Payton/Claxton: Claxton is one fast little guard, and if he isn't guarded then he can go on a scoring binge. Payton shouldn't have any problem against him though, Claxton is no better than Damon and Payton had a good game against the convict last night. Payton gets another opportunity to use his size to his advantage, he is much bigger than Claxton and has to take it to the hoop, because Claxton can't stop Payton when he goes inside. Payton can also get up in Speedy's face and prevent him from getting any good looks at the basket. I think this matchup overwhelmingly favors us. Also, their backup, Avery is way too old to still play, this will be a free ride for us when he is in the game. Fisher and Payton will go on streaks by themself against poor OLD Johnson. I also expect Fisher to play a lot tonight, since he will be rested, since he didn't play a whole lot last night.
Kobe/J-Rich: J-Rich is one of the best dunkers of all time, but that won't get him very far against Kobe and the Lakers. Kobe is better at every aspect of the game, and we will notice that tonight. Kobe will score on him, much like he did Anderson, last night. J-Rich will probably get 20+ points tonight, be Kobe will surpass that, easily. Kobe will take advantage of his superior knowledge of the game and shoot some easy jumpers against this #23 and I imagine Kobe will take it to the whole on him a few times, too. Richardson lacks the shooting touch that Kobe has, so if we can make him force jump shot, and not allow him to get to the basket, he won't be very effective for the Warriors. Expect a fun matchup tonight, between these two guys. A lot of Kobe and Shaq give and goes tonight, both are playing great together right now, Kobe should get 10 assists again. Maybe tonight, he can get the triple double. I also anticipate Rush will see a lot more time than he did last night.
Fox/Cardinal: Fox's defense is slowly getting better, as each game goes by. This shouldn't be a very hard matchup for him...Cardinal should just fly the coup. I doubt Fox will give us much scoring, but I expect to see some of the same things like he did last night-passing, rebounding, and some defense. Cardinal has had some good games this year, but I don't think this will be one of them. George will also have a decent game against Cardinal, since George is a lot more athletic and stronger than Brian. Hopefully, George can come through for us, even though he isn't very good at doing that.
Slava/Popeye and Parks: If Slava doesn't go for a career high tonight, he should be traded....not really, but jut look at who he has guarding him-Big Ears and the white, poor man's version of Dennis Rodman. Popeye is so crappy and old, he hasn't had a good play since he played with the real #23. Parks is too busy deciding if he wants a new tattoo or not, to play any defense. This is Slava's dream...no defense and he won't have to play any either. These guys couldn't score if there was a gun to their heads. Slava should get at least 15 & 10, I don't care if Shaq is out there or not, if he doesn't get this, then I will be embarrassed for the Lakers and for Slava.
Shaq/Dampier and Parks: Dampier has killed us all year, well I expect for that to change tonight. Shaq's got momentum. He got his energy boost at the All Star game and it won't leave him till June. This is the Shaq we all love, the one that has fun out there, the one that goes out there dominates and acts like a big goofy kid. I think we may see some of the gorilla walk tonight. Shaq and Kobe have been playing together, and not just on the court at the same time, they have been looking for each other and getting each other the ball, and this is when the Lakers are at their best. Shaq will go nuts when Dampier sits, because it means either Popeye or Parks will have to play him, what could he ever want, more than this. These guys shouldn't even be around Shaq, much less guard him. Parks will foul out and Popeye will spain his ear. Shaq will posterize them all, Big Fella will have a big game.
by Lakers Dynasty 2000 on Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:20 pm 
... Take a look at there injuries:
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Already? Why?? what's the score? who's doin the play by play?? 