The Lakers Make the Playoffs!

Kobe is Flying High after he leads the Lakers to Victory

The Laker fans are celebrating today since their best player did just enough for the Lakers to squeak into the playoffs. They clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Seattle Supersonics who were without their best player in Ray Allen (aka Jesus Shuttlesworth in "He Got Game").

If the season ended today, they would be slated for a rematch against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers took the Suns to 7 games last year but the Lakers are struggling while they enter the postseason. The Suns will also have a healthy Amare Stoudemire, who missed the majority of the 2005-06 season. Still, the series has the potential to re-ignite an exciting matchup from last year.

Take a look at clips from the the 2006 series:

The Lakers come back in dramatic fashion in game 4 and beat the Suns to take a commanding 3-1 lead.

In game 5, tensions escalted. As Kobe posts up Raja Bell, Bryant elbows Raja Bell in the face. Laker fans have claimed this was a "phantom elbow".

Shortly thereafter, Raja Bell retalliates against Kobe Bryant and knocks him to the floor. The Suns go on to win the game to keep the series alive, but the league suspended Raja Bell in game 6.



The Lakers were heavily favored to win the game against Suns, since Phoenix was without it's best defensive player in Raja Bell and Game 6 was at LA. Still, Phoenix kept it close and Tim Thomas hit a clutch 3 pointer which forced the series into a 7th game.




In game 7, the Lakers get blown out. NBA analyst, TNT's Charles Barkely accused Bryant "selfish" for only shooting three times in game seven versus Phoenix. Barkely shortly apologized after Kobe appered as a guest on TNT's Inside the NBA.

The Lakers will be massive underdogs in a 1st round matchup in this year's matchup against either Phoenix or Dallas. Either way, look for Kobe to try to will his team to victory.