KINGS: Cyber Koz-version 4.20.02/Playoffs

Cyber Koz-version 4.20.02/Playoffs

Just in time for the start of the playoffs, Cyber Koz is back! In Cyber Koz version 4.20.02/Playoffs, the fountain of NBA knowledge gives his predictions on how the Western Conference will shake out, in addition to answering some of the most frequently asked questions. Enjoy!:

VS.

Cyber Koz Sayz: I really expect Sacramento to dispose of Utah in three ballgames. I really think the dominance that the Kings showed in the regular season will be apparent in the postseason as well. We cannot forget about Malone and Stockton though, the two best players at their position in the history of the NBA. But the end result is that the Kings are too deep, too talented, and too athletic to lose this series.

END RESULT: Kings in Three

VS.

Cyber Koz Sayz: The Spurs without question finished the regular season as the best team in the Western Conference, and maybe the best team in basketball by winning 22 of their last 25 games. During the regular season versus Seattle they were 2-2 in the four-game series, but I think the Spurs size and dominance prevail in the postseason. It’ll go four games, with San Antonio getting the win. The one question is how the 19-year old Tony Parker will perform at point guard for the Spurs. But remember, he’s got veterans, experience, and rings that surround him. That will offset his inexperience. I think the Spurs will roll.

END RESULT: Spurs in Four

VS.

Cyber Koz Sayz: This may be the most competitive series in the first round. Portland has size and depth to try and keep up with the Lakers, who does not have Robert Horry healthy. They are hurt very much at the power forward spot, because Samaki Walker does not have the talent to stop Rasheed Wallace or Tim Duncan or Chris Webber, if they move on further in the playoffs. The power forward position is the weakest for the Lakers, and that’s what other teams are going to try and exploit. Portland has that opportunity. I still think the Lakers win the series, but I think they do it in five.

END RESULT: Lakers in Five

VS.

Cyber Koz Sayz: As well played and athletic as this series has the potential to be, I think Dallas will win and they’ll do it in four games. Why? Because they are clicking now. Nowitzki is healthy and back, and he is going to offset what Kevin Garnett can do. After that, I give the edge to Dallas, because of how deep they are and how Don Nelson can trick the game. Flip Saunders is a very good coach, and in a short series can be dangerous. But don’t forget that Minnesota has been a first round exit the last five years, so why are we to expect anything different?

END RESULT: Dallas in Four

ASK CYBER KOZ

Since there is a real danger of one of the starters or bench players (since all contribute) being injured, is there an increased concern that a player from an opposing team will injure a star player during the playoffs?
-Frankie

Cyber Koz: That’s a fair question Frankie. I don’t think anyone goes out to injure another player, they all know that they’re livelihoods are at stake. But I do believe that if the Kings do have players that have injuries, those injuries will be tested. I wouldn’t be surprised if a Utah player attacked Bobby Jackson, Hedo Turkoglu, or Chris Webber neat their injured hands to see how they would respond. I’ve talked to many NBA Hall-of-Famers who say that they attack weaknesses, and injuries are weaknesses. So would they be attacked, yes, but would the opposition go out to purposely hurt somebody? I think not.

Dear Koz,
Do you think that, despite the veteran leadership from John Stockton and Karl Malone, that the Kings can get a quick 3-0 series win over the Jazz so that they can rest up for Round Two? Or do you see the first round going to a possible 4 or 5 game series?
-Joe Rocha

Cyber Koz: Joe, that’s a very good question. I think that the athleticism the Kings have should enable them to win this series 3-0, it should be over. But Stockton and Malone are the two reasons that we can question whether the Kings will be able to set tempo and flow, while surpassing the leadership those guys provide. Stockton and Malone are phenomenal and the best at their position in the history of the game, that we have to give them. But the Kings are too deep, too athletic and too talented to lose any games.

Are the Sacramento Kings a mature enough team to beat the Los Angeles Lakers and win a championship? Who will come out of the East and play in the championship?
-Jake Ottinger

Cyber Koz:Everyone already has the Lakers and Kings playing in the Western Conference Championship. I think first we have to be concerned about what the road is for the Kings. They get a good first-round draw with Utah, but then after that, I’m more worried with the Dallas Mavericks than the Los Angeles Lakers. For the sake of your question though, can the Kings beat the Lakers? Yes they can. My question back, is do the Lakers have what to takes to beat the Kings? Let’s not forget that after Shaq and Kobe, the Lakers are a relative pedestrian team. The Kings have show that they can win without Webber or Stojakovic, but better yet, they’ve shown that they win with those two. And right now they are there, ready to go. Who do I think comes out of the East? I picked Charlotte when the season started, and I’m going to stick with them even though New Jersey is the top seed. The Eastern Conference is as wide open as anything has been in NBA basketball.

Who do you think will give the Kings the most problems in the playoffs and why?
-NanazPapaz (e-mail)

Cyber Koz:I know that everyone looks ahead to the Lakers and Kings, but gang, I’m really concerned with the second round. The Dallas Mavericks made a trade at the deadline that was specifically designed to counterattack what the Sacramento Kings have done. And I think that the Mavs are truly a team that can give the Kings trouble. I actually think that if the Kings don’t get out of the West, it will be because of the second-round match-up with Dallas. If Sacramento gets to the Western Conference Finals, I ‘m fully convinced that they are more than prepared to beat the Lakers and take the crown. But I think Dallas is the team to be most concerned about, with their versatility, outside shooting, athleticism, and with the fact that Don Nelson can trick the game like nobody else. That series is one anybody would pay for.

What do you think are the biggest question marks for the Kings as they enter the playoffs?
-Zak Kanouse

Cyber Koz:I think that there are valid questions regarding two areas. One is Mike Bibby has never played in big-time, NBA playoff action. We have to see how he is going to respond in the first round against the best point guard to ever play. If Bibby can hold up the way he has during the regular season and also get the support from Bobby Jackson the way they have all season, I think the Kings will be in good shape. The other question is whether Chris Webber is going to lift this team up to the excellence that they can attain. Last year he played injured with the bad ankle. That did not enable him to play at 100%, amnd many people faulted him at the end of the season as the reason the Kings were swept by L.A. That was unfair. This season, he’s more healthy, and he needs to show that he’s the kind of player that can lift his team on his shoulder and carry them. If I’m a betting man, I say Webber’s up for the task.

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