jericho

I agree with you both. Here's hoping they can make it to the postseason.

I think the Lakers at full strength are one of the toughest matchups in the league for Denver. With Gasol, Odom, and (to a lesser extent) Bynum all commanding attention along the frontline, it's tough for any of Denver's more active frontcourt defenders to cheat off their man and help discourage Kobe from slashing to the hoop. As long as Kobe is in a mood to share the ball, LA's starting five is just too much for the Nuggets to handle in a playoff series until Denver figures out how to add a difference-making wing defender - either through a trade, free agency, or growing one in a petri dish.

New Orleans will also be tough, especially if Chris Paul is feeling his stroke and gets in a groove. But I'd guess the Hornets can be more easily rattled if Iverson and/or Anthony, for their part, start on a tear.

__________________
Favorite players: Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Lafayette Lever, Jerry West, Alex English, Oscar Robertson, Sidney Moncrief, Bill Walton.