In case you hadn't heard, it's Lakers-Celtics
Which, in case you haven't heard, is a matchup capable of invoking the proverbial trip down Memory Lane, a voyage that doesn't even require any actual walking or driving, just a basic cable subscription. The pairing of these particular teams is also bar trivia fodder for the ages. Hell, it's even got nickname bragging right implications, once you break it down to the nittiest of gritties. Of course, what's truly amazing about the power of this specific showdown is how much adrenaline it manages to provoke, even when, to be perfectly honest, these Finals are more the beginning of a brand new, totally separate chapter than the continuation of a true rivalry. But as long as it still means something to somebody, your average red-blooded NBA fan is likely to be all geeked for Thursday to finally arrive.
If you're a numbers cat, you'll dig this here postseason analysis.
It remains to be seen whether the Lakers retired Robert Horry when they retired the Spurs.
Refs to the Commish: Stay classy, Dave.
Chuck is crazy if he thinks this Lakers team is better than the one that went 15-1 in '01. This team is more exciting, more fun to watch, deeper and may end up winning more titles, but for this year w/o Bynum this team is not as good as '01. The '01 Lakers were almost unbeatable, sweeping a Spurs team than was better than this year's version by 90 points in 4 games.
Don't get me wrong, I love this team and have had more fun watching this team than any since the '71-72 team, but saying this team is better than any Kobe has been on would be like saying the first Magic title team was better than the later ones because it was unexpected.
Posted by: rdlee | June 01, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Boston destroyed LA twice in the regular season, and they`ll do the exact same thing in the Finals!
In the paint, with Bynum gone.... Perk, Powe, and Big Baby will all physically abuse Weenie Boy...Odom always disappear when it matters. Posey will make life unpleasant for Kobe.
The team was not focused on Hawks or Cavs, thus the seven games. KG, Paul, and Ray have only been focused on the Finals.
Be afraid, Lakers...Be very afraid!!!
Posted by: Red`s Love Child | June 01, 2008 at 04:35 PM
COPY CAT:
Please try to write your own feelings & thoughts and not something you have heard and read.
geeeeeeeeez!
DEFINITELY WORTH REPEATING…
“…the Celtics, behind Bill Russell's 30 points and 40 rebounds, would go on to win 110-107 and win Boston's fifth NBA title.” – ESPN about Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals.
“The problem is, the dude has been in the league for 13 years and I'm still wondering, he's a big ticket to what?” – Bill Plaschke about Kevin Garnett’s nickname.
“If the Lakers' Phil Jackson wins his 10th title, breaking a record he shares with Red, here's hoping he'll smoke a championship cigar as a tribute.” –Bill Plaschke about Phil Jackson and Red Auerbach.
“It was the Celtics' Danny Ainge who pocketed – literally – this year's tiny executive-of-the-year trophy. But it was the Lakers' Mitch Kupchak who deserved it.” –Bill Plaschke about the Lakers and Celtics general managers.
“Bryant has one round and one opponent standing in his way. His path, however, is not impeded by Dennis Johnson.’ –Jeff Miller for the OCRegister about Kobe.
“If you were Bill Russell, will you be proud with latest brand of Celtics talents?” –Edwin Gueco for the LA Times Lakers Blog.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom
Posted by: COPY CAT | June 01, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Red`s Love Child:
IN CASE YOU MISSED PLEASE SCROLL UP AND READ A POST BY FatSam:
Have a nice day!
Posted by: Have a nice day | June 01, 2008 at 04:46 PM
BLOG CRUE
Thursday can't get here any sooner. I fully expect our Lake Show to come together more than ever. Kobe will step up another level and so will the cast of wonders.
We didn't come this far for nothing.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | June 01, 2008 at 05:06 PM
who has the assignment of guarding garnett?
Posted by: apujac | June 01, 2008 at 05:13 PM
C'mon LAKERS
NEVER LET UP!!!
NEVER LET UP !!!
NEVER LET UP!!!
