After the swift dismantling of the Jazz in the Conference Semi-Finals the Lakers are idle for a week as they await their third consecutive trip to the Western Conference Finals. They will be facing an opponent that is almost as familiar as the team they just beat, and in many ways they will have the same match-up advantages over the Phoenix Suns that they had over the Jazz. Recently I had the privilege of discussing the Lakers with HoopsWorld writer Eric Pincus, and we were able to dissect the rest of the NBA playoffs and the eight wins separating Los Angeles from their sixteenth championship.
Both the Lakers and the Suns sliced through their second round opponents, earning sweeps and easy entry into the Conference Finals. Looking ahead to the match-up between the two teams, there are many similarities between the series with the Suns and the previous series with Utah. Both Utah and Phoenix feature undersized front-courts and dominating point guards that are sure to give the Lakers some trouble. However, there are also several stark differences between the two teams as well. Pincus was quick to give his opinion on the pros and cons of the Phoenix match-up:
I like the Suns for the Lakers in a sense that they can avenge old ghosts. Just as the Utah Jazz have been knocked out three straight years by the Lakers – LA has a two series losing streak against Phoenix and will look to avoid the same fate as Utah. Phoenix is potent but their biggest strength is their offense. The Lakers should be able to get their offense in gear throughout the series – while the Suns try to outscore them. It’ll be a good test for LA’s defense but not necessarily for their offense.
Now, looking ahead to the series I am not one of the people who feel the Lakers will walk all over Phoenix, despite the glaring physical advantages they may have. Phoenix is a much more talented team than Utah was, and since the All-Star Game has been one of the best teams in the Western Conference. However, they are a predominately offensive team that will still struggle on defense, and shouldn’t pose too many problems for the Lakers offense.
Next: What should the Lakers expect from the Suns?
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This does not mean that the Lakers will be able to exploit the Suns as they did Utah though. The Lakers far too often fall into the trap of playing undisciplined ball, and that is very easy to do when you play an up-tempo team like Phoenix. If Los Angeles tries to beat Phoenix in a full-court game that requires shooting 20+ three point shots they will fall short. Unlike Utah, or even Oklahoma City, Phoenix has a good blend of young, explosive players and savvy veterans that all form together to make a formidable mix.
The recent history between the Lakers and Suns isn’t as extensive as it is between Utah and Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean that the Lakers have forgotten about the first-round beatings Phoenix gave them back in 2006 and 07. Remembering the feeling the Lakers had after those early exits may be enough motivation to get them up and ready for the upcoming series, even though only a few core players remain from those battles.
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One of the things that many people may not understand is that a long, hard-fought series may be a good thing for the Lakers. Remember last year when the Lakers faced Denver during last year’s Conference Finals? It was a hard, physical, brutal series that left the Lakers beat up and exhausted? Well it also left the Lakers with the confidence and knowledge of what it takes to win at the highest level in the NBA.
Next: How do the Lakers make sure they’re ready for the Finals?
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Just the year before, in 2008, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals having gone 12-3 in the Western Conference Playoffs, including a 4-1 beating of the Spurs in the Conference Finals. Once they reached the Finals and Boston, who had played 20 out of 21 possible games before reaching the final round. Boston was battle tested and ready to go, the Lakers clearly were not, and Boston easily dismantled Los Angeles to claim the crown.
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This is why a hard battle in the Western Conference Finals might be able to do the Lakers some good, because no matter who they play if they reach the Finals will be a tough, physical opponent that will test the Lakers. However, both Pincus and I agree that Phoenix may not have the capabilities to test Los Angeles as much as Denver did last season:
I like the difficult round the Lakers had against the Thunder. Though they were inexperienced, Oklahoma City had a fantastic game-plan defensively and the athletes to back it up. I’m not sure anyone left standing can defend L.A. quite as well as the Thunder did in Round 1. The Suns certainly can’t. The closest would be the Boston Celtics but they’re not as deep as they were defensively a couple of years ago.
Does this mean that the Lakers are in trouble if they easily defeat Phoenix in five or six games? Not necessarily. Especially if the Lakers continue to play like they did the last two games in Utah. There is no other team, Eastern Conference included, that can match the talent Los Angeles puts on the court every night. The biggest question with the Lakers is the same thing we have been saying all season, the mindset of the team. Will they show up and play championship caliber basketball or will they shoot long jumpers and be content playing the other team’s style of ball?
Next: What’s the key to the 16th banner?
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If they play Los Angeles Lakers basketball, the championship caliber kind, they should be able to hoist another Larry O’Brien trophy in about a
The Lakers – should they advance to the Finals – won’t be surprised by anything. Whether they win or lose – it’ll come down to execution. They should be able to beat the Celtics – they should be able to beat the Magic (even though that won’t be easy – especially with no home court advantage). The biggest question would be the Cavaliers but they may not get the chance to test LA.
So as we sit and speculate about what the next month of basketball will bring one thing is still certain: the Lakers are halfway back to another banner and another parade, and it seems the only team in their way is themselves.