Barkley: Jazz and Lakers are the best in the West

DanTown8587 · Post #121 » by **DanTown8587** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:15 pm

I would give the slight edge in an LA/Utah Series to LA because of Kobe. Williams, a great PG, would be even better if he had a decent two guard and I bet Kobe gets to guard Williams in the playoffs. And that will bother Deron and Kobe will have the Pippen effect on the other teams PG. Also, Phil Jackson can out coach Sloan with equal talent, something this series has.

pace31 · Post #122 » by **pace31** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:21 pm

LOL who brought up the Hollinger odds?? Ugh, if you want to make a case for Utah being in the top 2 don't use those as they are for the most part just a product of margin of victory. Perfect example was last year when we were towards the middle of his rankings the entire time because our margin of victory wasn't that hot. Anyway, if I had to rank the best teams in the West I'd have to go Lakers, Spurs, Jazz, Hornets, Suns. Lakers just look like the best team, I won't write off the Spurs until they actually fall off, we were 38-12 for the last bulk of the season and we still look good, kinda feels dirty putting the Hornets 4th because what have they done wrong this year.... NOTHING, and I got the Suns 5th because while they're starters are amazing their bench is shallow as hell and is going to cost them even more this year and overall with Shaq they are what only 17-12?

Duiz · Post #123 » by **Duiz** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:14 pm

We'll have to really just wait and see who will emerge victorious.

KiDdFrESh · Post #124 » by **KiDdFrESh** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:34 pm

Barkley doesnt know whats he talking about.

San Antonio is far better than Utah, they proved that last year in the playoffs. As long as they have Duncan, Ginobli, and Parker they will continue to be better than Utah.

The Spurs and the Lakers are the best in the West.

erudite23 · Post #125 » by **erudite23** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:35 pm

pace31 wrote:LOL who brought up the Hollinger odds?? Ugh, if you want to make a case for Utah being in the top 2 don't use those as they are for the most part just a product of margin of victory. Perfect example was last year when we were towards the middle of his rankings the entire time because our margin of victory wasn't that hot. Anyway, if I had to rank the best teams in the West I'd have to go Lakers, Spurs, Jazz, Hornets, Suns. Lakers just look like the best team, I won't write off the Spurs until they actually fall off, we were 38-12 for the last bulk of the season and we still look good, kinda feels dirty putting the Hornets 4th because what have they done wrong this year.... NOTHING, and I got the Suns 5th because while they're starters are amazing their bench is shallow as hell and is going to cost them even more this year and overall with Shaq they are what only 17-12?

....which is, historically, a more accurate predictor of future success than W/L record. Margin of victory is big. Not the end-all-be-all, for sure, but its something that should be taken serious in any evaluation.

True dat about the Hornets, though. Its more than a little amazing that a team with the second best record in the conference, an MVP candidate, and a solid all around lineup with few holes is getting almost zero consideration for winning the conference.

That Nicka · Post #126 » by **That Nicka** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:30 pm

erudite23 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

....which is, historically, a more accurate predictor of future success than W/L record. Margin of victory is big. Not the end-all-be-all, for sure, but its something that should be taken serious in any evaluation.

True dat about the Hornets, though. Its more than a little amazing that a team with the second best record in the conference, an MVP candidate, and a solid all around lineup with few holes is getting almost zero consideration for winning the conference.

Lakers have a higher margin of victory

erudite23 · Post #127 » by **erudite23** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:48 pm

That Nicka wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Lakers have a higher margin of victory

I realize that, but the Jazz margin of victory was higher for most of the second half of the season. The final loss to SA swung it over.

But, yes, Lakers have a higher margin of victory.

Seralin · Post #128 » by **Seralin** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:50 pm

I think it was mentioned that Utah has a better margin of victory against the better teams. I don't know if this includes east teams, or just against the west ones.

Duiz · Post #129 » by **Duiz** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:56 pm

erudite23 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I realize that, but the Jazz margin of victory was higher for most of the second half of the season. The final loss to SA swung it over.

