This series is going to be tough for us.

We need Gasol to dominate or we're gonna find ourselves on the short end of the stick.

With Perkins at center (remember, he drew even with Bynum when they matched up) the Celtics have Garnett to put on Odom and Chris Paul to put on Kobe. And since bigger defenders give Kobe more trouble that smaller ones, this match up worries me. As someone else pointed out this does give us a mismatch on offense at small forward and center. Gasol and Vlad or Walton or Ariza or maybe even Turiaf have to have big games for us to bring home a trophy.

Fisher is going to have a rookie on him, but one that's a quick, strong defender and passer. There can’t be any of that passing of the torch stuff here. Old man Fisher needs to school the pupil.

The Celtics look better on paper than we do, but if our defense can be as solid as it was against the Spurs we have a chance.

We need to find a way to have Ray Allen guarding Kobe. If we defend Pierce with enough aggression to put him in a shooting slump, maybe Rivers takes him off Kobe to get his offensive rhythm back. This leaves big mouth Ray between Kobe and his dream.

I've noticed the Celtics like to change their attack about half way through the game. At first they sag off their opponents to protect the paint and prevent any easy buckets. This usually gives them a lead when the other team can’t score down low and misses a few threes. Then when they have a lead and the other team is forced to shoot threes, they rush the perimeter shooters instead of waiting around the paint. The lead grows…

So...

We need to use laser sharp passing early in the game to establish a post presence. That's going to be tough to do, but we have an advantage in that our post players are the leagues best passing big men. They have bigger big men, but we have smarter big men. We need to out hustle, out run, out jump and out think these guys if we want to win.

I have a feeling that we’re going to have to win two games in Boston to take this series; that there will be home losses both in Boston and LA.

Let’s do this!

Wes

CELTICS ACCUSED OF CAUSING TOURETTE’S SYNDROME…

A recent outbreak of Tourette's Syndrom, a rare and bizarre inherited neuropsychiatric disorder that is most often associated with the exclamation of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, has been authoritatively linked to the resurgence of the hated, despised Boston Celtics, long relegated to well deserved inconsequentiality but now once again causing misery and suffering among Lakers fans who remember the 8 Shamrock NBA Championships that the Greenies stole from the Lakers in the 70’s.

As a younger man, I must confess to having contracted a serious case of Tourette’s Syndrome courtesy of the Celtics. I would scream obscenities at the TV screen, insult Celtics players and their entire families, wish for on-the-court-amputations of Bird’s shooting arm and Kevin McHale’s head, and pray that someone would put a bullet into that idiot Danny Ainge’s brain or chop off the Chief’s skull and mount it above the rim. And don’t even ask about what I wished or hoped would happen to Red ‘cause it did.

Ashamedly, I even celebrated the unfortunate death of Len Bias and reveled in the pain of the entire Celtics Nation, a truly despicable bunch of poorly educated multi-cultural trash. Neighbors used to flee their houses on game days. Even my own wife put in ear plugs and braced herself for the wave of hate and vitriol that I would spew during the game. Everybody knew to shut their ears and pray for a Lakers victory or get ready for Hell, like the week I went berserk after Don Nelson’s lucky bounce once again saved Boston’s ass.

Now as a grandfather, I have tried to act my age. It has been much easier to handle my Tourette's the last 20 years with the Celtics mired in mediocrity, led by an unimpressive group of idiots (including Danny “Bite-you” Ainge). With the Celtics returning to the NBA Finals, I am seriously concerned about my behavior on the blog over the next two weeks. Because of my respect for AK and BK, I will try to be on my best behavior, knowing that they will be put to the task trying to deal with all of the hate and anger and closet Tourette’s victims who are going to be fighting torturously to reign themselves in. In the end, just remember: It’s really not my fault for what I say. I just can’t help it.

Tom

My Prediction:
Lakers take Game 1, Celtics win Game 2, Lakers win the next 3 home games to wrap it up! Remember its a 2-3-2 format for the Finals.

LMAO@ "The Machine" and how he screwed ALOT of Gamblers !!!!! I like Sasha, but now I like him even more!!!!