Posted by: Fire32 | June 01, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Red's Love Child:
When's the last game Leon Powe got significant minutes (as in more than 12)?
Also, If Pau and Lamar both disappear when it counts, then why are we in the finals? Isn't it true that every game counts in the playoffs?
In addition, why would a team not be focused for the first round of the playoffs? It is win or go home. You should feel fortunate that KG didn't get suspended for 1 or 2 games for pushing a referee in the ATL series.
I do believe that this is going to be a heavyweight series, but let's not just start calling people out of their name just because they play for the other team.
As always, informative and polite comments are accepted (See Fire32 for example).
Have a good day!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 01, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Xodos
1 word for you!..BETROTHED!
Posted by: Lakeraholic | June 01, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Man, this is some funny stuff.
Does Kobe drive a GMC Denali?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbok-kO671w
Posted by: Fire32 | June 01, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Lakersville,
Can you imagine what Red's love child would really look like. With a cigar up its... Hopefully, it's at least a guy. LMAO.
This is going to be the most satisfying Lakers season ever. Slamming the Celtics championship window closed and nailing it shut by winning without Bynum will be sweet revenge for old time Lakers fans who remember the frustrating Russell-Havelecek days.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 01, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Chuck at least has an arguement that this '08 Kobe, Gasol, Odom team is better than '01 Kobe, Shaq. Consider the '08 Kobe is much better than the '01 Kobe. Also, look what they've accomplished with only 4 months of playing together. The potential is there. Add in Bynum / Ariza next year and it's over the top.
Posted by: lakerboddhi | June 01, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Xodus - CONGRATS to you both.
Cheers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 01, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Giantsquid,
I'm back. Well, the media do not know the 1st rd draft picks that Grizzlies got plus Marc and also $9M Kwame's contract back to the Hershey's coffers. Whether they are going for a good team or Championship, if the team is not making money, it will never be a feasible venture. Well, Championship may be tied up to profitability but not always. That's what the media is missing especially Barkley that Memphis was not interested of F/A but money in the bank plus developing players. As long they can put up there a competitive team, the stadium is filled up maybe they can make them 7th or 8th seed in two years' time, that's good enough for the organization.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 01, 2008 at 05:55 PM
LakerTom: thanks for the props in last thread. Much appreciated.
Until tmrw all!
4 to 15!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 01, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Thanks for the kudos Laketom, here is what EOY Danny Ainge did. He cherry picked all kinds of talents from two superstars from other hemorraging teams, Posey from Miami Heat, a couple has beens like Cassell and Thomas then mixed it with youth like Rondo, Perkins, Powe etc. They were a success during the season but in the playoffs, it was an eye opener. Eventhough Celtic fans are delirious, the oldtimers are no dummy in tapping talents. Their performance against Atlanta Hawks was galringly inept, Hawks are composed of young players Joe Johnson and Bibby are the veterans of that team and the series went to 7th game. When you gauge the old franchise teams like Celtics, Lakers, Bulls, Knicks and Sixers these are old franchise, their overall performance is measured ont their playoffs and the season not the quantity of wins during the season, anything less or not joining the extended period is a poor investment.
Again worth repeating for the team of Cousy, Russell, Auerback and Bird who dominated their league, practically invented basketball in America after Mr. Naismith by putting best teams every year from one dynasty to another, Celtics has been at drought since 1986 until this year. Danny Ainge practically bought players at the NBA Rodeo Drive at high prices, high stakes overshooting the budget for the next five years. If you are Bill Russell what will you tell Grousbeck and Partners with regards to the talents of these high priced mercenaries? Are they worth enough to make it to the top or just plain hoopla!!! (Late Red A. may be puffing his perpetual tobacco in his grave, very uneasy with the match ups because his coaching Championship record is at grave risk. His Living Trust stated that Boston Celtics should take care of his record with due diligence like the way they maintained the franchise. Don't let that Zen Jackson snatch it. LOL!)
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 01, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Patterns.
