Great expectations
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The world sits in bated anticipation until the ballyhooed Lakers-Celtics showdown finally arrives. What to anticipate when the sparks finally fly? Try some physical round ball, which may not be the Lakers' bread and butter, but when need be, they've been willing to make a meal of it. One can also count on a serious vibe permeating through the Laker locker room, stolid enough to turn a shlock film like "Judgment Night" into a theoretical learning experience. It's also a safe bet that The Logo-endorsed Kobe Bryant will take his game to another level. After all, when you consider everything Kobe's been through, both during this season and the course of his career, do you really expect him to let up with such an opportunity staring him down? One could make the argument that ghostly spirits will look to sabotage Phil Jackson's quest for ring #10.
From there, the givens become harder to prognosticate. The Laker vets may have faith in the bench Mob, but their inexperience remains something of a question mark until shown otherwise. There's also the presence of Vlad Radmanovic, which means not quite knowing what to anticipate at all. And finally, there's the final outcome, which most "experts" seem to think will emerge a purple and gold delight. Some local scribes like it in 7. Others are even going with a more optimistic 5. Despite the matchups seemingly in favor of the Lakers (no matter who's slicing them up), there are a few analysts willing to take the Celtics.
Boston-bred Bill Simmons attempts to remain objective in analyzing this rivalry. He comes up a bit short. Then again, animosities stretching this far back often die awfully hard. Those who actually lived it -- and especially the ones who helped crank it to another level -- know the emotions might feel a foreign to the newest generation, but as they're confident to remind, give it time.
Celts blog Green Bandwagon provided SportsHubLA.com with some tips on how to beat (and lose to) the team they endorse.
All-time great Lakers vs. all-time great Celtics. And.... go!
Open Letter to Jon K.
I bet my brother is smarter than you.So quit parroting and mocking him,u big old dummy...hahaaha LOL u big parrot,now thats funny..hahah
Posted by: Robert Butler (Butlers brother) | June 04, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Another Nickname to add to Kobe's list:
Mamba
Moses
And now, from Jerry West -
PICASSO
16...15...14...13...12...11..10...9...8...7...6...5...
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | June 04, 2008 at 10:12 AM
"The Laker vets may have faith in the bench Mob, but their inexperience remains something of a question mark until shown otherwise. "
Well, same goes for Boston's "Big Three", none of whom have won anything in the Finals. They haven't even been there before.
Posted by: ajax | June 04, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Boston of the 60's
I stayed home yesterday and I was watching game 6 of the 1963 NBA finals with the Lakers Vs Celtics.
I was only slightly impressed and I noticed a few things.
1) The Boston Celtics were very poised and simply played good team ball. They also had an excellent bench
with Sam Jones, Havelchek coming off the bench.
2) Bill Russel coasted through the first half and turned it on in the second half. I would bet he did that every playoff game.
3) Bob Cousy went down and I honestly believe faked an ankle injury in the 3rd quarter. The guy could not walk on it and
then came back 5 minutes later to dominate the final 5 minutes of the 4th to win the title. When Cousy came back in,
it seemed the Lakers were shocked and didn't know what to do. The time they adjusted, it was too late. Was this a ploy
by Red Auerbach to take the Lakers out of their momentum at the end of the game? If so, it worked.
4) I Love Jerry West..But I'm tired of people saying he was one of the greatast of all time.He and Baylor didn't impress
me at all in this finals game. The Lakers were literally all one-on-one and no team ball at all. They basically just shot
when they got the ball. It's no wonder Boston won all those championships.
5) The boston celtics were the only team with an inside/out game. That's why they were able to dominate the 60's.
6) The Celtics played decent tough defense and they really looked like a TEAM when they played. The Lakers did not.
I'm also so tired of people saying how great the Celtics were in winning all those championships.
They were simply better than what was out there and that's not saying much!
1) Only 8 teams..Every team knew each other very well.
2) Only Boston had an inside/Outside game
3) Boston actually played like a TEAM.
4) Boston played good defense.
5) Boston had the best bench.
In today's game, Boston would sort of hold their own because they had an inside-out game. In the end,
they were not gifted athletically enough to even compete with the players today. The Celtics of the 60s would not make
it to the finals in this decade mainly because of the athleticsm today.
Posted by: zen | June 04, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Play Ball ! ! !
Posted by: gman | June 04, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Godd Morning Guys!
Posted by: Charles | June 04, 2008 at 10:20 AM
There is no way this Laker team should be favored in this match up. The Celts are bigger, stronger, have the best road record in the NBA, are neigh unbeatable at home, have 3 hall of famers and play better defense than the Lakers do.
And which Celtic home game are we favored to win in?
I think the Lakers are the underdogs and it's going to take an almost superhuman effort to defeat this Celtic team.
