Get your pistols out. It is finally time for a good ‘ole fashion shootout, Texas Style.
Wednesday night, the Lakers and the Spurs will engaged in a fight to see who will represent the NBA’s Western Conference in the 2008 NBA Finals. While both the Lakers and the Spurs definitely deserve to be in here, they both have traveled extremely different roads to the NBA’s version of the Final 4.
Beating the Suns in 5 games, and the Hornets in 7, the Spurs are in the Western Conference Finals again. The Spurs are the ones everyone always expected to be here and are led by two time MVP Tim Duncan and 2007 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Tony Parker, who bring experience and a Championship luster to the plate.
After ousting the Phoenix Suns last year in a highly controversial Western Conference Semi-Finals, the Spurs rolled past both the Jazz and the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavilers to their 4th Championship in 9 years.
Tony Parker is very quick and can provide huge problems for a defense. He scores most of his points in the paint. Manu Ginobli is perhaps their best overall player. He does so much for his team; he attacks the basket and has a nice outside jump shot that can be deadly late in games. The Big Fundamental Tim Duncan is one of the most boring players in the history of the NBA, however, he is perhaps the best Power Forward this game has ever seen. He does everything for this team, and most importantly he is a winner. Brue Bowen’s defense is needed for this team to succeed. In previous years he did the best job on Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, but old age is catching up on him, and his amount of success is important. Big Shot Rob, is adored by Lakers fans. He has struggled this year, but would love to do well vs. his old running mates Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher. Other key role players like Michael Finley and Fabricio Olberto will also impact games.
Now a year ago, no one expected the Lakers to be in this position. Even when this season began, if you would have said the Lakers would be in the Western Conference Finals, you would probably been laughed at. The Lakers are one of the big surprises of the NBA this year. It’s such an amazing story, that you could take it to Hollywood, and the film writers would have turned you down saying, “That’s impossible.” Yet that is exactly the case.
The Lakers are eight wins away from the NBA Championship. The Lakers are led by Kobe Bryant, The MVP, the best of the best, the big mamba, KB24, Triple Ocho, the man. He is simply amazing and that’s all you can really say about him. Derek Fisher at the point, provides championship experience and veteran leadership that is needed for a team to advance deep in the Playoffs. Pau Gasol is the Lakers anchor in the middle. He isn’t flashy, but he gets the job done. He takes pressure off Kobe Bryant and is one of the smartest players in the NBA. Most importantly he is unselfish, and a perfect side kick for Kobe. Lamar Odom is playing the ball of his life. He is no longer settling for jumpers, he instead is taking it hard to the rack, and cutting as hard as he can. His emergence gives the Lakers a triple threat attack. Vladimar Radmonivic, Luke Walton, Sasha, and Turiaf all bring essential tools to the table. The Lakers need them to play well in order for the Lakers to advance. The wild card for the Lakers is the return of Trevor Ariza. If he can contribute anything to this team, that makes the Lakers that must harder to beat. He is good on defense, and his athleticism makes the Lakers that much quicker and harder to beat.
This is also a battle of two of the greatest coaches of all-time. The Pop and the Zen Master will once again go head-to-head. They have met four times in the postseason since Phil Jackson became coach of the Lakers, with Pop winning one and Phil Jackson winning 3. With both teams so equal, the role of the head coaches and coaching staffs will be extremely important in this series.
Some people are worried about the Lakers playing the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. However to be the best, you have to beat the best, and there is no other team I’d rather see the Lakers face in the Western Conference Finals than our old rivals from the Alamo.
Over the last nine years, the Spurs have won 4 titles and the Lakers 3. With all the history and unbelievable games these two teams have played, it is only fitting that the Lakers and Spurs once against face each other toe to toe for a chance to reach the NBA Finals.
The shootout is here. The dust will settle and only one will be left standing.
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Lakers vs. Spurs, version 0.4
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I’m not afraid of the Spurs. I’m afraid that Bruce Bowen and/or Robert Horry(even though he will always remain one of my favorite Lakers ever) might do something dirty. What if Kobe goes for a jump shot & Bruce puts his foot under Kobe. Or we’re about to win game 4 to make it 3-1 & Horry throws Lamar to the ground when he’s about to go for a dunk.
