So....

Wolves win Colman changes his user name to I Love KG for the rest of the Playoffs

Lakers win I change my user name to I Love Kobe Bryant

Shake???

Deal.

But that's not so tough for me, 'cause I actually really do like KG.  Hell, Patty loves the guy.  This was a win-win situation for me tonight.  We get the team who I think is a far easier matchup for us, plus, on the bizarro chance that Shaq and Kobe both get injured and we actually lose, we get the only other team that I wouldn't mind see winning going to the Finals in our place.  Not that it's going to happen of course, but it'd be a helluva lot better than seeing the dreaded Kings somehow miraculously make the Finals.

See the TNT postgame show?  The commentators (Barkley, Kenny, Kerr, etc.) are not feeling too good about the Wolves chances, to put it mildly...  

Gimpy #19, or not - you're toast.    Now if Laker-killer Troy Hudson was actually healthy, then you might actually be able to win a couple games, instead of just one.  Unfortunately, it looks like you'll just get one.  I predict it'll be Game 2.  Enjoy.  

Need I post the results from this years head to head matchups again

So, is the Lakers rustiness from having 6 days off going to offset the Wolves fatigue from having to play again tomorrow?  I hope so, how stupid is it that there were stretches in the first round where there was 1 game in 6 days and then the Wolves have to play 3 games in 6 while the Lakers got a week off to rest and suntan

PG

Cassell vs Payton

Push, Cassell's gimpiness makes this an even matchup IMO, Payton is nowhere near the player he once was and hopefully with some treatment Cassell can have a hot first half like he did last night

SG

Hassell vs Kobe

Kobe, not even close, but...Hassell did a wonderful job shutting down Peja, I think he'll be better than the overrated Bruce Bowen in doing the same with Kobe

SF

Sprewell vs George or Fox

Sprewell...again not even close.  This is the biggest matchup the Wolves need to exploit.  Spree plays like he did in games 5 and 6 the Wolves will win almost every time

PF

Garnett vs Grandpa

 

C

Shaq vs 4 Headed Monster of Johnson, Miller, Kandi Man and Madsen

 

Although I will say that the Haq a Shaq has been working for the most part since Shaq has been atrocious from the line...hopefully Kandi makes a reappearance this series, he will almost have to with Haq a Shaq

Bench

Wolves, I'll take Hoiberg, Wally and Trent over Medvedenko and Fisher anyday.  This is another key in the series.  The way to beat the Lakers is with Depth, they have that at Center and they have scorers who can give Cassell and Sprewell rests.  Having Payton and Fisher on the floor at the same time might pose some match up problems but so will having Wally and Sprewell and Cassell

Coach

Jackson vs Saunders

Lakers, I think Jackson is the most overrated coach in history.  Sure he's got the rings but he's also had the best player of all time in Chicago and 2 of the best ever in Shaq and CryBaby Raper.  The Wolves Turnoversa and 4th Quarter collapses shows me that Saunders isn't that great of a coach either.  He did make some moves against the Kings to turn things around but I don't think he's better than Jackson.

So, my prediction...Lakers in 6  I just don't see how they are going to be able to stop both Shaq and Kobe and the Lakers will be able to stop KG but that means Sprewell and Cassell need to step up for 4 huge games.  I can see it happening 2-3 times but not the 4 needed to win.  I also think the Lakers will steal one here take both in LA, Wolves will win Game 5 and then the Lakers win in Game 6.

I hope to all hopes that I am wrong, there would be nothing greater in my lifetime than to see this team win this series and have a shot at the Championship, the Lakers are jsut playing so well and the Wolves are tired and banged up that its going to be really hard for them to keep the energy and intensity up there to make it to the Finals.

For now though...Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwoooooooooooo

Healthy Webber would have meant 2004 Champions, no doubt in my mind

Agreed on Peja too, 8 points for the third place vote getter for MVP?  Come on

National media is treating this series much like Colman here, the Lakers are already basically the Champions and the next 14 games are just a formality

Wolves little more than speed bump to L.A.
Lakers confident, rested and ready for Wolves

Sure I think the Lakers are a better team but that's only because of injuries right now, if the Wolves were healthy, they could definitely take them

I'll be really keyed in on Hassell vs Kobe.  Hassell has shut down Carmelo and Peja almost completely, he's going to pester Kobe something fierce.  It will be Shaq vs our 4 Big guys to see what will happen

I predict a Game 1 Wolves win...Game 2 is the toughie

I didn't watch much of the Nets/Pistons game last night but Kidd had 0 points???  Holy crap is that awful

Aaaaaaaa hack gack hack

Good game, about what I expected, Wolves hit some shots and had fewer turnovers and a healthy #19 it would have been different. Damn the NBA and their stupid ass schedule

National media is treating this series much like Colman here, the Lakers are already basically the Champions and the next 14 games are just a formality...

I think you meant 8 games, right?