Biggest threat to the Lakers in the West right now

[DEEP3CL]

They dont want the Rockets.. especially if one of their bigs go down

A focused lakers team takes the rockets out in 5, no questions asked

I have yet to see a focused Lakers team play against the Rockets in about 2 years. Not about to start now.

And the Rockets beating the Lakers ain't about to start now. Just joking man, seriously though the Rockets are the only team that plays fast tempo but with a controlled purpose and that more than anything is what give the Lakers the problems they've had against them. Bottom line is the Rockets just don't gun 3's and J's all over the joint like the Suns and Mavs.

As a Laker fan I can't wait for Yao to come back, that way we know their method of attack. The Rockets won't be that fast pace team anymore, last years playoff series didn't change until Yao went down. Yoa will change how they play, some of their guys will be better with Yao back and some will suffer from the lack of opportunity.

[SacTownKings4Life]

I don't know. Ever since the day I watched Dallas attempt to pull the biggest choke job in NBA history in 2003 (3-0 lead against Portland turned into game 7 + overtime), I haven't really had a whole lot of faith in the Mavs...
And they haven't exactly instilled any futher confidence in recent years (2006, 2007)...
I don't think they beat L.A. Unfortunately, I don't really see anybody beating L.A. in the west. Nobody else seems especially strong this year. Plus, not a lot of teams play hard against the Lakers, for some reason.

[dingclancy]

They dont want the Rockets.. especially if one of their bigs go down

A focused lakers team takes the rockets out in 5, no questions asked

I have yet to see a focused Lakers team play against the Rockets in about 2 years. Not about to start now.

They really started to focus last year starting Game 3 of the Nuggets series. This regular season the bench are playing like they won three rings and have nothing to prove.

[irie]

Nuggets when they're hot... they can get on a roll and beat anyone for a stretch of games when they're healthy. A lot of "whens" in there. I'd say Spurs if they can get it together (which they likely will by playoff time).

No one is on the same level as the Lakers in the West but you never know what can happen in a 7 game series.

[DumbyTheWizard]

If Gasol is injured I would have to say the Rockets. Kobe's numbers against Battier are low for his career, and against both Ariza and Battier the Rockets make it tough on the Lakers #1 option.

BTW, I have a hard time believing either of those guys would have given Jordan much trouble.

if the Lakers don't have Gasol every team 2-8 has a tremendous shot to beat the Lakers

The Spurs don't have the big men outside of Duncan to beat LA. And are they seriously going to put Keith Bogans on Kobe in a playoff series?

Ginobili on Kobe is most likely

Hill will probably get some burn too, but he is too short. Maybe Roger Mason...

[eatyourchildren]

I'm not scared of the spurs for the reason that Kobe has, out of every top team in the league, the Spurs figured out the most.

I'm more scared of explosive teams: Suns, Mavs, Nuggs

[Cro_Ruption]

what about Portland? even tho undermanned still matchup

[Lakers05]

The only reason Houston took us to 7 games last year was because Bynum was moving on one leg, that and Derek Fisher. If they meet again, we'll beat them in 5 at most, a convincing sweep if Shannon Brown is the starter.

[TAI8]

I'm not scared of the spurs for the reason that Kobe has, out of every top team in the league, the Spurs figured out the most.

I'm more scared of explosive teams: Suns, Mavs, Nuggs

Seeing as how our offense is the 4th best in the league I'd say SA is an "explosive" team...

[Blame Rasho]

It is always interesting to read all the responses...

[mingus]

Duncan can lead this Spurs team past Kobe and the Lakers like he has before. he's playing at a completely unguardable level right now, and if continues this way, and the Spurs continue to gel as they have, the Spurs can definitely win.

[JimMurray]

A healthy Portland.....but thats woulda coulda talk

Thats more like "next year" talk.

As a Portland fan, I'd actually like to see the Lakers in the 1st round. I don't like our chances in a series against ANY Western conference team w/o Oden or Przy. If we're gonna lose (we probably will), I'd love it to be in a hard fought series versus the Lakers, that stokes the fire and sets the stage for Portland's "rise to dominance" in 2010/11. We'll meet again in 2011 WCFs, beat LA, the torch will be passed, and Portland's dynasty will begin!!!!!!

[TheNewEra]

Lakers vs Thunder first round would be interesting.

[Derekman]

Health.

[Rendezvous]

Health.

Thats Rockets.

[bl2k]

Health.

that's what I'm thinkin, give us about 1 and a half months healthy laker basketball and finally time to gel, and it's gonna be a problem.

[A Space Cow]

shark infested beaches

[delonte]

If Denver gets a player like Haywood, i see them beating the lakers.

[jazzed77]

road games.......

[That Nicka]

road games.......

lol