Laker Troubles Against Jazz

This has been one crazy series...kind of annoying as a Laker fan, but it may turn out to be a beneficial series

First off, the Utah Jazz are no doubt a good team; you dont get the 4th seed in the western conference without being good...but the Lakers just seem like such a better team and yet the series isnt showing that at all. The Jazz seem to be giving the Lakers much more trouble than they're worth and i think it's mainly because of their physicality. All season we've had trouble with teams that played us physically (like the Portland Trailblazers) and this postseason seems to be showing the same trends. The Denver Nuggets didn't challenge us physically and we dominated but the Utah Jazz are giving us hell with their rough defensive play and aggressive rebounding. The Jazz had the most fouls during the regular season so its no suprise that they're playing us the way they are. I think the Lakers need to buckle down and play tough (both mentally and physically) to counter Utah's physicality, that way we can win out...hopefully in 6, but i'll take 7. I think whoever we face in the WCF will be a much easier matchup because neither team (NO Hornets nor SA Spurs) is as physical as Utah...yea Spurs can be physical but they're much older so i think they'll pose as big of a problem. When not challenged physically the Laker offense flows smoothly, but when challenged they become confused and try to force things that aren't there, this is something we need to work on, how? not sure...maybe just some inspiration, but however they get it done, they no doubt need to toughen up.

Also, i especially hope Gasol toughens up a bit, because all though he's playing great, he could be playing much better if he wasn't being pushed around so much...he should hit the weight room...

Hopefully him and bynum working together over the off-season will toughen him up and make him stronger, that way they can dominate next year, not to mention Gasol would be back at his natural PF position.   

I think that as good as the Lakers are - and they will eventually prevail in this series, make no mistake - this Jazz team is very, very good, and every bit the challenge that the Lakers need to solidify and justify their claim to the top spot.  Listen, no one thought this would be a cake walk and I think it's good that the Lakers are being tested to the extent that they are.  I honestly feel that if the Jazz found themselves in the other bracket against, say the Hornets, they'd be getting themselves to the WCF finals...again.

The Lakers are the better team, but I don't think the gap is as large as you may think - at least not without Bynum in the lineup.  I swear, with a healthy Andrew Bynum in the post - I think we're a lot better - than not just the Jazz, but every other team in the league.

First off, the Utah Jazz are no doubt a good team; you dont get the 4th seed in the western conference without being good...but the Lakers just seem like such a better team and yet the series isnt showing that at all.

I get sick of Laker fans thinking they are a great team.  Sorry but they're not.  They are a good team that is right in the mix with the top 6 teams in the west.  They only finished 3 games higher than the Jazz so they are not a "such a better team".  They are just another GOOD team in a really GOOD western confrience.  There were no dominate teams in the west this year, and that is what is being reflected in this series and the Spurs/Hornets.

I do want to say that Jefe is one of the only Laker fans that I have seen that looks at things realisticly. 

We'll see you back in LA for game 7 it will be another close one.