Phil Jackson coaching:
At Chicago, won 3, losing next 2 years, won 3 more.
AT LA, won 3, losing 2 years, Win again?
Second comings::
KG = Russell, Kobe = West. BUT Auerbach = PJ now with LA. Dynasty begins.
Boston has the Leprechaun, LA has the Joker
Playoffs : 4,6,5,7(?) or 4,6,5,4(?)
Posted by: p ang | June 01, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Xodus,
Don't forget to tell the wife there is a game thursday.
Congratulations.
Posted by: Eric M. | June 01, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Hey, does anyone else no more about Paul Pierce throwing gang signs at a game? Can anyone describe the incident? Does anyone know which gang sign he was throwing out and why?
Please give me more reasons to hate the Celtics.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 01, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Hey, does anyone else no more about Paul Pierce throwing gang signs at a game? Can anyone describe the incident? Does anyone know which gang sign he was throwing out and why?
Please give me more reasons to hate the Celtics.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K.
Peace out!
It was the blood...
Posted by: homey | June 01, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Reeeeeeeeeeeeespect Chuck!
When the Chuckster said on TNT that this may be Kobe’s best Lakers team, his broadcast panel were incredulous. But the Round Mound of Rebound was Profound – here’s a team whose diagnosis is that they are not anywhere near their potential, and whose prognosis is that they will get so much better and too soon for the rest of the L.
I note that nearly all the times I have tuned in to the conversation, with Kenny, Ernie, Magic and whosoever, it has been Barkley consistently giving the Mamba props. I say respect to The Gambler, he saw the Lakers championship train a-coming on down the tracks.
Posted by: Glenn | June 01, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Glenn,
Not so fast partner. I appreciate your post but I believe more than anything that Charles Barkley was more resigned to picking the Lakers to win it all after his early season predictions failed miserably. I remember vividly how Barkley said the Lakers would finish as the 7th or 8th seed and would be one and done in the playoffs whereas Kenny Smith said the Lakers would finish 4th or 5th in the WC. Even when the Lakers secured the top seed in the West, Barkley said that the Nuggets had a chance to upset the Lakers and that he still would stick by his season long favorite the Utah Jazz to get to the finals. I believe that it was only after the Lakers had dispatched of the Jazz that the Chuckster placed all his chips with the Lakers. Many of the analysts and experts publicly(Skip Bayless and whoever was on 1st and 10, Michael Wilbon, Jon Barry)or privately(Kenny Smith and probably everyone else)went with the Spurs over the Lakers because many of them predicted that Kobe would never get the Lakers to the finals without Shaq. The fact that many of them are giving Kobe and the Lakers props at this time is more out of resignation than being complimentary. It's difficult for me to believe that many of these guys are genuine in their "nice" comments about Kobe because there has been such a disdain towards Kobe that many wanted to see him fail, just my opinion. What most of these so called experts fear the most is that Kobe and these "baby Lakers" may win several rings in a row which could potentially put Kobe ahead of their beloved god, Michael Jordan. Many of these guys with the exception of Greg Anthony and Mark Jackson think it blasphemy to mention Kobe in the same breath as MJ but lets wait and see after Kobe retires where things stand. Stay tuned for the greatest onslaught from possibly the greatest player we've ever watched!!! Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | June 01, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Go Lakers!
Defeat the celtics
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | June 01, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Hey, does anyone else no more about Paul Pierce throwing gang signs at a game? Can anyone describe the incident? Does anyone know which gang sign he was throwing out and why?
Please give me more reasons to hate the Celtics.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 01, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Pierce threw up a blood sign after Al Hortford started talking trash to him. He tried to deny that he threw up a gang sign, but it was so obvious. I think that he's a serious wannabe if you ask me.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | June 01, 2008 at 07:27 PM
I was just listening to a Celtics blog radio broadcast (Celtics stuff live)and I am shocked by how ignorant those guys are about the Lakers!!!
