Quick says Lakers have #2 seed locked up, Crash says the same thing but....

[KingSpeed]

....the standings tell a completely different story.

Lakers 55-24
Mavericks 54-25
Thunder 53-26

The Lakers' three remaining games are deadly: OKC, SA, and the King's last game in Sacramento. Dallas AND OKC can easily pass the Lakers in the coming days. Be careful what seed you wish for folks. It might not be the opponent you were hoping for.

 

[Natebishop3]

I really don't even care who we play anymore. I like our chances. The team is playing pretty well and we have a legit one/two punch of Wallace and Aldridge with a nice supporting cast.

 

[KingSpeed]

I really don't even care who we play anymore. I like our chances. The team is playing pretty well and we have a legit one/two punch of Wallace and Aldridge with a nice supporting cast.

THANK you! Exactly. I'm sick of people talking about trying to make sure we play the Spurs or Mavs as if a few tight wins over them when they weren't at full strength means they're gonna be easy to defeat. Meanwhile, people were freaking out about the Lakers cuz we had lost to them once with Wallace in LA. Suddenly, we beat the Lakers tonight and everyone's talking about how we match up well with them. It's hysterical. Two days ago, the Spurs were apparently the best matchup. Well, sure, if Manu, Parker, Duncan, and McDyess don't play, it's a GREAT matchup. Geez. My point is... No, we should not tank. Let's just win games and take who we get. We have a good team. Probably not good enough but I'm very proud of them.

 

[Natebishop3]

THANK you! Exactly. I'm sick of people talking about trying to make sure we play the Spurs or Mavs as if a few tight wins over them when they weren't at full strength means they're gonna be easy to defeat. Meanwhile, people were freaking out about the Lakers cuz we had lost to them once with Wallace in LA. Suddenly, we beat the Lakers tonight and everyone's talking about how we match up well with them. It's hysterical. Two days ago, the Spurs were apparently the best matchup. Well, sure, if Manu, Parker, Duncan, and McDyess don't play, it's a GREAT matchup. Geez. My point is... No, we should not tank. Let's just win games and take who we get. We have a good team. Probably not good enough but I'm very proud of them.

The team isn't going to tank. I think most fans are afraid of the refs and stern against the lakers, and for good reason.

 

[STOMP]

THANK you! Exactly. I'm sick of people talking about trying to make sure we play the Spurs or Mavs as if a few tight wins over them when they weren't at full strength means they're gonna be easy to defeat. Meanwhile, people were freaking out about the Lakers cuz we had lost to them once with Wallace in LA. Suddenly, we beat the Lakers tonight and everyone's talking about how we match up well with them. It's hysterical.

it's not the matchups that make Blazer fans not want the Lakers, it's the impression that Portland has a hard enough time getting a fair shake from the officials in the playoffs, let alone against the league's golden goose. Stern's desire is to milk the most bank possible by extending series and having the biggest fan bases tuning in to their teams advancing. The Blazers advancing over the Lakers would be the exact opposite of that.

[video=youtube;-6j8JCajoMA]

[video=youtube;vaZIAXJJDKQ]

STOMP

 

[Rhal]

We had a very bad time with the refs in that Houston series. They played insanely physical defense and would get away with stuff but if anyone touched Yao it was a foul. Hell Brandon Roy fouled out one game while Artest the most physical defender in the league that year only had 1 foul. The Suns series meh some bad calls on us that camby call was insane but Amare had some stupid ass fouls too so I don't mind that one to much.

 

[THE HCP]

^ How do you remember certain fouls from over 2 years ago? Impressive.

 

[maxiep]

Did anyone see the foul last night on Roy where K*be put his elbow into him to create space? THAT's why I want nothing to do with LA. Give me officials who call it straight up and I think we can hang with anyone. That world, however, exists only in the minds of people that believe in unicorns and rainbows made of Skittles.

 

[maxiep]

^ How do you remember certain fouls from over 2 years ago? Impressive.

The one call I remember is when Miami was here two to four years ago when Wade drove, slipped and fell, and they called a foul on the closest Blazer to him.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Did anyone see the foul last night on Roy where K*be put his elbow into him to create space? THAT's why I want nothing to do with LA. Give me officials who call it straight up and I think we can hang with anyone. That world, however, exists only in the minds of people that believe in unicorns and rainbows made of Skittles.

Nothing was as bad as Kobe going around Wes last night for an easy basket and the ref calling an "and 1". Wes was not within 2 feet of Kobe. And the ref was an ass about it when Wes complained. That was a head scratcher.

 

[maxiep]

Nothing was as bad as Kobe going around Wes last night for an easy basket and the ref calling an "and 1". Wes was not within 2 feet of Kobe. And the ref was an ass about it when Wes complained. That was a head scratcher.

Ah, you're right. I had forgotten about that. Repped for correcting me. That was by far worse than the Roy call.