Laker Vujacic’s Meaningless Shot Costs Bettors $100 million?
Posted By:Darren Rovell
Topics:Gambling | Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers were up 97-92 as the clock was winding down in last night’s Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

The Lakers were guaranteed a victory and thus a spot in their first finals in four years.

But as the final seconds ticked off, Lakers forward Vladimir Radmanovic passed the ball to back-up guard Sasha Vujacic.

Instead of dribbling out, Vujacic squared up and threw up a shot from outside the arc towards the hoop.

The shot went in as time expired. The Lakers had prevailed by eight points, instead of five.

I don’t bet, but I cover the industry. So I started to look into this as soon as I got a note at 2:31 am from reader Erik Schuman.

While Vujacic’s taking of the shot was a joke in the Lakers locker room, it turns out it was hardly a laughing matter for people that had bet on the Spurs to cover the spread. The line opened with the Lakers being eight-point favorites, but quickly moved to 7.5 points, meaning that Vujacic’s heave either cost people money (who bet on the Spurs) or turned their winning bet into a push.

So I called R.J. Bell of Pregame.com who is really good at number crunching, to ask him how much Vujacic cost those that took the Spurs. Bell said that, from looking at betting data he had access to, that 66 percent of people took the Spurs and the 7.5 points or 8 points.

Bell estimates that the game did about $3 million in bets in Las Vegas, but he estimates that worldwide, the game did about $300 million in action. Bell said that, when considering the line move, that shot swung at least $100 million in bets.

That’s an interesting number since years ago I did the story on the infamous Chris Duhon shot which was estimated to swing as much as $100 million in bets.

While those that bet on the Spurs might direct their anger towards Vujacic, those that bet on the Lakers could have felt the same about Tony Parker. When the game was out of reach, Parker--right before Vujacic’s shot--hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds to go.

The shot by Vujacic will get more attention because Parker’s shot was based on instinct; when you are down, you shoot. Vujacic’s shot? Unclassy and costly.

Update: One sports book director at a book in Las Vegas said this: We opened at Lakers -8 and never got off the number, so all the money on the game was refunded.

I'll go with Ajax's prediction. 5 games seems right, but it might be 6.

Here's the telltale evidence for a fairly quick Lakers' victory. As soon as they had defeated the Spurs, the Lakers were talking about the challenge ahead, winning the finals, insisting that they still hadn't proved anything.

When Pierce and Garnett were interviewed immediately after their victory, they were in "mission accomplished" mode. Pierce considered it a final payoff and a miracle to be EC champions after 10 years of struggling. Garnett was in phase with Pierce considering that he was for the first time a conference champion (the Lakers had previously deprived him of his one opportunity).

In other words, I have the distinct impression that in spite of the Ali films and the butterfly/bee imagery, the Celtics are ready to watch the Lakers run over them. And in truth, they haven't been either butterflies or bees in the playoffs. The metaphor may end up confusing them.

The fact is that the Celtics will be happy to have been there. For them, it's a kind of paid vacation at an amusement park with a lot of thrilling rides. That won't be the case for Kobe, Fish and... Walton, who's been there too, watched hope disappear once, and didn't like that. The closeness of the Laker brotherhood means that Kobe, Fish and Walton (yeah, Luke playing a positive role) will make sure that the others get the message. Home court advantage will shift to the Lakers at least by game 2, and then it will the rat in the Mamba's cage, just waiting for the snake to be hungry enough to devour it.

I'm as confident as the next guy, but after watching Detroit and Boston maul each other last night, I worry about the Lakers not understanding how physical this series is going to be. That's the only concern that I have about this series.

I'm hearing a lot of pundits talking about how this series will basically boil down to the Lakers offense versus the Celtics defense. The MVP versus the defensive POY. It's an understandable characterization considering the Lakers offensive efficiency stands at 116 pts (per 100 poss) and the Boston defensive efficiency stands at 101 pts (per 100 poss). Both are ranked #1 in each category this post-season.