They put Kobe and Pierce in the same level, think that the Celtics bench is much better than ours and that the Spurs defense is nothing compared to what the Celtics will bring.
Plus they think they have matchups advantages all over the floor!!!I have never heard that bad a sport analisis in my life.
They are about to be awakened big time!
Lakers in five
Posted by: bcb | June 01, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Best case scenario:
The Lakers go into Boston and steal the first game, stunning the Boston crowd and the hapless Celtics. Then, after breaking their collective hearts for a second time and heading back to L.A. with a 2-0 lead, the Lakers take the next two games in a series sweep.
Worst case scenario:
The Lakers win in five games.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 01, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Nemaia,
Great Post. You are absolutely right about Barkley. He is such a hypocrite and blatant bandwagon jumper despite his hatred and jealousy of Kobe. His earlier comments were that he did not think “the Lakers were for real,” even after we demolished the Suns with Drew crushing Amare.
The other complete turnaround that irritated me was Chas sudden love for Manu Ginobli. I still remember Kenny telling everyone that the Manu was going to be a superstar and give the Lakers trouble when he first came up and Chuck laughing at Kenny and saying with a superior smile on his face Manu who! Manu who!
I will give Chuck credit for grabbing the blog consensus and pushing the obvious that if the Lakers win without Bynum, they are going to be impossible to beat the next five years with Andrew manning the center position. And I do like how Chuck is not afraid to speak out. But leaving Kobe out of the top 50 greatest players? I can never forgive that.
Most NBA players have gotten over their prejudice against foreign players, even Chuck who was one of the first to laugh at the thought of Yao Ming being drafted #1 or being a real player in the “Association.” After having their asses handed to them a few times in international competition, that tune quickly changed.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 01, 2008 at 07:42 PM
What would make this title more special than any of the Shaq/Kobe titles is that it's the Boston Celtics and the newly minted "Big 3" of KG, Pierce and Allen that we're up against. Think about it, against the Sixers it was primarily Allen Iverson, the Pacers had Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Rik Smits and Jalen Rose(I don't know if he's worth mentioning) and finally the Nets with Kidd, KMart and Kittles. How would any of those aforementioned teams and combinations stack up against this current Celtics team? Of the three teams, maybe the Pacers would give these current Celtics the toughest test. My point is that should these Lakers beat the Celtics in the finals, this one would be the biggest one in terms of competition. Maybe Kobe can say afterwards that this is the best Laker team he's ever played on(Oh I forgot, Shaq said that this year about the Suns, what a joke).
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | June 01, 2008 at 07:47 PM
LakerTom,
Thanks for the post mate. I appreciate your posts very much as well. I believe Bynum will train harder than ever this offseason and will come back way better than he was before he went down. It was great to see him with team during the WC trophy presentation because he helped launch the Lakers early on. Much to look forward to. Go Lakers!!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | June 01, 2008 at 08:05 PM
In comparing this Lakers team with the '00-'02 teams the one big advantage the earlier teams had was defense and the low post presence in Shaq. Shaq, Horry, Fox, Shaw, Horace Grant were better defenders than what we have now in Gasol, Odom, Radmanovich, Walton, Vujacic, etc. Even though many of us are still mad at Shaq, he was THE dominant big man of that era. He made everything easier (except pick and roll defense).
I think this team has a better shot at being the best longer mostly because of Bynum, but I guess we won't know until it happens. The future looks bright in Lakerdom.
Posted by: rdlee | June 01, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Based on the speculations at MySA.com, they are targetting Sasha at mid level exception which will be 5.8M for 5 years, good pay day or salary hike for Sasha when Lakers matches that offer.
Hope you guys will visit the Boston Blog, they are averaging only 15 comments per thread and after they captured the ECF, their biggest was 47 comments and a great number of them were Laker fans teasing the Celts. I guess they lacked bloggers there by the name of AK/BK supervised by LakerTom. LOL!
