SAN ANTONIO VS. LOS ANGELES PHILADELPHIA VS. MILWAUKEE

Wednesday, May 30 Two best teams in NBA should make great series ESPN.com What's the first thing you notice when you see ESPN's Fred Carter on NBA 2Night or SportsCenter? Of course, he points at you. It's his way of saying hello. So we've asked NBA expert Fred to greet us and make some points for ESPN.com from time to time. Here are his points for the Lakers-Spurs series. Look for more questions and answers occasionally. Enjoy. Shaq 1. These appear to be the two best teams in the NBA. The Lakers haven't lost a game in six weeks, the Spurs are playing some of their best ball. Is this series, as many believe, essentially for the NBA title? There's no question about it. You can call this story "How the West was Won." Both teams are ready to go out there and battle. There has been a lot written and said already with Phil Jackson insulting the Spurs when they won the title in 1999. San Antonio finally has a chance to answer the challenge. Neither Philadelphia nor Toronto is deep enough, balanced enough or skilled enough to beat either of these teams. The Lakers and Spurs will go at it, it will be bitter, and when all is said and done, the winner of this series should have very little trouble with the representative from the East. 2. Two years ago the Spurs won it all and knocked out the Lakers in a sweep. Last year the Lakers didn't have to play San Antonio. Do you think the Lakers might be a little intimidated knowing they've never really handled the Spurs? Duncan I think that might have them a little intimidated, but the real problem for the Lakers playing San Antonio is Tim Duncan and David Robinson. Whichever one of them is playing the center position, this is the only team that the Lakers will play where Shaq has to guard a very good offensive player. Both players are capable of getting Shaq in foul trouble and he will always have to guard one of them while they can take turns guarding him, saving energy. San Antonio is also very athletic but the Lakers might take some heart from the absence of Derek Anderson. He was their answer to Kobe. He can't outscore Kobe but he could have defended him and provided somewhat of an offset for Kobe's offense. While the Lakers might have unresolved issues with the Spurs, they haven't shown much weakness during the playoffs. 3. This series features the No. 2 and 3 MVP choices. But between Shaquille O'Neal and Duncan, which player will have the upper hand considering all the factors? About the only thing neither of them can do is shoot free throws. One is a power player and one is a finesse player. Duncan has multiple ways to score. He can shoot the fadeaway, kiss it off the glass, hook shots with both hands, and dribble-drive. Shaq comes back with dunk to the right, dunk to the left, and a little hook in the lane. Both guys are extremely confident offensive players. It might be a wash when you're talking about who has the edge between the two. They're both very good cooks, it just depends how you want your chicken. Anderson 4. A lot has been made about the Spurs missing Derek Anderson. The shooting guard won't play this weekend, but might play later in the series. How pivotal is Anderson's absence to the Spurs? And if he doesn't play, can anyone match up with Kobe Bryant? It will be difficult for the Spurs, but they will guard Kobe with a multitude of players. From Sean Elliott to the guy that does lawn bowling, the Spurs are going to try anyone and everyone to stop Kobe. Unfortunately, no one is going to be able to do the job on him that Derek Anderson would have. 5. Taking Shaq, Duncan, Kobe and David Robinson out of the equation, which other players do you see playing the biggest roles in the series? Both of these teams are deep with talented, experienced players. That's why they've both made it to this point without so much as a bump in the road. Fisher For the Lakers, Derek Fisher brings a lot to the team defensively. He has the size and ability to guard point guards. He can stay with and defend the smaller, quicker guys. But, more importantly, when the defense collapses, Fisher is capable of making the three with the clock winding down. He has an offensive mentality that can get him to the basket and finish. Rick Fox can also make the three and did an outstanding defensive job against Peja Stojakovic. He keeps the floor spread when Shaq is double-teamed. And watch out for Robert Horry, who always seems to make big threes in big games. For the Spurs, the most important player other that the twin towers is Danny Ferry. The Spurs are the No. 1 3-point shooting team in the league and Ferry can knock it down. Elliott coming off the bench has proven himself in the playoffs before, making that huge shot during their title run in 1999. They can also bring Avery Johnson in off the bench for some spark. 6. If there is a Game 7, it will be in Texas. How important is that considering how good these teams are? The reason you play so hard all year is to be able to get Game 7 in your building. The fans become your sixth man and you're living in a comfort zone. I think the home court is extremely important in this series. So important that I'm predicting that the series will go seven games and San Antonio will win. 7. Both teams are very well rested, and other than Anderson, reasonably healthy. So which team comes out in Game 1 with more to prove? San Antonio comes out with more to prove. They have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. They have been insulted by the Lakers and Los Angeles has been everybody's pick to win since they started on their current tear. Sweeping their first two series will make the Lakers a slight favorite in the series, which will also grate on a Spurs team that compiled the best record in the NBA. The Spurs are talented, hungry, and feel they have something to prove after Phil's slight on their championship in 1999. 8. Why have the Lakers played so well in the last six weeks? Does it have anything to do with Shaq and Kobe coexisting or was that just media talk? The rift between Shaq and Kobe was a minor distraction but it had very little to do with why the Lakers weren't playing as well during the regular season as they did last year. What got the Lakers back on track over the last 14 games is they're back to playing Laker defense. They hadn't played it all year long. They were in the middle of the pack this year defensively. Last year they were the No. 1 defensive team in the league. I think they hit their defensive stride at the right time. If you don't believe me ask Sacramento and Portland. 9. Both coaches have had recent success, and obviously Phil Jackson has Hall of Fame credentials, but how does Gregg Popovich stack up? Gregg Popovich has done an outstanding job and he'll probably end up second to Larry Brown for coach of the year. Anytime you have the best record in the league playing in a conference as tough and talented as the West was this year, it means your team had to come into games ready, well-coached and prepared to win every single night. Jackson may have the name, but Popovich did the better job this season. 10. Which team will win, why and in how many games? Spurs in seven. Duncan and Robinson will give Shaq more than he's seen from any team so far in the playoffs and homecourt will prove the difference. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories