, though, it's just a gut feeling I've got about this series. ------------------ Jazzkiller
The Spurs will advance in seven, and will lose in seven games to Philadelphia or Milwaukie, to end this weird season right! ------------------ The Protrolls.com message boards! Protrolls.com! Don't visit my site.
Ever since SA lost their 2nd-leading scorer, I've had the bad feeling that Phil Jackass was going to luck out yet again. You just can't beat that guy's luck.
Yeah, it's just the damnedest luck that every team Jackson coaches against looks less prepared and is unable to execute on either end of the floor. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Swopa (edited May 20, 2001).]
Spurs in 5. I said it before, and I'll still stick with it. The Spurs are much better than that Laker team-- Kobe will not play superman every game, and once in a while the Spurs will make some threes, unlike today. In fact, the Spurs might have won today if Popovich would've gone to Hack a Shaq with 9 minutes to go (which is what I was screaming at him to do the entire 4th, ) instead of letting Kobe destroy the smaller Antonio Daniels off the dribble. ------------------ President of the Mo Taylor, Jason Collier, and draft Richard Jefferson fan club! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! Sign up for season 2 of the CC.net NBA Sim League! http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000328.html
