So here’s what we know, Kobe and Caron are still butt buddies. How close? Apparently, very much so, seeing how Kobe seems to beam with an extra sparkle in his eye when speaking about his bond with Mr. Dew.
Be that as it may, it is the nature of that very relationship that I believe will ultimately contribute to the Mamba’s destruction of the Mavs if and when they meet in the playoffs.
We all know just how fiercely competitive Kobe is. Take a moment to reflect back to Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals last year when Kobe and Carmelo, good friends themselves, gave us all an individual playoff matchup of a lifetime. Given that, you don’t think he’s going to have a little extra juice running through his otherwise iced up veins? Does Tiger Woods need a mulligan?
Yes and yes.
I have no doubt in my mind that if Caron is matched up against Kobe for a full slate of seven intense playoff games, his competitive fervor will want to disseminate every fiber of his “little brother”. I think all of us who are also ultra competitors step up our game a notch when we go against our good friends simply because, it just makes it that much more fun!
Who doesn’t enjoy silent bragging rights?!
Still, when it comes down to it, I will give Caron his due credit because he is a hard-nosed defender who does not lay down to anyone. He most certainly considers himself an All-Star caliber player and will also have a lot more fuel in his tank facing Kobe. Don’t get me wrong, he will give Kobe a good matchup to feed off of, but in the end, he will still be little brother.
Now remember folks, this is all ASSUMING the Mavs and Lakers even meet in the playoffs, but this Wednesday night’s fourth and final meeting of the season, with the Lakers having a chance to go 3-1 on the year against them, will definitely be a great preview of what could be in April or May.
Regardless though, I still see Denver as our primary threat as they’ve soundly smacked us around in two games thus far with two left to play. I’ve never really considered Chauncey Billups to be an elite player, but man, that guy is no chump. Let’s not forget what he did to us in the Finals only seven years ago.
And oh yea, the Nuggets also have that fellow, Carmelo, on Billups’ wing. Excuse my lame play of Melo’s name, I couldn’t help it, I had to…
The Mavs have undoubtedly upgraded their roster enough to make some big noise in the playoffs, but I really don’t see them beating either the Lakers or the Nuggets in the playoffs. Next year, once the team develops a more battle tested and cohesive chemistry, perhaps they will have a legitimate shot.
For now though, they will be bluffing their way through this year’s playoffs.
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