SecondTake wrote:Sure, but I think the pieces around him wouldn't be enough. If I rank the players of both teams it would be;
1. Lebron
2. PG
3. Westbrook
4. Adams
And then I have Kuz/Ingram/Grant roughly equal, although I give the edge to Grant for defense. You can argue we have 4 of the 5 best guys on the court.
But that's not how things work. Hell, from 1 to 5, we might have the second best team in the entire league behing GS. Does that mean we'll surely beat Houston, Denver, Sixers, Celtics or Raptors in a 7 game series? There are just too many other factors involved besides just comparing names...
If Lebron had Kyrie, or a bunch of good shooters around him I could see it being a problem. But I just don't see a no-defense Lebron, surrounded by a bunch of subpar shooters and no real closer as a major threat this year.
I also think we probably have the best bodies to throw at him defensively of any team in the league and there's no one else there that can beat us.
I think the Lakers could beat any other team out West, including HOU, except for GSW and OKC. I just don't think they match up with us or obviously GS.
I have a different opinion on this Lakers squad then the majority of people. That's a very potent team. They were a 4th seed before Lebron got injured. After him, almost entire starting five went down and then that AD thing got in the way and things just fell apart. But once healthy and without the drama, they could have been a top 3 seed by now. I would never underestimate a team with Lebron and bunch of young legs around him in a playoff series. Of all the potential teams in the first round, they are the last I would love to face. Would rather go against the Jazz, Blazers, SAS, Kings then the Lakers.