Can Challenge the Lakers?

[Palos]

As the playoffs is near who do you think will be the best team that can challenge the lakers? The east so far may be predictable as only 3 teams are most efficient for competing (Celtics, Cavaliers, and the Magic) But for the west things change as this may come up through the wire. The Spurs is no doubt still there but as I see their line up i dont see the favor on them as they were before. Age factor plus the bench may give them a lot of headache against Lakers. The Hornets, I dont think their ready for that showdown against Lakers. Theyre not favorable in any circumstances period. The Rockets, pls let T-Mac be healthy first. The Blazers, good to past first round and thats it. The Suns/Mavs, good old times but their having chemistry issues. For me the team that can really challenge is the Jazz! yes the Utah Jazz. I tell you this team can match every good teams in this league with the return of Andrei Kirilenko after All Star plus theyre trying to have Carlos Boozer in March. This team is for real plus dont forget how they are well coached. Starters and Bench is so promising come playoff time.

[bowdown]

blazers pull off the upset in game 4

[Andrew]

No one outside the top four in the West and the way they've been playing so far, I don't much like the Hornets' chances. I'd agree that San Antonio would seem to have the best shot having quickly turned around their season after a bit of a slow start. The problem is, barring a major collapse that allows them to close the gap everyone in the West is battling for second place right now and that means no home court advantage if and when they finally face the Lakers. I think the Spurs have a shot and to a lesser extent the Nuggets do too in the wake of acquiring Billups but it's an uphill battle with homecourt advantage.

[NovU]

Spurs is going all the way this year. Know the formula? Spurs wins Championship in every 2 years. They're a humble team who likes sharing. Seriously, Spurs has been playing great lately and I do believe they still have all the right tools to go all the way if the core players remain healthy and motivated. The Lakers are ahead of the spurs by 5 games but with injury of Bynum and considering he will be gone for "quite a while", the chance of catching up has increased a bit for the Spurs. If Andrew Bynum doesn't come back 100% healthy well before the playoffs to get into a game shape for the team, I think a little surprise by teams like Spurs will be quite likely to happen. After all, you can't argue the Spurs is one of the most solid teams in the NBA with not much of rooms for the ups and downs when all players are healthy.

[el badman]

Spurs is going all the way this year. Know the formula? Spurs wins Championship in every 2 years. They're a humble team who likes sharing.

I would tend to think the same thing because I want them to win, but one big difference is they don't have Big Shot Bob this year, going to hurt at some point during the playoffs...Even if R. Mason is more than a decent substitute for him. He may not be able to hit the same clutch shots he's hit before during playoff time.

[Andrew]

And unless the Lakers falter before the Conference Finals, chances are the Spurs will eventually meet them and won't have the benefit of home court advantage.