By Cameron Zargar

The Kings and Lakers are going at it again. While LA is essentially the same, Sacramento has improved greatly, having added Mike Bibby to the mix and learning how to play defense. Sacramento claims that the two-time defending champions are vulnerable, but they have yet to prove this theory on the floor (they got swept in last year’s playoffs between the two teams and they lost the regular season series 3-1 this year). There’s a lot of hatred between them, especially after Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson called Sacramento’s fans hicks and dismissed them as championship contenders two years ago.

Here’s a break down of the two teams at the essential positions:

Derek Fisher vs. Mike Bibby

Fisher found his groove last year as a three-point specialist with a headband. He especially burned San Antonion and Philadelphia. While he is still a three-point specialist, he may never get that hot again in his life. Other than his outside shooting, he is a feisty defender and can come up with big defensive plays. He can’t handle the smallish, quick point guards very well. He is more likely to shut down an outside shooter for a period of time. His last attribute is what will be most needed against a sizzling Bibby.

Bibby has been the life of the Kings in these playoffs. He’s scored their most significant points and taken his team to the next level. He must be oozing with confidence right now, but he’s never played a team like LA in the playoffs. The Lakers are probably the best defensive team in the league, at least when they want to be (i.e., when it really matters). Don’t be surprised if Jackson tries to play with Bibby’s head early and frustrate him hoping to keep him in check for the rest of the series. Nonetheless, Bibby will find a way to contribute offensively, just not like he did against Dallas.

ADVANTAGE: Bibby

Kobe Bryant vs. Doug Christie

Bryant is his team’s motor. As Bryant goes, so go the Lakers. Just when the other young stars start to get recognition (Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, etc.) Bryant reminds us that he’s the best of the bunch. The other young players have amazing athleticism, but Bryant uses his when needed. He’ll come up with a clutch alley-oop (2 years ago against Portland), three-point shot (game 4, against San Antonnio this year) or an amazing jumper (against Phoenix two years ago). It all depends on the circumstance. His numbers are not staggering, but that’s because he must fit into Jackson’s system. Michael Jordan was an exception for Jackson. He could do what he wanted because he usually knew better than coach. Bryant, though, must keep his offensive numbers down for the sake of his growth as a player and to win championships.

Christie is traditionally a great defender and nice scorer. He’ll have his hands full with Bryant of course, (anybody would), but his task will be to prevent Bryant from torching them, especially at home (see game 4 of last year’s series).

ADVANTAGE: Bryant

Rick Fox vs. Predrag Stojakovic

Stojakovic was a shooting machine in the regular season. Many thought he was more valuable than perennial All-Star Chris Webber. In the postseason, though, he hasn’t delivered. His percentages are down and he’s been injured. When he’s on, though, he can hit from almost anywhere—an amazing feat for someone his size (6’9”).

In last year’s playoffs, Stojakovic wasn’t much less of a player than he is today. He was supposed to be Webber’s counterpart who would make the Lakers pay for doubling on Webber. Instead, Fox bottled him up and Stojakovic shot horribly.

Fox’s main duty isn’t offense, like most of the Lakers. Occasionally he’ll spot up for a three-point dagger or make a fine pass, but he is mostly a defensive “frustrator”. He is only 6’7” but he’s built like a power forward (237 lbs). He plays rough and drives Stojakovic nuts. Sacramento coaches have probably been preparing Stojakovic for this matchup all year, trying to instill him with confidence. Expect Stojakovic to contribute more when he’s in the game, but his ankle injury may keep him from playing much.

ADVANTAGE: Stojakovic

Samaki Walker vs. Chris Webber

Walker is not much of a threat on offense, nor is he the rebounding force that Webber is. Although, he can come alive on the boards at times. What he is, though, is a definite improvement over Horace Grant, especially on defense. His defense will be needed to slow down Webber. Webber’s not Tim Duncan, but he can hurt them almost as much because of Sacramento’s abundance of outside shooters.

Webber averaged 25.2 points on 54.6% shooting against Dallas. While nobody expects him to hurt the Lakers like that (he shot only 38.8% in last year’s playoffs), those numbers mean that LA will have to be aware of him at all times. That leaves Bibby and the gang with more open shots.

ADVANTAGE: Webber

Vlade Divac vs. Shaquille O’Neal

Divac is merely along for the ride in Sacramento. He is not the first, second or even third option anymore and he knows it. Rather, he is just a big body with experience. He’s not a bad rebounded but Shaq will rock him in every category. Scott Pollard has a lot of energy and will contribute another six fouls per game, but neither is going to slow Shaq down, especially if he can hit 60% from the stripe.

This series belonged to Shaq last year because of the Kings’ lack of competent big men. Sacramento coaches will not use Webber on Shaq because it is just such a waste of Webber’s talent. So the Kings must watch him dominate as he did against them last year, especially in games 1 and 2 when he topped 40 points and 20 rebounds in both games.

Shaq is slowed by a variety of injuries from his toe to his ankle to his finger. He’s a tough guy, though, (son of an army man) and he hates to use excuses. But, in this series, his dominance will be necessary and those injuries will take away from his raw power and explosiveness. Nonetheless, he’ll win the battle inside.

ADVANTAGE: O’Neal

Bench

The Kings are loaded with players like Hidayet Turkoglu (10.1 pts/game in regular season, 20 points and 13 rebounds in game 5 against Dallas), another giant (6’8”) three-point shooter and Bobby Jackson (11.1 pts/game in regular season, 26 points against the Mavs in game 4) a do-it-all point guard with big-time guts.

The Lakers bench doesn’t contribute in numbers (like the rest of the team other than Bryant and Shaq). But they make up for their lack of stats with clutch baskets (Robert Horry, Brian Shaw) or clutch rebounds or blocks (Horry again). They know their roles (get the ball to Shaq or Kobe) and always believe they can win. They are a great bench for a team centered around the two most dominant players in the game. The idea here is to let Shaq (33.2 pts, 17.2 rebs, 3.25 blks against the Kings in last year’s playoffs) and Kobe (35.0 pts, 4.2 assists, 9 rebs against Sac last year) take turns bruising the Kings.

ADVANTAGE: Sacramento

If it wasn’t for the Lakers, the Kings would definitely be NBA champs this year. But isn’t that what teams used to say about Jordan’s Bulls?

Expect the Kings to threaten to make this a great series, but in the end, they’ll be left frustrated and reevaluating themselves at season’s end.

PREDICTION: Lakers in 5