2008-09 NBA General Discussion Thread

[AYHJA]

Lakers and Nuggets tonight...If the Nuggets win, they they will compete in this series...But if they lose, and especially get blown out, they are in big, big trouble...Chauncey will be his usual self, but the Lakers are too big up front, and Bynum seems like he's ready to play now...Gasol, Odom, and Bynum on ANY team would be a nightmare up front...On a team with Kobe Bryant and a slew of good sidekicks, its almost impossible...The Lakers are too deep, and I don't think the Nuggets have the same pride that Houston had to compete...People wanted to talk shit about Houston, but they forget, that's an organization that has won championships...The Nuggets have been serial losers, they won't be nearly as seasoned as they need to be to win this series...

[AYHJA]

Case and point, this mess with the playoffs and the WWE...Denver is just doomed...

[darklighter1]

I don't know Ube...I see a fat Lakers team that is resting on their rep and a hungry Denver team looking to make a name for itself. I'm picking Nuggets in 6 and Cavs in 5.

But I still love ya brother! ;)

[AYHJA]

So, despite LA thrashing Denver in the Regular season, same for the Magic and Cleveland, you're going for swift exits..? Wow...I do love non traditional thinking, but...This might be a bit of a stretch, lol...

[Habib]

Lakers should win this series in 6 games, however, that's if Kobe Bryant doesn't get into a personalized tit-for-tat and shot-for-shot competition with Carmelo. The more points Anthony scores, the more Kobe wants to score and the more he doesn't get his teammates into a rhythym.

Both teams though are similar -- they both all have very athletic players capable of scoring a lot of points. They both play up tempo basketball so it should be fun to watch.

However, the Lakers would dominate the glass and totally out rebound the Nuggets.
Both teams also rely heavily on their bench players, and the Lakers have an advantage in this respect. The Nuggets won't have any answer from any player coming off the bench for Lamar Odom. Although J.R. Smith has shown some capability of knocking down crucial 3s, it's not yet a consistent attribute from him and it's more of a streaky quality that he has.

The only team that I'm in limbo of that the Lakers' can't beat is the Orlando Magic -- they are the only title contenders that swept the season series w/the Lakers. So you can say that the Lakers don't really "know" how to win them because they haven't won them this season. But the remaining title contenders, Lakers swept the season series with them.

The Lakers are by far the deepest team in the NBA presently, sheer talent wise and just the whole package. It'll be a fun series to watch. My prediction though is Lakers in 6 games.

[darklighter1]

So, despite LA thrashing Denver in the Regular season, same for the Magic and Cleveland, you're going for swift exits..? Wow...I do love non traditional thinking, but...This might be a bit of a stretch, lol...

In the words of Putty..."uh huh that's right". ;)

[Habib]

A nice win by the Lakers, even though they look fatigued 90% of the game. It's always a confidence booster to win the first game.

[AYHJA]

Back breaker for the Nugz if you ask me...

[darklighter1]

Hey I said 6...the Lakers are due for a few wins too... :geek:

[AYHJA]

The Lakers played a shitty game by any standards...But they hustled, and had Kobe...They won...If any of the other Lakers decide they're ready to play..? Lights out..! I mean, Carmello played out of his fucking mind man...I don't think that if Kobe played that way someone would come within 15 of the Lakers...If LA goes to Denver up 2-0, and game 3 is close, they don't even have to win it, its Lakers in 5...

Can't wait to see Orlando vs Cleveland though...LeBron been talking much shit...