Please, we can't let Rondo and Perkins beat us. If Pierce, Garnett and Allen do, I can live with that defeat. If those second year guys do us in, I'll have fits all summer.
Wes
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Has anyone thought about the fact of how many all-time greats at their positions the Lakers have had? If you want to be cheesy and include Malone, you can make the case that the Lakers have had the all-time great at every position:
1 - Magic
2 - West, Kobe
3 - Baylor
4 - Malone
5 - Wilt, Kareem, Shaq
Of course, I don't think it's right to include Malone in that group. However, notice how the top four dudes played their entire careers here. Nice to have that sort of stability with your franchise (and really, Kareem played the majority of his years in P&G).
Where would an all-time Celtics team end up? Not well:
1 - Cousy?
2 - Havlicek?
3 - Bird
4 - McHale
5 - Russell
The best matchup would be Wilt vs. Russell in the middle. Baylor DESTROYS Bird, and our guards devour anyone they can throw out. The only players on this list I would even consider in the discussion for all-time great at their position would be Bird and Russell.
Posted by: SBPimp | June 04, 2008 at 10:31 AM
The Boston Ring Chasers
All year it's been their Chip to lose.
Now after the posturing and press conferences, for the first time, losing on the biggest stage they've never been on is a real possibility.
Doc and the RIngless Wonders have yet to play this venue.
The Lakers, who's "next year" looks better than ever, just have to stay close. The big 3 will do what they've done best. The older you get the better you were.
Posted by: Vman | June 04, 2008 at 10:39 AM
WHATS UP DOC:
As the Bugs Bunny laker fan would simply put it:
PARQUET SHMARQUET,
GARNETT SHARMANETT
PAUL SHMALL
ALLAN SHMALLaN
RONDO SHMONDO
DOC SHMOCK
PERKINS SHMERKINS
RED SHMED
California is declaring its independance after the NBA title and will become an independant Country with High Tech up Northen Cal, Farming in Central Cal, Show biz lakers in Southern cal...and still be top 5 richest country in the world.
Botsonian would have to get a passport to enter California and visa will be denied to loosers!!
Bostonian smostanian
Bugs Bunny
Posted by: Bugs Bunny | June 04, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Wes,
You're giving the Celts too much credit. Their defense is barely better than the Lakers (one whole percentage point), and their offense is nowhere close to what LA can put up.
Plus, the Lakers have already won in the 2 hardest home arenas (Utah and SA) so winning in Boston is considered nothing new. Celts couldn't even win in Atlanta or Cleveland, and needed Chauncy and Rip to be injured in order to overcome star-less Detroit, and Detroit's offense has NOTHING on the Lakers firepower.
Lakers are favored to win a couple games in Boston. Which ones are yet to be determined, but Game 1 is a good place to start.
Posted by: WWJWWD | June 04, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Gueco,
we agree about Vlad on D and he definitely has a good case for PT.
I dont want to see him NOT play like some folks.
His 3pt shooting is critical.
Between him, Sasha, and Farmar, somebody has to hit 3s and all 3 have to play respectable D.
Posted by: Korey | June 04, 2008 at 10:50 AM
PHX SUNS would offer more of a challenge to the mighty Celtics in the Finals! The Lakers are terrible almost every time they play these guys.
It will be a lasting humiliation to the Western Conference, and the Pacific Division, if the lakers should blow this again. Just like Dalice in '06 vs. SHACK and the next Michael Jordan, the great Finals MVP Dwayne Wade.
My question is, how long til we see the real bryant emerge on the court? The MVP (only half the MVPS of all-time Top 5 guard Steve GNASH) will berate his teammates and throw more tantrums when the Celtics begin to put the screws on him.
Like I said, the SUNS would make for a much more storied and entertaining matchup. Remember the shot Heard 'Round the World? Westphal baby!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 04, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Auntie Em, Auntie Em, We're not in Kansas anymore
Rondo shut your dyslexic behind up. But I can't find
The Big Ticket. What quarter is it? The 4th. OH never
mind. Is that The Tuth. No fool I'm the Truth. OK where's
DOC? Doc put that crack down now, repeat after me
I am a good coach, I am a good coach.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Repost
Now more than ever I'm completely convinced that the Boston's fans and media are totally FRONT RUNNERS.
I bleed purple and gold but I remember back in 04 when we got Malone and Payton and we lost to the Pistons.
It really didn't hurt that much. And when they both left I didn't care at all.
Boston is a team full of 1st year as a Celtic guys. Lead by Garnett of course.
But now suddenly Garnett becomes one of the best Celtic players in history right there with the Russells and Birds.
Dude hasn't even been a Celtic for an entire year and now he is their flagship. FUNNY.
I know that, much in the same way the Celtics got Garnett we got the Gasol steal.
But no way we Laker fans would dare to put Gasol's name in the same sentence with Magic, Kareem, West, Baylor,Worthy.
