Some people say the Los Angeles Lakers have a tough opponent in the San Antonio Spurs and they say the Lakers would be better off facing the New Orleans Hornets.  However I don't think this is true.

       I frankly don't think New Orleans would have been the ideal fit for the Lakers. The Hornets are a free style, wild, young and athletic team that would have presented too many problems for Los Angeles. 

       The Lakers have appeared to give up too many threes this year.  Remember when Peja Stojakovic lit up the Lakers for 10 threes in game back in November? I had the same fear going into this series.  And then I saw Andrei Kirlilenko hit two three pointers in the last 30 seconds of game six that got me thinking that there can be a game 7 of this series after all. 

        I also remember Stu Lantz say "don't give up a three" at the end of games many times this season but the Lakers did exactly what he said not to do in every one of those scenarios. 

       Also the pick 'n roll schemes the Hornets use would have also bit the Lakers in my opinion. 

       The Lakers instead are getting a slow halfcourt team that their two captains - Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher - have seen many times.  Both Fisher and Bryant know what it takes to defeat the Spurs. 

In terms of matchups here is a breakdown:

Fisher vs. Tony Parker

        Fisher is a strong guard who has the quickness combined with strength to contain Parker.  Fisher kept Deron Williams in check pretty well last series and he has played Parker many times before as well.  However in this matchup Fisher will need help from Jordan Farmar as he has all the speed in the world needed to win a race with every point guard in this league.  But I do believe the experienced Fisher has every trick to hold Parker for most of the game.

Bryant vs. Bruce Bowen

        In the LA Times I read that Manu Ginobili is likely to start and Vladimir Radmanovic will start on Ginobili.  This will leave Bryant on Bowen. There is no doubt that Kobe will keep get his usual numbers but he will probably be worked a bit more by Bowen than he was by Ronnie Brewer or Kenyon Martin. Kobe has had too good a season and knows he has to step on the gas and lead his Lakers through the final stretch. On defense I expect Kobe to be playing a lot of center field as Bowen is barely an offensive threat.  However if Bowen knocks down a couple of open jumpers then watch for Bryant to start playing serious defense.

Radamanovic vs. Ginobili

        This is a very tough matchup for Radmanovic. On the positive side he wasnt too bad when he was matched up with Carmelo Anthony in the first round. I believe Radmanovic will play hard and do some damage to Ginobili but he will require much help from Trevor Ariza who is returning to lineup after a four month absence.

Lamar Odom vs. Fabricio Oberto

        In the LA Times report I read that Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol will guard each other so this leaves Odom with Oberto. Odom can tear Oberto apart on every play if he wishes. Odom is too quick, athletic and strong for Oberto. If he wants Odom can drop a monster game every night because he is both a guard and power forward at the same time on the floor. Odom just needs to believe in himself.  I think he could have had even better number against the Jazz, so look for this matchup to be exploited even more by Phil Jackson.

Gasol vs. Duncan

        This is the matchup I have wanted to see all along. Gasol and Duncan to me have similar games as both rely more on fundamentals and finesse instead of a power game. Duncan however has the edge here because he is a lot more experienced and has more power to knock Gasol around. If Andrew Bynum was here life would be a lot easier for Gasol but he is not. Unfortunately Gasol will have his hands full and will have to make adjustments every game like he did last series.  D.J. Mbenga could be useful here if Gasol and Ronny Turiaf get into foul trouble.

Bench

To me the bench is more about young vs. old

The Laker bench is athletic and quick whereas the Spurs bench is loaded with experience but lacks the quickness. 

I        If the Laker bench can get after it and get into the open court it will present many problems for the Spurs.  The Lakers have a deadly shooter off the bench in Sasha Vujacic and a high energy guy in Turiaf. Farmar must show up this series, he picked up some confidence at the end of the Utah series and he must be able to just take the ball and sprint down the court as he has the ability to. Ariza's return will be a plus as he can guard either Parker or Ginobili. I previously wrote Ariza has all the tools defensively and his athleticism will prove to be invaluable.  Luke Walton will also be important to help execute the triangle.

        The Spurs bench is deep and loaded with experience. Shooters range from Michael Finley to Robert Horry and the shooting helps add another dimension to Spurs. If Duncan is continuously doubled in the post and shooters knock down shots the Lakers will be hurt immensely. 

Coaching matchup

Jackson vs. Gregg Popovich

        Two of the league's best coaches go at it in this series. Popovich helped start this series back in February when he made the trade committee remark.  Pop knows how to win games and has strategies for everything. Jackson on the other hand has the best assistant coaches and devises great schemes.  His triangle offense has made the Lakers who they are. 

        The Spurs and Lakers series is back.  Seemingly every mid-late May fans would get to see a classic battle between the two teams.  The Laker players won't admitted but the matchup everyone wants to see is back.

        Coupled with New Orleans style of play and the history between the Spurs and    Lakers, the Lakers will be glad to see Popovich's men back in town as will the Spurs themselves.  In fact Popovich told reporters that he will miss the Lakers after they had traded Shaq.