Who will challenge the Lake Show?

I agree A-Train! The Lakers are just sleepwalking right now. With yesterday's trades, I think their road to another ring has gotten a bit more difficult, but they still have the best team in the league.

With all of the talk mostly going Shaq-this and Kobe-this, most people forget how good their role players are and how good Phil Jackson is at getting the most from his second and third team players. The trades will definitely make for a more exciting playoff postseason, but I think the Lakers will still prevail in the end. Their depth, experience and coaching are superior.

 

I'm betting on the Kings to dethrone the Lakers this year. If not, maybe we can all collectively pitch in and hire someone to step on Shaq's toe before the Finals.

 

I still think it's the 'Lakers' World', but I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of teams really gave them a run for their money.

What's interesting is that as much as everyone harps on Kobe's & Shaq's dominance offensively, it's the Lakers' defense that makes them the creme de la creme. Everyone in their rotation is a least a solid defender, and their defensive balance overshadows even Jackson's best Bulls teams. (The Bulls played FANTASTIC perimeter defense, but were a little soft in the middle, whereas the Lakers are just a step down in perimeter defense but have the big man in the middle and a few shot-blockers to boot.)

To beat the Lakers, you have to be able to score on them with BALANCE. On paper, both Dallas and Sacramento seem up to the task, but each team is also prone to offensive inconsistency. Minnesota seems to be more consistent,efficient, plus they play good team defense (essential in 'matching up' with Shaq), but they lack experience and a 'Lead Horse', so to speak. And San Antonio,....YEAH!

 

If Dallas can mesh together as a team and put all egos aside (notably amongst their bench players), I think they have the talent to smash the Lakers in a best of 7 series and likely win the title. We've been down this road with Portland before, but the particulars aren't the same. Nash, Finley, and Nowitzki are obviously the big three - always have been and always will have be - and their play complements each other well. Now, will the new players fit?

Dallas is stacked pretty deep with talent nowadays. If LaFrentz can fit into their offensive scheme like I think he might - he will need to work in the post a bit more, but I don't see it as a huge obstacle - and Van Exel can put his ego aside, work well in a small backcourt or off the bench in the Tim Hardaway role, and the team can quickly mesh, this team would be scary.

Rick Fox and Robert Horry, eat your heart out!

The East doesn't have a strong challenger right now - the Nets are a few games ahead of the pack, but they are one injury away from the lottery again - yes, it is that close in the East. Milwaukee and Toronto are struggling, Detroit is hot, Boston is treading water, and Orlando/Philly are slowly moving up. Indiana may have taken themselves out of playoff contention if only due to the lack of any depth or quality at PG whatsoever, allowing a team like Charlotte or even Miami to move into the picture. Oh yeah, and MJ's team....they are strggling right now and may fall out of the playoffs altogether - or be a three seed. This west coast swing will set the tone for the remainder of the year.

To make a long story short....no one from the East, and Dallas and Sacramento in the west.

 

dallas will get spanked by l.a. i don't see dallas going past the 2nd round..

 

I hope some of you guys aren't falling for the Lakers recent "struggles".

Lakers will win the title pretty easily. Maybe Sac can push LA to 6, if they have home court adv at Arco.

Mavs will get eaten alive by their poor rotational defense, by the Lakers role players who always come up big in the playoffs

 

I really concurr with this. The worst match-up for the Lakers is Sac. Webber and Peja both present a lot of problems in the weaker spots on the Lakers. Sac is also deep with better role players than the Lakers. If Sac can get home court (likely also pushing the Mavs in the Lakers braket), they should not have a too tough of time getting to the WCF and I think they have a solid 33% chance of upsetting the Lakers. The odds get closer to 50-50 if the Lakers are not completely healthy (Shaq's toe hurting or if anything is slowing Kobe) from being extended from earlier rounds.

I really like what the Mavs have done, but they still have a lot of growing to do and it is too soon for them. Plus they have a lot less to throw at Shaq--the veteran savvy big people of the Kings stand a better chance than the Mavs do. The Mavs chances will look far better in future years, I think people are overestimating the degree they will be a well oiled machine this year.

 

I think that the Mavs could win the championship this year. They are loading. Nash, Van Exel, Finley, Dirk, and LaFrentz. I think this is their year.

 

I think the Mavs are still 1-2yrs away from being legit title contenders. Sac's the most likely candidate this year at overthrowing the Lakers, though I still think the damn Lakers will win it all again.

 

Hmmmm, one vote for the Spurs.

Who could that have been?

 

I still think that the Lakers will win it again, although Dallas has got a really good team now. But Shaq is so dominant in the playoffs, I think he will score 40/20 (or somthing like that) so nobody can stop him. And when he is off in the end of the game, then they always have Kobe, who is the best clutch player in the NBA. So I still think they are unbeatable. And don't forget Phil Jackson, he has an answer on every team.

 

I don't see anyone beating the lakers, but I think the mavericks and the kings have the best shot.

 

It pains me to say this, but until Shaq leaves LA, it's the Lakers championship. The trade was nice and all, but you just can't stop Shaq down low. Barrring injuries, LA wins again.

 

i say everybody just has to let the bulls in the finals...because then they can take out the lakers

 

lol

 

Sure you can. Just keep it close until the 4th quarter, and foul him. At that point, he's practically useless.

 

Since it was not listed as an option, I am making a write in vote for the Rockets. After a second half surge to make the playoffs, the Rockets show what they can do with all of their players healthy.

 

Took the words right out of my keyboard Hydra. I second that write in.