My serious take on why we could beat the Lakers.
1.) We have gotten so much tougher as a team. And this isn't just because of Wallace. Batum and Aldridge are much tougher than last season.
2.) Wesley is a great perimeter defender; which will help clog the area Kobe likes to work in.
3.) We aren't a deep bench, which is unpopular thinking in here, but I think is very important in the playoffs. Honestly, the more you are aware of certain functions of the key players; it will help to keep the team focused in the 4th. Too much talent causes uncertainty in the 4th. We need our go to guys and they need to know they are the go to guys.
4.) All of our defenders are best suited to defend a team like the Lakers.
5.) Portland always brings their "A" game to the Lakers. Something about L.A. that just makes Portland play their best. I bet it's the long history.
6.) Lakers Phil Jackson can't get into the heads of these players. None of our players have weak egos that Phil can play mind games on.
7.) Our home court is the best in the league. Our fans absolutely hate the Lakers and will cheer louder than any other team they face.
8.) Nate is a micromanager and we have some of the best scouts. We will know every play and prepare ourselves for it before each game.
9.) The first round is the best round to face them because of the rest in between games. It will take a lot of preparation to beat the Lakers. The first round sometimes has 3 days before a team faces each other again. Gives Nate and Co. a lot of time to prep the team for the next game. I suspect Phil won't be as prepped; thinking the Lakers will just roll over them anyways. Once he figured out we are for real, I suspect it will be too late.
10.) It's Karma! We are due to beat them!
