NBA West Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs

NBA West Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs Here we are again. The Los Angeles Lakers versus the San Antonio Spurs. Many pundits and sports prognosticators were predicting the demise of the Spurs. So much was made of Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets that for a minute I thought they were going to just hand the entire NBA Championship to the Hornets. The Spurs managed to "survive" the powerful Hornets and now they have the Lakers laying in wait for them in Los Angeles. The Lakers will carry the home court advantage in the series and they have a tremendous fan base, as did the Hornets.

The key to this series will be the big match-up in the post. I know, I know, what about Kobe? Kobe is the MVP this year and for good reason. He is one of the premier players, if not the premier player, in the NBA. Given that, Kobe will score. That's what Kobe does.

How will Pau Gasol match-up with Tim Duncan? That is the big key, in my opinion, of this series. Gasol has made one playoff appearance with the Grizzlies and they were one and done. Tim Duncan has been in numerous playoff games and owns three NBA championship rings. When the pressure is on and the lights are bright, Duncan will come through as he has done consistently in the past. What will Gasol do? I like Gasol. He is a good player and he has been an invaluable addition to the Lakers. But he does lack playoff experience.

The other interesting match-up will Tony Parker and Derek Fisher. They both have playoff experience. They both are excellent ball players. I like Fish but you have to wonder if he can keep up with the speed of Tony Parker.

One more key match-up that many people overlook is the coaches. Phil Jackson versus Greg Popovich. They both have playoff experience. They both have championship experience. I give a slight edge, and I mean ever so slight, to Phil Jackson in this match-up.