Play-Off Match Ups: Lakers Vs. __________

Mamba Venom · Post #1 » by **Mamba Venom** » Thu Apr 5, 2012 9:56 pm

The play-offs will be here very soon. Who do we match up well against? I think we will play Mavs-Thunder-Spurs-Heat if we can get through all the rounds. Our bench is my biggest concern. If you add LO or even Beasley to the team we have now, I think would be the favorites.

Please let your opinions be heard -
Do we have the Mavs # this year (REVENGE!!!!)
How do you think we match up w/ the Thunder, Spurs and Heat.

I see the Spurs as the best team in the West. I'd take our starting 5, but the Spurs are a deeeeeeeeeep team. We are going to need Barnes, Blake, McR and others to win us a few games and so far these guys have not shown they can have that kind of impact in a ply-off game. The Thunder have beaten us this year, but I feel good about our chances there.

Gek · Post #2 » by **Gek** » Thu Apr 5, 2012 9:59 pm

Utah Jazz. Scurry.

KB24TBOTB · Post #3 » by **KB24TBOTB** » Thu Apr 5, 2012 11:32 pm

I see the Spurs overtaking the Thunder for the #1 seed so If we can maintain a 3rd seed and get past the first round, we might see the Thunder. Kind of scares me. They are an athletic team and Westbrook simply just abuses us. I still like our chances but it would come down to how our bench plays. The team I don't want to see in the first round would definitely be the Grizzlies. They have great perimeter defenders in TA and Conley and a great FC. Marc and Z-bo both are great passers for their size and as a team they play unselfish ball. Those are the two teams that scare me those most in the west, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't pick the Lakers to win 4 games against them when it counts

Dr Aki · Post #4 » by **Dr Aki** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 12:42 am

if the spurs overtake the thunder

we're going to be knocked out in the conference semis instead of the conference finals

EArl · Post #5 » by **EArl** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 4:59 am

I want the Mavs!
I just want to sweep them so they learn their lesson!
Either way it doesn't matter. I read someones comment earlier about you can't pick and choose the teams you play. if you want to be the best, than you beat them. Sooner or later won't matter!

One Love · Post #6 » by **One Love** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 7:48 pm

I would prefer to play Dallas, Houston or Denver over Memohis in the first round... We struggle with Memphis... I am more concerned with OKC than the Spurs... Gotta Believe OKC is the favorite in the West...

supaflash · Post #7 » by **supaflash** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 9:26 pm

I'm curious to see how we do against the spurs. I still feel like they are having the regular season success like the last few years with their new wide open 3pt style but won't be successful in the playoffs, especially against us. Tim has played rejuvinated, but he struggles against Pau and Drew because of their length, and they are just too small overall.

Similarly Dallas isn't the same team as last year, without Tyson to check Drew and without Barea to open it up, and with Sessions blowing by Kidd, I don't think they can take us in a series at all.

Houston hustles and has a lot of nice talent, but overall I don't think they can play in a playoff either.

IMO texas for the first two rounds would be our best road. Toughest would be the Griz and Thunder back to back. The other teams, Clips, Jazz, Denver would all be tough and interesting, but I think we get all of those as well.

JaVier Mastro · Post #8 » by **JaVier Mastro** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 9:30 pm

OKC can be beaten but it has to be our bigs that beat them. In the post season the game slows down and if I'm correct Porkins, Ibaka and Collison aren't the scoring type we just have to play at our pace. Kobe would have to guard Westbrook from time to time and Artest and Barnes on Durant. We can won't this in six games. Bynum and Gasol will have to play well if we want to move on I want 45ppg 25rpg 7apg 5bpg from them. If Murphy, Hill and McRoberts can combine for 15-18ppg 12-15rpg I'll be fine with that and I know it's a pipe dream sorta but you got to star somewhere. Artest and Barnes have to knock down their jumpers from downtown and keep Durant off blance somehow. I need to see Artest from 2010. Bryant and Sessions will do their thing but I need Bryant to pick his spots and not hoist up bad shot, that ball needs to be dumped inside every time we have it. Post and damnit repost if you have too, but we must beat them with our size we can not let them play thier style of game we will be home in 4 games again. With that said I'm changing my stance on my post a few weeks ago I say let's take on anybody we have the best big 3 we have a horrid bench but we must play to our strengths and beat any team with our Mammoth size inside.....okay I'm off to the bar happy our starts in 30 minutes

