With the Lakers sweep of the Jazz last night, the table is now set for what should be one of the more exciting Western Conference Finals in the past few years by two teams very familiar with each other.
The Suns are playing better team basketball than anyone in the league arguably right now(Orlando?), and have peaked at the right time. Phoenix boasts a lineup that at any time will have four viable threats from the perimeter, and will cause Phil Jackson to think tiwce about playing big the entire game. Amare Stoudemire got the best of future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan in the West Semifinals, and will have both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to contend with this round.
This series features two teams led by former MVP’s, who both have played alongside Shaq at one point in their careers. As I said earlier, the Lakers and Suns are no strangers to each other in the postseason, as Kobe’s Lakers were eliminated by Phoenix the last two times they have played each other(2006 and 2007 first round series). After all, it was after the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of 2007 that the present-day Lakers were formed. Kobe asked to be traded.
It seems such a long time ago that the headlines in L.A read “Kobe Demands Trade”. Now, seeking a third straight NBA Finals appearance, the Lakers look for revenge against a Suns team who is playing with house money at this point.
For more Laker insight, head over to ForumBlueandGold.com
For the Suns perspective, check out BrightSideofTheSun
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