They are pissed off on the scheduling that it's 6pm in LA but 9pm in Boston. Somebody said LA has 10 million people while Boston only 3M. so Stern was to pocket all the money. haha! They are also perturbed that they are underdog in the Finals based on ESPN writers opinions, aghast, at those sportswriters for favoring the raypist (that's how it was spelled) and not knowing the strenght of the Celtics. Somebody even said that their C's (KG, Perkins and Powe) will hurt selfish Kobe and soft GAsol and the flopping LO. Haha! Most of them are reluctant to dismiss the Lakers especially the oldtimers w/ the game exposure since the 50's choose the Celtics in 7 because nobody can stop Kobe. Only selfish Kobe can stop Kobe. however they picked this year for the Celtics after beating Pistons in the 6th game but admittedly, next year will be the Lakers if Bynum is back. Haha totally funny hope you visit the leprechauns' blog, they analyze like a typical leprechaun
Here is another good analysis from Charley Rosen on the Lakers success this year, kudos to PJ for a job and very fair assessment on the Lakers.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8195168/Jackson-excels-with-this-season's-Lakers
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 01, 2008 at 08:16 PM
During our earlier threepeat it wasn't who we played in the finals (Pacers, 76ers, Nets) that was our competition. It was who we had to beat to get there... Some tough western conference teams like the JailBlazers, The Queens and the Spurs. IMHO they were tougher than the Nugs, Jazz and Spurs this year.
Posted by: rdlee | June 01, 2008 at 08:18 PM
HEY LAKERS FANS,
According to E.S.P.N. experts, 9 out of 10 picked the Lakers over the Celtics. Only Tim Legler picked the Celts to win. These so called experts are pretty good on their prediction. Out of 10 6 picked the Lakers over the Spurs with Hollinger predicting the exact number of games which is 5 games (4-1)
LAKERS in 6 baby!!!
Posted by: dacsila | June 01, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Nemaia,
You are so right. In fact, I have to stop and think of whom the Lakers actually beat for the 3peat. Remember that I am an older guy. So without google, we beat the Pacers, 76ers, and Nets? Can that be right? Those are three terrible teams. Wow, not even worth googling. Lakers - Celtics will make this year memorable but it already was the greatest season because of being so unexpected and following the summer of doom. The perfect ending to the perfect storm.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 01, 2008 at 08:27 PM
PAGING BUTLER a.k.a. KLBeast where are you hiding now? I don't see any of your blog anymore as soon as your Spurs got bump out in 5 games!
Posted by: dacsila | June 01, 2008 at 08:31 PM
AK/BK,
An earlier poster wondered whether Bynum would get a ring, which was not the brightest because of course he would. I heard the other day that many sports franchises give rings to lots of personnel other than players, e.g. trainers, scouts, assistant coaches, owners. So the question is who will get rings on the Lakers this time. Will it include Magic as part owner, or Mitch as GM, or Jeanie as Business Mgr? How many rings and to whom, if you please. And are the votes on playoff shares like in baseball, where a team can give quarter shares to the ball boy. Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 01, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Phil Jackson is a Cylon... and he has a plan.
Now, about Paul Pierce throwing signs. Moron.
I was watching ESPN today watching KG (aka "Stripe the Gremlin") go into his bizarre Zulu Berzerker rage posture and I was just filled with this deep disgust.
The Celtics suck.
Between Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen ("Kobe Hater") and Sam Cassell...
Screw them.
If we don't turn on fire alarms at their hotel every four minutes when they're in Los Angeles, then something is seriously wrong.
It's really shifted, for me.
Before I was thinking "This is our year."
Now I'm thinking, "Let's beat down those scumbags."
Let's go. This is it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 01, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Nemaia F.
