Unfortunately, the team will be without Metta World Peace for seven games (suspension) as a result of the vicious elbow thrown at James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Even without World Peace for the first round, the consensus is that the Lakers should advance and will likely play the Thunder in the second round.
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On Wednesday afternoon, Kobe Bryant appeared on the Max & Marcellus radio show (AM 710) to talk about the Lakers clinching the Pacific division title over the Los Angeles Clippers:
“It does feel good. It feels good to stake our claim as division champs.”
Kobe also talked about a potential first-round matchup with the Mavs:
“I would love the challenge to face the defending champs. They really handled us extremely well last year. I’m very curious to see the adjustments we’ll make this time around to face them in the first round of the playoffs. I can’t lie and say I wouldn’t look forward to that challenge.”
It’s no surprise that with the opportunity to get a little revenge against the defending champions that Kobe is all for it. With the Nuggets and the Mavs being the most likely first-round opponents, the Black Mamba would love to get some redemption for the ugly playoff losses last year in which they were swept by the Mavs.