JaVier Mastro · Post #9 » by **JaVier Mastro** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 9:56 pm

supaflash wrote:I'm curious to see how we do against the spurs. I still feel like they are having the regular season success like the last few years with their new wide open 3pt style but won't be successful in the playoffs, especially against us. Tim has played rejuvinated, but he struggles against Pau and Drew because of their length, and they are just too small overall.

Similarly Dallas isn't the same team as last year, without Tyson to check Drew and without Barea to open it up, and with Sessions blowing by Kidd, I don't think they can take us in a series at all.

Houston hustles and has a lot of nice talent, but overall I don't think they can play in a playoff either.

IMO texas for the first two rounds would be our best road. Toughest would be the Griz and Thunder back to back. The other teams, Clips, Jazz, Denver would all be tough and interesting, but I think we get all of those as well.

Kidd, Carter and Marion will have to guard Kobe Stevenson is gone now, Terry will take on Sessions and Blake. Dirk, Odom and Heywood will have thier hands full with Bynum and Gasol alone then you factor in Hill and McRoberts two high energy guys and Murphy for more scoring and boards. They cant match up with us. Chandler isn't there anymore to back up Nowitzki this will go no more than five games

Post #10 » by **semi-sentient** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:12 pm

We match up well with the Clippers, Nuggets, Rockets, Mavs, and Spurs.

We match up poorly with the Grizzlies and Thunder.

I'd like to see Dallas in the 1st round so that we can get in that ass. A match-up like that is just what we need to bring the team together seeing as how just about everyone wants some damn revenge.

The 2nd/3rd round is going to be tough no matter how you look at it. We'll have to beat either SA or OKC, and both are damn near unbeatable on their court.

Post #11 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 10:25 pm

like Javier said if play at our tempo, we can beat OKC.

Prodigy of Zen · Post #12 » by **Prodigy of Zen** » Fri Apr 6, 2012 11:27 pm

Sentient pretty much got it right down to the tee, Dallas, Houston, Nuggets are favorable match ups,

Oklahoma City is my biggest fear for the Lakers, Kobe plays different come play off-time but Sefolosha is a nightmare matchup for him as far as defensively goes because of his long arms and great effort, They also have great shot blocking,And good defenesive bigs, I really hope someone can knock them off before the Lakers get A chance to run into them,

as far as San Antonio goes, haven't got the chance to see them in action against each other, Its gonna be strange seeing them go at it if they do without Phil on our side of the bench, I think its gives them A slight advantage.

Clippers are an interesting one, I feel confident going in against them but I get this feeling it would be A close series, I think it would go at least six games with an interesting closer

JaVier Mastro · Post #13 » by **JaVier Mastro** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 1:17 am

Prodigy of Zen wrote:Sentient pretty much got it right down to the tee, Dallas, Houston, Nuggets are favorable match ups,

Oklahoma City is my biggest fear for the Lakers, Kobe plays different come play off-time but Sefolosha is a nightmare matchup for him as far as defensively goes because of his long arms and great effort, They also have great shot blocking,And good defenesive bigs, I really hope someone can knock them off before the Lakers get A chance to run into them,

as far as San Antonio goes, haven't got the chance to see them in action against each other, Its gonna be strange seeing them go at it if they do without Phil on our side of the bench, I think its gives them A slight advantage.