But I'm worried less about Boston being able to stifle the Triangle and more about LAs ability to exacerbate Boston's scoring droughts. What's encouraging is that there really isn't anybody that LA has to double. As much as Boston is a defensive team, offensively they tend to rely on breaking you down one-on-one. Rondo is most effective on dribble penetration, Allen coming off screens, KG in the low post and Perkins capitalizing on deep position as a result of his teammates missed shots. Pierce can hurt you multiple ways. He falls somewhere in between Kobe and Carmelo. They are a very good passing team but you only see that really on broken plays where everyone is scrambling.

No offense to Doc Rivers, but I believe he's the reason why they go through scoring droughts. I don't think he recognizes when stuff is working and when it isn't. Given that Rondo isn't much of a floor general, they rely on the coach's play calling and usually end up shooting jumpers rather than abusing you in the low post.

What the Lakers can't do is allow Boston to feel really comfortable on offense. That's what happened in the 04 series. Larry Brown basically realized his guys could get anywhere they wanted to on the floor - that they were facing a soft defense. So they had confidence they could knock down their shots on top of being the better defensive team. Boston has just come off of facing Detroit who could match their physicality on both ends. If they find things easy against the Lakers defense then it's going to energize them.

What would make this a very short series is if the Lakers could solve Boston's defense. Since Boston is looking to rip out the Lakers hearts by disrupting the Triangle, the Lakers could dishearten Boston by establishing that the Celtics cannot stop them. That would strike at the source of their pride and would result in something like a 4-1 Lakers series victory.

i'm definitely curious how the matchups will play out. i dont exactly remember how the regular season games played out, but odom guarding garnett seems like a mismatch in boston's favor. but if you were to put gasol on garnett in an effort to go with more lenth, odom might not have enough weight to bang with perkins (who has looked surprisingly decent over the last couple games i've caught).

i also think that ariza and vujacic will play important defensive roles, matching up against pierce and allen.

i think that boston will start allen on kobe, and switch to pierce and posey as the game/series progresses.

final prediction? i'll go with lakers winning that game 6 in boston, although i wouldn't be completely surprised if they closed it out in 5.

I think the reason why the a lot of experts are picking the Lakers to win the series is because they believe the Lakers are playing much better basketball than Boston right now. When they met earlier in the season, Boston won both games fairly easily so, as far as matching up against the Lakers on paper, they hold the advantage. They also have home court advantage. To me, it's a pick-em. The Lakers are playing like a team of destiny right now and Boston is getting by on their raw talent and emotion. I'm looking for PJ to put together a "gameplan" that Doc, initially, has no answer for. That'll be enough to steal one of the first two in Boston.

Morning all.....I cant wait until Friday here Thursday there for the game,way to long...

A couple of points....Rondo has become a good point guard.
Not great but good.Williams and Parker are still better at that position.
Ray Allen...Has struggled a little in the playoffs .Is he better than Manu,JR Smith.Matt Harpring,Micheal Finley,Allen Iverson?.His body is in better condition than Manu but i dont think his mind is in great shape.The guy cant sleep.....
Paula Pierce is probably the most driven small forward that our guys have faced and can fill it up as well.
KG....Is not Duncan full stop.But he is as strong as Boozer and alot mentally tougher than him.
Perkins....If Pau can have a game with 19 rebounds in the same key way as Duncan i think he will be fine against Perkins .The last time i checked that Odom guy likes to get a couple as well..........
The match up im really looking forward to is Sasha on Allen......Last Quarter.....Kobe on Paula and Sasha on Ray Allen.......Go Lakers

As someone (Laker Tom perhaps?) observed a while ago, this playoff run is the FIRST in history to occur with this tremendous community Blog (Thank You AK/BK) that offers us a venue to find: encouragement, information, support, and even comfort on those - thankfully rare - occasions after a Lakers loss.

With this said, I have to admit I am nervous on the eve of the Finals. What worries me is that our Lakers are actually favored to beat the Evil C's by many pundits, including those at the 4-letter network.

