Five Things to Keep an Eye on: Jazz at Lakers, Game 1

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for in today's premiere of the Jazz-Lakers series.

1. Hairy face, meet hairy chest. With no offense to Ronnie Price and Jordan Farmar, the clear "vital" matchup heading into this brawl will be Pau Gasol versus Carlos Boozer. Both are elite scorers on the block, able to finish off the pick-and-roll, in isolation down low, or popping off from 15 feet. Even elite defenders have trouble handling each fellow. Luckily for the impartial viewing public, neither of these guys are elite defenders. Gasol could average 30 in the series and still come out only even with Boozer unless he and/or Lamar Odom can force 'Los into some tough misses inside.

2. Speaking of hairy chests ... Ronnie Brewer's gonna grow up quick if he's left in single coverage against Kobe. Brewer's stout defense derives from his twitchy hands, which affect opponents both in the passing lanes and on perimeter dribbling. Kobe, of course, almost never turns over the ball (considering how many possessions he's responsible for). Brewer's got the height and heft to keep Kobe out of the post, but even Ronnie's great foot speed and lateral quickness won't be able to keep Bean from either starting a one-man lay-up line or getting to the line incessantly. The (possible) solution (in a perfect world)? Matt Harpring. (We'll get to him soon enough.)

Three more, after the jump.

3. Defending Deron. If any point guard left in the postseason can slow Deron Williams, Derek Fisher's probably the guy. Fisher played next to (and behind) Deron last season in Utah, and knows his game well. Also, the physical matchup is solid -- Deron abuses little guys like Chris Paul, but isn't as quick to drop 25/10 against larger, more brawny opponents. Oh, he can still drop 25/10 against larger, more brawny opponents (ask Skip) -- it's just less likely. But if Deron's gone off, and it's tight in the fourth, look for Kobe to take over Deron duties. Bean's severely crafty against quick attackers; he'll perch himself inches from Deron's lap and force the ball out of his hands and around the horn. Then it will be up to Brewer or Kyle Korver to burn Fisher and/or Farmar.

4. "Harpring ... with the foul." Fact: Matt Harpring is going to piss off Kobe within the first two games. It's science. Harpring is the most physical swingman in the game, more grabby and pushy and bumpy and grindy than even that rash-of-a-man Bruce Bowen. Hip checks, holds on inbound plays, hand jabs which more resemble full-powered body blows -- the repertoire is full, and it is nasty. Kobe complains nearly as much as LeBron, if not more, and Phil Jackson's got at least 50 or so eye-rolls left in him this spring. Harpring might save his most vicious assaults for the friendly confines of the Delta Center (screw you, EnergySolutions!), but he also might depants Kobe during warm-ups.

5. Playboys and space cadets. On the Lakers side, keep an eye on Vlad Radmanovic's performance. If you'll remember the Nuggets series (which ended three months ago, I think), Luke Walton severely outplayed Radman. Against Denver, Jackson could afford the gambit in attempting to get Vlad fully engaged in the game plan by keeping him out there and berating him. Against Utah? No. We'll see fairly early on just how much faith Jackson has in Radmanovic, especially considering few close out on the wings like Andrei Kirilenko. While you wouldn't be surprised to see stubborn Phil let Vlad fester on the court for a couple games, even the coach must realize how tight the series should be.

For better analysis from fans closer to the situation, be sure to check out top Lakers blog Forum Blue and Gold and Jazz blog Basketball John.