Whew! This has been one helluva season in the Western Conference, the most relentless horse race ever.
Just missed that double-overtime thriller won by the Spurs over the Suns. Our Lakers host the Nuggets tomorrow, Sunday. I predict the Lakers win that series in 5. More difficult to pick is Suns-Spurs series. Hungry Suns with Shaq addition vs. the very tough-minded, time-tested, defending champs holding the home-court advantage.
Mavs-Hornets? Also tough to call; #2 new kid on the block vs. perennial challenger and recent conference champ, Mavericks.
Hard to imagine Eastern Conference final being other than Celtics-Pistons. In the West, it's gotta be Lakers vs. probably either the Suns or the Spurs. That 1st-round matchup is definitely the most dramatic, with the strongest implications. But then, everybody finished so close in the West, that nobody can be truly counted out till this fast and furious tournament concludes.
If the Lakers make conference finals and face the Suns, one hopes Bynum is back and well-integrated into the new-look Lakers with significant (though gradually assigned) playing time.
As it stands, amplified fan affirmation goes to Kobe, Pau, Lamar, D-Fish, Vlade, Sascha, Luke, Jordan, Rony, and the entire Lakers squad. Oh yeah, while we're at it, let's hope the perpetually hard-luck injured Chris Mihm is able to contribute.
Go Lakers!