Bring it on Spurs. You are the champs and we are looking to change that. The Lakers are back with a young and talented team. Spurs be afraid because the Kobe-led Lakers are better than ever.
I hope there wont be any fights in this series. The refs and the NBA must watch out for bruce lee bowen and “cheap shot rob”. I detest them even if horry was with us. We can beat them if we played good D against them like the D we showed the last time we played against them. This would be a great series.
GOODLUCK LAKERS!!!
BEAT SAN ANTONIO!!!
I HATE BOWEN>..if he hurts KOBE…emme go to Texas n show him watsup…the SPURS always try to get people HURT!!!!!last yr again the SUNS…n so on………..
I am with you lakers-spurs. If bowen harms any of our players, we is gonna get an ass whooping
If those bastard hurt Kobe or anyone of our team in a illegal manner than I am going to bring an extra set of ‘D’ batteries for some sniper action.
fu ck a sniper, i’d take a tank
y do they call kobe triple oucho
what tank, will kidnapp him and torture him
oh,my….You forget Famar…
triple means 3 and oucho is 8 in spanish sooo yea idl..lol
i love that sako {Profanity isn't allowed on theLakersNation.com -- Please go back and edit your comment. Thank you.} a sniper, i’d take a tank….lol rofl lol
lakers in 7..go lakers
trible ocho is 3×8(ocho)= 24
I think we’ve waited long enough. Lakers are more mature,as a whole we know the triangle better.All I ask of the Lakers is just do the best they can and that’s good enough for me…oh yeah,it’s not going to be so easy as the hornets GO LAKERS
Lakers in five put it down for 5 reasons
1. We will force them to play uptempo
2. The “REAL” Big Three we have is the best in the league
3. Who on there team can guard Odom which is the X-factor in this series
4. Who wants to get to the back to the Finals more then Kobe Bryant
5. And finally just like reason four we have Kobe Bryant the best closer in the NBA srry Lebron I love your game but BSPN Over hypes you a bit
Best they can is good enough for you? It’s all or nothing at all for me. If we don’t win it all this, then to me, this season is a failure. Another year’s wait is hell.
4th paragraph ” the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavilers to their 4th Championship in 9 years ” ???????????????????
other than that ..loved the artical and the picture…
True Lakers Fan
May 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
“y do they call kobe triple oucho”
cuz 8 three times = 24
I’ll rape Tony Parker’s and Manu’s wife…
Dude that’s not true or funny. Don’t talk yourself down to Utah jazz fans level.
Lakers in 5.
Lakers need to foul hard this series, especially when fouling
Tony Longoria. That’s how you slow him down, rough him up.
It doesn’t matter who we play. The Lakers are on a path towards greatness this year. 1.) Our beloved Kobe gets the MVP. 2.) Lamar has finally woken up from his years of slumber. He’s playing outta his mind. 3.) We acquire Pau to replace Bynum after Bynum got hurt from playing against Memphis…oh, the irony. 4.) Our bench is actually making the open shots and contributing on a regular basis. 5.) We have our experienced and battle-tested Fisher back again.
We will win! You all know that we will and it doesn’t matter who’s in front of us. I don’t want to hear about all this cliche about ” to be the champs, you have to beat the champs!” No you don’t! If the Spurs didn’t win tonight, we’d be playing the Hornets and we’d still be in the finals without having to “beat the champs”. Our team is marching towards their destiny and their destiny is becoming the champs in June. I don’t care who we’re facing, we’ve got Kobe and he’s finally got help this year. We’re taking it all the way baby! As far as getting hurt, remember what happened to Kobe during our first championship run? Jalen Rose stuck out his foot on a Kobe jumper and sprained Kobe’s ankle. Then Kobe came back and got us our championship. Kobe’s resilient and we’re not gonna worry about gettin hurt. That can happen any time they take to the court. Oh, by the way 6.) Ariza’s back as our primere defender along side Kobe. We’ll be fine fellas, we’ll be fine!
Let’s just humble down ourselves at all cost. =)
We have to consider San Antonio’s past successes.
It’s gonna be a heck of a series.
