.png&w=244&h=193&zc=1 "By the numbers: A quick look at the Grizzlies")
Do the Spurs want the Lakers in the playoffs?
With a win last night, the Los Angeles Lakers have pulled within two games of the Houston Rockets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the .jpg)
Western Conference. The Lakers are 4-1 since the All-Star break and 11-5 in their last 16. Kobe Bryant guaranteed the team would reach the postseason and Steve Nash is starting to really adapt to the Lakers’ role that went from juggernaut to long shot in just a few months.
"It's going to be a tough ride trying to get into the playoffs, but that's going to make it fun," Nash said. "Let's try to overcome the odds and try to get back in there and see if we can scare some people. I think you got some veterans on the team that enjoy this time. Let's enjoy being the underdogs. Let's enjoy the pressure, let's welcome it and let's embrace it and allow it to elevate our process and elevate our progress."
So let’s assume they can pull it off.
In this hypothetical world, the Lakers could see a potential 1 vs. 8 (or 2 vs. 7 if the Spurs want to keep losing to teams like Phoenix) matchup with the Spurs in the first round. Should the Spurs be excited or scared of this possibility?
I talked about this a little bit on the podcast, and I still say, no matter what happens in the regular season, the Spurs do not want to see the Lakers in the playoffs.
Maybe it’s a little bit of historical bias subconsciously creeping into my brain, maybe I’m overrating the team just because of the names on the roster, but this Lakers team was built to win a championship. In a seven game series, with their collection of All-Stars on the floor, no matter how old or beat up, this team is scary.
If I’m a Spurs fan, I’m hoping to see Houston or Utah in that first round and the Lakers in the ninth spot. Or perhaps an even better scenario, the Thunder have to get past the Lakers in the first round. That might actually benefit the Spurs.
I know Spurs fans hate the Lakers and their fans, and vice versa, and are really enjoying watching the team struggle this year. I’d keep wishing they don’t get it together, because if they do, that could mean trouble.
What about you? Would you dread or welcome a first-round matchup with the Lakers?
Any team with two bigs and able to guard TP with a bigger player COULD be trouble. Other teams seemed to have figured this out as of late. We get who we get and we trust the system!
I would rather see the lakers than Houston. I think Houston is young enough to get cocky when they get hot but experienced enough with harden. Sure they're inconsistent and we blew them out but they also gave us trouble. I think we could take the lakers easy, but I don't want to because I secretly believe that the nba is rigged and if they get to the playoffs, the refs will coast them into the finals. Really, I want the spurs to face Utah. They're worse than last year and they're not meshing together well.
I definitely wouldn't mind matching up against them in the 1st round.Whether they r meshing or not I know we have a way better,deeper & more experienced bench than da fakers!Besides we have the best point guard in da league & they have who an injury prone old Steve Nash with an inexperienced back up point guard.Besides I'd love to see da face on Kobe when we knock them out of da 1st round! Go Spurs Go!!!
@RogJr38 Can someone translate this for me?
In all seriousness, reading your comment post the other guy (aamador521) calling another team "cocky" is funny as hell.
@WithMalice @RogJr38 well I don't know if you wanted me to translate but what I meant is when a young team gets a tiny bit of confidence, they start playing way better than they are. Young teams are streaky. That's what I meant by them being cocky.
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@aamador521 @WithMalice @RogJr38 Actually, it was more a snide reference to "da" way RogJr wrote his commentary.
I don't want to see them because if they got it together enough to make the playoffs that means they are starting to mesh. This lakers team firing on all cylinders could be problematic. I still think we can win but it will be difficult. Plus I like the possibility that they may not even make the post season...
Spot on. I think that if the Lakers get rolling, they're going to be a problematic opponent for any team. That's not to say that they'll win whoever they face first round (tho' I suspect they *could*), but who wants a first round series that goes the entire distance?
@WithMalice @spursfan80 Problem is the lakers are not rolling, before we start talking about the lakers they need to be at .500. You need to "suspect" them on getting to .500 before them taking a team to 7 games...
@ChrisCano Wasn't grammar per se... just no idea what you were trying to say.
And LA aren't in the playoff mix? Err... Chris? I think you need to follow basketball just a wee bit more carefully.
(oh... and note: you should always have a space after an ellipsis!)
@WithMalice @spursfan80 It was a joke, but you need to not focus on grammar and focus on math, and teams below .500 dont get into the playoffs in the west.
I would be foolish to think that if it was 2008, Nash is past his prime. And before you comment remember the Lakers are not even in the playoff mix with 23 (is it ok to use this number here) games left in the season. And the last 10 games you went 6-4, go on a 10+ winning streak before you talk about playoffs...Dont make me go Jim Mora on you...lol
YOU FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR...YOUR COACH...he couldn't out coach anyone in a 7 game series with that team
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@ChrisCano @spursfan80 Is... "suspect" the word you really want to use there?
It'd be a foolish man to look at a team with Dwight, Kobe, Nash (and perhaps Gasol)... and declare it's nothing to worry about.
