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This is probably the most anticipated playoff matchup this year if it happens. If it were to happen which team would win in a 7 gamer series and why?

Lakers pretty easily, they are just better.

suns, I think they're built for the playoffs. Shaq, although old, is just too much for the lakers frontcourt to handle

Lakers!! I think it all depends on bynum and gasol. If they come back healthy then its over in 6 or maybe 5

Lakers struggled to beat Suns in Shaqs very first game. Thats all we have to go by, Suns infinitely better since then, Suns in 4.

Lakers better win that for Kobe's sake.

I'd say the Lakers would win that in 6, maybe even 5 if Bynum is healthy.

Kobe has trouble with important playoff games like game7s and NBA Finals games, so if it goes 7 then Lakers have no chance.

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:Lakers struggled to beat Suns in Shaqs very first game. Thats all we have to go by, Suns infinitely better since then, Suns in 4.

Suns have been playing alot better since the initial game against the Lakers but by then we would be getting everyone back. Bynum, Ariza, and even Chris Mihm who's a decent big man. I mean the Lakers beat the suns when they had shaq without Bynum. Add him to the mix and I think it's too much for the suns, personally.

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:Lakers struggled to beat Suns in Shaqs very first game. Thats all we have to go by, Suns infinitely better since then, Suns in 4.

Ugh No, Lakers weren't even 100% when they fought the Suns. They were missing key players like Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum.

Lakers in 7.

Shaq is more dominant than Bynum, plus Bynum won't be 100%.

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:Shaq is more dominant than Bynum, plus Bynum won't be 100%.

You know what never mind.

Thats alright just my opinion.

Depends on Bynum's health IMO..if he doesn't play at a similar level to what he played at pre-injury, I'm comfortable with predicting a Suns win if that series happened..

if he's healthy, I'd lean towards LA, but the series would definitely go the distance..it'll go to 6 or 7 either way IMO..nobody is winning this series in 5 games like others have predicted in this thread..

Lake Show in 6 games... wouldn't rule out 5

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:Shaq is more dominant than Bynum, plus Bynum won't be 100%.

Shaq can't guard Bynum on the pick and roll or atleast he can't without getting into foul trouble.

I mean think of the offensive matchups. Amare isn't a good defender which means Gasol will be going at him Shaq can try to help but Gasol is a good passer so he'll get it into Bynum (Shaq's man) every time for the easy dunk. And if Amare has to guard Bynum it's over. Bynum had his way with Amare scoring wise when they played eachother in the beginning of the year.

Plus before the Suns could double team Kobe when he got good position in the post. Now they wouldn't dare which leaves the greatest scorer in the game under single coverage. Kobe will be averaging 35 a game because like they said in 7 seconds or less the Suns like to encourage Kobe to take shots now that he's under single coverage they're REALLY encouraging him.




As for offense the Suns will do good but not as good as the Lakers. Shaq can't guard Bynum on the pick and roll without fouling. It's just a known fact that Shaq can't guard anyone on the pick and roll which is a bread and butter move Bynum and Kobe have. Remember Bynum was 2nd place in dunks before getting injured.

Fisher isn't that great of a defender but he's wayyy better than Smush who payed no attention to defense. Plus Fish will actually try to attack Nash on defense to try to tire him out unlike Parker who gave Nash a break on defense.

Kobe won't have to carry the offensive load and can finally play defense maybe on Barbosa if need be, remember what Kobe did to Barbosa during the Fiba games?

You got Odom keeping Hill in check with his length and strength advantage.

And the Suns like to pack it in on defense but how can they do that with Farmar, Vujacic, and Radmonovic all coming in off the bench making 3s?

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:Lakers struggled to beat Suns in Shaqs very first game. Thats all we have to go by, Suns infinitely better since then, Suns in 4.

Seriously?

i think suns if we get it all together, but a big factor on this will be what round, how quickly each team disposes of its oponents the round before with what injuries, aches etc and how soon after andrew bynum returns that we meet

first round ill say suns, if its the conference finals, perhaps lakers have the edge then due to more time with bynum?

tough

as fans, i hope we get to see this matchup

BTP wrote:Lakers struggled to beat Suns in Shaqs very first game.

Struggle? Not really.

Lakers took over that game in the last 6 minutes, turned on that thing called balanced team ability, and won by 6. Specifically, Nash had numerous issues against the Lakers defense in the last 5 minutes or so.

NOONE can say anything about that first suns lakers matchup

firstly no bynum, secondly, the way the suns use shaq now compared to then is night and day

no question

All depends on the health of Bynum and Ariza. If Bynum can be explosive and back to normal form. Then I wouldn't rule out a sweep. Too many matchup problems for the suns. Amare guarding Pau would be disastrous for the suns. Not to mention Hill would have to guard Lamar. That would be worse than when Marion had to guard Lamar. And we all know how that turned out.