Strategy

[CowsMoo]

I guess I've been thinking too much, but I wanna get some of people's takes on this. I feel a bit scared and I want to read some good ole fashion Laker fan support so I can stop worrying about the Lakers chances on repeating.

What's the strategy on beating these teams in a 7 game series.

Denver
-they've improved from last year, and they gained some experience. Part of the battle is the confidence going in, and you can see there's alot more confidence this year that they can beat the Lakers.

Dallas
-not worried so much, but that trade really gets you thinking. Caron on the other side is a huge X factor I think.


Cleveland
-Shaq
-potential new additions via trade (jamison or amare)


So how do the Lakers beat them in a 7 game series?

[frozt]

Score more points then the other opposing team.

[SashAlex]

To have a clear advantage over these teams, first of all you have to have HCA, I call it a single chance to make a mistake in a playoff series, because even if you lose one at home, you go on the road and can even it back, just like we did twice last year against Houston and Denver. All you need to do is to win one out of three games on the road, it's difficult, but if you're a top team like the Lakers, you can do it.

What about playing against these teams, the Lakers just need to dictate their game and execute.

Denver, when you play good transition defense against them you transform them into a clean jump-shooting team. Melo, Billups and J.R. Smith can go lights out, but so they can miss a lot too. Usually they go lights out when you give them space and start struggling if you're getting in their heads play-by-play. The only weakness against Denver is Fisher in defense and rotating on the high pick'n roll, that's how Denver will try to get an advantage against us. On the glass everything seems fine for us. Against Denver, we do really need Ron playing quality defense against Melo to gain an advantage. Kobe will have his. Yep, we need our bench, at least Shannon, Farmar and Odom playing consistently every game.

P.S. I'm not afraid of Denver as long as we have HCA

Dallas - their defense gets sloppy very often, even when they're playing at home. We just need to exploit all this by making them double Kobe to get as much easy baskets as possible. Butler is new over there. He's a great offensive player, bad in defense. They seem stronger with Caron, but only on paper. Don't let Terry wide-open if you want an easier life against the Mavs. We've got the advantage here too, considering we're healthy. Let Dirk have his 25 points and shut down the others.

HCA here too is an advantage for us.


Cavs - as I've said many times, just get Shaq out of the paint, make him move, tire him out, open the lane ! You won't score many points in the paint with him just standing there, and you won't shoot too many jump-shots, cause we're not a jump-shooting team. Don't let them outhustle us and get momentum and confidence. Shut down Varejao, I mean, don't let this guy get into your head, just knock him a couple of times and get the ball. Mo Williams is a clear advantage over Fish, then there's LeBron. Last year we did a decent job on him, this year not even close. They seem to be deeper this year with some added role players in Parker, Moon, then there's West, Ilgkauskas etc. Make LeBron shoot and keep an eye on Mo Williams. It all depends on who will have HCA, I suppose. One last thing, if Lakers want to beat the Cavs, they need Lamar playing every damn game just like he did recently and last year in Cleveland, maybe start him ? He's creating match-up problems for everyone, and especially for the Cavs.

Overall, I'm confident as long as everyone's healthy and executing the offense and playing tough defense. You need luck too against such teams. I hope luck is on our side.

Yes, and try to outscore them !

[stunnar0b]

man too much thought! the lakers will win and thats all

[daddyfivestar]

Just need HCA and H6P

Home Court Advantage
and
Healthy 6 Pack (Kobe, Pau, Bynum, Ron, Odom, Shan)

[Sofa King]

Just need HCA and H6P

Home Court Advantage
and
Healthy 6 Pack (Kobe, Pau, Bynum, Ron, Odom, Shan)

I agree, home court makes a big difference. Probably as much as the Lakers losing (See finals against the Celtics) to the Lakers winning (See finals against the Magic.)

[salmahayek]

SashAlex...nice analysis and I agree.

Hopefully, Artest is more integrated into the offense by the playoffs...we'll really need the half - court offense to run like a well oiled machine.

I think that would also aid our defense, in having to defend less if we have longer offensive possessions.

[CowsMoo]

SashAlex, you bring up alot of good points, and it can put my mind at ease. I guess Artest's defense will be called upon to slow down Lebron or Melo

[Jajwanda]

Home court would even the odds in my estimation. The Cavaliers are gunning for perfection though as of right now. They want HC again throughout and will make sure to not slip up. I think Boston has a surprise for them however.

[LAKESHOW]

the key is what ive been gripin about for years. but now has finally answered our prayers and questions. starting with last years championship run. proven all his doubters wrong.

LAMAR ODOM.

i believe he is ready. but he is the Xfactor that none of these teams can account for.

[DEEP3CL]

I guess I've been thinking too much, but I wanna get some of people's takes on this. I feel a bit scared and I want to read some good ole fashion Laker fan support so I can stop worrying about the Lakers chances on repeating.

What's the strategy on beating these teams in a 7 game series.

Denver
-they've improved from last year, and they gained some experience. Part of the battle is the confidence going in, and you can see there's alot more confidence this year that they can beat the Lakers.

CM, they still don't exactly match up with us. Secondly we have already identified their two main scoring options. People say Ron struggled against Melo..........hell he was hurting, what else do you expect him to do quit ? No he still tried, now that he's getting healthy look for Melo to have to work for it a little harder.

Dallas
-not worried so much, but that trade really gets you thinking. Caron on the other side is a huge X factor I think.

They're a threat but they're still weak at the 5. To beat the Lakers consistently you have to have an interior scorer. The Mavs clearly lack that, they're still a perimeter laden team

Cleveland
-Shaq
-potential new additions via trade (jamison or amare)


So how do the Lakers beat them in a 7 game series?

Added Jamison......so what. LeBron said they didn't need a stretch 4, guess what Jamison is ?

Bottom line is this, I don't discredit any opponent. But the playoffs is about matchups and eliminating that teams strongest advantage. In a 7 game series it's like being trapped in a box, Phil will cut off your life line then watch you suffocate.

[CowsMoo]

LOL Deep, you're really right about the Phil part. Having Phil coaching is a great safety net.

Actually, Bynum has showed some pretty good games, so I hope he steps up big in the playoffs. That would make a huge difference.