Detroit

DEEETROIT BASKETBAAAAAALL

Doesn't that chant still resonate from 04?
It's a haunting past that the Lakers need to conquer.

History-wised: Boston
Matchup-wised: Boston
Fatigue-wised: Boston

With all those reasons, I think Boston will be the perfect fit for a dramatic 2008 Finals.

I think it's going to be very tough for Detroit to take the next two in a row, so I'm going to vote Boston. I suppose it's poetic, how this has worked out.

Detroit
* Hamilton hampered by hurting hamstring
* Rip's right arm ripped by Ray
* Payback's a *****
* Won't have to look at Cassell's ugly mug

Boston
* Make KG howl in misery
* Weaker bench (Maxiell's turning beastly)
* Historical implications (make Red spin in his grave)
* Big coaching mismatch

Either/Or. To be the best, you got to beat the best.

(secretly wishing for Detroit, but beating Boston 2 straight will be tough)

if both teams were at full strength, i would say boston based on the fact that they haven't looked too good during the playoffs. plus prince guards kobe relatively well.

but then again...hamilton and billups are at less than 100% for detroit right now, so who knows which would be a better team to face.

final answer: boston since the finals dont start for another week im sure detroit will be back at full strength by that time (if they make it that far).

if both teams were at full strength, i would say boston based on the fact that they haven't looked too good during the playoffs. plus prince guards kobe relatively well.

but then again...hamilton and billups are at less than 100% for detroit right now, so who knows which would be a better team to face.

final answer: boston since the finals dont start for another week im sure detroit will be back at full strength by that time (if they make it that far).

Brotha Brian Kamenetzky,

Repost

Barring our experience against Utah,

1. We have problems against Big Point Guards (Unless Billups is going to be injured.) Rhondo and House would be a much easier match up. Cassell is playing irrelevant right now. (Defensively and Health wise that is)

2. Rebounds from the 2nd unit. Milsap = Maxiel. We had problems with our 2nd unit rebounding. Adding Theo Ratliff, I believe our chances with Ronny and Luke (Pau and Lamar will be playing with them too adding fatigue for 1st unit rebounding) I'll take my chances with a slower PJ Brown and Scala-weenie...

3. The element of surprise. The Celtics have not faced us with Pau. Pau has elevated Lamars game which was not prevalent when Bynum was in the lineup. We have been criticized for being everything in the book; yet we are now in the finals. This is a different Laker team.

If we face Detroit, we should be fine. I just feel PG & Center battles are more critical for the two teams.

C's = Rhondo, House, Cassell, Perkins, Scala, Brown.

The D = Billups, Hunter, Stuckey (2 ish), Sheed, A-Mac, Ratliff, Maxiel.

Were not even mentioning the lengthy discussions about the rest of the team members from LA, Detroit, and Boston...

Posted by: Charles | May 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM

*____________________________*
"Punch the Big Ticket" bandwagon.
*____________________________*
(01) Mel - Driver
(02) Bozz - Owner
(03) Complex_Brotha - Sparring Partner, Knocked him out
(04) Mamba24 - referee

IT'S A SURE THING

Bozz,

You mean Taste Great Very Filling?

Celtics heres why..

What do the Lakers have trouble with? Strong physical guards. Would you rather see Fisher and Farmar match up with Rondo, Sam Cassell, and Eddie House or Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey. Chauncey Billups is a big bruising guard and 6'5'' Stuckey will eat up Farmar. I rather see Fish vs Rondo any day of the week. The Lakers might actually have an advantage at the point guard position in the finals none the less. After seeing Allen Iverson, D Will, Tony Parker, you don't think the wiley vet Fish won't be licking his chops to get the Rondo assignment?

*Who will defend Kobe? Kobe does not want to see Tashaun Prince and neither should you. He has always had trouble against Prince with his length and speed. If it's Boston it will most likely to be Pierce and Posey, Posey is tough but no Tashaun who also has an offensive game, unlike the Posey who is somewhat a Bruce Bowen mold. Can hit the tre ball and thats about it. We already have seen Pierce struggle when having to guard an offensive superstar in Lebron.

*The player formally known as Ray Allen has been struggling to put it kindly. When he struggles offensively its bad news bears cuz the dude don't play a lick of D.