Our entire roster is full of guys that developed their games HERE in Lalaland.
So, much like me in 2004 I would not expect the true Celtic fans to enjoy it if the Celtics win the NBA title this year as much as we as Laker fans would enjoy winning it with this young group.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 10:57 AM
That ol man Rivers, he can't coach nothing, he just keep subing, trying to make it something. That ol man
Rivers he just keep blowing those subs.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 11:00 AM
And The Truth will set you free, cause he sure in the hell can't guard anyone.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Butler if you don't get your but in bed and take
your nap I will not buy you that Kobe Bryant jersey.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 11:06 AM
What the pluck is a Rondo?
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Hilary Clinton is now a Celtics cheerleader. Laker girls eat your hearts out.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Isn't it crazy that a seat at the lower level ( Section 102) costs you $ 21000 in game 3 at Staple Center?
Posted by: sing | June 04, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Open Letter to Jon K.
I bet my brother is smarter than you.So quit parroting and mocking him,u big old dummy...hahaaha LOL u big parrot,now thats funny..hahah
Posted by: Robert Butler (Butlers brother) | June 04, 2008 at
Posted by: Robert Butler (Butlers brother) | June 04, 2008 at 11:21 AM
we seriously need a TROLL post filter on these blogs. we should make it based on user ratings. posts that have the lowest ratings are removed. should be relatively easy to do, actually...
Posted by: d | June 04, 2008 at 11:26 AM
sing - the face value on those tickets is $365. if someone is posting them for sale for $21K that's ludicrous. it's not a season ticket holder. the most expensive ticket i found on ticketexchange was $4K. still pretty ludicrous but if someone is willing to pay that price...
Posted by: lakers_sth | June 04, 2008 at 11:33 AM
A scene from the Celtics' practice facility on Friday morning - a few hours after the Lakers' 103-90 game one victory...
"I'm here, coach."
"For chrissake, Paul! You look terrible! You need to go the E.R. and get that...whatever that is...looked at. I can't let you in here - you might give that...whatever that is...to the rest of the team!"
"I'm going to see a doctor. I just want to apologize to the guys, for my oh-for-nine fourth quarter with three turnovers. It's my fault we lost last night."
"I'll pass that along to the others. Now get your a** to a doctor right now!"
*************************************************************
"Mr. Pierce? I'm Doctor Flynn. I'm a huge fan. Now, what brings you in this morning?"
"I can't breathe. My arms feel heavy, my legs feel heavy...and I can't see the basket. I couldn't sleep at all last night. And I got this...this...I don't know, rash? Tumor? I don't know what this thing is, growing on my skin."
"When did you first notice these symptoms?"
"Fourth quarter, last night. It kept getting worse and worse. I'm really freaked out right now."
"I've seen this before...in New York, a couple of years ago. And most recently in Orlando."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"It's called 'lockdown.' It's serious, but I think I can help with your symptoms."
"Oh god, Doc, that'd be great."
"This will only provide temporary relief. The symptoms are likely to return during game two."
"I don't care! Anything, man, please. I'm beggin' you!"
"Okay, here goes. Trevor?"
"Yeah. I'm still here."
"Trevor, the game is over. You can go back to your team's hotel, get some sleep, okay?"
"Yeah, sure. I'm going. Hey, Paul? I'll be seeing you later, buddy! Save my spot for me, okay?"
Lakers in five
Posted by: karyanr | June 04, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Wes,
It is OK to get worried sometimes an empty mind w/o games since Friday becomes the workplace of devil like Butler and Red's posts.
I don't know I used to be the most pessimistic guy here when it comes to match ups w/ Nuggets, Jazz and Spurs but with the Celtics....just bring them on.
Let humility reigns and the game begins.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 04, 2008 at 11:35 AM
In response to Bill Simmons:
truth - Bill Simmons, the Boston Sports Guy lives in L.A. because he knows it is the greatest city in the world.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | June 04, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Taking a look at the Celtics ticket prices is pretty eye-opening - check out the face value for tickets:
$3201.50
$2401.50
$1201.50
$701.50
$376.50
$351.50
$291.50
$276.50
$241.50
$236.50
$206.50
$156.50
$146.50
$111.50
$30.00
In comparison, Lakers ticket prices are as follows:
$3700
$365
$335
$259
$254
$209
$163
$110
$89
$30
Posted by: lakers_sth | June 04, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Vman:"The older you get the better you were."
CLASSIC!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 11:44 AM
PROFILING A TROLL:
1- Live with their parents
2- Low self esteem
3- Lacks confidence
4- Love to needle becuase of rough childhood
5- Shy in real person so rely on Blogs for anonymity
6- Remain celebate for long time becuase just can't score
So I ask could BUTLER or Reds Love Child fit the profile?
