Pheonix's fans (presumably) want to play the Lakers in the first round

BleedPurpleAndGold · Rookie Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 22

On the Suns' homepage their poll is which team would they like to face in the first round of the playoffs and a remarkable 56% have said the lakers, with the Hornets (24%), and the Kings and Griz (10% each) lagging behind.

Just FYI, as I thought it was interesting because so many here want to face the suns, and they want to face the Lakers.

FerrisVille · Star Player Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5356

I dont want to face the Suns, they own us, their style of play doesnt match up against well a t all. If I had my pick, I would chose Denver.

bounty · Star Player Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 3946

mrdectown · Star Player Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 1144

I would want to play us to if i were them. They know we cant keep up.
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LakerJam · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:51 pm Post subject:

FerrisVille · Star Player Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5356

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drew4lakers · Star Player Joined: 03 Jun 2002 Posts: 3417

THE_SHOES · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:01 pm Post subject:

The Suns are giving up huge point totals. I'm predicting this weekends game to be a blowout for the Lakers...

I'm serious... That is why I'm saying it today just so I can go back, and bring this post back up to put on my signature...

cool dude... 8)
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"According to ESPN.com's conference projections, the Lakers will finish 12th in the West, which prompted Bryant to tweet earlier this offseason, "12th I see.."

Gr8testEver · Starting Rotation Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 263

The Suns have the most underrated and effective "Kobe-Stopper" in the league in Bell, no wonder they are confident in the desert.

Is it too late to hope for the Mavs or Nugs????

KingKobeDubbz · Starting Rotation Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 734

They think they own us seriously. I guess they want some pay back from the time we eliminated them in the playoffs. Remember when J Kidd was still there.

LakerJam · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:

Some of you are flat out scaredy-cats. Seriously. These "I'm so afraid of the Suns" stuff is embarrassing.

Gauging our chances against a team that's been playing mediocre basketball for the past month , by looking only at our losses against them which came on the 2nd of back-to-backs, is NOT not an accurate gauge at all. The Lakers typically suck on the 2nd of back to backs, and it has nothing to do with the opponent. We suck against the bottom feeders in those cases, too. Does that mean they'd beat us in the playoffs? Of course not. We're usually just flat in those games, let alone having to slow down a running team on tired legs, when the guys just flew in at 3:00a.m. the night before and haven't even had time to review film or focus on strategies. Those factors do make a difference.

In this instance, Kurt Thomas is hurt. Amare is out. Diaw, at 6'8" is their center. They play no defense. Yet, we should be quaking in our boots when we know the playoffs slow down, We'll be playing on rested legs, and we have a coach who knows how to take away an opponents strongest strength? Yeah, I'm afraid - NOT.

THE_SHOES · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:23 pm Post subject:

Well Jam I'm with you, and stand by my prediction with all the confidence in the world...
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"According to ESPN.com's conference projections, the Lakers will finish 12th in the West, which prompted Bryant to tweet earlier this offseason, "12th I see.."

LakerJam · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:25 pm Post subject:

THE_SHOES · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:34 pm Post subject:

Jam, I actually see Kwame having a field day this weekend now that you mentioned it about the Suns tender middle. Kwame, and LO couldn't operate with Yao in the middle against Houston but, look for Smush, LO, and Walton to have a field day killing the Suns in the paint. Kobe may be ready to stop that nonsense with that 1 of the only 2 known existing Kobe irritants left this week. I just don't see that continuing with Bell. This particular Kobe won't be flying in during the wee hours of the morning... That will make a huge difference...
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"According to ESPN.com's conference projections, the Lakers will finish 12th in the West, which prompted Bryant to tweet earlier this offseason, "12th I see.."

AussieLakerFan · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject:

I think we can use the Seattle game as a bit of a measuring stick... Hear me out...

The Sonics were playing an uptempo, run and fun, shooting 3's and really speeding up the game in the first half. Lakers don't play that style of game. Sonics ran out to a decent lead in the 2nd quarter.

After the half, the Lakers really slowed it down and executed well in half court sets and really made it a half court battle. Seattle couldn't get there running rythym going again and the Lakers ended up with a big win.

Obviously, the Suns are better at it than the Sonics, but, it's the same game.

Make it a half court battle and beat them up inside. they play a finesse running game, we have to make them battle our tough half court game.

Flight · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:00 pm Post subject:

The Suns are so vulnerable, it's not even funny...

The fact that they don't play any D whatsoever means there's always a chance of beating them. They won't be able to run n' gun as much in the playoffs because the Lakers' coaching staff will find a way to slow down their tempo and take away their fast break opportunities. Just wait and see..

And with our defense, and Kobe on our side, I'll take the Lakers over the Suns.

statman · Starting Rotation Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 647

It's a myth that the Suns don't play defense. Actually, their defense is among the better teams in the NBA, if you look at important numbers like EFG% Teams score a lot of points on them because the pace is so much faster than a normal game.

Another myth is that you can just beat the Suns in a half-court set since they are small. That only works if your post players can pass out of the post and the ball movement is good, because the Suns have the quickest doubles in the league. I know this because I follow the Clippers who have probably a top-3 frontline and have just been beaten down by the Suns the last times they've played. Brand and Kaman are much better bigs than anyone on the Lakers but even they've had trouble against the swarming defense the Suns employ.

D'antoni has figured something out and it's not as simple as "run & gun & no d".

Exick · Site Staff Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 15880

Over the last 10 games, the Lakers have held every opponent under 100 points. They've given up an average of 92.1 ppg over that stretch with a +4.8 differential and are 7-3.

Phoenix, on the other hand, has held their opponent under 100 only twice over their last 10 games and have given up 109.5 ppg with a differential of +0.2. They're 5-5 during that stretch.

When the Suns are held under 100, they're 5-9. Under 110, they're 22-18. I should throw in that they're 1-4 in overtime games and in 4 of them, they scored under 100 in regulation (3 of those 4 were losses). So 110 seems to be their magic number. Hold them under that, and you dramatically increase your odds of winning according to the statistics. Hold them under 100, and things really start getting interesting.

The Lakers aren't going to do themselves any favors trying to run with them, but they will improve their chances by playing defense via offense. Make Phoenix play defense. Quick 1-and-outs won't do. Wear them down when you have the ball and keep them from pushing the tempo. I remember that people were saying the same things about the Mavs with Nash and Dirk that they're saying about the Suns with Nash and Marion. Lots of points but no defense. And we all know how many titles Dallas won in those days (hint: it rhymes with "hero").

I'm not afraid of the Suns or any other team for that matter. I have no delusions about winning a title this year, but spoiling someone else's playoff run sure would be sweet. Certainly everyone loves to win playoff series, and I'm all in favor of going on a run here and trying to climb the standings to grab that 6th seed, but at 6 or 7 it's a choice between seeing the Suns in the first round or second round anyway, so we may as well get used to the idea of playing Phoenix in the postseason.
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bounty · Star Player Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 3946

LA_UNION · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject:

Well to the Sun's fans: "be careful with what you wish for, ...."

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Sage_10 · Star Player Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 6668

I think the Lakers can take Phoenix. 8)
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pjiddy · Retired Number Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 29079

Have you guys seen a Lakers-Suns game this year? If I was a Suns fan, I'd want the Lakers in the 1st round, too.

lakeshow03 · Star Player Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 3085

turbulent · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject:

Too many IFS must be in place for the Lakers to win that series.

If KWame dominates.
If Mihm comes back in time to contribute.
If suns have poor shooting series
If Kobe can drive to the rack and get calls
If Smush can stay in front of Nash
If Sasha can make a bucket
IF nash gets hurt(nothing major of course)
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