*Who will match up with Lamar? If its Boston it will be McDyess or the Sheed. Both tough players, its Boston most likely it will be Perkins, Lamar has that match-up I believe.

*The Bench - The Pistons have bodies and bangers and we saw in the Utah series that's no bueno for Los Lakers. Jason Maxiell is essentially Paul Millsap's doppelganger and he gave the Lakers fits. I like our chances with Big Baby, Powe, Posey, Cassell, House, and old man PJ Brown.

*Experience: The Pistons have been there done that they know what it takes to win. This Celtics team "Big 3" have never even been to the finals let alone played in one. Can you see Garnett doing anything significant come crunch time in a finals game? Me neither. I am not sure how much experience plays into basketball in the scheme of things, but I much rather have the no experience team then a very experienced team that has been together for a long time.

*Detroit is essentially a better Utah which is not good for the Lakers, so bring on the Celtics please!

I want Boston. Beating Detroit would definitely be sweet, but beating Boston would be extra nice because Garnett chose them over us.

Go Lakers!
Western Conference Champs baby!

BOSTON !!!!!! We OWE those clowns some Butt Whuppins for The Logo

As childish as this sounds.. I'd like it to be Boston so we can keep KG ringless and he can spend all summer in Malibu hearing about how HE could've been the next Great Laker Big... Theres only ONE person on this planet that dissed the Lakers and I forgave.. his name is Kobe.. not KG

It does not matter.

Add me to Punch the Big Ticket, too.

I used to Love KG as a man and as a player. He's a Celtic, now. That means unconditional, vitriolic, automatic hate.

I don't care what he said. I now hate him.

I want the Celtics to demoralize the Pistons so that their optimism will be at its highest coming into the Finals. Then, when we crush them, it will accentuate the depression.

That is what I want, a depressed, dejected, defeated Celtic squad.

--Fearless

F the Celtics

Andrew Z,

Thanks for the reply. I respect for your posts.

Ok if game 2 falls on a weekend. I will be happy to help organize a blog party gathering. From what I understand, the stretch goes from the San Gabriel Valley to the San Fernando Valley. (PS is in Palm Springs)

I say Los Angeles will be a good medium meeting ground. Or if Staples to be ultimately fair.

Bloggers any suggestions? SGV to the SFV...

I would rather face Boston and its going to happen unless Detroit can win 2 in a row. Wtih their injury situation, I don't see that as a possibility.

Lakers are a tough crew,,with an excellent blend of youth, players approching their prime and players IN their prime. I really believe they have the best bench in the league..they bring energy, defense, and scoring depending on what is needed. I don't see how Boston's bench can bring that kind of game changing play when the the starters are resting. It's what will win the Lakers the title, IMO.

After playing the best in the WC, I don't see how they will be beaten by a team who had trouble winning on the road against inferior competition. But stranger things have happened and I don't mean to sound overconfident. It's going to be an interesting final no matter who they play.

The wild card is that Kobe is playing at a level that few players have ever reached. I don't think you can deny him.

At thios point I don't really care who we meet because it's mindboggling that we are even in the finals...

I hate the Celtics with all my heart and soul and would love to beat them...

GO LAKERS !!!

B.
O.
S.
T.
O.
N.

--Fearless

Charles,

With half the calories.

-bozz-

Bozz

Just for the taste of it.

BTW,

If Boston wins the East, beware of the trolls.

They're always invading the best Yankee blog on the net, and they will find their way to the best Lakers blog.

The Nuggets trolls had few expectations, the Jazz put up a stiff challenge, and the Spurs fans are a reflection of their classy organization.

Boston fans are drunk with success of the Celtics and Red Sox. ( I exclude the Patriots because they're my team and their fans are humble!) Just a little warning.

Sasha's shot

According to CNBC, Shasha's shot was worth 100 million dollars in Vegas.

Wonder if Shasha got his cut.

I'd have to choose Detroit as the Lakers opponent in the Finals. Payback. Not just for the Lakers: For me. Almost every other member of my extended family is from the Detroit area and the last time the Pistons and Lakers met was just excruciatingly painful for me.

(I think that the Celtics might be the better match for the Lakers though. They appear to lack mental toughness and Rondo would be much easier for Fish/Farmar to deal with).