I actually think the Wolves could easily handle the Lakers. I'd be suprised if they don't win it all or at least make it to the finals. Sure LA, Sacramento, and Dallas have great teams, but you gotta respect the T-wolves. If you look at it, position by position, they breakdown pretty even. Kandi Vs. Shaq Sure Kandi isn't anywhere near Shaq, but he IS one of the greater "Shaq stoppers" in the league. This is probably one of the bigger reasons the Wolves signed him. While he won't outscore him, he can take Shaq outta the Lakers plans for a while. Garnett Vs. Malone The best power forward, in my opinion, against a good, but aging Karl Malone. Garnett can do everything, and I would expect him to hold Malone down pretty well. Wally vs. Fox/Devean George I'm not sure who the Lakers will start here, but this is both teams weakest position. Wally puts up more points though.... Spreewell Vs. Kobe Spreewell should be playing the 2 guard over Wally beacause Wally has no defense, and Spree is probably quicker. While Latrell isn't as good as Kobe, he should be able to stick with him as well as most of the shooting guards in the nba, plus he scores more than Doug Christie. Cassell Vs. Payton Payton has awesome defense. Cassell's is average to a little above average. Both are starting to age, but Payton has the advantage. So, if you look at it a position by position, the Lakers CAN be beaten. IMO, the T-WOlves have a pretty good shot.
if you're comparison involves a center taking "shaq outta the lakers plans for a while" and an sg not named tmac "sticking with" kobe then it is too generous to the other team. also, cassell's defense is more like average to steve francis.
I agree with you there but at least at times kandi can handle shaq better than most other centers in the league, if there is a way to handle shaq. Spree is good too but who can guard kobe in this league? a major factor that seems to be overlooked imo in this scene is the bench play. the lakers though having an all-star starting 5 has a pretty thin bench while minny's is decent
Yes, I was gonna comment on that, but I guess I forgot. Minny's bench is pretty good, and one of the deeper benches in the west. LA has Fisher and a few others coming off the bench, but I'd give Minny the credit for the bench.