Let's get something straight here, The Lakers defense is horrible, reason is that 2 huge cogs in the defensive machine are missing, Bynum and Arriza, both of whom may be back in time for the playoffs.
That being said, I think the Lakers have an EXCELLENT chance of making it to the WC Finals, and I believe they will.
My reasoning? Lack of defense notwithstanding, the only team in the WC that plays any consistant defense is San Antonio, and to a lesser degree Utah, although that beat down the Jazz put on NO last night was scary. LA matches up very well against the team they will likely face in the first round, Phoenix, and LA has extra motivation there with the Shaq Kobe thing AND the last 2 years, plus they will have home court first round. I believe next up will be Utah who should be able to dispatch Houston, either way, home court again and we own Utah, and Houston, if we do have Bynum back, will have no answer in the paint. If we make it that far, and I believe we will, our likely opponent will be San Antonio, this is where we run into real problems, the Spurs are playing as tough as ever and are certainly capable of shutting down our inside scoring.
This is no Mavericks or Warriors team, we can play SOME defense, we don't try to outrun you, although LA can run with ANYONE, we can score from anywhere on the floor, we have a very, very solid bench, and the halfcourt favors us over anyone except the Spurs, and that is playoff basketball.
There, no backpedalling here, I called my shot, I will stand by it and my team and I will eat the whole crow if I am wrong, man up Laker fans, we are probably not championship level yet, but in this crazy WC, I like our chances as much as anyones. Let the playoffs begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