 

[BBert]

Did anyone see the foul last night on Roy where K*be put his elbow into him to create space? THAT's why I want nothing to do with LA. Give me officials who call it straight up and I think we can hang with anyone. That world, however, exists only in the minds of people that believe in unicorns and rainbows made of Skittles.

Yes. He didn't just put his elbow into Brandon. Kome raised his elbow and drove the point of his elbow into Brandon's upper sternum with enough force to move Brandon backwards. Obviously, a foul on Brandon in Stern's NBA. I remember a similar play a few years ago where Blanky's neck fouled Kome in the same fashion. Also watch how Dirk NaBitchsky does the same thing to Nicolas Batum, pounding into Nico's chest with his swinging elbow to gain space, every time we play the Mavs. It is always either a no call or a foul on Nico.

 

[BBert]

Nothing was as bad as Kobe going around Wes last night for an easy basket and the ref calling an "and 1". Wes was not within 2 feet of Kobe. And the ref was an ass about it when Wes complained. That was a head scratcher.

Bennet Salvatore, I believe. One of Stern's most faithful goons. Although that other baldy white ref probably had more outrageous calls. And how Artest didn't get kicked out on several occasions, or receive several flagrants, I don't know. The one where he rolled over on the floor and kicked G Wallace when he was down, and pinned G on the floor with his leg was pretty hard to miss.

 

[KingSpeed]

Did anyone see the foul last night on Roy where K*be put his elbow into him to create space? THAT's why I want nothing to do with LA. Give me officials who call it straight up and I think we can hang with anyone. That world, however, exists only in the minds of people that believe in unicorns and rainbows made of Skittles.

Wait. I'd distinctly remember you saying we don't match up well with the Lakers because we hadn't beaten them. Last nightm we beat them and suddenly the matchup is different?

 

[KingSpeed]

The one call I remember is when Miami was here two to four years ago when Wade drove, slipped and fell, and they called a foul on the closest Blazer to him.

That was ridiculous.

 

[maxiep]

Wait. I'd distinctly remember you saying we don't match up well with the Lakers because we hadn't beaten them. Last nightm we beat them and suddenly the matchup is different?

We still don't match up well with them. I didn't say we didn't match up well with them because we hadn't beaten them, that was a symptom. I said we didn't match up well with them because IMO we're only clearly superior at one position--PG. SG, SF, PF, C, coaching and bench they are equal or better than we are. But you keep on playing, Speed; it seems to be working for you.

 

[KingSpeed]

They're better than us at SF? Hahahahahahahaha! Wallace is better than any of their SFs. Throw in Batum and it's a decided advantage for us.

Also- explain to me how we match up better with SA. We barely beat them with Manu, Parker, Duncan, and McDyess out.

 

[julius]

^ How do you remember certain fouls from over 2 years ago? Impressive.

I remember once Mark Bryant fouled Charles Barkley, by simply being in the same time zone as Chuckles as he fell because he was out of control.

 

[maxiep]

They're better than us at SF? Hahahahahahahaha! Wallace is better than any of their SFs. Throw in Batum and it's a decided advantage for us.

Also- explain to me how we match up better with SA. We barely beat them with Manu, Parker, Duncan, and McDyess out.

Oh, Speed. Sweet, wonderful, precious Speed. I know your game. Go play with someone else.

 

[KingSpeed]

No game. I'm serious. Wallace/Batum is betteR than Artest/Barnes. And we dont match up well with Spurs. Also- still wish Blazers didn't beat GS? 6 seed could mean series against 3 seed Lakers who you are so terrified of.

 

[maxiep]

No game. I'm serious. Wallace/Batum is betteR than Artest/Barnes. And we dont match up well with Spurs. Also- still wish Blazers didn't beat GS? 6 seed could mean series against 3 seed Lakers who you are so terrified of.

I've explained my position. You're free to disagree; I don't give a shit.

 

[KingSpeed]

I've explained my position. You're free to disagree; I don't give a shit.

Back atcha.

 

[Public Defender]

The way today's NBA is officiated, with an enormous emphasis on protecting the "best players" is really sad. In a fair game, I think the Blazers would have a decent shot at knocking off the Lakers. No, Portland wouldn't be favored, more like 3:1 underdogs at best. But with the officiating the way it is, the Blazers are more like a 10:1 or 20:1 long shot.

As for the matchup question, Blazers vs. Lakers...?

PG: Miller vs. Fisher - advantage Portland
SG: Matthews vs. Bryant - HUGE advantage LA
SF: Wallace vs. Artest - advantage Portland
PF: Aldridge vs. Gasol - even (perhaps a slight Portland advantage)
C: Camby vs. Bynum - slight advantage LA

Bench: totally depends on what the Blazers can expect out of Brandon Roy. An 80-85% Brandon Roy (or better) gives Portland an advantage, because the Lakers don't have anyone with that kind of star power on their bench. But a hampered Roy, and it's quickly an LA advantage.

Coach: goes to the guy with the fists full of rings.