Lakers appear more than capable of hitting another gear.

NickyDeuces · Apr 29, 2004

L.A.has as much overall talent as any team in the league, and despite underachieving this season won the Pacific. These Stars may well have spent much of the long NBA season on cruise control. Nowadays tough to blame them. No one wants to see a millionaire have to sweat every night.(well I do, but they don't)

Now that the lights are on, the Lakers, imo, are capable of stepping it up bigtime.They're 3-1 over Spurs this season, and 10-5 over Spurs last 15 playoff games. They've won three of the last five NBA titles. The Zen Master is 25-1 last 26 playoff series, dating back to the Bulls. L.A. will be all out to exact payback for last season.

I'll be playing the Spurs to win the series but it figures to be one major war with nothing coming easy. (just the way I see it.) Best of luck Everyone.

RobFunk · Apr 29, 2004

great points. when everyone was healthy in the RS before the malone injury, they did go through a stretch where they won a lot of games by big margins. there is no question LA can win the title. i mean even wednesday night they were down early and ended up winning big.

NickyDeuces · Apr 29, 2004

Hey RobFunk, hope all is well. A quick case for the Spurs...

Defending Champion San Antonio has won a confidence building 15 consecutive games. The Spurs are an NBA best 35-17 vs. the West, and 52-34 ATS. They're the league's second best defensive team (84.3 ppg) and third best road team.(24-17) The Spurs swept to the NBA title last season beating each of four opponents 4-2.

RobFunk · Apr 29, 2004

none of that stuff means anything though. i mean you've either been watching these games or you havent. if you have been then you can decide for yourself what team looks better. if you just go on stats you might as well bet the 4-0 series sweep prop for the spurs at olympic or something. if you havent been watching and youre just going on stats then bet on a sport where they actually mean something like baseball. you gotta watch the playoffs to cap them. if you need to bet it go with someone who has a write up not based on 'boy thats neat-o, you use sportsline & statfox too?!' type stats.

Celaya · Apr 29, 2004

Why didn't you count the 4-0 1999 Series the Spurs swept the Lakers so technically the Lakers are 10-9 last 19 playoff games against San Antonio.

RobFunk · Apr 29, 2004

they should have put UCONN in this tournament. theyd probably have 4 days rest waiting for the hornets/heat winner.

NickyDeuces · Apr 29, 2004

I've watched so many games this season, I'm ready for football. The Spurs having the best record against the best conference does mean something. Their road record attests to their toughness. Their 4-2 series wins last season attests to their ability to get the job done. Funk, not sure where you're coming from. I've been capping sports for thirty years, and I can only go by what I know. And I don't claim to know it all, not even close.

RobFunk · Apr 29, 2004

you are right vegas, don't mind me. should be a great series.

NickyDeuces · Apr 29, 2004

Celaya. Good point. I went back to when Jackson arrived. Before Jackson, the Lakers were good but just couldn't finish anything. Of course numbers don't tell the whole story but they always merit serious consideration.

Celaya · Apr 29, 2004

I have a feeling this series will definitely go the full 7 games. The Lakers had some of those players back in 1999 Shaq,Kobe,Fox,Fisher, Forgot that Phil jackson wasn't coaching the Lakers then. I still think the Spurs will win the series do to the hot streak they are on.

OMNIVOROUS FROG · Apr 29, 2004

5 years is an eternity in pro sports. Was that Kobe's rookie season? Abbreviated strike year if memory serves me. Well, Shaq had regressed, since then, and has the bad knee. Fox has vanished, should not be in league. DFish has regressed, just sticks because they can't get anyone better. No the glove is not. Kobe still doing it his way, even more now. At first when Phil arrived, they listened to him, were desperate to win. Now they are full of themselves, what does Phil know. Offense breaks down every play to Kobe or Payton improvisation. Against a structured well discliplined defense that will not go over well. These teams seem to meet every year. Winner takes all. Just do not share your 7 game prediction as no one has taken them there in sometime. Lakers lucky to win one this time. Best wsihes...OF

NickyDeuces · Apr 29, 2004

OF, I read you loud and clear. (Actually numbers were from past three seasons. My bad.)

Is it Sunday yet? I may be on the Heat to win it all by then.

NickyDeuces · Apr 29, 2004

BTW, we have to agree to disagree on this one. Series will be hard fought.

crazyivan24 · Apr 30, 2004

WHAT IS THE BEST SITE FOR LA LAKERS SERIES PRICE?

NickyDeuces · May 11, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by OMNIVOROUS FROG:
Just do not share your 7 game prediction as no one has taken them there in sometime. Lakers lucky to win one this time. Best wishes...OF<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>OF, pulling this up is a good natured right counter. BTW, I remain the same. Spurs in 6 or 7.

NBAlive2005 · May 12, 2004

I think whoever wins game 5 will go on to win it all....

and game 5 will be at san antonio...

so slight advantage to the spurs.

but here's an interesting one, NJ +200
there's some value there...

RobFunk · May 12, 2004

i dont know. . .the lakers were so convincing in gm's 3 & 4 much more so than san antonio's 2 wins. GM 3 LA crushes in a huge blow out, GM 4 LA comes from behind at half to win the game comfortably.

the Lakers win GM 5 for home court and then take it at home in 6. . you heard it here first

ignore the above posts everyone this is an old thread that was a bad 1st round if i ever saw one but this is some good basketball

NBAlive2005 · May 12, 2004

last yr the spurs won the first 2 games...
got blown out in gm 3, and lost a close gm.4
(similiar again this yr)

interesting stat today is that bowen only played 23 minutes..

NickyDeuces · May 12, 2004

The Lakers have indeed stepped up. This figures a war from herein. I'm sticking with the Spurs.

Best of luck.....Everyone!

NickyDeuces · May 12, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by NBAlive2005:
but here's an interesting one, NJ +200
there's some value there.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Looks like a game seven in Detroit, where NJ will be hard pressed to win. But the two time defending East Champ Nets know what it takes???