Lakers should beat the Suns, and will if Kobe does the right thing. Bynum and Gasol need a lot of touches in the series. Guys like Artest and Fisher should not be shooting that much, and Kobe is such a threat that he doesn't need to shoot more than 15 times a game. He can create so much with his mere presence. The Suns cannot handle the Bynum and Gasol tandem, and Gasol with the ball in his hands is what the Suns and many other teams fear.
Robin Lopez being back is big for the Suns, because they are so weak inside. He's their legit inside defender. But even if he's 100%, they still don't have enough to handle the Lakers.
The Suns have better depth, but are at a coaching disadvantage. I say Lakers win, but it could go 7.
Orlando is better and deeper than Boston.
Boston's problem is Rasheed Wallace. They paid him too much and they just don't have enough besides him on the bench. Since he's been mailing in the season, they have a big problem. Rivers is unwilling to cut his minutes, apparently. He shouldn't play more than 6 minutes a game the way he sabotages them. The problem is they have three old starters, and they need a bench, but what do they have? Glen Davis and Michael Finley? Not enough.
Nate Robinson is probably very pissed about the Celtics screwing him (they sat him towards the end of the season so he wouldn't earn a $2 million bonus).
I say Orlando in 5. They're deeper and younger. A healthy Jameer Nelson has been huge for them, and if VC occasionally tries, it'll be lights out.
Robin Lopez being back is big for the Suns, because they are so weak inside. He's their legit inside defender. But even if he's 100%, they still don't have enough to handle the Lakers.
The Suns have better depth, but are at a coaching disadvantage. I say Lakers win, but it could go 7.
Orlando is better and deeper than Boston.
Boston's problem is Rasheed Wallace. They paid him too much and they just don't have enough besides him on the bench. Since he's been mailing in the season, they have a big problem. Rivers is unwilling to cut his minutes, apparently. He shouldn't play more than 6 minutes a game the way he sabotages them. The problem is they have three old starters, and they need a bench, but what do they have? Glen Davis and Michael Finley? Not enough.
Nate Robinson is probably very pissed about the Celtics screwing him (they sat him towards the end of the season so he wouldn't earn a $2 million bonus).
I say Orlando in 5. They're deeper and younger. A healthy Jameer Nelson has been huge for them, and if VC occasionally tries, it'll be lights out.