Laker pundits DO NOT want the Blazers

[chris_in_pdx]

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles...first-round-matchups-blazers-thunder-or-spurs

Some choice quotes:

Not so much the Rose Garden thing as much as the "How do you stop Brandon Roy?" thing. With Derek Fisher, or by wearing Kobe Bryant out on defense? Probably Kobe, because Fisher is going to get burned a lot by Andre Miller, who has started to really blend in. LaMarcus Aldridge is playing well. A lot of things that bother me, and this year's Blazers know what the playoffs are like.

They're (OKC) where the Blazers were last season, which is why I'll say Portland is the most dangerous squad. Lots of length on the wings to throw at Kobe, and a great go-to guy in Roy. And while the atmosphere at Ford Center would be raucous, it would likely be tinged with a "happy to be here!" feeling. The Rose Garden, meanwhile, will be an angry, near-violent place. They'll be looking for blood, and if they smell it, watch out.

The Blazers are playing fantastic ball, and remember, going into the season we all thought they'd be an elite team in the conference. Injuries, not poor play, screwed them up. Now they're healthy (Oden and Przyzbilla aside) and rolling.

Frightening.

 

[Luther]

I don't really want to see the Lakers in the first round.

 

[hasoos]

I am still trying to figure out if the Lakers are sand bagging it right now, or are truly struggling with motivation.

 

[Wheels]

I agree with the part about the Ford Center vs the RG.. last year it seemed we were just happy to get there. Now the place should serve as a feeding take for Sharks with a drop of blood in the water.

 

[hasoos]

I agree with the part about the Ford Center vs the RG.. last year it seemed we were just happy to get there. Now the place should serve as a feeding take for Sharks with a drop of blood in the water.

Sharks take too long to get interested before feeding. I was thinking of something more like a pack of Pirahna's!

 

[RR7]

I am still trying to figure out if the Lakers are sand bagging it right now, or are truly struggling with motivation.

Eh, fuck it. I'm willing to find out iff they are. Test them early, see if they're actually able to flip the switch. Or if it's like when a team starts to lose abig lead. They call a timeout to slow it down, but by then point, the momentum is rolling, and it's tough to go from coasting during a game to trying again. Same could happen in a season. Although it's odd they don't mention Artest covering Roy. Instead questioning between Kobe or Fisher. Yes please!

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I agree with the part about the Ford Center vs the RG.. last year it seemed we were just happy to get there. Now the place should serve as a feeding take for Sharks with a drop of blood in the water.

Methinks it would have to do more with the fact that it's the Lakers and not just the playoffs.

 

[Shooter]

The Rose Garden, meanwhile, will be an angry, near-violent place. They'll be looking for blood, and if they smell it, watch out.

Nonsense. Portland is full of liberals who don't believe in violence.

 

[hasoos]

Eh, fuck it. I'm willing to find out iff they are. Test them early, see if they're actually able to flip the switch. Or if it's like when a team starts to lose abig lead. They call a timeout to slow it down, but by then point, the momentum is rolling, and it's tough to go from coasting during a game to trying again. Same could happen in a season. Although it's odd they don't mention Artest covering Roy. Instead questioning between Kobe or Fisher. Yes please!

Yea you think that might have to do with the fact that last year, Roy lit Artest up like a Xmas tree soaked in gasoline? We all know it was Battier that gave Roy the toughest time.

I think there is one thing that a lot of folks haven't talked about yet that is plainly obvious with LA. Ron Artest lack of any offensive game in the triangle system. From what I have seen, Ron just doesn't look comfortable in the Laker system on the offensive end. Last year one reason the Lakers got to where they did, is because Ariza fit that system. Artest, not so much.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Nonsense. Portland is full of liberals who don't believe in violence.

There are a lot of angry hippies in the 300.

 

[hasoos]

There are a lot of angry hippies in the 300.

Yes indeed there are! We should form a political action committee. The Blazer Angry Hippie Mob! (AKA The Bahm!)

 

[Wheels]

Nonsense. Portland is full of liberals who don't believe in violence.

i.e. The Timbers Army

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Nonsense. Portland is full of liberals who don't believe in violence.

Please. Everyone knows sports fans are all ooh-rah conservatives who get boners for violence!

 

[BBert]

I don't really want to see the Lakers in the first round.

Won't happen. We are going to finish 6th.

 

[Masbee]

Although it's odd they don't mention Artest covering Roy. Instead questioning between Kobe or Fisher. Yes please!

You do recall Roy's first playoff series against the Rockets?

Artest got PUNKED by Roy in that series. Battier had some luck covering Roy and getting him to take some tough shots, but Artest was helpless against Roy and called him the "best player he has ever defended."

 

[Driew]

You do recall Roy's first playoff series against the Rockets?

Artest got PUNKED by Roy in that series. Battier had some luck covering Roy and getting him to take some tough shots, but Artest was helpless against Roy and called him the "best player he has ever defended."

I think Artest would still guard Roy in the series though. He's their best defender and despite what these ESPN people say it will be Artest guarding him

 

[julius]

They're just reverse woofing.

 

[STOMP]

If Portland matches up against the Lakers I'll be more concerned about Ron's offense then his D. With his size/strength he's a tough cover for Roy or Batum... maybe we'd see more of Dante?

STOMP

 

[BlazerWookee]

Nonsense. Portland is full of liberals who don't believe in violence.

And they're fighting mad!

 

[SpamKing]

Andre Miller told quick that "nobody wants the l*kers in the first round. The league won't let them lose..."

 

[STOMP]

Andre Miller told quick that "nobody wants the l*kers in the first round. The league won't let them lose..."

it's depressing enough that I feel that way (been referring to them as Stern's Lakers), but to read a respected vet say that truly sucks

I foresee a Lakers v Cavs finals... who wants the field?

STOMP

 

[Nate Dogg]

Nonsense. Portland is full of liberals who don't believe in violence.

Oh we do get the violence alright. We have 2-4 fights everytime these two teams meet in the RG. We get several fans kicked out or brought to the ESO (Event Security Office). Any fight in the RG with our security can be punishable to a year ban at the RG. The one Blazer fan, who was on some sort of drug refused to walk himself outside of the arena (2 years ago) fought with security and was handcuffed and then was banned from Blazer games for 3 months. I had to delt with him. If you just leave, then no harm, no foul.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would rather have the Lakers than Utah or Denver.

 

[KingSpeed]

We're playing the Lakers. I want the Lakers. And I think we can beat the Lakers.