The Champion vs. The Contender: Series Preview OKC V Lakers

 

 

It is everyone’s favorite time of year. Especially Greeny’s! This Dynasty continues to roll on. The Lakers have won 2 NLL Championships in a row. Can they make it 3 and complete the most epic of hat tricks! First up, standing in their way, Ben and his finally tuned, to the minute OKC Thunder. In what as widely been considered a weaker “West” conference, these are two powerhouses that face off in the 3^rd v 6^th first round match up.

 

 

THE SERIES:

 

I cannot wait for this series, and it kicks off on Monday the 24^th of April at Chesapeake Arena, Oklahoma City. The series will be 2-2-1-1-1 and will wrap up Thursday May 11, Game 7 (if necessary). These 2 Aussie GM’s will be keenly awaiting each Sim conducted by Digeze.

 

 

THE TEAMS:

 

Thunder:

 

The OKC Thunder are the 3^rd Seed, having gone through the 16/17 season with a 57-25 record. They finished in a tie for second with Sacramento, whom they lost out on the tiebreaker. Meaning they fell to 3^rd to face the Lakers. You can’t help but think; that one more win would have been gold for the Thunder. Facing the sliding 7^th seed Golden State, may have allowed ben to sleep a little easier than the 2 time defending champs. But it is what it is and we have an excellent match up.

 

Lakers:

 

This is a new position for the Lakers, not being in the playoffs. Greeny is more than used to that. The new position is not being top of the west. In their last 2 championship runs, they finished top both times with 66 wins and 60 wins. This season, they finish 6^th with 44 wins. A dramatic difference. However there is no doubt that the top teams in the west are stronger this year. Is that the reason for the slide down the standings? Or has this dynasty finally ran its race? Is there anyone out there brave enough to bet against this champion team?

 

 

PREVIOUS PLAYOFF HISTORY:

 

Since 2011/12 the Laker Machine has made the playoffs every year, while OKC have only made it once. Limiting the chances to meet in the post season to one. That was last year, in the second round. The Lakers swept OKC on the way to their second championship. Will that set the tone for this series or will Ben’s Thunder be out for sweet revenge.

 

THE STARTING FIVES:

 

Thunder:

 

It was no fluke that the Thunder won 57 games this season. Their starting unit is as strong as any in the league. Consistency is the Key here. Rubio at the point, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at Small forward and Draymond Green at Power Forward started all 82 games. While Jimmy Buckets started all 74 games he played at the 2 spot. The only major change in the line up over the season has been the insertion of Nicola Jokic. One of the red hot favorites for Most Improved in both the NBA and NLL, Jokic forced his way into the starting line up ¾ of the way through the season, at the expense of Jonas Valanciunas. This has been the cornerstone of their success. The side is well managed and is primed for a big run at the whole thing.

 

 

Lakers:

 

On the contrast, the Lakers have started a staggering 15 different players throughout the season. This is a sign that the GM has been trying to keep the side relevant and fresh. With the salary cap and draft system, it is always hard to stay at the top for too long, and it is a credit to Greeny for trying to keep his side as fresh and contending for as long as possible. Hill and Wade in the frontcourt with Carroll, Williams and Vucevic in the backcourt. It is certainly a starting 5 that can be competitive with any team in these playoffs. Can Greeny get them all humming at the same time?

 

 

BENCHES:

 

Thunder:

 

I think this is wear the Thunder is going to hold the edge over a lot of teams in this postseason, including the Lakers. I spoke to the Grizzlies GM who said, “a bench of Schroder, Fournier, Mirotic and Valanciunas is better than my starting.” Few would argue with that statement. What a bench it is! All 4 of those guys could start on just about any other team. It is a credit to Ben and what he has done with this team.

 

Lakers:

 

While the Lakers bench doesn’t run as deep, it still contains talent. Big Mo “Glitch” Speights has continued to put up great numbers this season and has shown over the years the great impact he can have in the playoffs. Coupled with Manu Ginobli, Spence Hawes and Beasley, this group is going to need to play at a very high level to help pull one out of the fire here.

 

 

WHO WINS AND WHY?

 

The Lakers won the season series 3-1. The first 3 matches were played across weeks 8 and 9. A lot has changed since then. The Lakers have made some significant trades, including moving on Finals MVP Iggy. His loss will be felt most of all come playoff time. In the final match of the season, played more recently. OKC had a comfortable win at Staples center. Something they will have to do again if they intend to have a comfortable series win.

 

Of the 9 Gm’s to vote on the series prediction, 8 picked OKC, with the general consensus being a 4-2 series score.

 

I think its hard to argue a case for the Lakers based on the current rosters. OKC seem to have wins across the board in both talent and depth. With all the factors being dissected to an inch of their life, this reporter is ready to make a call, OKC to avenge last year’s playoff defeat to win 4-1. Ben has built up this squad piece by piece and has it exactly where he wants it.  Greeny is a wily old vet who still has the remnants of  a once great city. You could never totally write him off and I think there will be some very tight and tough games in this series. Can they pull off an upset and keep the 3peat alive?? This reporter hopes it goes as deep as possible into the 7 games and makes for a great series to cover. But in the end, OKC Thunder will be too good and move on to the second round.

 

OKC 4-1