Author Topic: Are You Threatening Me? (Read 102 times)

Turf Hitta · « **on:** September 10, 2008, 01:23:46 PM »

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9960

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Threats - The West

By: Eric Pincus Last Updated: 9/10/08 9:00 AM ET | 2286 times read

What a difference a year makes. At this point last season, the Los Angeles Lakers were contemplating trade offers for star guard Kobe Bryant. Now they're arguably the favorite to come out of the Western Conference . . .

Of course 14 other teams will challenge them over the course of the 82-game regular season schedule - and the three rounds of the conference playoffs. Of the 14, five stand out as serious threats:

1) Portland Trail Blazers - The Blazers weren't a playoff team last year but they seriously have their eyes on the eighth playoff spot (at a minimum). Portland could be this year's New Orleans Hornets - the young team that finally puts it together. If they can finally stay healthy, the Blazers have a scary roster and a knack for giving the Lakers a very hard time - especially in Portland.

Playing against guards Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Bryant - the Blazers have Brandon Roy, Steve Blake (always a problem for the Lakers) and rookies Jerry Bayless and Rudy Fernandez. To match up with LA's front court of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, Portland offers Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge and either Martell Webster or Travis Outlaw. Channing Frye's ability to face up and shoot and Joel Przybilla's physicality give Coach Nate McMillan a pair of very different weapons off the bench.

If the Lakers do indeed win the West and draw the Blazers in the first round, that's going to be an epic series that could derail LA's title hopes early in the game . . .

2) New Orleans Hornets - In theory the combination of Bynum and Gasol should improve the Lakers ability to protect the basket but it won't be easy against a team like the Hornets. Containing dribble penetration last season was a major weakness and guard Chris Paul is an absolute handful.

The outside shooting of forwards David West, Peja Stojakovic and recent acquisition James Posey will be a factor after Paul beats his man off the dribble. It's very difficult to help defensively against the Hornets.

They also have one of the league's better defensive big men in Tyson Chandler who both blocks shots and rebounds well. Additionally, West doesn't only shoot jump shots. He may not necessarily have a true low post game but he is athletic, strong and aggressive.

The Hornets don't have tremendous depth and last year was the first season the core was essentially healthy. Like Portland, they too are well coached by former Laker Byron Scott who was Bryant's mentor when Kobe was a rookie.

The Lakers have the edge on depth but the Hornets are a scary team with serious championship aspirations.

3) Houston Rockets - The Rockets have had one fatal flaw that has kept them from reaching their potential - they just haven't been able to keep both center Yao Ming and guard/forward Tracy McGrady healthy for any serious extended period.

If Houston can finally get through the year with their big guns, the acquisition of forward Ron Artest could catapult the Rockets to the NBA Finals.

The team excelled on the defensive end before landing Artest. Along with Shane Battier, Houston has two top perimeter defenders to match up with Bryant. Yao towers over Bynum.

Forwards Luis Scola and Artest (if he starts at the four) may have some disadvantages against the taller Gasol but Scola presents a capable scoring option and Artest is certainly a tough, physical opponent for Pau.

In the backcourt, the Rockets have Rafer Alston, Aaron Brooks and Luther Head (among others) to complement McGrady.

If they can just stay healthy, Houston will have a great shot to finally get Yao and McGrady well past the first round of the playoffs. Once there, the sky is the limit.

4) Phoenix Suns - How seamlessly will the Suns transition from Mike D'Antoni to Terry Porter? Obviously playing under a new coach makes Phoenix somewhat of a question mark but the roster is undeniably scary. If center Shaquille O'Neal remains healthy, he and his front court mate Amare Stoudemire comprise perhaps the most intimidating big man duo on the league.

Steve Nash is still an elite point guard. The Lakers struggle against penetration but Nash's outside shot makes him an even trickier cover.

The Suns have a number a solid role players like forwards Grant Hill, Boris Diaw and Matt Barnes. Guards Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa give Porter two very different options at shooting guard. Bell remains a high level defender while Barbosa is about as quick as anyone in the league - and can score in bunches.

The Lakers and Suns have history. Obviously there's the Shaq/Kobe connection but before he arrived, the Suns knocked the Lakers out of the first round of the playoffs two years in a row.

This looks like it has potential for a fierce second-round series . . .

5) San Antonio Spurs - At first glance the Spurs don't appear to be a tremendous threat. It took the Lakers six games to get past the Utah Jazz but only five to topple San Antonio back in May.

As strong as the Jazz were, the return of Bynum should make a significant difference, especially against the Jazz. As it was, big men Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur already had their share of difficulties against the Laker front court of Gasol and Lamar Odom. Utah will be tough but San Antonio may be more of an issue.

Yes, guard/forward Manu Ginobili will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery which could impact San Antonio's seeding - but the Spurs do have the history of winning titles every other season.

Their offseason acquisition of guard Roger Mason will help provide the offense that was lacking last postseason - but ultimately the Spurs rely on Ginobili. Coach Gregg Popovich will rest him all season if necessary to get him back to health for the postseason. If Manu gets his game back, San Antonio could prove to be unstoppable.

San Antonio always seems to fly under the radar. Forward/center Tim Duncan remains one of the best big men in the game. Guard Tony Parker is still one of the best scorers in the league at his position. Both Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto are big, strong bodies that complement Duncan well.

But it will all come down to a healthy Ginobili . . .