Paul Pierce, Ron Artest discuss one-on-one matchup
Everyone knows that Lakers forward Ron Artest will guard the Celtics' Paul Pierce in the NBA Finals.
Everyone also knows that it's perhaps the most important and intriguing matchup in the series, considering the Lakers didn't have an answer for Pierce in 2008, when the Celtics beat the Lakers for the title. Pierce, who averaged 21.8 points in the six-game series, was named the Finals' most valuable player.
But listening to Artest, perhaps the league's top defender, the last few days, you'd get the impression he's the only one who doesn't know that he will match up with Pierce. He has constantly referred to his teammates, noting that no individual player could stop Pierce.
On Wednesday, Artest finally opened up about facing Pierce, and why he's such a tough player to guard.
"Pierce is a vet," Artest said. "If I was 30, which I am now, and he was younger, there would be things that I could do to use my experience, but he's a vet. He knows how to play. He's still playing well. He didn't lose a step. I respect that. I respect that he's still quick and able to attack."
Artest also added something rather off-topic about facing Pierce, saying that Pierce is one of the few guys who enjoys being guarded by Artest.
"Not too many people enjoy playing against me, because I'm real physical," Artest said. "Pierce is one of the guys who enjoyed it."
The way Pierce put it, facing Artest isn't that enjoyable.
"Obviously I'm playing against one of the top defenders in the game," Pierce said. "So he's going to make things a little bit more harder, a little bit more physical. You've got to expect that. I mean, that's what Ron Artest is, a guy who tries to get in your head throughout the game. Grab you, pull you, scratch you -- you've just got to expect those things."
Pierce said he won't change his mentality going into the Finals and still will be aggressive.
-- Baxter Holmes
Just posturing.
And regarding Sonny's observation of Nate Robinson - the guy loves to light up Derek Fisher and the Lakers. Loves it.
Having said this, he's not quite a handful as Eddie House, but he can start hitting outside treys at Staples if left open. His speed won't be as much of an issue because the guy defending him will be Farmar and not Derek. Farmar is a superior defender and will make Nate work on D.
Not sure why Nate never added me on facebook... hell, I have half his college teammates to chat it up with there, but perhaps the success has gone to his head?.... usually I cheer for the old friend, but friendships die where loyalty lies.
Mamba24, put that ish in blood.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | June 02, 2010 at 05:40 PM
Lakers need to play tough team defense. That includes Odom against Garnett when he is in or against Davis. Gasol or Bynum need to back stop against Pierce or Garnett not falling backwards into the restricted area but just outside. Once any of the Celtics are in the restricted area blocked shots remain the best option, with Brown, Kobe, Farmar & Sasha all helping out. No Cheap fouls!! Just match Celtics intensity for 48 minutes, Rebound, Blockout & go aggressively after their bigs. Go Lakers take Celtsix in Six !!!
Posted by: ross | June 02, 2010 at 05:46 PM
Kobe is too old to hang with Rondo; too many miles of wear and tear on that body to come close to staying with Rondo.
By the middle of the second quarter of game one Feel Jackoffson, Kobe and coaching staff are going to have to adjust their entire defensive philosphy. Rondo on offense vs. Kobe is the biggest mis-match of the series, a huge advantage to Boston.
The Celtics weakest link of their championship starting five is now their strongest, if that doesn't scare the hell out of Laker fans it should.
Posted by: Abe Frohman | June 02, 2010 at 06:25 PM
The dirty players among the Celtics includes Glen Davis. Remember how he yanked Shaq's already sprained thumb last Feb?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKqPw15FRPw&feature=related
Don't be surprised if Davis goes for Kobe's injured finger or Bynum's knee.
Posted by: The Snake | June 02, 2010 at 06:26 PM
Ron, watch out for Pierce wheelchair and his miracle!!!
Posted by: CTran | June 02, 2010 at 06:29 PM
Edwin Gueco : "Do not succumb to their Leprechaun ideas."
Ahem, well played, Mr. Gueco......well played, indeed.
Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | June 02, 2010 at 06:40 PM
That's why i love Artest. Period.
Posted by: MrNano | June 02, 2010 at 06:49 PM
For me, the best part is, Boston is so smug and overly confident in thinking they can out tough us, over looking the fact that the refs always seem to help them out in Boston when their toughness only is supposed to work one way!!! but regardless, this team is not the team they face in the finals and they know this due to the regular season.. I dont really like when Kobe goes into "shut up, leave me alone" mode but if he comes out and busts Bostons ass tomm nite.. I'll understand and learn to deal with the grumpiness for the next few summers....
