I really think the Kings can beat the Lakers. Their best players at the positions where the Lakers are vulnerable... pf, sf, and pg. Plus they have that instant offense off the bench in Bobby Jackson, something the Lakers don't really have. If they can hold Shaq to what he's getting against San Antonio they've really got a shot. I'll call the shot and say Kings in 6.
I hate this year's playoffs. It is a lot like the Presidential election in which there was not one candidate I liked. Well, I guess I will go with the team I dislike less, which is the Lakers. Lakers in 5.
Lakers in Five. I'll give the Kings one game where they win it due to an offensive explosion and some homecourt help - but thats it. Lakers are the superior team, and have the best player on the court.
i have a tip for those who are picking the kings, pick the lakers. It's pretty simple really. Phil Jackson won't allow his team to lose.
I think SA has a better chance of winning 3 straight to beat LA than Sacramento does with a clean slate against LA. Cris Webber is going to get shut down by Robert Horry and jack 18 footers like he always does. Peja, if he even plays, will get shut down by Rick Fox. Bibby is playing well, but he'll find the Lakers interior D just a tad bit harder to operate against than the Mavs "defense" Shaq is struggling right now and probably 75% of normal but he'll still clog the lane and have with his way against Vlade and Pollard most of the time. Christie is allegedly Mr. Defense, but Kobe always rips him a new one whenever the 2 play. I'd like to see a good series, but I see a dominating sweep by LA. People are overrating SAC. They played so well against dallas because they were playing their style of bball. They have trouble against halfcourt teams (see round 1 when they struggled against Utah). LA in 4. (Call me crazy but I don't think the Spurs are dead just yet).
As much as I'd like to think the spurs aren't dead they're toast. A team that soft and with no heart will not come back strong.
Shaq isnt himself, i say lakers in 6 or 7, but they are going to need to play for more than just the 4th quarter like they are agenst the spurs.
Without their Bryant (Peja), the Kings don't have much of a chance, IMO. We're talking about a guy who kept Sac atop the West while Webber was out for months. Same old story for Phil Jackass -- he'll never have to play a series without a key player, unlike SA for the past 3 years, and now Sac. The reason LA has a chance at a 3-peat is that they never get hurt.
If the Lakers get suckered into that run and gun type game Sac plays, they're toast. Also if Christie/Jackson can shut down Kobe they have a chance. In a half court game, Lakers in 6 Although a Kings vs Nets final might be just as exciting as the last series.
Peja out for the playoffs? Well then the Lakers in 5 Kings need someone to D shaq like Tim D did not shut him down but D UP!!!! They need to attack Shaq on Offense The Key to this game is Forcing Shaq into foul trouble. a Few Fouls on Horry and Bryant would not hurt either Webber needs to simply FOUL HORRY OUT!!! let me say again FOUL HORRY OUT . . . . in the closing minute. . . there should be NO HORRY ON THE FLOOR! Samaki Walker should be out there. . . he will f*ck up more than a Horry will Rocket River
Sacramento to the Lakers will be no different than the star studded lineup of Blazers and Spurs they've contested against in the past and present. Still. The refs seem disinclined to give LA a break this year so I'll give the Kings two games. I think it may not be out of the realm of possibility that they go three for NBC's sake. But LA will take it. Lakers vs. Celtics. That'll be nice to see again.
all depends on shaq's health. shaq at 80%+ means just about a guaranteed lakers winning the wcf. shaq at 60-80% totally opens the door for the kings, and they'll have a chance to take the series. it's gonna be close.
Ok, Here's what I analyzed from the Kings in the playoffs: Against the Jazz they struggled to get into any rhythm offensively. The Jazz are experienced and played killer defense as well they were also physical with them. The Kings get by, in the toughest way. Against the Mavs, they were having fun going up and down in their regular uptempo game. They controlled most of the games tempo in favor of their own style of play. The Mavs play HORRIBLE help and interior defense. Against the Lakers, who are experienced, play great defense (Fisher holds Bibby, Kobe holds possibly Peja, Fox holds Christie, and Shaq holds Vlade). The Kings will struggle to find their usual tempo. Webber will shoot jumpers cuz he's afraid of Shaq. The only way for the Kings to win is with their attitude. They must come on with the confidence that they already have and must act like they are truly KINGS of the court. They must act like they were the ones who won the titles (but not too overconfident). Also, very important is that Peja, Vlade, and Webber do not complain to the refs for fouls cuz thats when their team begins to go downhill. Of course, this is if the Lakers finish off the Spurs... . I say Lakers would win in 6, but I'm rooting for the Kings.
Shaq's lingering ailments, Kobe's mortality, and the Lakers' role players general decline in effectiveness portend........ Kings in 6 or 7.
