"Suns surprise (Phil) Jackson"

[F-Dog]

Looks like Charley Rosen's friend can't figure the Suns out, either:

http://www.dailynews.com/lakers/ci_5099383

LOS ANGELES - Only five teams in NBA history have put together two winning streaks of 14 games or more in one season, and only one of those teams - the 2006-07 Phoenix Suns - did it before Feb. 1.

The Suns have won 16 consecutive games and own a seven-game lead in the Pacific Division that Lakers coach Phil Jackson admitted he didn't see coming.

"We knew that they could be really good and get on a run and have something," Jackson said. "But we didn't anticipate (Amare) Stoudemire coming back at the strength he's come back at. That's great to see that he's back and playing at 100 percent."

In offering his midseason analysis last week, Jackson said he thought the Lakers could still compete for the division title.

"It takes a couple things to happen that are unexpected or unfortunate and people can lose ground," Jackson said. "But still, with the momentum they've created this year, it's really hard to see that ebbing or waning."

Even if the Suns win the division, the Lakers still could be the Western Conference's No. 3 playoff seed if they finish with a better record than San Antonio and Utah.

Jackson wouldn't be opposed to a playoff series against the Suns. The Lakers pushed Phoenix to seven games before losing in the first round last season.
"They actually threw the challenge out last year of wanting to play us in the playoffs and we took that challenge and ran with it," Jackson said. "We still feel really good about the matchups that we get in playoff situations."

Translating...unless there are injuries, the best the Lakers can do is #3.

 

[Billy Bob]

if the suns win the divsion, it is imposible for the lakers to get anything closer than #4. there are 3 divisions not 2.

 

[F-Dog]

if the suns win the divsion, it is imposible for the lakers to get anything closer than #4. there are 3 divisions not 2.

Naah, they changed the rules while you guys were watching football. #1 wildcard is thrown in with the three division winners and ranked with them according to record.

 

[Billy Bob]

 

[elindholm]

From a practical standpoint, however, the Lakers can't do better than #5. Either the Spurs or the Mavericks will get the top wild-card spot, so the top four will be those two, the Suns, and the Midwest winners.

 

[Covert Rain]

Big difference between last year and this year is the Lakers only pushed the Suns because they were physical down low. Now with Amare and Kurt, who cares if they get physical. The only other advantage they had aside from Kobe is now gone. They have no shot in a series against us.

 

[Bufalay]

Lakers got swept by the Bobcats this season.

 

[az1965]

From a practical standpoint, however, the Lakers can't do better than #5. Either the Spurs or the Mavericks will get the top wild-card spot, so the top four will be those two, the Suns, and the Midwest winners.

Both Spurs and Jazz have started to slide somewhat, so it is still a good possibility that Lakers can snatch the 3rd spot. Or at least that's what Jackson is hoping for. He has pretty much given up on the first two which will go to Suns and Mavs unless something disastrous happens.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Both Spurs and Jazz have started to slide somewhat, so it is still a good possibility that Lakers can snatch the 3rd spot. Or at least that's what Jackson is hoping for. He has pretty much given up on the first two which will go to Suns and Mavs unless something disastrous happens.

I'm not so sure he's giving up on winning the division. Reading between the lines of his statement it's clear he's almost expecting a major injury for us and history is probably on his side. If we lose Nash we'll take quite a dive although I think we'll survive it better than we would have in previous years.

When you look at all the injuries the Lakers have dealt with this season it's no wonder that LA fans are feeling optimistic these days. Brown, Odom and Mihm are an awful lot to replace but 2 of them are close to returning and that should give them quite a boost. I'm not sure how bad Luke's injury was but if it's short term this is going to be a very deep and scary playoff team.

We always struggle against the combination of size, speed & strength that the Lakers possess but added to that is Phil's ability to dominate the refs (rivaled only by Sloan and Pop). If we get into a physical matchup with them we don't stand much of a chance, IMO. OTOH, I really think the refs have finally gotten the message about calling the post-season the same as the regular season which would hopefully nullify the Jackson factor.

Steve

 

[TJ]

No matter where the LAkers will land, they will go no where in the playoffs

 

[arthurracoon]

Odom kills us.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Odom kills us.

You mean Odom kills Shawn Marion right?

Hopefully this time around Shawn will let the double team come to help (he was against it last season), or maybe the assignment will go to Diaw because the Suns have their bigs back.

 

[azdad1978]

Odom kills us.

He killed us last year cause Amare was injured. I like our chances with Amare playing the way he's playing.

 

[elindholm]

He killed us last year cause Amare was injured.

There's no way in hell Stoudemire can guard Odom. The Suns' chances are better with Stoudemire, of course, but not because he can help defend Odom.

 

[fordronken]

Amare will help on all penetration in the playoffs with the threat of a blocked shot-- and Odom got inside a lot.