I am a life-long Laker fan, but I moved to Portland 4 years ago. I am now a season ticket holder and enjoying the Blazers a great deal, rooting for them enthusiastically except when they play the Lakers. But the Blazers announcers make it very difficult. I hate them. They are horrible homers and do not understand the game. They whine and cry about the referees more than they talk about the game. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Make me embarrassed to be a Blazers fan (although the Lakers will always be my #1 team).

I could see KG, playing the role of Jim Brown, having to smack down Marbury.

Guess what I’m trying to say, is if you have any hope for Marbury being successful on the Celtics, an analogy to the crazy guy who stabs a woman and fires on his own teammates, is probably not the one to use.

Of course Cleveland, Boston and Detroit are looking good and Orlando and Atlanta are right there, but if you compare them to battle-tested teams like Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio, Phoenix, Houston, Utah, and number of other teams with heavy veteran presence and huge playoff experience Western Conference is still a much tougher place to reside come playoff time.

I still think that it will be Lakers – Boston in the finals and am really looking forward to it, but I get irritated when most analysts assume that it will be easier for the Lakers in the finals because Celtics/Cavs will be drained by their first couple of rounds in the East before they get to the finals.

As it stands right now, Lakers, Cavaliers and Spurs are the only teams that have the team depth and talent off the bench to endure any possible injuries, long playoff series and foul trouble to their starters.

I agree that Celtics are no longer as good as they were last year with Posey, PJ Brown and Sam Cassell forming a pretty good second unit for the Celts and giving starters some much needed help. However, the current Celtics are too short on their bench (Big Baby and Powe are substitute big men and stand shorter than 6’9”) and lack the second unit firepower (the only guy who can score is House and he is very inconsistent)

With that said, home court throughout the playoffs will be crucial for any team come Spring, as all heavy contenders play remarkably much better at home than on the road

This is a new season and the Lakers have improved, but have the celtics? After their recent road trip it doesn’t look like it. I don’t think they get out of the east this year, much less repeat.

If the Lakers stay healthy they have the best team. In addition, don’t be surprised if the Lakers add another player to increase their chances.

Yeah. Check the blogs of some of those teams, and you’ll see constant complaining about officials.

Yes, it is!

Yes, that court is ugly. Not only that, but the 2-tone probably reinforces the feelings of constriction the 3-pt line makes a player feel. If you play on the side courts without a 3 pt. line in a gym, then you’ll know I mean. I don’t 2-tone courts are good.

Joel,

I can understand a little homerism, but when it’s constant and incorrect whining about officiating, or belittling of other players on opposing teams, it’s bad for the game.