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Shaquille O'Neal and the Lakers proved tough to beat in the regular season. Stephen Dunn /Allsport

CNNSI.com recently asked you to compare the Lakers' head-to-head stats with the league's other contenders and then tell us who could give the Lakers a run for their money in the postseason. Here's what you had to say:

Portland

Scottie Pippen has something to prove, and Brian Grant is finally getting back to his normal self after his knee surgery. Shut down Shaquille O'Neal with Arvydas Sabonis and Rasheed Wallace, and you can beat the Lakers. Kobe Bryant will not beat Portland by himself in a seven-game series. Portland will win in six.
--Alex Tarin, Portland, Ore.

Who can give the Lakers a series?
We took your votes on which team has the best chance against L.A. and here's how you voted.
Portland Trail Blazers	35%
San Antonio Spurs	35%
Indiana Pacers	14%
Utah Jazz	8%
New York Knicks	6%
Miami Heat	2%

Portland, because of its deep bench, is very versatile when it comes to the 2 and 3 positions. The Blazers' only "weak" position compared with the Lakers is at center and coach. The Lakers will win in seven games if Shaq can sustain his performance and improve on his free-throw shooting and if Glen Rice is more consistent. For Portland to win, let Shaq work on both ends of the court and try to shut down Kobe or Rice.
--Dante G. Ang, Caloocan City, Philippines

San Antonio

The Spurs have the best shot at the Lakers because they are the only team that can match up with them in the paint. With Sean Elliot back, they have the defender it takes to keep Kobe Bryant controlled. If any team can beat the Lakers this postseason, it will be the Spurs. That doesn't make them the best team in the league, though, because the Spurs could lose to other teams that the Lakers would beat. All this assumes that Tim Duncan will play, of course.
--Benn Becker, Lincoln, Neb.

People need to stop handing the trophy to L.A. They have done nothing except have a good regular season. Ask the Spurs of '95 and the Sonics of the '90s what that means. Don't forget that Shaq has been swept five of six times in the playoffs. If healthy, the Lakers will not be able to handle the Spurs' size (not to mention their experience). I think that for all the publicity Phil Jackson gets, he hasn't done anything more than coach Hall of Famers -- the luckiest coach of all time, but he is good. With Duncan and Robinson, the Spurs can contain Shaq, to a degree, and be able to do some damage of there own on the inside.

With strong perimeter defense from Elliott and Mario Elie, Kobe and Rice will not be as effective. Terry Porter leads a deeper bench with the solid play of Samaki Walker and Antonio Daniels, and let's not forget Laker Eliminator Jaren Jackson. All the hype will once again end prematurely, as the overhyped Lakers go down in a blaze of glory to the World Champs, pending, of course, that the NBA allows the Lakers not to win it all with that favoritism officiating.
--Jeremy, Atlanta, Ga.

Indiana

The Pacers have youth and age. Veterans like Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson can get into their heads. Dale Davis will frustrate Shaq underneath. Pacers in 7.
--Bradley Kinkead, Noblesville, Ind.

The Pacers have better depth. More firepower, even though they will win the center duel. The Pacers are due, and they have the right attitude this year to win it all. If Reggie isn't connecting, there are several others who can.
--B.P., Sterling Heights, Mich.

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