Clippers are an interesting one, I feel confident going in against them but I get this feeling it would be A close series, I think it would go at least six games with an interesting closer

San Antonio- We still have the edge because of our size, yes Jackson was a great add but we have better talent. Duncan and Blair will have their hands full with Bynum and Gasol alone then you add in Hill, Murphy and McRoberts. The Spurs can't match up with us

Thunder- I see what your saying about OKC bigs but in the post season they can't play in a half court because their front court isn't strong in scoring at all. Their defense is great but they'll have to score too, if Durant, Harden and Westbrook are the only ones doing the scoring then we got this one in the bag.

Clippers- this will be a five game series in our favor, Jordan can stop Bynum or any of their bigs, we are just to long for them, Bryant will have his way with a small back court and Young can't even guard him even at six-foot-seven

Grizzles- are the only team that will cause us problems in the post season because of their make up. This would got to six or seven in our favor also the Grizzles can knock off the Thunder too, Rudy Gay is back

Jajwanda · Post #14 » by **Jajwanda** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 1:38 am

Thunder defense is vulnerable. It's at the 1. If you want a good PG that understands the angles and how to attack Westbrook they'll struggle.

The Lakers need to become a better offensive team to beat them. Kobe needs to lead the Lakers defensively against that team, really just take on the challenge of Harden the same way he did Wade in the Miami game.

The guy to beat that team is Ramon Sessions. Run the high-low, the Thunder defense will be out of position EVERY time especially if the play edges towards Kobe's floor side rather than MWP's.

I think the Lakers can score 110 points per game against them.

Prodigy of Zen · Post #15 » by **Prodigy of Zen** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 1:47 am

As far as our big advantages against these teams, we have to hope Bynum comes fully healthy and with A right mindset at that time, We have to hope Gasol doesn't pull what he pulled last year in the playoffs, and if even if that happens, we have to hope our team plays right and actually give the bigs touches, I have the upmost confidence in playoff Kobe but one of those in-efficient chucking nights and one loss could make all the difference in A series

We also have to hope our bench doesn't blow leads our starters produce like they've been doing too commonly this season, our bench could be a huge concern when the time comes, Hopefully our team unifies under coach Brown and buy into what he's teaching, Also have to remember we're third in the West, which means if cards play out like they should, we might only have one series with home court advantage, and were not looking like A good road team this season...

Jajwanda · Post #16 » by **Jajwanda** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 2:00 am

Little known fact is that our starters have pretty much beaten every team we've faced. No seriously, they've outperformed everyone, even THE GREAT OKC!

Jajwanda · Post #17 » by **Jajwanda** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 2:04 am

Also another fact. It's far easier to play transition defense when your team two wings are on the outside as shooters with your PG in the middle of the floor. If you can reduce OKC's scoring by even five doing that you've done yourself a huge favor. On the other hand when you play ISO or you post up Kobe the transition defense is gone.

JaVier Mastro · Post #18 » by **JaVier Mastro** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 2:05 am

snaquille oatmeal wrote:like Javier said if play at our tempo, we can beat OKC.

If we play our pace all we have to do is guard Westbrook, Kobe will take pride in this task. Durant will have to set every one up, so that leaves Harden. I'm sure Sessions can stay in front of him for six games. I'm going to need Kobe to put up 22 and 8 for this match up, with Sessions giving us 15 and 10.

Bryant and Sessions
37ppg 18apg 12rpg

Bynum and Gasol
45ppg 25rpg 7apg 5bpg

82ppg 37rpg 25apg 5bpg is this at all possible, Atrest, Barnes, Murphy, Blake, McRoberts and Hill can give up 15-20ppg

Post #19 » by **dockingsched** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 2:39 am

is this the playoff matchup watch?

cause OKC just lost and dropped to #2 in the west, so the lakers would be staring at them in the 2nd round.

iamworthy · Post #20 » by **iamworthy** » Sat Apr 7, 2012 2:41 am

dockingsched wrote:is this the playoff matchup watch?

cause OKC just lost and dropped to #2 in the west, so the lakers would be staring at them in the 2nd round.

Not good. But hey we gotta do what we gotta do. If we take down Spurs 2 out of 3 times I think OKC will go back to number 1. I think the lakers need the rest of this season and at least the first round to really gel with sessions.