Spurs know no fear, and that's scary

By now, you've surely read about our happy Lakers family enjoying dinner together while watching the seventh game of the other Western Conference semifinal Monday night.

What you didn't read was any mention of cheering.

That's because, I'm guessing, there wasn't any.

The wrong team won, and they know it.

The bad guys are here, and they hate it.

In the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers are playing the only Western Conference team they privately feel is capable of beating them in a seven-game series.

This doesn't mean the Spurs will necessarily win the Western Conference finals beginning tonight at Staples Center.

But they can.

As eerie as a Tim Duncan stare, they have been hovering out there all spring as the Lakers' ultimate measuring stick.

As pesky as a Manu Ginobili flop, they have been the challenge the Lakers figured they eventually would have to face, but quietly hoped they wouldn't.

Lamar Odom shook his head.

"To beat them, you have to play perfect basketball," he said.

Kobe Bryant shook his head.

"You've got to beat them . . . they're so seasoned, they're not going to beat themselves," he said.

Derek Fisher shook his head.

For longer than four-tenths of a second.

"These guys have established themselves as the consistent power in our league," he said. "It's going to be a challenge for us."

This talk would all be just gamesmanship, except the Lakers have been saying it for a couple of months, ever since they realized they would probably make the playoffs and be in this position.

Anybody but San Antonio.

Any coach but Pop.

Any point but Parker.

Any bench but one containing Big Shot Bob.

Only the Spurs, it seems, are completely unafraid to play under the lights of Hollywood.

Heck, Tony Parker married the lights of Hollywood.

In the 1999 conference semifinals, the Spurs completed a sweep of the Lakers at the Forum.

In the 2003 conference semifinals, the Spurs finished off the Lakers at Staples Center.

Plus, these Spurs have already won a Game 7 on the road against New Orleans, and a brilliant Game 3 on the road against Phoenix.

When Bryant was asked if he felt sorry for the Spurs after they were forced to sleep on their broken-down plane Monday night, his short answer spoke of his deep respect.

"No."

Only the Spurs, too, are completely unafraid to play Bryant.