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Even though the Spurs didn't play well at the beginning of the season I think they are the team we will face. They had good excuses at the beginning because they had injuries and now they're finally back to their old selves.

But it would be an even better feeling beating LA with the all mighty Bynum.

I still think the Lakers will come out of the West. They're essentially the same team as last year that tore through the Playoffs. I see them doing the same this year. Although, to hedge my bets, I wouldn't be surprised if San Antonio does it.

LA Lakers without question. IMO the top 2 NBA teams reside in the east-Celtics & Cavs. Then you got the Lakers third, a load of mediocre east teams, and a load of good, but not championship winning west teams. Are the Lakers really that much better than the rest of the west, or is the west finally declining? I'll say the latter, but it surprises me how many west teams got off to bad starts.

I also think it will be an easier route to the Finals for Boston, the Cavs haven't had a tough schedule and will come back to earth (not enough challenging road games yet, and lost @ NOH, DET and ATL).

The only team I wouldn't want to face is San Antonio, other than that, Cleveland should be the toughest series in the playoffs again.

I think San Antonio is going to continue their every other year thing for one more round myself. Timmy ain't done yet.

Aside from Tim Duncan, the best big man on the Spurs is Matt Bonner at 6'10 (the same size as Lamar Odom)

With Bynum and Pau at 7 foot+, I think the Spurs will struggle against the Lakers size.

The Lakers will be there, I hope the Celtics can make it a rematch...Cavs are tougher than the West #2 seed.

Spurs or Lakers. Who cares?

Allanon wrote:Aside from Tim Duncan, the best big man on the Spurs is Matt Bonner at 6'10 (the same size as Lamar Odom)

With Bynum and Pau at 7 foot+, I think the Spurs will struggle against the Lakers size.

The Lakers will be there, I hope the Celtics can make it a rematch...Cavs are tougher than the West #2 seed.

Lakers are the favourites. The only team that can beat them is SA, IMO. And with Kurth Thomas and Oberto I wouldn`t be so optimistic about lakers size advantage. I think LA needs to worry about Tim Duncan more than SA about LA bigs...

LucerneStDoggz wrote:LA Lakers without question. IMO the top 2 NBA teams reside in the east-Celtics & Cavs. Then you got the Lakers third, a load of mediocre east teams, and a load of good, but not championship winning west teams. Are the Lakers really that much better than the rest of the west, or is the west finally declining? I'll say the latter, but it surprises me how many west teams got off to bad starts.

I also think it will be an easier route to the Finals for Boston, the Cavs haven't had a tough schedule and will come back to earth (not enough challenging road games yet, and lost @ NOH, DET and ATL).

The only team I wouldn't want to face is San Antonio, other than that, Cleveland should be the toughest series in the playoffs again.

I can agree with this assessment, although I do think in the end SA is too old and slow to come out of the West...I think their window, while not shut, is only cracked open at this point...

t'gei.

Joyeuse wrote:t'gei.

Blast from the past!

I think it has to do with the standings and matchups.

If the Spurs stay healthy it will be the Spurs. No doubt.