Posted by: complex brotha | June 02, 2010 at 06:51 PM
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP..........BRRROOOOOOOOM............
Lakers 4 Smeltics 0
Posted by: FAR SIDE | June 02, 2010 at 07:03 PM
KEYS TO A LAKERS VICTORY PARADE:
1. Do not settle for jumpers. Drive the ball hard to the hole, expect contact, and focus on finishing strong. I repeat: Do not settle for jumpers. Unless your name is Kobe Bryant (from anywhere on the court), Fisher (timely 3-ball), or Pau Gasol (mid-range perfection).
2. Post Artest often. Clear out and let him work inside. When the double-team comes -- and it will come -- Artest will find cutters for layups. Repeat.
3. Don't try to be overly "tough." This Lakers team is capable of playing outstanding defense without fouling.
4. Help defense. Talk to each other. Share the responsibility. Take pride in the defensive end. It'll pay off on the other side of the court.
5. Don't fall for Paula's head fakes. LAME. He's a diva, so let him shake and shimmy all by his lonesome while you watch and wait.
I have strong hopes about this series. We can do this.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 02, 2010 at 07:09 PM
LAKERS VS. CELTICS 2.0 !!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are rivalries and then there are rivalries. To me, Lakers vs. Celtics is like Good vs. Bad, Love vs. Hate, Peace vs. War, the Environment vs. the Oil Companies, Main Street vs. Wall Street, Cheap Shots vs. Fair Play. You get the idea. And though I always considered myself to be something of a rebel as a young man, I was never be one to root for those outlaw teams like the Raiders or Celtics who seemed to revel in bullying and intimidating their opponents with dirty plays and rule-bending physicality.
~
So to me, the Celtics winning the 2010 Finals would be about as painful a vicarious disaster as I could imagine. Think about it. We got what we wanted – the Celtics. Now we just have to make sure that we follow through and win, otherwise we’re like the Republicans who got what they wanted and were able to deregulate the financial and oil industries only to see all their efforts turn into major disasters. It’s like the Republicans wanting Palin to become president and then to having to suffer it happening.
~
Are you pissed yet because that is the point. Turn the comparisons around or write your own if they offend you. We – meaning the Lakers and their die-hard fans – are at a point of no surrender because we just canNOT lose this series to the Celtics or it will be an epic disaster of gargantuan proportions. The Lakers will have the “soft” label permanently tattooed to their torsos. Kobe will become known as the Laker who couldn’t beat the Celtics. Garnett and Pierce will become even more intolerable. The Artest experiment will be called a failure. Phil may decide to retire or move on. Drew may be traded. RLC will probably be a four-time RCOTD winner right before the Times shuts down our blog. LOL!
~
As tough as the pressure is going to be on us fans, the players are going to feel it even greater. This is not just about the 2010 NBA Championship. This is about the destiny of the franchises, the heart and soul and bragging rights of their fans, the complete dominance of the sport of professional basketball. Win and all will be well in Lakersville. Drew will get another year. Kobe’s career will get a deserved boost. Lose and you trigger an avalanche of dominos falling and changes coming that are impossible to predict for their direction or severity. For sure, it will be the end of the world as we know it.
~
So forgive me if I get a little nasty in my criticism if Pau doesn’t come out tougher or Drew doesn’t bring it physically or Lamar isn’t really aggressive or Kobe takes too many bad shots because there is no option other than to win this series. PERIOD. You heard the slogan “win or go home?” Well, in this case, the slogan really should be WIN OR DON’T GO HOME because losing is just not an option. I think Kobe and the Lakers all realize that this is the NBA Finals series that is going to define their careers. That’s why I am confident that the Lakers are going to take this series in 6 games.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | June 02, 2010 at 07:09 PM
LAST KEY TO VICTORY:
6. Rebound, rebound, rebound. Win the 50/50 balls. Whichever team wins the rebounding battle wins the series. Simple as that.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 02, 2010 at 07:11 PM
Ron Ron was born for this moment... he's proven to be a worthy D opponent. He should not sell himself short. I like that he's got class and gives his opponent credit for the type of player that Ron Ron thinks he is but my money is on Artest and our Lakers.
Artest should be HUNGRY enough to WIN this match up and have Pierce for 1) breakfast, 2) lunch, 3) supper and 4) dessert . You want the OBrien and a RING don't you Ron Ron?
GOOOOOOOOLAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Carlos DeeP | June 02, 2010 at 07:13 PM
LakerTom,
Outstanding, as usual. I raise my glass in your general direction, sir.
Mamba24, I know you're working on something special for tomorrow. I can't wait.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | June 02, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Abe, ask Westbrook if Kobe has lost a step in his defense. Westbrook has a pretty good outside shot, too.
Anyway, this Ron/Pierce matchup will be significant for both sides. I have full confidence in Ron that he will find a way.
P.S. I believe that Pierce will become a Lakers fan once he retires. If you think Magic may be rooting for the Celtics now, Pierce wont hide rooting for the Lakers when he retires. Just a random guess.
Posted by: E | June 02, 2010 at 07:16 PM
To stave off the incredible tension and sense of anticipation, nay urgency which is no doubt so prevalent this evening I offer a quick poll.
Which of these three is the awesomist?
1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMO8Pyi3UpY
2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3MGN899yE
or 3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnLjr8TaE1Q&feature=player_embedded#at=135
?
Please take the take to consider all three possibilities equally and vote your heart.
Posted by: phred | June 02, 2010 at 07:21 PM
BLöG CЯüE
I'll be in L.A. this weekend for a wedding and hitting the beach. I'll be watching game 2 somewhere near Santa Monica beach. I've been listening, studying match ups, players, etc. My conclusion is that this will be our year against bhasten. I honestly feel this. I hope I'm right.
Sasha V says some funny things. Iron Maiden live in 2 weeks, UP THE IRONS!
Cölöradö löves öür Wörld Champiön Lakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Hügö Böss | June 02, 2010 at 07:24 PM
DESPICABLE ACT ONLY A BOSTON CELTIC CAN COMMIT:
That Boston Celtics GM DANNY AINGE was penalized for waving a towel to distract a free throw shooter speaks volume for the legacy that Red Auerbach inbred and left. A legacy based on stooping and resorting to despicable acts only desperate people resort to. The only legacy Red left which stood then and stands today is based on four pillars of: Foul play, Deceit, Mugging and devoid of sportsman like conduct. And to mask all of this they conveniently came up with the notion of Leprechauns, how deceitful.
Posted by: FAR SIDE | June 02, 2010 at 07:30 PM
Dear phred,
Machine pick Rocketman. No contest.
Sincerely,
Sasha
Posted by: SASHA V. | June 02, 2010 at 07:31 PM
oh man, I gotta watch that again. Here's another link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYU7oG2V7uc&feature=related
Posted by: phred | June 02, 2010 at 07:32 PM
What happen when you have three Europeans, a Farmar, and a Kobe on the floor? -- A Leon Powe goal to goal easy layup to the basket.
Yes, my Laker fan mates, it was Radman, Pau, and Vujacic what I was referring to. That was the time when Leon Powe became a star player for the whole series.
It was also the same Leon Powe that abused Luke on and on and on... and on in the offense (yes, Luke was playing in the Finals). I mean, we are talking about Luke playing some major minutes in the Finals. Ugh! Terrible series!
Anyway, this time I know Artest will give Pierce a real reason to sit on a wheelchair. Fish will be okay against Rondo, and Kobe should able to stick like a glue against Ray Allen. Pau will have to post and back down KG for a strong finish. Bynum is a bonus this year, so I really have to count on LO to bring his offense and be strong on the boards. My prediction -- Lakers in 6.
Posted by: GameFaceON | June 02, 2010 at 07:35 PM
OUTLAW… Great post. I agree completely. Each point made me shake my head. They’re worth repeating. In fact, the points were so good that, with your permission, I could not help appending:
~
1. DO NOT SETTLE FOR JUMPERS. What is so important about this is it is how we need to take the refs out of the game by making sure that we don’t get tagged as the passive team. One of the few ways to beat the Lakers is through free-throw differential, which surely cost us Game 1 in Boston last year.
~
2. POST ARTEST OFTEN. Why this is critical is the matchup. If Pierce is going guard Kobe, then one of their guards – Ray or Rondo – is going to have to guard Artest. And no way either of those guys is going to be able to do that. Ergo, double team, which is what every good offense wants.
~
3. DON’T TRY TO BE OVERLY TOUGH. Phil has already put the league and the refs on notice that they need to police the physicality or it will quickly get out of hand. The result is going to be pretty quick whistles whenever there are instances of overt physicality so the smart play is to keep cool.
