Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Feb 13, 2007 23:56:14 GMT -5
Lakers Roll Into The Playoffs With Momentum But Injury Riddled
The Lakers have made the playoffs for the second consecutive season and have accomplished their second 50 win season under the managerial leadership of Hibachi. However, they come into the playoffs lacking depth on the frontline with both Joel Przybilla and Antonio McDyess sidelined. Joel will be missing at least one game with a bruised jaw which he sustained just a couple days before the playoffs were set to start. Antonio McDyess however has missed the past month and a half with a torn hamstring. He's already had surgery and is in the recovery process. Antonio will miss the entire series and could miss the 2nd round if the Lakers make it that far.
"We're excited about being able to make the playoffs again. It does suck that we got injuries to both Pryz and Dice but thats just a part of the game. We've just got to play through it and just do what we do," said Chris Bosh.
Los Angeles has already planned to play a smaller lineup going into the playoffs. Sources out of the Laker camp have stated the intent for the team to start Allen Iverson in the backcourt with Stephon Marbury and have Ron Artest play at the power forward position. Perhaps this could be the one out that the Lakers have going in their favor despite all the injuries. Ron is known as one of the most versatile players in the game. Playing Ron Artest at power forward could possibly help them out on the boards even though Chris Bosh has been playing tremendously well.
"Definitely happy that coach is gonna run me at the power forward position. Hopefully it creates some matchup problems between whoever they throw at me," said Artest.
The Nuggets will be a formidible opponent for the Lakers. They've had their best season under GM dasm0keshow since he took over the team several years ago. Their team is lead by the veteran savvy and Vince Carter and the young point guard Chris Paul who like Bosh, is experiencing his second season in the playoffs. The Lakers are going to have to hope that Artest can create a mismatch against Eddie Griffin who is pretty solid defender for a sophomore player. The Lakers are going to play their A game if they're gonna have a shot against the Nuggets. If the Lakers can take one game from the Nuggets in Denver, they've got a shot to win this series. The Nuggets two wins over the Lakers at home came at a time when Los Angeles was playing below average basketball. It shall be an interesting series to see if the Lakers can finally break through and win a first round matchup.
The Lakers have made the playoffs for the second consecutive season and have accomplished their second 50 win season under the managerial leadership of Hibachi. However, they come into the playoffs lacking depth on the frontline with both Joel Przybilla and Antonio McDyess sidelined. Joel will be missing at least one game with a bruised jaw which he sustained just a couple days before the playoffs were set to start. Antonio McDyess however has missed the past month and a half with a torn hamstring. He's already had surgery and is in the recovery process. Antonio will miss the entire series and could miss the 2nd round if the Lakers make it that far.
"We're excited about being able to make the playoffs again. It does suck that we got injuries to both Pryz and Dice but thats just a part of the game. We've just got to play through it and just do what we do," said Chris Bosh.
Los Angeles has already planned to play a smaller lineup going into the playoffs. Sources out of the Laker camp have stated the intent for the team to start Allen Iverson in the backcourt with Stephon Marbury and have Ron Artest play at the power forward position. Perhaps this could be the one out that the Lakers have going in their favor despite all the injuries. Ron is known as one of the most versatile players in the game. Playing Ron Artest at power forward could possibly help them out on the boards even though Chris Bosh has been playing tremendously well.
"Definitely happy that coach is gonna run me at the power forward position. Hopefully it creates some matchup problems between whoever they throw at me," said Artest.
The Nuggets will be a formidible opponent for the Lakers. They've had their best season under GM dasm0keshow since he took over the team several years ago. Their team is lead by the veteran savvy and Vince Carter and the young point guard Chris Paul who like Bosh, is experiencing his second season in the playoffs. The Lakers are going to have to hope that Artest can create a mismatch against Eddie Griffin who is pretty solid defender for a sophomore player. The Lakers are going to play their A game if they're gonna have a shot against the Nuggets. If the Lakers can take one game from the Nuggets in Denver, they've got a shot to win this series. The Nuggets two wins over the Lakers at home came at a time when Los Angeles was playing below average basketball. It shall be an interesting series to see if the Lakers can finally break through and win a first round matchup.
