ESPN: LA Lakers projected to win the West in 7 over Spurs

[JordansBulls]

Source: ESPN

WEST FINALS

San Antonio vs. Los Angeles Lakers

It is awfully difficult to pick against the Spurs with a Finals appearance on the line, but it's Kobe's year in the West. For much of the same reasons that they match up well with the Hornets, the Lakers have an answer at every position to combat the Spurs' balance offensively.

Ultimately, it will hinge on which team makes plays down the stretch, and Bryant is unmatched in crunch-time situations. Gasol's addition was the piece that put the Lakers over the top. Duncan won't be able to rest against the likes of Bynum or Chris Mihm. He will have to work. As will Ginobili against Kobe. The Lakers finally break through without Shaq, and Phil Jackson gets a shot at his 10th ring. (Lakers in 7)

[FlightNo.23]

Tim Legler

[Iggyemu]

Cool.

[GreenWithEnvy]

did he just say tim duncan won't be able to rest because of chris mihm????????

[dockingsched]

duncan won't be able to rest against the likes of bynum or CHRIS MIHM?!??!

mihm hasn't been healthy since 2005

[BooRadley]

So should we forgo the rest of the season cuz ESPN make its picks?

[Texas Longhorns]

Good picks.

[SOUL]

Season over, nothing to see here.

[KB20]

I see nothing wrong with the pick....

[Blame Rasho]

duncan won't be able to rest against the likes of bynum or CHRIS MIHM?!??!

mihm hasn't been healthy since 2005

Well it used to say Kwame Brown before they corrected it when link first came out...

[hermes]

did he just say tim duncan won't be able to rest because of chris mihm????????

[joe.linnen]

I fell that if the Lakers or Spurs should lose it should come at the hands of these team and only them. I can see the Lakers beating the Spurs as well as I can see the Spurs beating the Lakers.

[GreenWithEnvy]

this thread is like talking about the Silver medal because you, barack obama, chris berman, alicia keys and the rest of the world knows that that green team from bean town will be crowned NBA champs in June.

[Alex_De_Large]

East is easy to predict, but not this one, anything can happen and it's between more than 4 teams, so this is a wrong prediction.

[Another Brick in the Wall]

I think people are going too overboard with the Lakers, in terms of their playoff predictions, especially considering the Bynum situation. Don't get me wrong, they are a tremendous team. But most of their rotation is young and lacking experience. We know Kobe and Fisher will be huge, but who knows about Farmer/Vujacic/Radmanovic/etc?

Plus they are counting a huge deal on Pau Gasol, who isn't known to shine in the playoffs thus far. If Bynum isn't fully healthy, we are counting on Gasol to guard Duncans, Amare/Shaq, etc. He has averaged 6.8 rebounds in 39.5 minutes in his 12 game playoff career.

Even though Kobe is the MVP and Phil Jackson is a genius, I don't think Lakers have less to worry about than Mavs/Suns/etc.

[EHL]

Outside of Kobe and Gasol, it's going to come down to how well Bynum is able to defend Duncan. If he's in tip top shape, they can take the series, absolutely.

[Heat3]

JEEZ!!!! Not even a SPOILER warning???

[dalekjazz]

My expert prediction: The Jazz will sweep the Laker to their way to the finals just like 10 years ago with Kobe shooting airballs down the stretch like a rookie.

[magicfan4life05]

Season over, nothing to see here.