But, yes, Lakers have a higher margin of victory.

During the whole season, the Jazz hadn't loss by over 20 points until the end of the season loss. Good thing to consider that in over the last 25 games they had like a 12 point win margin which is insane consider it lost about a nickel of times.

Post #130 » by **bleu** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:17 am

I simply can not wait 'till the LAL-Jazz series. It's gonna be the best series of the playoffs.

That Nicka · Post #131 » by **That Nicka** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:07 am

vainsake wrote:I simply can not wait 'till the LAL-BOS series. It's gonna be the best series of the playoffs.

dalekjazz · Post #132 » by **dalekjazz** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:47 am

As a Jazz fan, a potential series with the Lakers scares me. Kobe hates the Jazz, will come out with a killer instinct against them, and will want revenge for early playoff failures and airballs during crunch time against the Jazz.

Ballings7 · Post #133 » by **Ballings7** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:59 am

I don't think the Jazz's defense is proven enough and maybe not good enough, against the good offensive teams of the league. While they've defnitely played good defense against the Rockets, the Rockets are an average at best offensive team.

The Lakers, not sure if their significant youth will be a factor through out the playoffs or not (probably not for the 1st round). As well as if their defense will be good enough.

Head to head... tough to say

Scatocephalus · Post #134 » by **Scatocephalus** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:48 am

Everyone keeps mentioning Odom as the Laker's X-factor. AK will be the Jazz'. AK has done an admirable job on McGrady thus far. Sure T-mac still gets his 24 ppg but in the 4th quarter of the first 2 games he has scored 1 whole point while AK is covering him.

AK has had great games agaisnt Kobe in the past and AK appears to be coming back to form.

And, this will get a few laughs, but I have been seriously impressed with Korver's defensive abilities.

Lastly, the Jazz have a glut of SG's and SF's that they can continuously throw a fresh body at Kobe all night long. Brewer, AK, Harpring, Korver, Miles. As long as they make Kobe work for his points he might be pretty much gassed by the 4th ala McGrady.

That Nicka · Post #135 » by **That Nicka** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:42 am

Scatocephalus wrote:Everyone keeps mentioning Odom as the Laker's X-factor. AK will be the Jazz'. AK has done an admirable job on McGrady thus far. Sure T-mac still gets his 24 ppg but in the 4th quarter of the first 2 games he has scored 1 whole point while AK is covering him.

AK has had great games agaisnt Kobe in the past and AK appears to be coming back to form.

And, this will get a few laughs, but I have been seriously impressed with Korver's defensive abilities.

Lastly, the Jazz have a glut of SG's and SF's that they can continuously throw a fresh body at Kobe all night long. Brewer, AK, Harpring, Korver, Miles. As long as they make Kobe work for his points he might be pretty much gassed by the 4th ala McGrady.

Kobe has sure had problems against the Jazz lately

Nov 24, 06: 27 (9-18 )
Nov 30, 06: 52 (19-26)
Feb 26, 07: 35 (7-21)
Nov 4, 07: 33 (13-19)
Nov 30, 07: 28 (10-19)
Dec 28, 07: 31 (11-18 )
Mar 30, 08: 27 (11-24)

Scatocephalus · Post #136 » by **Scatocephalus** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:48 am

Not saying it won't be a challenge. That's why I said AK is the X-factor. If AK shows up, Kobe's job gets more difficult.

Scatocephalus · Post #137 » by **Scatocephalus** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:52 am

U-Borat wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Yeah...like that time when he cried because Kobe was dominating him?

It was Paul Pierce that made him cry. If you're going to be a wiseguy at least get your facts straight.

Regardless, that was last year. AK was messed up last year and has played much more like his old self this year.

Post #138 » by **JStockLivesOn** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:57 am

There's a difference, by the way, between something one is entitled to (a right) and something that's a privilege. Sorry, one of those things that gets me...

On the Kobe issue, he's dying to play us, I've no doubt. Our defense is exponentially better in the playoffs, though. So -- if we get by Houston -- we shall see how that all comes together.