Western Conference Finals Matchup

Sports Fans,

The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are in the conference finals...oh brother! The Lakers beat up on a weak Nuggets team and closed out the Jazz in 6 games...oooooo...Big effin deal.

The Spurs are again prepped to play for another ring. The team that looks like a bunch of real estate agents instead of a championship caliber basketball club is playing the Lakers for the 6th time in 9 years...YAYY...To tell you the truth, it would have been more fun watching CP3 break Kobe's ankles or watch Tyson Chandler dunk on Pau Gasol.

And after watching the Celtics give it to Detroit tonight, I am so not riled up for this game...but I digress...Lets get to the break down.

Point Guard

Tony Parker vs. Derek Fischer

I would say this is no brainer and give this right to TP, but Derek Fischer has this uncanny ability of getting wide open when it counts and hitting really big shots. The french guy has to be mindful of that during the series...and that's where it ends.

Parker is gonna fry Fischer. Because he just went toe to toe with arguably the best PG in the league in Chris Paul, Tony's playing on a pretty high level. There's no way Fischer will be able to keep up with this guy for 48 minutes.

Advantage: Spurs


Shooting Guard

Kobe Bryant vs. Manu Ginobili

This is a tough call. I know Kobe's the best player in the world, but he perpetually has his hands full with Manu.

Kobe can take over, so can Manu

Manu can hit the clutch 3, so can Kobe

Kobe can create his own shot when nothings there, so can Manu

Manu's energy affects his teammates so they play better, so does Kobe's

Advantage: Tie


Small Forward

Bruce Bowen vs. Luke Walton

Both these guys are gonna pack their lunch and go to work. The difference is, only one of them will be a factor. Luke Walton is a hustle guy, but he doesn't put his team in a position to win, night in and night out, Bruce Bowen does.

We know Bowen won't guard Walton, he'll juggle Kobe and Odom assignments, play stellar defense, make key plays, and hit that corner three throughout the series.

Luke Walton...well, he'll be there.

Advantage: Spurs


Power Forward

Lamar Odom vs. Tim Duncan

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Tim Duncan had some scoring challenges in the last round thanks to the different defensive schemes Hornets head coach Byron Scott threw at him. Regardless, Tim still showed up when it counted hitting key shots, and averaged double digit rebounds throughout the series. And if you didn't know, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson doesn't double team

Now, I'm not sold on Odom. I know he's playing really well and all, but LO hasn't been in the pressure cooker of the Western Conference Finals...or any type of Finals for that matter. Now he has to deal with Tim Duncan for the next week and a half.

I'd look for Odom to crumble under pressure and be relatively non existent, a non factor for this series; something he's done his whole career, come up short.

Advantage: Spurs

Center

Fabricio Oberto vs. Pau Gasol

Pau has big numbers against the Spurs this year (about 18 ppg), but that's the regular season. Before this spring, Gasol had ZERO post season experience. I don't believe he'll be able to continually match the intensity of battle tested Tim Duncan (You know Oberto isn't going to guard him!). Gasol won't fold, but I predict that he won't be able to make the right adjustments when it counts.

Oberto is 6 fouls and 5 boards a game. He's an energy guy, runs the floor well, and will be subbed for Kurt Thomas at the end of this blog.

Advantage: Lakers


Spurs Bench

This is a very deep and productive bench. Lets begin with Brent Barry. Like the rest of Rick's kids, Brent has a very high basketball IQ, never turns the ball over, and hits key shots in key situations.

Hey Mikey, I think he likes it!!! Michael Finley got a taste of winning last year and wants to do it again. Although he slipped in the rotation early in the playoffs, Finley's key three pointers in the second half of Game 7 vs. New Orleans helped the Spurs close the door on the Hornets.

Robert Horry is back...I bet you didn't notice how he cut his hair the way he had it his first two years in Houston (for the subtle impaired: He's making a statement). Big Shot Bob did just that in Game 7 of the New Orleans series and is looking to prove he still has it in the upcoming western showdown.

What can I say about Kurt Thomas? He's tough (New York and Miami professional upbringing), he can score (Billy Tubbs upbringing), and he's consistent (although he is prone to foul trouble).

This guy Ime Udoka can flat out play. The guy from everywhere with the Nigerian name slashes to the hoop, or can step out and bang the three. His mid range game and defense helped to bump him past Michael Finley in the rotation...that's pretty impressive. Look to see him collect fouls guarding Kobe, or reaching in on Lamar Odom during the series

Lakers Bench

Ronny Turiaf is a blue collar guy that can provide much needed front court toughness for the Lake Show IF he can keep his 250 lbs self on the court and out of STUPID foul trouble. Not much of an offensive threat though, he's shooting 42% percent from the field, and I'd like to think those shots were close to the basket.

If this guy can get it going, the Spurs will need to watch out, but the problem is, Jordan Farmar has probably been the most inconsistent Laker reserve this post season. Consider that the UCLA alum averaged almost 10 a game this past regular season and is now contributing 3.5 shooting 26% from the field. This would be a rotten time for San Antonio for Farmar to break out of that funk.

Vladamir Radmonovic...sorry man, but I don't believe you. Like other European ball players, they show promise and phenomenal talent in the regular season then disappear in the post season. Dirk did it this again this year, and Peja Stojakovic shot 3 for 11 for 7 points in the closeout loss to San Antonio. I don't know, maybe I'm just seeing things, but I don't think this guy is going to make much of an impact.

Bench Advantage: Spurs

At the end of the day, the Lakers have too little experience on their roster to get to the next level. Will they make it interesting, sure! But I believe the Lake Show gets too much credit just for being the Lakers. They have two players on their roster with extensive playoff experience and inconsistency plagues too many of their personnel.

Spurs in 6!

D-Con