I certainly love the confidence but to think the Lakers won't get there might be foolish.
The Lakers actually have a decent run home, the next 5 games they play all below .500 teams, I guess at the end of that they'll either be at or above .500, if not then they deserve to miss the playoffs.
Do not underestimate the emotional factor of Dr Buss passing, American sports are huge on these kind of things and something like this can fuel a run quite easily.
Again, I would hate the SPurs to fave L.A first round, of course I'd still back the Spurs to win and they've never had trouble with a Nash/D'Antoni combination before, but the drive of Kobe is still amazing and if they start clicking than I'd much rather play someone else first up.
Don't be surprised to see Houston or even Golden State flame out and fall aro
und .500.