Hornets or Spurs?

Ok guys.  If we ask a Laker player or coach who they want to face, in the winner of the game 7 between the Hornets or the Spurs, they are going to say something diplomatic about both teams being great and looking forward to a challange.

Why? Because they don't want to give an opposing team bulletin board motivation.

Luckily, we don't have to do that.

Do we want to face the defending NBA champions, playoff tested Spurs, and a team that is capable to win on a teams opposing home court? Or do we want to face the inexperienced Hornets who can only beat the Spurs on their home court?

Please don't hate me for my subliminal bias.

you can actually make an excuse for why we match up with both teams. Id rather have the Lakers play the Hornets because they are more young and wont be able to out energize the lakers since they arent an old team like the Spurs. For that reason id like to play the spurs because we can use energy and young athletism to beat them. Either way I see the lakers wining the series.

Go lakers

I'm exactly with labroncos on this - it really doesn't matter who it is, these Lakers should fear neither.  As to who I would rather see the Lakers play, I'm pretty vexed on this issue;

1. Hornets - they are the #2 seed, and I think the matchups in this series are very compelling (Fisher & Paul, Kobe & Peja, Gasol & Chandler, Odom & West...Scott vs. Jackson).  I think that this would be, by far, the more entertaining series to watch for NBA fans in general.  I mean, seriously, this would be a trial by fire of epic proportions for old man Fisher!  First Iverson, then Williams, and now Paul??? Are you kidding me?!?!

2. Spurs - somehow it would only be fitting if the Lakers were to have to go to the defending Champions to get to the Finals.  This is the team that I really don't want to face, not because I don't think we can beat them, but because I fear for the Lakers well-being...I can totally see either Bowen or Horry causing some grievous harm to any Laker player at any time.  Still, I would love to see a Fisher / Parker matchup, as well as the titanic Gasol / Duncan face-off.

I think the matchups totally favor the Lakers in the Spurs scenario.  In spite of the so-called lack of experience (overrated), I just think the Hornets are the bigger handful and present the more difficult individual matchups.  Either way, I see the series going the full 7 games...as well it should!

I don't really care too much about the matchups.. the Lakers can handle either team...but if i have to choose... I choose the Spurs. I pick them because to be the best, you have to beat the best. I don't want to leave any doubt in anyone's mind. The defending champions played us in the WCF and we beat them... I don't want to hear any excuses. The mark of a great team is beating the best teams on your way to the Championship.

Don't get me wrong...the Hornets are a fantastic story...but they don't have the history the Spurs have had the last ten years in this league. I want the Lakers to beat the best...its pretty simple to me.

Go Lake Show!

To be the best you must beat the best and the Spurs are the defending NBA champions, so I hope the Spurs put it on the Hornets in game 7 and come over to the staple center for a run with the Lakers.

It doesn't matter what anyone says. It would be a damn good series

GO LAKERS!!!

Impressive after 24 votes it has been tied. You all give good reasons and now I can hardly wait for the game. The good thing is, Kobe gets to rest his back.  One thing about San Antonio, I feel they have more experiened quality defenders to throw at Kobe Bryant than the Hornets.  I just don't want to see Kobe worn down.

The Hornets are a better scoring team but not so goodon the defensive end and I feel that favors the Lakers.

I think this is exactly correct, whitecat31, I don't think the Hornets (like the Jazz) have anybody that they can depend on to slow Kobe down.  The Spurs have, for better or for worse, Bruce Bowen - who can not only slow #24 down, but is actually liable to hurt the man.  Beyond their Kobe stopper, I don't know that the Spurs are a noticeably stronger team defensively than the Hornets.  As good as Paul is, I think Parker presents just as much of a problem at the point guard position.

Obviously all this debate is kinda moot because the better team will prevail one way or another on Monday night - and whoever that turns out to be is going to be the tougher test for us - which is all good - as I've said all along, for the Lakers to be the best, they've got to beat the best.  I want nothing to marginalize the Lakers run this postseason.

What about Lakers and Celtics lakergirl? to me, thats the ultimate matchup in these playoffs. but the way the Celtics have been playing....perhaps Lakers/Pistons would be more entertaining. Avenge 04 i say! hehe. Whatever. Just win baby!

Go Lakers!!!