I took comfort in the road futility the Celtics showed in the first two rounds, and the fact that no NBA champion won the title without winning at least 3 road games. Well, the Evil C's have now won 2 road games. I shudder to think they might gain another during one of the 3 games in Los Angeles.

The way the Lakers lost the two games to Boston during the regular season also worries me. The first game was not competitive at all, and the second game will forever be known as the infamous Short-Shorts Game. Lakers' management had the best of intentions in bringing back those circa 80's shorts, but it seemed to psych out our guys, and though they changed at halftime, they were never in the game and lost in another blowout.

I'm worried that our young Lakers team seemed to be intimidated during those two losses. Sure, we had no Pau Gasol during either game, but we did have a healthy Andrew Bynum -- and still lost.

I am encouraged that our coaching staff has FAR more experience (and championship pedigree) than Boston's, but the Celtics players seem to be playing with a new-found confidence they found in closing out the Pistons in Detroit.

Finally, what worries me most is the history of strange and weird occurrences, odd bounces, and the like, that seem to happen when the Lakers go up against the Celtics. Those old enough to remember will NEVER forget the crazy ways we have lost to Boston.

Remember that Worthy inbounds pass that Henderson stole? If that hadn't happened, L.A. would have gone back home leading 2-0 and I have NO doubt, the first time the Magic-led Lakers faced Bird's Celtics, the Lakers would have won easily. Remember how in that same series Rambis was clotheslines by McHale? The Evil C's obviously knew they couldn't beat L.A. on the court, so they decided to beat them up -- and ultimately won the title.

What about those balloons that were hung up on the Forum ceiling in anticipation of the victory? They were never released in a win, and I still shudder at the memory.

These are the reasons why I took such HUGE joy when our Lakers became the first and only team to BEAT the Celtics in Boston for the championship (that title produced THE ring that Riley chose to wear for years btw), and why all the events between these two legendary franchises before that year cause me to NEVER take anything for granted.

I will never relax, or assume anything, until we can hoist the crown over the Evil C's cold lifeless bodies!!!

P & G R

As someone (Laker Tom perhaps?) observed a while ago, this playoff run is the FIRST in history to occur with this tremendous community Blog (Thank You AK/BK) that offers us a venue to find: encouragement, information, support, and even comfort on those - thankfully rare - occasions after a Lakers loss.

With this said, I have to admit I am nervous on the eve of the Finals. What worries me is that our Lakers are actually favored to beat the Evil C's by many pundits, including those at the 4-letter network.

I took comfort in the road futility the Celtics showed in the first two rounds, and the fact that no NBA champion won the title without winning at least 3 road games. Well, the Evil C's have now won 2 road games. I shudder to think they might gain another during one of the 3 games in Los Angeles.

The way the Lakers lost the two games to Boston during the regular season also worries me. The first game was not competitive at all, and the second game will forever be known as the infamous Short-Shorts Game. Lakers' management had the best of intentions in bringing back those circa 80's shorts, but it seemed to psych out our guys, and though they changed at halftime, they were never in the game and lost in another blowout.

I'm worried that our young Lakers team seemed to be intimidated during those two losses. Sure, we had no Pau Gasol during either game, but we did have a healthy Andrew Bynum -- and still lost.

I am encouraged that our coaching staff has FAR more experience (and championship pedigree) than Boston's, but the Celtics players seem to be playing with a new-found confidence they found in closing out the Pistons in Detroit.

Finally, what worries me most is the history of strange and weird occurrences, odd bounces, and the like, that seem to happen when the Lakers go up against the Celtics. Those old enough to remember will NEVER forget the crazy ways we have lost to Boston.

Remember that Worthy inbounds pass that Henderson stole? If that hadn't happened, L.A. would have gone back home leading 2-0 and I have NO doubt, the first time the Magic-led Lakers faced Bird's Celtics, the Lakers would have won easily. Remember how in that same series Rambis was clotheslines by McHale? The Evil C's obviously knew they couldn't beat L.A. on the court, so they decided to beat them up -- and ultimately won the title.

