NBA Playoffs Thread

[Spellmen]

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The Lakers have a decent array of big men. The success of Suns, Mavs, Bulls etc. has proven that you don't really need a major low-post threat to be a winner anymore. It appears that the NBA is moving in a different direction.

What the Lakers really need is a solid point guard that can play some defense - possibly in the Ron Harper mold. When Jordan Farmar is your 2nd best guard, your team is in trouble. It would be nice to have D-Fish back right about now.

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The Lakers decent array of big men come nowhere close to Marion/Stoudamire, or even Thomas. The comparison is laughable. The Suns can run that style of ball because they have a point guard who can distribute ridiculously well and probably 2 of the top 5 finishers in the league.

To play a fast run and gun style (ie without a good low post guy) you need someone who can set everyone up (Lakers don't have it), someone to finish all those plays (aside from Kobe they don't have it, maybe Odom), and some people to hit open jumpshots and 3s to keep the defense from packing in (Walton is probably their leader here, but even that is pretty sad).

I really love Kobe, but the Lakers aren't even close to competing unless they land a huge guy like Garnett. To say their big men are sufficient just because the Suns have shown that you can win without a prototypical center is just wrong