Play-Off Match Ups: Lakers Vs. __________

[rand0m]

Ugh, I could definitely see the clippers winning out with who they have left. It's tough to see the lakers beating the spurs twice and okc in the 4th game in the next 6 days. But would the 4th seed be better if we could avoid OKC until the WCF even if it means MEM first round?

[The Skyhook]

If we are talking about match ups I would prefer for the Lakers to play the Spurs in the second round as opposed to the Thunder. Chris Paul can do a better job of stopping Westbrook than anyone on our team could. The Clippers also have the speed to match up with the rest of the Thunder. Even though we might not have the speed to match up with the Clippers the Lakers have the ability to punk the Clippers, both physically and mentally.

While the Lakers starting 5 might be one of the strongest in the league, the rest of this team outside of Barnes just isn't too good. This is why I believe preferred match ups are so important for the Lakers this year. I've noticed that we aren't the only team that has preferred match ups. I'm not even sure Thunder fans feel too comfortable about the thought of facing the Spurs.

[Trey Coles]

I want a piece of the Mavs. Revenge, baby! Restore the natural order of things. Plus, withou Chandler we'd kill them down low. Good matchup.

[JaVier Mastro]

I want a piece of the Mavs. Revenge, baby! Restore the natural order of things. Plus, withou Chandler we'd kill them down low. Good matchup.

I'm incline to agree, lets get in Dallas ass this year. I want OKC to square up with Houston. I want to Dallas, San Antonio and Los Angeles. A series with the Clippers is like playin seven games at home its unfair.

[Base]

It's going to be interesting for the Lakers in the last 3 games.

Clippers have 4 games left
@ Phoenix
Vs. Hornets (Pretty much Auto Win)
@ Atlanta Hawks
@ New York Knicks.

If Clippers win all 4 games, Lakers need to win their last 3 to retain the 3rd seed.
If Clippers do drop one, Lakers can drop one to retain the 3rd seed.

If Clippers lose to the Suns tomorrow, and Lakers grab a win against the Spurs on friday...Do we tank against OKC so they can get the 1 seed and we don't see them until the WCF, if Lakers even make it that far?

[rand0m]

I'd opt to tank but it is scary to think of playing an OKC team in the WCF that has hit their playoff stride.

[miggs]

While OKC is definitely the monster in the west, I believe the Lakers control their own fate, specifically Kobe. I think this year's playoffs are all on him. If he plays selfish and wants to win the Kobe way, then we're gonna sink. Probably not in the first round, but definitely by the 2nd.

If Kobe can play team ball and piggyback on the his bigs then Lakers will be a force no team can stop. The emergence of Bynum and cohesion of Pau and Bynum together is something the league has been fearing since the Lakers acquired Pau. If Pau is dropping a few 3s in the playoffs, it'll REALLY open up the paint for Drew as he'll be going against the opponent's center and at most their small forward, which Bynum should have no issue with.

MWP uses his body well against Durant and I feel MWP is our answer to Durant and LBJ, MWP is building steam at the just the right moment. You always need that major role player to emerge and it seems he may just be the guy. If we pound the ball down low, OKC has no shot as guys like Perkins & Ibaka (who will be on the floor often to guard Bynum) aren't offensive threats at all. Collison may pose a problem as he has before, dropping 3s at seemingly highly influential moments where momentum shifts in OKC's direction. In the East, the only threat to me is Miami. However, if MWP slows down LBJ as much as he can and Kobe goes after Wade again then we should be real good as no one in Miami can handle Bynum & Pau. Bosh may match up against Pau but Bynum will should have a field day against Miami's big men.

[rand0m]

We match up better with Miami with a significant advantage with our frontline. IMO, we can beat OKC, but they have to play just about perfect. We have yet to show that our bigs can offset how badly Westbrook hurts us. Their bigs are physical and make it quite hard on ours. Our bench has to contribute. Kobe and Durant is a wash. Metta is an x-factor. It'll be interesting...

[dockingsched]

denver is back up to 6th seed.

if the lakers lose today, i think its almost guaranteed they drop to the #4 seed and face grizzlies.

[Jajwanda]

Because it's guaranteed that NY loses to the Clippers right?