What I know Kenny Smith is always pro Kobe and Barkley is the anti Laker but in the WCF they took the reversed role. Sometimes, it is prearranged by the producers because the program has to appear impartial in the eyes and ears of both teams' fans. However, those ESPN guys including Adande and LA Times staff at the beginning of the year if you mention the word Laker, it is synonymous to dysfunctional Buss family and the prima donna. We were really the laughing stock in the NBA and it crossed around the world, they were even afraid to invite Kobe to promote products together with Lebron and others, so he made a separate trip in Asia. Only Nike and this blog stucked with Kobe. I conducted a survey here, 1/3 of the bloggers wanted to trade him, that's how unpopular he was. Lakers did not have any preseason because of the high drama including that "clearing of the locker" incident. As the season begin to unfold, we were gaining grounds, the story changed until the Lakers lost Bynum and Ariza to injuries. I think that was a blessing in disguise. It accelerated the disposition of Kwameet al and Gasol helped us win on the road, then he got injured too for two weeks, this is the 2nd break for the Lakers, it really developed the role players as they perfected the Motion Triangle tho' Fisher and Kobe were playing big minutes. I thought their stamina would not endure the rigors of the playoffs but they are still going strong. From that time on, there is sudden shift of opinions especially when the Lakers topped the West, swept the mighty Nuggets in 1st round, beat Utah Jazz in Utah. I guess that's how trends are developed, it takes a lot of tests before the biased writers go for a new bandwagon. They have not heard of Mamba24 bandwagons. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 01, 2008 at 08:53 PM
p ang-
"Boston has the Leprechaun, LA has the Joker"
And someone should mention to Jack he should reprise that costume for the first game. Put a GreenieWeenie jersey on him and give a Bat Cape to Kobe.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | June 01, 2008 at 08:55 PM
During our earlier threepeat it wasn't who we played in the finals (Pacers, 76ers, Nets) that was our competition. It was who we had to beat to get there... Some tough western conference teams like the JailBlazers, The Queens and the Spurs. IMHO they were tougher than the Nugs, Jazz and Spurs this year.
Posted by: rdlee | June 01, 2008 at 08:18 PM
rdlee,
Ah yes, you are spot on with your remarks about who we had to beat to get to the finals during the three peat. I think the major difference between those Laker teams and this current team was the expectations. Those Laker teams were expected to dominate while this Laker team basically came out of nowhere to win what was arguably the toughest Western Conference race ever. This is why this current Laker team could be very, very special.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | June 01, 2008 at 08:56 PM
I don't care about the past, I don't care about the future. I only care about the here and now.
If and when we win the world championship, then we can reflect upon the glorious rivalry between the two premier franchises of basketball. We can dream about life with Drew and all the rings and bling.
Until then, the Lakers will be doing what they've done all postseason. One day at a time. One game at a time.
Posted by: mel | June 01, 2008 at 08:58 PM
As much as I want the Lakers to win, I don't think that this series will be the cakewalk that some of the blog does. I look for a close, hard fought series. Hope I'm wrong.
Question for the blog: Who is your most despised Celtic of all time?
Although I have respect for the C's, a lot of them would qualify. For me it's M.L. Carr, a no good, coattail riding, trash talking, bench warming, no game sack of spit. It irks me to no end that guys like him have a ring and Elgin Baylor does not.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | June 01, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Faith made a good call when she said that the Celtics are the EC version of the Spurs. Big 3 and defense.
The difference is Celtics Big 3 are healthy while Spurs were down to Big 2 in the series.
Another difference is Duncan and Parker are big time playoff tested players while Garnett, Allen and Pierce have shown some real playoff nerves and choking moments.
Also, Popo is 10x a better coach than the overmatched Doc Rivers, and knows the Lakers much much better.
Yet, Lakers beat Spurs in 5. But Celts have homecourt.
Gasol has shown sensitivity to physical play but so has Garnett. Either Pau or Lamar will make Garnett work for his points. On offense, both Gasol and Odom can also score on Garnett so K.G. does not really present that much of a matchup advantage for Celtics.
And the advantage might disappear by the 4th quarter when K.G. has the "deer in headlights" look.
Perkins can play physical over Gasol but he does not have the experience and Pau is too smart so advantage Lakers.
