Suns vs Lakers Preview

Can the surprise "Sunderellas" scorch the heavyweight Los Angeles Lakers?
Can Goliath be defeated by the slingshot three-point shooting of David?
Or will the Lakers put down the revolt, placing the Suns back into their regular realms?

These anxious questions shall be answered, our doubts shall be erased, and our thirst for a great matchup quenched.

Point Guard:Steve Nash and Goran Dragic vs Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown
-Steve Nash(17.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 9.0 apg), a 2-time MVP and current "Cyclops" star, holds the key to their offense. He must use the speed left in his tank against Derek Fisher. Nash is one of the best point guards in the NBA: He has court vision, leadership, experience, desire, a top-notch jumpshot, smooth handles, and great passing ability. He is a captain that will keep the Suns afloat with his cool demeanor.
-Throughout the year, Derek Fisher(10.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.2 apg) has been beaten on defense by other point guards, which Nash can keep continuing. This is not to say Fisher isn't any good. He has valuable playoff experience and clutch shooting ability, as evidenced by his game-winner against the Jazz.
-Goran Dragic(7.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.0 apg)is not just some backup PG to Nash anymore. He scored 23 points in the 4th quarter against a great Spurs D...in the 2nd round of the Playoffs. His confidence grows with each game, and his ceiling in this series is leaps and bounds away...if he can make it so.
-Shannon Brown doesn't attempt to play defense, which could give Dragic some more memorable moments. But his timely gravity-defying dunks might give his teammates surges of confidence at the right time.

Shooting Guard: Jason Richardson and Leandro Barbosa vs Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic
-Jason Richardson(21.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.0 spg), the Suns' leading scorer in the Playoffs, has been finding open shots with the teams keying in on Amare. When the teams keyed in on him, he used his presence and all-around game to make a deep impact. He has really stepped up, completing the doubts of the Big Three of Phoenix.
-Kobe Bryant(26.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.9 apg), the 4th leading-scorer in the Playoffs, averaged 32.0 ppg against the Jazz, and has a wide arsenal of creative moves. He also plays great man-to-man D. Defended by Grant Hill, his game might be disrupted a bit by Hill's size. But Bryant has proven that he can create his shots against anyone in the league with his amazing skill level, almost unmatched by anyone in the league, and his quickness and concentration.
-Leandro Barbosa(7.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.9 apg), the Brazilian Blur, is one of the fastest players in the league, and could give the Suns a serious jolt against the Lakers, which he has done in the past. But he has played poorly so far this postseason and will need to step his game up. Though he is careless with the ball sometimes, if his game is on, the Lakers will be frustrated because he can burn them on D.
-Sasha Vujacic is a role playing jumpshooter in this offense. But coming back from injury, his impact looks to be minimal for the time being.

Small Forward: Grant Hill and Jared Dudley vs Ron Artest
-Grant Hill(9.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.1 apg), usually Mr. Consistent, has not been himself this postseason. After averaging 8.0 ppg and 8.3 rpg in the 1st Round, he stepped it up to 11.8 ppg, but his rebounds fell to 4.3 rpg. Look for his numbers to be around 10 ppg and 6 rpg and 2 spg. When scoring 10+ points in the Playoffs, the Suns are 3-0. His leadership will, like Nash's, be tested against this experienced Lakers squad. He will assume the role of guarding the red-hot Kobe Bryant, which he is capable of performing.
-Ron Artest(9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg)hasn't been his usual self either. After averaging 8.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 2.7 apg, he stepped up with timely plays and presence-involving plays, averaging 12.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg. He was responsible for disrupting Durant in Game 1, and will be assigned the task of guarding J-Rich.
-Jared Dudley( is the Suns "janitor". He does the dirty work and will get under the skin of his opponents. His intangibles are some of the best in the league. But you can't count out his 3-point shooting. He will knock down threes right when you think your team is coming back. "Whoops, Dudley made it again!"

Power Forward: Amare Stoudemire and Louis Amundson vs Pau Gasol
-Amare Stoudemire(20.5 ppg and 9.3 rpg against Spurs) has risen to a top level again. He is carrying this team with Nash and J-Rich. Why should the Lakers fear him? His power, quickness, athleticism, 15-footer, and control are unmatched in the NBA. Look for him to explode in this series.
-Pau Gasol is the key to the Laker's Magic. Yes, you didn't hear that wrong. Pau Gasol. Not Kobe Bryant. Gasol has been a monster on the boards and on the block. He has proven himself as one of the top-notch big men in the game. Why fear him? He passes well for a big man, has great court awareness, and has great quickness and creativity. Look for more of the same from the Lakers' big.
-Lou Amundson. There always is hustle to the muscle. And Lighting Lou exemplifies that better than anyone in the league.
Center: Channing Frye vs Andrew Bynum
-Channing Frye had the largest single-season increase in three-point field goals made in history and the NBA leader in three-point makes during the regular season. With his versatility, he can lure Bynum away from the basket, freeing up Amare to make his moves. He is on of the best three-point shooters in the league, and will shoot the lights out against the Lakers.
-Andrew Bynum, though inconsistent, has the potential to be a monster down low. If he can, the Suns will hae fits. he rounds out the frontcourt phenomenons of the Lakers, something Phoenxi must be ready to counter with its versatility.

Coaches:
-Alvin Gentry - http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/fran_blinebury/05/08/gentry/index.html
-Phil Jackson - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/15/AR2009061501728.html


-Will Goliath strike back or will fantasy and the Sunderellas prevail? Stay tuned for more...