The Western Conference’s Best Team: L.A. Lakers or San Antonio Spurs?

[zrinkill]

My AM Take: One embodies glitz-and-glamour. The other is blue-collar. One has a superstar who transcends the league. The other has a superstar who is unfairly compared to a robot because of his low-key personality.


Yes, I’m referring to the Western Conference’s two best teams: the L.A. Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. And yes, Hollywood and The River City are polar opposites.


The Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, have star-driven talent. The Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, aim for text-book efficiency. Different styles, but both are highly effective.



Only one team can represent the west in the NBA Finals. Right now, who has the best shot of winning the Western Conference: Los Angeles or San Antonio? Read the post and let us know in the comment box below.

The Case for the Lakers …

• Staples Center houses the best player in the world. Of course, Bryant is now content to facilitate for others or –like Sunday afternoon- he can still dominate when necessary. #24 is in line for his first MVP.

• Staples Center also houses the best frontcourt in the NBA: Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom. When healthy, this trio has the size and skill to give opponents fits.

• Depth is a beautiful thing. The purple-and-gold has one of the league’s best benches; Phil Jackson can go ten deep, calling on useful players like Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf, and Sasha Vujacic.

The Case for the Spurs …

• San Antonio is a perfect example of defense winning NBA Titles. With Duncan acting as the anchor, the silver-and-black stays near the top of the standings by stopping opponents.

• Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker are interchangeable All-Stars. Over the years, each has led the Spurs to playoff glory. And they are the defending champs.
• Savvy veterans are a wonderful commodity. Last month, San Antonio added Damon Stoudamire and Kurt Thomas to a roster of experienced pros like Robert Horry, Fabricio Oberta, Michael Finley and Brent Barry.

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/t...l-a--lakers-or-san-antonio-spurs-ar47479.html

 

[Mavs Man]

Who knows. The Giants won the Super Bowl.

 

[gazmc_06]

I'm gonna go with my Lakers lol...I think we are playing great basketball right now, have a great roster and then having that guy in the #24 jersey just put's us over the top.

 

[khiladi]

Seriously, how can anyone bet against the Spurs? Because the Lakers have a good record going into the play-offs means absolutely nothing...

We saw what happened to Dallas last year... The whole Western conference is stacked, and the only team to consistently come out on top has been the Spurs...

 

[gazmc_06]

Dallas didn't have Kobe, Lakers wont stumble.

 

[MC KAos]

i think the lakers are a really good team, but just cuz the spurs didnt acquire any all stars in the trade deadline dont count them out. As good as Kobe is, Duncan is just as good in the overall sense of basketball. He is the most dominant player on both ends of the floor (what i mean by that is that kobe is more dominant offensively, obviuosly, but duncan is the most dominant big man on the offensive side and he is the most dominant defensive presence in the league by far). But anyway, the lakers have 1 all time great and 2 all star caliber players plus a young, but talented bench. The spurs have 1 all time great, 2 all stars and a battle tested, expirienced bench. Its gonna be a great matchup but i like our chances because i think people overlook how important experience is.

i wouldnt count the mavs out either though, everyone knows how much i respect them, but they match up well with the spurs and the lakers. Dirk has always dominated Gasol, and also, Dont forget, Gasol has always chocked in the playoffs. But i think playing alongside kobe this time will change that. But you just never know

 

[gazmc_06]

^I agree with that completely, Kobe is the best offensive and defensive gaurd in the game, Duncan is the best offensive and defensive big man in the game, both teams have two other great players and both have a great bench...it will be a fun match-up.

 

[zrinkill]

Dallas didn't have Kobe, Lakers wont stumble.

I do not think Lakers will stumble ..... but unless Kobe gets a Superstar big man to play with anytime soon .... I do not think they matchup well with the Spurs.

Personally I think the Spurs will continue to be one of the top teams, and a favorite to win it all every year, until Duncan starts to decline.

The Lakers are a great team and Kobe is (IMNHO) the most talented player in the league. But Kobe ball by itself always seems to fall short in the playoffs.

