NBA - Sports Rumors

Tue May 20, 2008 7:57 am EDT

Something old, something new in Lakers-Spurs rivalry

By Joe Zedalis

Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich

Getty Images

For the sixth time since 1999, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are meeting in the playoffs and three of them — Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher — have been around for all of them.

The Lakers have won three (2001, 2002, 2004) of the series and the Spurs two (1999, 2003). It's the same old Duncan-Tony Parker-Manu Ginobili nucleus, now in its sixth season but a new Lakers team, facing the Spurs for the first time in the playoffs without Shaquille O'Neal. The Lakers are now a young team with one rotation player — Fisher — over 30. The Spurs are not, with one rotation player — Parker — under 30.

Great as he still is, Duncan isn't the same player he was when this rivalry started, with Ginobili leading them in scoring during the season and Parker in the playoffs. Parker used to give the Lakers fits, forcing them to collapse their entire defense to keep him out of the lane. Of course, that was with O'Neal, who didn't come out on pick-and-rolls. Bryant is an old Spurs killer, having averaged 26-32-26 in the last three series against Bruce Bowen, the Spurs' defensive ace. The Lakers are favored and will have been off for five days while San Antonio was playing Game 7 in New Orleans. On the other hand, if there's one thing the Spurs have proved this spring, they're not going down without a fight.

Source: Los Angeles TimesNew Window

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323 Comments

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  1. scraiders9
    1. Posted by scraiders9 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    Lakers 2007 nba champions!!!!!!! can't stop kobe, gasol, odom, and fisher!!!!
  2. mias
    2. Posted by mias Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    this is going to be good. but lake show has too many weapons. tony parker needs to have a career series vs fish to give spurs a shot
  3. Suraj M
    3. Posted by Suraj M Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:49 pm EDT

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    lakers should win the first 2 games . we must rebound a lot better thats the only weakness i have seen in this years team
  4. Arion
    4. Posted by Arion Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    Spurs in 6; NO gave Pop & crew fits - made em KNOW fear. They won't be slow. Kobe & Crew are spectacular - expect to see the games with mid 90 scores and 4 point spreads... LOTS of fun to watch all the way through.
  5. Vahaas
    5. Posted by Vahaas Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:34 pm EDT

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    cake walk for the lakers, might go 5. bring on the pistons.
  6. Edwin
    6. Posted by Edwin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    I am a Lakers fan, But I will say this. The Spurs are like the eveready bunny and they just keep going on and on. The Lakers will have to play hard and watch out for the cheap shots. Look for the home court advantage and the team that breaks that mold first will win this series.
  7. Spurs4evah
    7. Posted by Spurs4evah Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

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    the Spurs just beat the Suns and Hornets, big and fast, whatever your game is.... bring it on!
  8. Suraj M
    8. Posted by Suraj M Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:49 pm EDT

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    we (lakers) can and will beat the spurs in a max 6 games and will take care of the pistons which i think will beat the celtics. i have been a die hard lakers fan since 1985 the magic days. we will rock you
  9. CONSTANTINO FAMILY
    9. Posted by CONSTANTINO FAMILY Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:29 pm EDT

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    lakers bring out the broom!!!^^D
  10. spurs fan
    10. Posted by spurs fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

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    1. To all those stupid comments I read about Spurs going to lose to the Hornets --- BLA BLA BLA! LOL now! Where are you now? 2. to "lakersfan" - I say "wake up and smell the Spurs!!!!!" 3. to Suraj M, wake up! you don't know who you're messing with.
  11. spurs fan
    11. Posted by spurs fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

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    zpat350 --- maybe NOT!
  12. bob vance
    12. Posted by bob vance Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    The Lakers in 7. The difference? The M-V-P.
  13. SHAWN G (LA WHERE CHAMPIONSHIPS HAPPEN)
    13. Posted by SHAWN G (LA WHERE CHAMPIONSHIPS HAPPEN) Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    this is gonna be great lakers vs the spurs..this should be a very entertaining series ....both are excellent teams,but my lakers should be able to get the big win....wud up downsouth you need to get back in here for this series..i got half of what i wanted the spurs in the wcf ,we dident get the suns in the first round though..LAKER NATION ON THE RISE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  14. dhrowe22
    14. Posted by dhrowe22 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    The Spurs will beat the lakers,because the spurs with timmy and parker,they cant be stop. Spurs in six, also dont forgoet about Gindobili , lets go SPURS
  15. fireguy
    15. Posted by fireguy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    Why is this in the rumor section? Oh well, lakers win in 6. BANK ON IT!!!
  16. dromo55
    16. Posted by dromo55 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    The Old men in the NBA are still playing! GO SPURS GO
  17. marc j
    17. Posted by marc j Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    lakers are too talented on D. spurs have no one to guard MVP. theatrics will not work for spurs in this series. lakers in 5.
  18. SHAWN G (LA WHERE CHAMPIONSHIPS HAPPEN)
    18. Posted by SHAWN G (LA WHERE CHAMPIONSHIPS HAPPEN) Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    wud up ray l.......i think us and the spurs match up well ,with the advantage going to us !!!!!!ublah was just a sparing partner ,to get us ready for the defending champs.....the lakers will walk away at the end of the series with the w.......
  19. dromo55
    19. Posted by dromo55 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    Spurs In 6! BANK ON THAT!
  20. TXGuy
    20. Posted by TXGuy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    Lakers are overrated. Who were their last 2 opponents Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz! Big deal no real threat there.
    On the other hand check out who the Spurs had to beat to be where they are now. San Antonio will beat the Lakers in 6
    GO SPURS !!!!!!
  21. baron+lane
    21. Posted by baron+lane Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

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    Spurs in 5. they took out CP3, they'll take out Kobe.
  22. Damon S
    22. Posted by Damon S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    The Western Conference Finals already happened. Lakers vs Jazz, just like last uyear when Pheonix played San Antonio in the semi's (that was truly last years 2 best west teams) The lakers have an answer for everyone except Tony Parker. so again they play the "Chris Paul rules" rough him up but if he gets 30 who cares cause you shut everyone else down. The Hornets showed how you stop Tim Duncan, His legs aren't young enoung to escape the double teams. Manu will get locked down by Kobe, And on offense NOONE can match up with Lamar, Gasol will have a field day cause the Spurs know they can't double team him or risk him hitting Kobe or Lamar slashing to the basket.... Lakers in 5!!!
  23. Guy T
    23. Posted by Guy T Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    it just amazes me how some of you lakers fans try to talk smack but just don't have a clue. take a look at the first post by lakers fan - lakers 2007 nba champions!!!!!!! he doesn't even know what year we're in!!!
    it should be very entertaining, that's for sure.
  24. BobbyS
    24. Posted by BobbyS Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:59 pm EDT

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    The suns are having an identity crisis and the hornets inexperience showed in game 7 last night or else they would have won. You are right, who did the spurs beat exactly? On the other hand Lakers handed Denver, the highest scoring team in the NBA 4 straight losses while completely demoralizing the team then beating the Jazz on THEIR home court to advance to the conference finals. The Utah Jazz being a team that was favored in Vegas to go to the NBA finals. Be afraid Spurs fans, Duncan won't be able to cry his way out of this series.
  25. Ray L
    25. Posted by Ray L Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    Hey Shawn G....I like the matchup too....Spurtz are gonna be another sparring partner and in the end will find themselves licking the canvas. I am looking forward to this bigtime. Spurtz are a great team but they are gonna let their fans down this round.

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