A rivalry renewed. This will be fun, even without the rapist.

But seriously, it's too bad Kobe won't be playing. Spurs in 6. Simplebay's antics welcome.

Game 1: Lakers at Spurs | Sunday, April 21 2:30 PM
Game 2: Lakers at Spurs | Wednesday, April 24 8:30 PM
Game 3: Spurs at Lakers | Friday, April 26 9:30 PM
Game 4: Spurs at Lakers | Sunday, April 28 6:00 PM

[This message has been edited by sharkenleo (edited 4/18/2013 9:47p).]

Lakers have a better chance without Kobe tbqh.

Lakers against the top 5 teams:

OKC: 1-3
SAS: 1-2
DEN: 1-3
LAC: 0-4
MEM: 1-2

They picked up 4 wins in 18 games. I don't think they pick up 4 wins in 7 games. Although, getting rid of the Ball Stopper makes this a more dangerous team.

If San Antonio doesn't get healthy, it doesn't matter, they aren't going too far.

I've thought for years that the Lakers are a classic setup for the Ewing Theory. I'm hoping we just beat them and get to the next round.

Side bets:

Over/Under on Simple posts in this thread: 40

Spurs in 6

Great. Let the hedging begin.

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I've thought for years that the Lakers are a classic setup for the Ewing Theory.

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Yep. And I'll take the over on Simplebay posts.

Lakers aren't better without Kobe, but it is forcing them to play inside-out which is what they should've done all season.

I think SAS will beat us in six games, but if we manage to steal one on the road we'll have a shot.

The Lakers size should cause SAS some issues. We can and must establish a definitive advantage on the glass if we're to stand a chance.

Can't wait to see Dwight/Pau and Duncan go at it. This series, along with NYK-BOS, will be one of the most entertaining of the first round.

Dwight/Pau vs. Duncan should be a lot of fun to watch. Dwight/Pau vs. Splitter/Blair/Bonner will be less fun to watch as a Spurs fan.

BettleJuice is going down.

Spurs in 5. It was a fun ride getting into the playoffs despite all the setbacks but the ride's over.

Splitter could keep up with Gasol but there's no way he's holding back Howard.

Howard can pretty much have his way with Duncan too. It'll be interesting to see how often we double him.

I think Duncan/Splitter can put Howard in foul trouble if he goes too hard.

A lot more worried about Howard defensively than offensively. He will get his points and he will get to the line but the Spurs can live with that.

Problem with this matchup is we need our guards to play well to take care of this series because Duncan is going to get all he can handle down low. Problem is our guards have been injured recently so we don't really know what were going to get there. If they are healthy then the Spurs will be fine.

[This message has been edited by Sher Thing (edited 4/19/2013 12:29p).]

The bigs are going to get the attention, but SA shoots the 3 ball so well, and LA just gives up too many points.

Unless the Spurs go cold from 3 (possible), the perimeter players on the spurs make the difference in this series.

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but SA shoots the 3 ball so well

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Not as of late, unfortunately. Our three point percentages have really dropped from where they were earlier this season (on an indivdual basis at least). I think Green and Bonner might be the only one shooting over 40%. And Green is probably well below 40% for his past 10 games.

Green has been cold. Diaw really helped stretch the defense. Bonner is worthless in the playoffs. Ginobili was cold before he got hurt. Neal, Duncan, and Leonard are the only guys who seem to be scoring well lately. Teams will still have to respect Green and Ginobili on the perimeter because if one or both of them get it going from three the Spurs become a much, much better team. Teams don't have to blanket them, just stay close enough that they don't get the WIDE open looks to get in a rhythm. Hopefully that will still open up the paint enough for Duncan/Splitter/Parker/Leonard to work in the paint.

The Spurs are going to have to help down low on Howard. They can't afford to play the two bigs straight up all game and risk the possibility of Duncan or Splitter getting in foul trouble because if that happens they are in trouble.

This means there will be some open shots given to the Lakers players like Blake, Meeks, Artest, Jamison. etc. If these guys can consistently shoot the ball well then it could really hurt the Spurs at times.

Pick any NBA players, Pop vs. D'antoni. Pop will win.

If Bonner was ever going to play well in a playoff series, it should be this one. Pau/Dwight will not want to stand out on the 3 pt line and guard him, they want to be under the basket protecting the rim. Hopefully he can hit the open shots because they're going to be available.

^Yep. That's why Bonner is such a huge piece to this series and why Diaw is such a huge blow.

Nash is expected to play.

Jordan Hill could play

RIP Mamba. The Lakers go as Steve Blake (playing UNREAL right now) and Jodie Meeks (slumping) go. Jamison has been nice and consistent. Expect to see him in at the end instead of MWP.

To close games:
Nash (iffy)
Blake (very well)
Jamison (consistent)
Pau (really turned it on as of late)
Howard (looking like his old self)

Love this time of year!

Nice playoff intensity from the Spurs we haven't seen in a while.

Cannot stand Blake.

Red Mamba

Pop calling a play during free throws looks like he wanted Manu to steal second.

Didn't end that quarter well.

Cory Joseph is horrible. Why does he play? we don't need him