~
4. HELP DEFENSE. Boston is like Phoenix in a way because they use their point guard to penetrate and play inside-out basketball. Like always, we need to force the Celtics to take non-paint 2’s. We wall up the paint, chase them off the 3-point line, and turn them into mid-range jump shooters.
~
5. DON’T FALL FOR PAULA’S HEAD FAKES. I said earlier the winner of this series will be the team whose MVP shows up. Ron needs to have solid team defense behind him so that he body up Pierce the way he likes to do. If he can play Paul one-on-one and cut his points and percentage, the Lakers win because I don’t think they have anybody who can really stop Kobe considering the groove he is in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | June 02, 2010 at 07:38 PM
LakerTom,
You and I know this is it.
There will be more wins.
There will be more Championships.
But this is it. Here is where the story climaxes.
Let's... get... this... done.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 02, 2010 at 07:39 PM
I never even knew alternate sixties timeline Dave Foley auditioned to play the Joker on crack.
Posted by: phred | June 02, 2010 at 07:40 PM
Here are my comments to the NBA at, http://www.nba.com/email_us/contact_us.html. I have been a fan since 1960. Please be aware that in my opinion the league is poised for a class action suit if you continue to make rules and not enforce them at all , then not enforce the equally. PLEASE , PLEASE SAVE THE LEAGUE. How can you ignore the recent official corruption record and go on with business as usual. For years the NBA has lost many fans because the officiating make the games look totally FIXED. It gets worst every year. The Officials pick the winners in every game in the first two quarters with their choice of who they decide to call fouls on, thus we are not entertained. The Celtic and Garnett thing really pisses me off. If you look at the video, he throws TWO punches right in front of the referee. And all he got was an offensive foul! When you apply the rules so haphazardly and unfairly, you diminish the entire NBA product BRAND. I think all fans agree - we just want the games to be called fairly, equally. If they're going to let them play rough, then both sides need to be allowed to elbow and hack away. Can't let one side get away with everything and call touch fouls on the other team.
Kevin Garnett is a dirty player. The video of him punching Howard in the arms, TWICE, during game 6th last week is unbelievable! How could the officials miss that call? Offensive foul, It’s a terrible call and the NBA should review the tape and take appropriate actions otherwise the NBA would be viewed as bias. He should be suspense of his action.
The league must clean up its act
Posted by: fisheye | June 02, 2010 at 07:51 PM
ESPN is showing lakers/celtics from this season when leaker beat them..
Posted by: FAR SIDE | June 02, 2010 at 07:53 PM
oh man, I gotta watch that again. Here's another link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYU7oG2V7uc&feature=related
Posted by: phred | June 02, 2010 at 07:32 PM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phred, that music video looks like a commercial for Viagra. LOL!
Posted by: GameFaceON | June 02, 2010 at 08:03 PM
Laker fan-
I dont have enough money to pay Dribble Dribble to shoot. I would put Rondo on him just to make him shoot. Every shot that Dead Eye shoots is a shot Kobe doesnt.
Posted by: 131-92 | June 02, 2010 at 08:09 PM
I have to disagree with the opinion that the Lakers need to win the first game regardless of Phil Jackson's record after winning the first game of a series.
The Lakers need to win both games 1 and 2.
Boston beat the Cavs in game 2 and beat the Magic games 1 and 2.
By winning the first 2 games the Lakers will win the series.
IT'S ALL PSYCHOLOGY.
By winning early in Cleveland and Orlando the Celtics held a psychological advantage over 2 teams that thought they were better. This advantage caused The King and Superman to lose a small amount of confidence which trickled down to their teammates.
Winning games 1 and 2 would clearly give the Lakers the psychological advantage.
This series will be the exact opposite of Boston's playoff run this year and the 08 Finals.
BUT ONLY IF THE LAKERS WIN THE FIRST 2 GAMES
Posted by: conTroll Man | June 02, 2010 at 08:16 PM
Yo phred!
I wish we could play that non-stop in the c's locker room. Very scary indeed.
Trolololololo all the way!
Posted by: WintonDupree | June 02, 2010 at 08:30 PM
it's truly awful, and yet i can't stop watching it.
Posted by: phred | June 02, 2010 at 08:39 PM
Hügö Böss,
You have Iron Maiden tickets? Awesome!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | June 02, 2010 at 08:54 PM
Did you hear lebron imply that he could make the NBA better? Or better yet, why is the h#%l is he going on Larry King doing interviews right now? It's not your time you ms pacman ego machine. Right now its real basketball time. Championship basketball time.
