The Matchup: No. 2 San Antonio vs. No. 3 Los Angeles

Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay provides analysis for ESPN on SportsCenter and NBA Today. Here he breaks down the playoffs for ESPN.com. Also a former color analyst for the Heat, Ramsay's impressive résumé includes making the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as coach and winning an NBA title with Portland in 1977.

Throughout the 2002 playoffs, Dr. Jack will break down each series from the backcourts to intangibles. Look for his analysis from the first round all the way through to the NBA Finals.

BACKCOURT

EDGE

Spurs rookie point guard Tony Parker will initially match up against the Lakers’ Derek Fisher, but Lakers coach Phil Jackson will also use Lindsay Hunter. Both are very good defenders who will make it difficult on Parker the entire game. Parker, however, was excellent against Gary Payton. Both Fisher and Hunter are tougher on-the-ball defenders than Payton, who is a great team defender. Parker took the ball by him with great consistency in the first round. At the two guard, Bruce Bowen will try to defend Kobe Bryant. Bowen is a tough defender who will get up close to Kobe. He often plays too close, and Kobe should be able to take it by Bowen.

FRONTCOURT

EDGE

At big forward, the matchup is a no-brainer, with Tim Duncan going against Samaki Walker. While Walker is a decent defender, he can’t handle Duncan. Jackson doesn’t like to double-team much, especially early in the game, so Duncan should put up big numbers. Jackson will also use Robert Horry on Duncan, but Duncan is too strong for him. At small forward, Steve Smith will defend Rick Fox. Although Fox is a good defender, I would imagine that Kobe will defend Smith and Fox will guard Bowen, who won’t hurt the Lakers with his offense. At center, Shaquille O’Neal should match up against David Robinson, although the Admiral’s strained lower back forced him to miss the final four games of the first round. His effectiveness could be limited. If Robinson can’t go, Malik Rose will defend Shaq. Rose is a tougher worker who does a good job against Shaq, but he is not a true center. I expect Shaq and Kobe to average more than 50 points a game combined. Except for Duncan, the Lakers have the edge in the other areas. It’s too much of a load for Duncan to carry.

BENCH

EDGE

If Rose doesn’t start in place of Robinson, the Spurs have him coming off the bench along with Terry Porter and Danny Ferry. The Lakers just have a bunch of role players, like Hunter, Horry and Brian Shaw. They are nothing spectacular; they just go out and do their jobs. Horry has been terrific. He plays good defense, rebounds, blocks shots and makes key field goals. Hunter, who plays excellent defense, has lost all confidence in his offense. Shaw is a good passer for Shaq. When Shaw plays, Shaq will get the ball. Jackson has more confidence in Shaw than Mitch Richmond, because Shaw knows the triangle offense so well.

INTANGIBLES	EDGE
The Lakers want to three-peat and are highly motivated to accomplish their goal. The Spurs want to remove the embarrassment of last year’s sweep to the Lakers when the Spurs had the best record in the league. With Robinson’s status uncertain, I don’t know how well he can play after missing playing time in the last series.

PREDICTION
Lakers in five. There is just too much Shaq and Kobe. Plus, the Lakers play the best team defense in the league. Even if Robinson plays, he will not be able to contain Shaq.