you guys are funny. Try Lakers in 4 or 5. I am going with 5.
The Wolves have no answer for Shaq. Who's going to stop him? A 37 year old Johnson, the softest center in the league...Kandi, a short Madsen, a fat Oliver Miller, a PF in a Sf's body...Trent. Shaq is going to dominate this series.
Oh yeah, then there is Kobe. Hassell can't stop Kobe for one play. Did anyone happen to see what Kobe did against Bowen, who is supposed to be the best or second best defender that's a Guard/Forward. Spree is streaky at best and not a strong defender. Kobe will prevent him from going off.
George won't have a problem against Wally, because he is hurt, he has yet to recover fully from his incident with Anderson in the first round. He won't be of much use to the Wolves on either end of the court.
Now for the newbies...
Malone is probably one of the primary reasons the Lakers beat the Spurs, he played excellent defense on what some consider the best player in the world. I know he will be able to do the same against KG. Timmy is considered one of the smartest players in the game, he's a two time MVP and a two time champ. KG is a one time MVP and a one time out of the first rounder...please. KG is a thin weak twig, Malone will abuse him on both ends. Don't think KG will have one game like the 4th quarter in Game 7. Adelman is an idiot. KG scored every point for the Wolves in the 4th in Game 7, and they made no adjustments to try and stop him. KG did nothing Kobe, T-Mac, TD, or any other player along those lines couldn't do. KG had the worst starting PF in the West against him, he might as well have been left unguarded. Webber sucks ever since he got hurt and is the slowest defender I have seen in ages.
Payton will have a big series. Ever since Phil went away from the triangle, Payton has been playing much better defense and offense. Cassell is hurt, his hurt back really limits him. I mean Christies dove right at him and got the ball in Game 7, that shows how immobile he is. Gary is a much better player than Christie, he will really take advantage of this injury and get easy steals and not have to play hard D.
Also, the Spurs had a lot deeper bench than the Wolves, so that should be a relief to the second team on the Lakers.
And last, but not least. Injuries will be one of the reasons this series will be easier than the Spurs one. Hudson is out, he is to the Wolves what B-Jax is to the Kings. Cassell is hurt and very limited, which will require KG to play some point, not a good idea against the Lakers. And Wally isn't 100% yet, so he won't burn LA.
It is two against 4. Spree and KG against Shaq, Kobe, Payton, and Malone. Lakers win by a landslide. If they are going to rely on KG then they are screwed, because he is going to be too tired to help them in Game one, he did too much in Game 7 and they barely have any rest before the play the Lakers.