Maybe this new team will be different .... but I will have to see it to know for sure.

 

[MC KAos]

I do not think Lakers will stumble ..... but unless Kobe gets a Superstar big man to play with anytime soon .... I do not think they matchup well with the Spurs.

Personally I think the Spurs will continue to be one of the top teams, and a favorite to win it all every year, until Duncan starts to decline.

The Lakers are a great team and Kobe is (IMNHO) the most talented player in the league. But Kobe ball by itself always seems to fall short in the playoffs.

Maybe this new team will be different .... but I will have to see it to know for sure.

ya, thats my thing too, they havent been there yet as a team, its tough to break through. but the difference between them and celtics for example is the coaching. Phil has been there and he knows what buttons to push. SOMEONE FAST FORWARD IT A MONTH AND A HALF!!! haha, i cant wait man, ive never been more exited about the playoffs as a whole

 

[gazmc_06]

It's not Kobe ball anymore though, last two years it's been Kobe vs Pheonix and he almost pulled it off, this year it's Kobe, Gasol and Bynum with a deep bench....this is a different team.

 

[sharph20]

Obviously the Lakers are a great team, but I would say the lack of experience off the bench from guys like turiaf and "the machine" might haunt them. The Spurs have been there and done it consistently the past 9 years, and while they might be old that playoff experience is invalueable.

Another factor that comes into play is defense. The games are going to come down the wire more often then not and it is safe to say that the Spurs defense is going to be much more consistent in getting that necessary stop. It is too hard to say that any one team from the West is a lock for the finals but I would take the Spurs over the Lakers because of experience and defense.

 

[zrinkill]

It's not Kobe ball anymore though, last two years it's been Kobe vs Pheonix and he almost pulled it off, this year it's Kobe, Gasol and Bynum with a deep bench....this is a different team.

Oh do not get me wrong .... they look like the real deal and look to be a huge challenge for my Spurs. I am not taking them for granted at all.

And Chaos is right ..... Phil will be a calming force for them no doubt.

The only thing I think the Spurs have a clear cut advantage in is seasoning. Kobe is the only seasoned playoff performer in the group. There is a chance that the rest of the team starts watching him cook in the playoffs instead of playing like they have been.

Either way its gonna be a great playoffs this year.

 

[Yeagermeister]

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES!!!!!!!!

Oh sorry I thought it said worst


Carry on :

 

[zrinkill]

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES!!!!!!!!

Oh sorry I thought it said worst


Carry on :

 

[Route 66]

Lakers will take out the Spurs in 6.

 

[zrinkill]

Obviously the Lakers are a great team, but I would say the lack of experience off the bench from guys like turiaf and "the machine" might haunt them. The Spurs have been there and done it consistently the past 9 years, and while they might be old that playoff experience is invalueable.

Another factor that comes into play is defense. The games are going to come down the wire more often then not and it is safe to say that the Spurs defense is going to be much more consistent in getting that necessary stop. It is too hard to say that any one team from the West is a lock for the finals but I would take the Spurs over the Lakers because of experience and defense.

I agree ..... unless the Lakers show some halfcourt D that they have not shown so far.

 

[khiladi]

Dallas didn't have Kobe, Lakers wont stumble.

The Lakers had Kobe last year... and the year before...

Fundamental team basketball always beats a couple of all-stars....

 

[zrinkill]

The Lakers had Kobe last year... and the year before...

Fundamental team basketball always beats a couple of all-stars....

As long as under 38 year old Jordan is not involved.

 

[Route 66]

The Lakers had Kobe last year... and the year before...

Fundamental team basketball always beats a couple of all-stars....

Fundamental flopping?

I agree.

 

[gazmc_06]

The Lakers had Kobe last year... and the year before...

Fundamental team basketball always beats a couple of all-stars....

All they had was Kobe, now they have Gasol and the much improved Bynum...Kobe just puts them at another level.