Double
the fun for L.A. basketball followers
Daniel
Kim
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Los
Angeles Clippers are both in the playoffs.
The last time both Los Angeles teams
were in the postseason was in 1997.
L.A. fans are salivating at the prospect
of an all-L.A. second round match-up.
But before that can happen, they have
to advance.
The Lakers enter the playoffs a hot team. They travel to Phoenix to battle
the Suns, the team that has given the Lakers the most trouble. Since trading
away Shaquille O’Neil, the Suns have beaten the Lakers seven out of eight
games. The Lakers have had trouble containing the Suns’ up-tempo offense
led by last year’s MVP Steve Nash. If the Lakers were to beat the Suns
in Round I of the playoffs, it would be considered an upset, but it is tough
to count out the Lakers when they have Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant. In Jackson’s
second stint with the Lakers, he has the team returning to the playoffs. Jackson’s
track record speaks for itself. He has the highest winning percentage in the
postseason and is tied with Red Auerbach for the most NBA championships at
nine. The Zen master will have his team ready for the playoffs and a first
round exit would be a disappointment.
Bryant is a top candidate for MVP this season. He has recorded numerous games
of 40 or more points highlighted by his 81-point outburst against the Toronto
Raptors. He won his first NBA scoring title and proved he can lead a team without
Shaq. The Lakers enter the playoffs playing good basketball with Lamar Odom
looking more comfortable in the triangle offense and Kwame Brown playing good
defense. The Lakers beat the Suns in their last meeting by 20 points, but Phoenix
played without Steve Nash and Raja Bell.
The Clippers are tired of being known as the other team in Los Angeles. The
Clippers finished with more wins than the Lakers and is considered the team
with the better talent. The team has been playing strong defense under head
coach Mike Dunleavy. Their 47-35 record was their best since moving to L.A.
The Clippers made a strong statement by signing free agents Sam Cassell and
Cuttino Mobley in the off-season. The veteran leadership of Cassell and Mobley
added to a talented roster, featuring Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and Chris
Kaman, and has resulted in the Clippers first playoff appearance since 1997
when they were swept by the Utah Jazz 3-0. Brand has had the best season of
his career and he, along with the majority of the team, will be making his
playoff debuts.
They will play host to the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers have played well against
the Nuggets this season winning three of four games. To defeat the Nuggets,
they will have to contain Carmelo Anthony who is a dangerous threat in the
fourth quarter. The Clippers brought in Cassell because he is a proven postseason
player. Cassell has always been good in the clutch and is never shy to take
the final shot.
The Clippers have home court advantage and are favored to beat the Nuggets.
If they advance to the second round it would be the first playoff series victory
since 1976 when they were known as the Buffalo Braves. The Suns hold the home
court edge and are heavy favorites against the Lakers. The Lakers are returning
to the playoffs after last year’s absence and are the very excited underdogs,
especially with the way Bryant has been playing.
If the two teams were to advance, all games will be played at Staples Center,
the home court for both teams. L.A. has always been Lakertown, but the Clippers
also have a hardcore fan base. If they meet, it will be interesting to see
if the majority of fans will be wearing the red white and blue of the Clippers
or donning the purple and gold of the Lakers.
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