What about those balloons that were hung up on the Forum ceiling in anticipation of the victory? They were never released in a win, and I still shudder at the memory.

These are the reasons why I took such HUGE joy when our Lakers became the first and only team to BEAT the Celtics in Boston for the championship (that title produced THE ring that Riley chose to wear for years btw), and why all the events between these two legendary franchises before that year cause me to NEVER take anything for granted.

I will never relax, or assume anything, until we can hoist the crown over the Evil C's cold lifeless bodies!!!

P & G R

Right...darn those midnight ho-hos.

Paul Pierce...not Chris Paul.

Wes

Actually, it would have been a more storied matchup if the SUNS were playing the Celtics. The SUNS have the all time greatest games thing and then they own a better Finals record vs. the mighty Boston Celtics, owners of an 8-2 advantage vs. the lakers. 2-8 is pathetic!

SUNS would have defeated the lakers handily, turned those purple and gold men into mice. As it is, you better not mess this one up like Dalice did!

WC enemies must grudgingly unite against the GANG-GREEN, that lethal beast so foul and primitive it has torn both our hearts out and is not to be trifled with!

And even though Kobe hasn't yet caught up to NASH in terms of mvp greatness, he may one day yet. In the meantime go get em tigers.

SAM CASSELL is the X-factor for the Celtics. A champion and Clippa who has got a little bit of desire to beat the media-starved lakers, perhaps... maybe. ...could be.I dont know

A Laker Dynasty! What a joke.

Now that Darius Miles has been released and Kwame Brown is available the Lakers have a chance to build a true dynasty. One for the ages! Bynum is brittle. We need a true center in the middle. One who can protect the rim.

THE TRUTH

Posted by: Lieutenant Miguel | May 31, 2008 at 12:31 AM

I am surprised that no one got this one!!!!!!

Miguel in English is Michael
Lieutenant in Spanish is Teniente

Lieutenant Miguel = Michael Teniente = Mike T.

Now does this post sound familiar. Not sure if this was someone being creative or MikeT's way of sneaking back to the blog. Kind of like WWJWWD.

LOL

Has Bill Walton mentioned who he's rooting for in this series yet? Sadly, he may bleed green.

Did Ray Allen say in 2003 that Kobe could never win without Shaq?

YOU EVER NOTICE

DETERMINING THE WINNER

MATCH-UPS
Guards -- Big Advantage Lakers
Forwards -- Big Advantage Celtics
Center -- Slight Advantage Lakers
Bench -- Even
Coaching -- Big Advantage Lakers

ANALYSIS OF MATCH-UPS
While the Lakers have an advantage in 4 out of 5 categories, the big advantage for the Celtics at the Forward position could spell doom for the Lakers. If the Lakers are unable to come up with a defensive scheme (this is where Phil is going to have to earn his 10 mil), the dominance at the Forward position will trump our overall favorable matchups.

REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD
It is customary to throw out regular season records once the playoffs begin. Looking back just last year when the Cavs beat San Antonio 2-0 in the regular season is a good example. But the Celtic Troll (leprechaun) is putting most of his eggs (gold?) in this basket. Granted it was early in the season, but the Lakers were dominated in both games. Again, this is where Phil Jackson will earn his money and his 10th ring. A template of how to play the Celtics defensively has already been given to us in these playoffs and with time to analyze film and prepare, the Lakers should improve dramatically over their regular season ineptness. Conversely, no one has been able to completely shut down the Laker offense, and with the Lakers improved defense along with the best closer in the game, the Lakers have proven they can win with any style and on the road.

LEVEL OF COMPETITION IN THE PLAYOFFS
BOSTON
Has struggled to what most pundits would call inferior competition and I will call the Pistons inferior also. if it wasn't for injuries, getting outcoached by the great Larry Brown, Detroit making everything they threw up, the Lakers missing every shot from the outside, and all the internal turmoil of that season..... Detroit would be known for what they really are today a good team in a weak conference. Detroit has learned the hard way, you have to earn wins in the playoffs, not rest on your laurels off of one gift-wrapped championship. Come on, has anyone seen them play? Cockiness + Gutlessness + Lack of Effort = Losers. So if the Celtic players and fans are basing a potential championship off of the Detroit series, they are in for a rude awakening.
LAKERS
Handled with surprising ease, what was arguably 3 teams that could beat any team the Celtics has faced in the postseason. The offense of the Nuggets, the defense of the Jazz, and the World Champions San Antonio Spurs.