Profiler
Posted by: Profiler | June 04, 2008 at 11:46 AM
d,
Yea...you don't want much. We can't even get the KBros to refresh the blog more often. Many times it goes dead for hours.
And all you want is a visitor content rating filter?
Chuckle, chuckle...Good Luck.
Posted by: Eric M. | June 04, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Zen,
It is difficult to compare era's perhaps on individual achievements it's possible to compare.. At that time, there was no 24 sec rule, they just freeze the ball and/or dribble it around. On the other hand, you can't find a player today who plays like Bob Cousy behind the back assists which was duplicated later on with more precision and flair by Pistol Maravich. You would also notice they prefered to go for jump shots and tap the ball for follow ups than go with the abbreviated dunk today abusing the rim then later on break their bodies. It is really difficult to compare eras, all I can say if you were living at that time, you'd look at Bill Russell as the Hercules of Basketball, he can do everything. Well, what do we know of Magic, Kobe, MJ are coming in the future. Well, NBA before has the image equivalent of WNBA of today. I wonder what will it be, 50 years from now.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 04, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Brian K.,
You're saying that the Celtics/Lakers rivalry hype feels forced because you didn't grow up a Lakers fan in Los Angeles. If you had and were there for Showtime and before, it wouldn't feel forced at all.
It feels real.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 04, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Open Letter to Jon K.
I bet my brother is smarter than you.So quit parroting and mocking him,u big old dummy...hahaaha LOL u big parrot,now thats funny..hahah
Posted by: Robert Butler (Butlers brother) | June 04, 2008 at
Posted by: Robert Butler (Butlers brother)
You posted this at 10:10 this morning and again at 11:21.
Someone needs attention. Whats the matter daddy not around?
Posted by: Fire32 | June 04, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Karyanr:""Yeah, sure. I'm going. Hey, Paul? I'll be seeing you later, buddy!
Save my spot for me, okay?"
ROFLMAO!!! HAHAHA! NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 04, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Profiler:"So I ask could BUTLER or Reds Love Child fit the profile?"
Stop it! Stop it! You're scaring the little darlings. if this continues I shall be forced to contact the
Troll Abuse Hot Line.!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Mamba 24
Good afternoon, I took 2 days off to study for my financial certification test on Thursday. After my test and can drink a lot of coffee (and water) and enjoy game 1.
I will pass and the Lakers will win. :)
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | June 04, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Please, please somebody tell me today is really thursday.
It seems like a d@mn month already.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 12:06 PM
"If the Celtics can keep the games in the 80's and 90's I like their chances."
The call-in guest should ask the Spurs how well that worked out for SA in the West Finals.
Posted by: WWJWWD | June 04, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Boston is a team full of 1st year as a Celtic guys. Lead by Garnett of course.
But now suddenly Garnett becomes one of the best Celtic players in history right there with the Russells and Birds.
Dude hasn't even been a Celtic for an entire year and now he is their flagship. FUNNY.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Great point!!! But it does make for an awesome looking T-shirt with West, Magic and Kobe!!! Allen, Pierce and KG are all great players, HOF, maybe IF they win a ring, but they are like the present day Chris Mullin, Danny Manning and Bernard King, all good players, but ZERO rings. My question is, do they play that KG Gatorade commercial when the Celts are down 3-1?
Posted by: JSNV | June 04, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Hugo Boss:"I will pass and the Lakers will win. :)"
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Its funny how the Celtics fans are complaining about the start time on their blogs, alot of them saying they won't stay up to watch it! Typical Boston Bandwagoners!!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | June 04, 2008 at 12:18 PM
"If the Celtics can keep the games in the 80's and 90's I like their chances."
If the Celtics play like they did in the 90's than I like the Lakers chances. haha
Posted by: ajax | June 04, 2008 at 12:19 PM
The comedians have come to the blog today!
THANKS so much - you are making me crack up. Thanks Karyanr and blank....
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 04, 2008 at 12:21 PM
WWJWWD - exactly - I hope the C's keep saying that too because we have been there done that!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 04, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Open Letter to Mamba24
My offer for u today is one million dollars if you deny the Los Angele's Lakers and raise the green banner of Celtic Pride..........Will be waiting in suspense for your answer sir.
Posted by: Robert Butler (Butlers brother) | June 04, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Andrew,
We know you're a true Laker fan. That's why you're the good brother.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 04, 2008 at 12:29 PM
if the LA Times wants to contract that added functionality work to me, i'd be more than happy to add it in for them. i'll even charge them 50% of my rate.
Posted by: d | June 04, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Mamba - Patience is a virtue, and your patience will be rewarded with a W.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Chris H. | June 04, 2008 at 12:32 PM
The 80s and 90s? Talk about "so last century"!
Posted by: Mob Wagoneer | June 04, 2008 at 12:36 PM