LAKERS OKC PREVIEW

LAKERS  VS. OKLAHOMA CITY:

PLENTY OF DRAMA TO COME

When asked if he is going to reach out and try to put the incident behind  Harden and himself, "I DON'T SHAKE SUBSTITUTES' HANDS..." Metta said after willing the Lakers to a game 7 win Saturday night against the Nuggets. A game 7 that was ear marked an instant classic according to the Lakers announcers, "one of the best games Staples Center as ever seen" 

PLENTY OF SUBPLOTS ADD DRAMA. 
By Brian Kamenetzky
ESPNLosAngeles.com

High on the list of intriguing storylines in this series will be the battle between the NBA's two leading scorers.

The prospect of facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the postseason has for most of the season conjured incredibly pessimistic images for Lakers fans. As the regular season wound down you could practically hear Adrian's pre-Drago speech to Rocky  ringing throughout the city as most prayed the Lakers would leap through whatever logistical hoops required to avoid the Thunder until the Western Conference finals. But steadily the Lakers built momentum, solving some of their road woes and finding some actual support in the supporting cast. 

Two games into their first-round matchup against Denver, things looked even better. Four games after that, they seemed much, much worse. Saturday, a strong performance pushed the Lakers through Game 7, finally earning a date with those very Thunder, starting Monday night in Oklahoma City. Nobody, save those viewing the world entirely through purple-and-gold-colored glasses, will make them a favorite -- nor should they. But despite the inconsistent effort vs. Denver, it's not out of the question the Lakers, through strong post play, attention to detail defensively, the intensity shown eliminating the Nuggets, and perhaps a healthy dose of ultra-rustic Siberian training  can give OKC a genuine test. 

Maybe even pull the upset? 

The series features serious star power, with each team trotting out a high-end big three. Oklahoma City's combo of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden brings, among other things, scoring punch and athleticism, while the Lakers counter with the length, experience and skill of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Lovers of subplots and intrigue will have a field day, too, starting with the NBA's two leading scorers facing off in a battle of old vs. new guard. Metta World Peace and Harden will share the floor for the first time since this happened.  Bynum and Gasol each have narratives to repair. 

And, of course, the Lakers face a motivated Derek Fisher in a playoff series. The citizenry fears getting .4'd. 

FOR FULL ARTICLE CLICK ON LINK.
http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/30251/first-look-lakers-vs-oklahoma-city

Derek Fisher trying to surpass Kobe and go for his 6th ring tying Michael Jordan. Kobe would rather die then to see happen.