I am not going to sugarcoat it at all. I did not think the Phoenix Suns would win more than 1 game against the San Antonio Spurs so naturally they swept them. In the 2010 playoffs, the Suns are playing with the moxie of a champion. Nash is the best floor leader left in the playoffs and the Suns are the most efficient offensive unit remaining. With that being said they have just about NO chance to beat the L.A. Lakers. I know I know they just swept the Spurs. There is ALWAYS a chance right? NO. Unless Kobe Bryant AND another starter not named Fisher are injured, the Lakers will be playing in the NBA Finals for the 3rd straight season. This is my breakdown:

Point Guard:
Steve Nash vs. Derrick Fisher
Every team the Lakers play has an advantage at the point guard position but the Lakers have the point guard with 4 NBA Titles on his resume. Bust seriously Nash is a two time MVP and his team's best player while Fisher is just outside of being one of the best 5 players on his own team.
Edge: Phoenix

Shooting Guard:
Kobe Bryant vs. Jason Richardson
I do not need to waste more than 1 analogy on this match-up. It’s like comparing SPAM to Filet Mignon.
Edge: L.A. Lakers

Small Forward:
Ron Artest vs. Grant Hill
Ron Ron cannot shoot outside of 10 feet to save his life. If he was even an average shooter in the playoffs the Lakers would be the proverbial runaway train. But he is not. He can actually hurt L.A. in a series with a team as offensively gifted as the Suns, especially if his offense is ever needed. Grant Hill has been superb on both ends of the floor in the playoffs. He is an X-Factor and could actually keep the Suns competitive. However, I do not think that will be the case.
Edge: Even

Power Forward:
Pau Gasol vs. Ama’re Stoudemire
This match-up should be the most entertaining and spirited of the series. Which Ama’re will we see? Who knows but we know which Pau Gasol we’ll see. Pau has arguably been L.A.’s most consistent performer since he was handed to the Lakers a couple of years ago. The team has won 7 out of 10 games with Pau including back to back NBA Finals appearances (1-1). It is arguable that the Suns playoff successes ride on the heels of NOT trading Stoudemire. Ama’re has been absolutely brilliant for the Suns and has all of the tools to take over a series. But with 2 seven footers disrupting his powerful rhythm I would not bet on it. Slight Edge: L.A. Lakers


Center:
Andrew Bynum vs. Jarron Collins/Channing Frye
Collins is a starter by name only. He did not play more than 10 minutes in any single game in the sweep against San Antonio. Frye is a perimeter player who will have no answer for Bynum on the blocks but will free up driving lanes by luring the big guy out of the paint. Either one or both combined will not be able to deter Bynum from doing whatever he wants to do in the paint.
Edge: L.A. Lakers

Bottom Line:
The Lakers are just too much for the Suns. If this series goes more than 5 games Phoenix should consider holding a parade.

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