Lakers/Hornets Preview

This particular post is going to be outdated fast, but it's such a fascinating game, I can't resist writing it.

Honestly? I feel like tonight's game between New Orleans and Los Angeles has the potential to turn the entire 2010-2011 NBA playoffs upside down.

If Los Angeles wins...

• The Lakers are almost certainly going to win the series. Even having surrendered homecourt advantage, the Lakers are too big, too experienced, and too talented for the Hornets sans David West, if the Hornets don't jump all over this opportunity immediately. 
• Not only will the Lakers have won the series, but they will have gotten the wake up call they got last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and could potentially start ripping through the playoffs like a buzzsaw through cotton. People seem to forget that it can actually be an advantage to be tested in the early rounds of the playoffs, and the Lakers, who ended the season in such lackluster fashion, are a prime example of a team who would benefit from a first round test.
• Los Angeles would have a very favorable road to the championship. They would start (probably) with home court advantage against the Mavericks. If/when they knock off the Mavs, they would face either the Spurs, who don't have the size to match both Bynum and Gasol, or Oklahoma City, coming off two tough rounds against the Nuggets and Spurs. Oh, and against OKC, LA would have home court.
• Kobe will have a great opportunity to tie Jordan in the all important ring count.
• The Lakers will have a great opportunity to become the franchise with the most championships of all time.

But if somehow New Orleans wins...

• The Hornets could upset the Lakers in the first round. It's not a lock, but it's a possibility.
• Let me repeat that: the Hornets could upset the defending national champion Lakers in the first round.
• The Western Conference playoffs would suddenly become WIDE open. San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Denver (if they can advance), and Dallas would all see their chances of representing the West in the Finals GREATLY strengthened.
• Whoever represents the East in the Finals wouldn't have to face one of the most battle-tested playoff teams in history.
• The Lakers' closing championship window would take a very serious hit.
• And finally, we would be left with this question: if somehow the Hornets beat the Lakers, would this be the biggest upset in NBA playoff history?

Umm yeah. I'll be watching.