SF is where the biggest matchup advantage of Celtics lies. Pierce always plays at a higher level versus LA because he's a hometown boy. But we'll have Radman, Luke, Ariza and even Kobe at times to throw at him.
Kobe versus Ray Allen - no contest.
This is Kobe's signature playoff series while Allen has been horrible at times. Celts will try to get Kobe tired by running Allen off multiple screens. Posey will probably play the role of Spurs Bowen versus Kobe.
But 2008 is Kobe's year so huge advantage Lakers. Plus Sasha will be useful off the bench.
The experienced Fish vs. the 2nd year PG Rondo. Advantage Lakers.
In total. Lakers advantage: Center, SG and PG, bench, playoff tested experience, Coaching. And big advantages in most of them.
Celtics advantage: Homecourt, SF and PF.
In summary: Lakers have enough defense to overwhelm Cetics leading to same problem Spurs had - not enough points. With their spectacular ball movement and multiple offensive weapons including the best player in the NBA, Lakers offense will be too much for Celtics defense which had feasted on weak EC teams in the regular season. Lakers have shown in these playoffs that they can score whatever tempo the game is played at. Slow, fast, anything in between, this Lakers team is a better and more versatile offensive team than the Shaq 3peat team. The Celtics defense will be fired upon from all directions.
Lakers in 5.
Posted by: LakerinBC | June 01, 2008 at 09:03 PM
LakerTom,
How about the posters on Lakers Blog? What will they get from the K-Bros? I have a very lofty dream, a Tshirt will suffice at the parade with the picture of Brian and Andy in it, if somebody inquires who are these guys in the pictures, I'll just say they are the hottest LA celebrities whose faces woulld soon appear near the Hollywood sign. LOL!
Am I close of getting a T-Shirt?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 01, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Nemaia,
You're right about Barkley. I remember when he (and every other analyst) was picking the Lakers to finish in the 7th or 8th seed... or not to make the playoffs at all. I will give Charles a bit of credit, though: after years of hating on Kobe, he's come around a bit. Perhaps he's trying to avoid looking like a jackass, but he has been the one TNT announcer calling the last few Lakers wins. Even when the Lakers were down by 17, he stood by his prediction that they'd win the game. Of course, to some of us, that didn't seem like such a bold prediction.
By the way, I love the thought of Bayless tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep at night with visions of "his Spurs" gone fishin'. That's good stuff. That guy is a total idiot. He picked Denver to upset the Lakers in five games, if I'm not mistaken. Right.
This waiting game is killing me. Thursday cannot come soon enough.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 01, 2008 at 09:12 PM
The only way the Celts win this series is if Allen and Garnett grow a pair which they have not had their entire career and Doc grows a brain which he has not had in his coaching career. So I would say the laws of nature favor the Lakers.
Posted by: LakerinBC | June 01, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Edwin,
Hell, the Kambros should take the entire blog out to dinner in LA after the parade. Who knows how many millions those guys are pulling in because of us. LOL.
OK, I'll take an LA Lakers Blog T-Shirt.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 01, 2008 at 09:39 PM
bronx,
"Question for the blog: Who is your most despised Celtic of all time?"
ML was an a-hole but the most classless Celtic of all time has to be Danny Ainge as a player and Red Auerbach as a coach. He even makes Dantoni lovable. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 01, 2008 at 09:41 PM
As long as the Lakers don't come out with short shorts and get at least a split coming home, we'll be all good. That is if the refs don't have too much say about that.
Posted by: Fire32 | June 01, 2008 at 09:42 PM
You probably don't want to advertise other Lakers blogs here, so I understand if you don't post this.
But there is a handy table showing the playoffs experience of both teams at http://goldenarmor.wordpress.com
Did you know that Ira Newble, Scott Pollard, DJ Mbenga, and Brian Scalabrine have all been on teams that got to the Finals? You get a gold star if you did.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | June 01, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Accurate article about next year
http://cbs.sportsline.com/columns/story/10849259/rss
Posted by: LakerinBC | June 01, 2008 at 09:52 PM