Not a Lakers fan, but I'll give you my input on this series:
Lakers are the favorites, obviously, and shouldn't have any problem with this team if they play to their potential, but that's the funny thing; they haven't done that for 80% of this season. They're coming together better as the postseason progresses, and that's a great sign for them, but they have to remain consistant.
Defense has been a strong suit for them the past few years, and with the addition of Artest, they've continued to play great on that side of the ball. With Gasol, Bynum, and Odom in the front court, they obviously should have a big rebounding edge in this series, and offensively, even with Lopez and Stoudamire, the Lakers should have the advantage. I've said it from the beginning, the Lakers could dominate the entire league if they'd rely on Gasol/Bynum MORE than Kobe Bryant. Don't get me wrong, Kobe is, IMO, the best complete player in the league right now, and has been for years. The gap is closer, but I'd still take him in a 7 game series than any other player. BUT, everyone knows this, and everyone knows where the ball's going, and everyone knows how to defend him. Can they stop him? No, but they can force him into difficult situations. This is what makes the Lakers (not just KOBE) seem idiotic; why make the game harder than it has to be? Why make yourself have to take difficult shots? There's no one, outside of Dwight Howard, who can match up with Gasol in a 7 game series, and then you'd still have Bynum. How do you stop that 1-2 punch, without a double team, and then...leaving Kobe Bryant open too much for comfort? Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom are knocking down shots if they're wide open...so is Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar.
Get the ball into the goddamn post.
The Suns have never been a favorite team of mine, but I am very impressed with the coaching staff. They've done a great job, and the most important part of the improvement has been the defense. Defense and Suns in the same sentence?! YES. Also, the front office (Kerr) has put a very strong CAST of players around it's stars, and they play a great team game.
I think the key to the Suns' gameplan has to be it's rebounding, and defending the bigs of L.A. They have to actually BOX OUT, which you don't see in the NBA most nights (lol), and they have to get the ball and run. The Lakers are still the best team in the league, IMO, but they aren't as young and quick as some of the Suns main players. Run, run, run.
Lopez needs to become a man in this series, if he's playing, and not give an inch to either Gasol or Bynum, whoever he's defending. He may find himself guarding Odom, which is a test for anyone, as he can play all 5 spots, and play them well. Frye is similar to Lamar, in that he can shoot the 3 very well for his size, and stretch the defense.
All in all, this is the best possible series, IMO, that could happen in these playoffs, along with LA and Orlando, which we hope to see in June.
Enjoy.