But still I seriously doubt they can beat the Lakers. Let me break it down for you:Size Advantage In Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, you get two 7 footers who do not only have the length but also the size to wreak havoc on the low post. Who will the Suns match against Bynum? If Robin Lopez comes back from the injury list, it's gonna be him. But if he can't come back, who else is there? I'm guessing the 6'11" Jarron Collins. Never heard of him? The Suns neither. But Coach Alvin Gentry will be forced to use him.
Shooting 3s It may be news to you but the Lakers are not exactly slouch in the 3-point shooting department. In The Black Mamba, Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar, you have three decent 3-point shooters who can go on a sudden devastating streak. Granted, these shooters are no match with the Suns if both teams decide to settle the issue with a 3-point shooting war. But if I were Phil Jackson, why would I do that? What I'm gonna do is to run the offense through Gasol and Bynum each time. If those two get into heavy traffic, they can always throw the ball out to the perimeter where Fisher is waiting to fire a three. If he misses there is Gasol again for the rebound throw-down. It's perfect. Run each offensive possession on the low post. It's boring basketball, sure, but it brings positive results. Screw Kobe and his destiny.
Defense The Suns this year are a much-tenacious defenders. You have Grant Hill who probably drinks blood and howls at the moon. He is the poster boy of hard work and dedication. I've never seen a 37-year old as dedicated on both offense and defense as this guy. Watching Grant sliced through 2 defenders is a pure joy. He is 37 but he is outrunning 27 year-olds on the break. (More on him later.) Then you have Louis Amundson. He stands only 6'9" but he might as well be a 7 footer. He can leap really high and is not easily rattled. Since he always hangs out near the rim, he almost always blocks a shot or grabs a loose ball for a put-back. Then you have Amare Stoudemire. The man is a much-better defensive threat this year for some reason. In Amare, you have a beast on the low-post who is totally unafraid to mix it up with the big boys. I always believe if Amare is not a basketball player he'd be a gangster breaking legs and jaws for a living. That's how scary this guy is. But wait a minute, what about the Lakers defense? Refer to Point #1. The Lakers defense will not only be handled by those two but by Ron Artest and Lamar Odom as well. Active hands plus size will bring the Suns a lot of problems. In Artest, you have a confirmed bruiser who welcomes physical contact.
Mental Games Phil Jackson is the undisputed king of psy-wars among NBA coaches. He plants seeds in the mind of his opponents and the refs right before a series start. Yesterday was a case in point. He declares in an interview that Steve Nash carries the ball. Now Nash has never been whistled before for traveling. But by Phil saying so, I'm betting the refs will now be looking for a traveling charge against Nash.
The Black Mamba
Kobe thinks he is destined for greatness. Every move he makes on the court is calculated to advance the notion that he is greater than MJ. So when he drives to the basket among 3 defenders, or when he morphs into a "facilitator" and dishes assists to shooters, it's as a consequence of his belief that he is The Black Mamba. Now MJ never called himself "His Airness". Neither did Earvin Johnson refer to himself as "Magic." Those names were conferred upon them by members of the media and the public. Kobe's case is different; he was the one who started calling himself The Black Mamba. He has 5 championship rings so far. MJ has six. In the Mamba's mind, he is destined to break that record and come up with at least 7 before he retires. He therefore cannot allow the Suns to delay his date with destiny. §§§
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