Gun to your head....

[illmatic99]

Lakers are limping into the playoffs. In their last 21 games, they're 11-10. In that same stretch, we're 16-5.

There is talk of bad chemistry down there right now: http://cbs2.com/video/?id=131241@kcbs.dayport.com

 

[hasoos]

Can't pick without knowing the first round matchups. So go ahead and cap my ass!

 

[noknobs]

Let's do this again when we know seeding, but:

Lakers / Utah - Cleveland / Orlando

Lakers / Cleveland

Cleveland

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Let's do this again when we know seeding, but:

Lakers / Utah - Cleveland / Orlando

Lakers / Cleveland

Cleveland

Agreed. My thoughts exactly.

 

[hasoos]

You know a lot of folks see Cleveland getting past Orlando. I am not so sure that they have solved the problems which got them taken out last year. They still have a midget back court. Yea I know they added Jamison and Shaq, but Shaq is old and fat. Jamisons position wasn't their problem last year. The problem was that the big perimeter players from Orlando kicked their little guards ass over, and over and over again. With Vince Carter playing the way he is, I don't see how that has changed.

 

[illmatic99]

The reason ORL beat CLE last year was mainly because CLE had no one who could matchup with Lewis, Howard, or Turkoglu, and now they have Jamison and Moon to guard that stretch 4 spot. And Shaq can still body up with Dwight. I think CLE can handle that series without much difficulty.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You know a lot of folks see Cleveland getting past Orlando. I am not so sure that they have solved the problems which got them taken out last year. They still have a midget back court. Yea I know they added Jamison and Shaq, but Shaq is old and fat. Jamisons position wasn't their problem last year. The problem was that the big perimeter players from Orlando kicked their little guards ass over, and over and over again. With Vince Carter playing the way he is, I don't see how that has changed.

1. What's the record this year? (Genuine question.)
2. Shaq may be old and fat but he's about the only center in the league easily stronger than Dwight Howard. They can run a few plays through Shaq and maybe get Howard in foul trouble.
3. Big guards? Jameer Nelson? If Cleveland wants to go big, they can put James at SG.
4. Now Cleveland is in a position to put Orlando in trouble, and possibly more than the reverse. Jamison is a major addition.
5. Carter's pretty good, but Hedo's height caused Cleveland problems. Carter's a lot shorter and isn't the facilitator.
6. Rashard Lewis's numbers are well down this year.

 

[STOMP]

depends on the seeding. I doubt anyone will be allowed to threaten Stern's Lakers red carpet ride to the finals (via his striped minions). I put Utah and Portland as co-favorites as far as who gets the honor of meeting them in the WCF followed by Dallas.

I wonder if Vegas is taking bets on who makes up the finals matchup. I'd speculate that a Lakers v Cavs contest is more likely then the combined odds of any other scenario happening

STOMP

 

[hasoos]

1. What's the record this year? (Genuine question.)
2. Shaq may be old and fat but he's about the only center in the league easily stronger than Dwight Howard. They can run a few plays through Shaq and maybe get Howard in foul trouble.
3. Big guards? Jameer Nelson? If Cleveland wants to go big, they can put James at SG.
4. Now Cleveland is in a position to put Orlando in trouble, and possibly more than the reverse. Jamison is a major addition.
5. Carter's pretty good, but Hedo's height caused Cleveland problems. Carter's a lot shorter and isn't the facilitator.
6. Rashard Lewis's numbers are well down this year.

1. Clarify question number one. I have no idea what record you are asking about. There are a lot of records. What are you asking for? Orlando vs Cleveland? If that is what you are asking they are 1-2. Both of these teams can beat each other, that is for sure.

2. Say what you want. Shaq doesn't scare anybody anymore, and in fact, IMO Cleveland plays much better without him on the floor.

3. I should have clarified. Shooting guard. The same guy who was guarding Turkoglu last year will be guarding Vince this year. West. Vince is very capable of punishing guards as little as 2 inches shorter than himself. That would pretty much be all of the cavs guards besides Jawad Williams.

4. Vince Carter is more than tall enough to punish small guards in the post, and in fact, that is one of this strengths, I would put his ability to do that, as higher than Turkoglu. Turk, was a better passer though, I give you that. That might be reason Lewis hasn't gotten off well this year.

5. See end of 4.