I won’t count the champs out. But I won’t boast about the Lakers winning it all. We haven’t accomplished anything yet. Unlike our old counterparts.
Just be humble.
But I believe Lakers will win!
MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN IT ALL.
GOD BLESS US!
I am very confident that the Lakers will win this series. mainly because they have not met up with a team who is just as smart and well coached as the Lakers. Their age almost caught up to them with the Hornets who was a much more athletic team. But, they lacked the type of experienced that could of won them a close game 7. The Lakers have that. There is just one X factor in those whole match up. The top 3 players on both teams are great match ups. But it will come down to the other role players. That is everyone NOT named Kobe, Lamar, Fish, or Gasol has to step up. This will be the toughest test the Lakers will face on their road to the Finals and a Championship and they will do it!
Bring on the Spurs ,we are ready baby and its going to be a dogfight but Kb24 will prevail at the end ,,, Watch out for Trevor Ariza on Ginobli because that the Series right there ..
Lakers in 6, y’all!!
Everyone, take out your brooms because the Lakers can SWEEP!
I personally thought the Hornets would’ve been a tougher task. i dont think the spurs match up well with us. they have no one who can match up with Odom…hope he realizes it!
yeah!
….and my prediction,A SHOCKER…4-1,LAKERS!
I just feel with Ariza back,he speeds the game up even more making it harder for the Spurs to keep up,plus the fact that The Hornets ran’em to Death,they should be plenty tired.
I agree that the Spurs is a better match up for the Lakers. BUT, they are the champions and they are not an easy team to beat. The Lakers need to play great D in order to win.
Yes, we have few advantages like the players we have and the rest, but do not underestimate them.
Go Lakers.
I predict 4-2 and the finals against Detroit. Let’s avenge 2004!
SPURS HAD TO SLEEP ON A GROUNDED PLANE LAST NIGHT IN NEW ORLEANS!!!!
HERE’S THE REAL SHOCKER!!!LAKERS IN 4….SWEEP BABY SWEEP. IT’LL MAKE UP FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS OF FRUSTRATION TO SWEEP THE DEFENDING CHAMPS AND THEN WIN IT ALL!!! LET’S DO IT COMMON LAKERS!!!
FARMAR-GET YOUR GAME BACK
SASHA-KEEP PLAYING THAT D AND MAKE THOSE THREES.
RONNY-WHERE’S THAT 9 POINTS 7 REBOUNDS AND 2 BLOCK SHOTS??
ARIZA-ARE YOU BACK FOR GOOD? GO LOCK DOWN MANU.
VLAD-YOU HAVE TO PLAY LIKE YOU SMELL BLOOD. JUST LIKE VLAD DRACULA
AND TO OUR TOP 4 PLAYERS (KOBE, FISH, PAU, ODOM)-ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PLAY CONSISTENT AND HIT YOUR AVERAGES AND IF YOUR ROLE GUYS PLAY WELL, THEN CHAMPIONSHIP HERE WE COME.
“will engaged”
Spurs will try to ‘FLOP’for victories in the series.
I noticed a thing today. Watching TV, listening to the radio, reading papers, talking to my friends, my customers, an oh reading TLN that everyone’s much more busier talking about Tony’s quickness, Ginobili’s ability to shoot off dribble, Duncan on post ups, the bench’s 3s… which in turn should conclude Spur’s amazing offense. But, wait a sec. Why are we talking about Spur’s offense to start with? If I was making my girlfriend read these lines, she would have guessed the Spurs as a highly scoring team. And probably question me about weather or not our defense can handle this great offense? Is this really right? I mean seriously…. Why are we noting all these points in our mind’s notepad?
Here.. here’s something for an offense fact:
http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2008/05/15/lakers-dominating-the-league-statistically-in-post-season/
Wasn’t the Laker’s no.3 in scoring during the regular season?
In that case why are we talking about the Spur’s offense? We should be talking more about how the spurs would adjust our offense, and what we need to do?
I hope by the time spurs figure out a way to stop our offense, it’s already too late. That’s probably our only way to win the series.
If Kobe’s thinking about starting a dynasty again, there’s no better setup than this. Kobe: you got what you want, now the rest is up to you.
Kobe has to sut down bruce bowen and score 40 points aganst him