FINAL ANALYSIS
If the Lakers continue to play at the level they are now playing at, this "SEASON FOR THE AGES" will forever be remember as its greatest of all time. It will be in my mind anyway, and I remember the first LA Championship. No disrespect to Jerry, Wilt, Magic, and Kareem, but this season has just been special. It would be a cruel joke for it not to end in a championship.
Of course Boston has its own version of destiny, but Kobe and the Lakers cannot and will not be denied. Here's to the next dynasty.

Mike P.

REPOST from a day ago.

Several people have asked for an available replay of game 5.

http://tirodetres.iespana.es/nba2.asx

Should open up automatically using WM Player.
ENJOY!!!!!!!

BOSTON CELTICS OF 2008 ARE DIRTY PLAYERS

Here is a You tube of KG shoving Pachulia of the Hawks, he will do the same to Pau Gasol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2bh6u8_VW8

Just like their predecessors Kevin Mchail clotheslining Kurt Rambis, don't expect a clean game from Pierce and KG. When the rough gets going, they just turned rough. Shame on you KG, sell your house in Malibu!

Here is the reason why Laker fans would always hate a Celtic player?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7r6vXeOfyQ

They claimed it is part of the game. Now he (McHale is the GM of Timberwolves who traded his franchise star with his buddy GM of the Celtics, Danny Ainge.

The team of Russell, McCauley and Cousy are not similar to KG, Allen and Pierce. The first two are mercenaries who never stepped to the Finals, KG is plain opportunist in going to the Celtics. He turned down the Lakers offer despite the offer of Socks + LO because his reading of our team as a dying franchise. Allen, another mercenary envies Kobe from the get-go. He is the franchise player of the Bucks - a failure. He went to the Sonic, - a failure now he joins the Celtics with KG and Pierce thinking of a ring. Guess what? Mercenaries are always a failure because they lacked camaraderie, team spirit and chemistry. It happened to the lakers in 2004 when we got Da Glove and the Mailman, thinking we will succeed because of big name marquee players. Nope, they lacked fraternity and teamwork so they failed in the Finals. You can see the writing on the wall against the Celtics, just a jump shooting players of mercenaries.

Our biggest problem right now is the long wait for Thursday to prove our point. The devil and leprechauns will always visit this blog and rile you up. Just keep them along the bay, they are just a bunch of drunk of the tea thrown in Boston Harbor.

Gasol is now 12-15 in career postseason games.

Lakers is 5.

Let's get my favorite Spaniard to .500!

Do it for Pau!

Butler's like the drunken dude sitting at the bar babbling like Napoleon Dynamite's uncle about how they should have given them the ball. Suns this - Suns that - Suns have a better Finals record - F-ing Pau Gasol - etc.

On behalf of Laker Nation...

UNTIL Steve Nash GOES to the NBA Finals
UNTIL Steve Nash gets a RING...

PUT A SOCK IN IT, TROLL!!!

BUTLER,

“Bird might inhabit Ray Allen.”

LMAO. There is not one single iota or speck of Larry Bird in Ray Allen or any of the current players on the Celtics. Bird was probably barfing watching KG celebrate the Game 7 win’s against the woeful Hawks and dismal Cavs. If he were really honest, Bird would reject all of these fantasy league Celtics, including Ray “NO BALLS” Allen, a two time loser in Milwaukee and Seattle going for his third strike in Beantown. What wicked backlogged stink wafting from Celtics in these playoffs. Their stupid fans actually think that Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are the reincarnation of Parrish, McHale, and Bird. LOL. They’re not even a poor man’s version. They’re just Danny “the Jerk” Ainge’s collection of other team’s losers who have never won anything and never will.

Tom