It's funny how one minute he's mvp joe smily face and now he's doomed whether he stays or he leaves. Next year, the first road game in cleveland (if he left) would be delightfully ugly. All I'm saying is stop wasting your time with these imposters working on their first or 2nd ring. Try 4 goin on 5. That will be more than shaq, more than duncan, heck that will be the same number as magic. Boston doesn't see dead people, they see the black mamba.
Posted by: jayden24 | June 02, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Good post outlaw. But Kobe has to take it strong to the hole after his jumper start to fail him hopefully by that time LA is up 2-0. Like he did to Orlando last year he must attck the basket and breakdown Boston's defense. LO must take Rasheed or Davis off the drible as well. LA needs to get some of the CS players into foul trouble by attacking the rim. Pass Bynum the ball when he has Perkins sealed and close to the hoop. Gasol no weak sheet in this series take it strong.
Posted by: island priest | June 03, 2010 at 12:09 AM
Fish Eye the NBA has a malcontent who issues out punishment. This man was a complete failure as a coach. His name is Stu Jackson. Stu just upgraded Howard's inadvertent elbow to Garnett to a flagrant foul. At the very least Garnett should have been assessed a flagrant foul. But in fact even if you swing at somebody and misses that's an automatic suspension. Where does actually punching somebody becomes part of basketball? If Kobe had done that he would have gotten suspended. We all know Stu doesn't like Kobe based on the suspensions he has received in prior years. Stu likes Shaq and Garnett apparently. But that is why I am apprehensive before the game. Talent wise the Lakers are the better team but if those corrupt refs call the games like they did in 2008 then LA will be in big trouble. People talk about Phil's 47-0 if he wins game 1, the refs and Stern are perfect when they decide who they want to win. They don't have to call the whole series one sided just in the firt 2 pivotal games and inertia and a team's broken spirit can take care of the rest. We just want the game to be called fairly Stern.
Posted by: island priest | June 03, 2010 at 12:25 AM
"Kobe is too old to hang with Rondo; too many miles of wear and tear on that body to come close to staying with Rondo.
By the middle of the second quarter of game one Feel Jackoffson, Kobe and coaching staff are going to have to adjust their entire defensive philosphy. Rondo on offense vs. Kobe is the biggest mis-match of the series, a huge advantage to Boston.
The Celtics weakest link of their championship starting five is now their strongest, if that doesn't scare the hell out of Laker fans it should.
Posted by: Abe Frohman | June 02, 2010 at 06:25 PM"
Abe Frohman, with a name like yours, you should know plenty about age...how old are you 85-95????? Enjoy the series, because you ain't gonna see another!!!!!! R R R !!!!! Oh in your senility you forgot, Rondo got no offense!!!! Try again....Abe,,,Abe............Abe!!!!!!!!! Someone call the paramedics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: humanomaly (29 minutes) | June 03, 2010 at 01:49 AM
"Good post outlaw. But Kobe has to take it strong to the hole after his jumper start to fail him hopefully by that time LA is up 2-0. Like he did to Orlando last year he must attck the basket and breakdown Boston's defense. LO must take Rasheed or Davis off the drible as well. LA needs to get some of the CS players into foul trouble by attacking the rim. Pass Bynum the ball when he has Perkins sealed and close to the hoop. Gasol no weak sheet in this series take it strong.
Posted by: island priest | June 03, 2010 at 12:09 AM"
Hey I.P., where have you been, Kobe's done this before, he's done practically everything before, the 14 season and the all the playoffs give him a resume equivalent to 20 years of experience...he knows what to do, it's up to everyone else to follow his lead, or to take the lead when he needs the breaks.
Just pray that David Stern did not give the 3 stinkin amigas a going away gift. I'd like to see a record of Stern's fines he has given out over the years. I'm sure he takes in more money from the Western division teams than the Eastern division teams and players.
Posted by: humanomaly (29 minutes) | June 03, 2010 at 02:07 AM
Celtic fans live in the past, the Lakers are going to win this one and many, many more in the future....the Celtics probably will go into hibernation for another 25 years....go watch baseball, by the way, why did they ever stick the ballpark there if left field was going to be so short. why not put baskets in right field and if you can hit the baseball into the basket it's a homie, homie!
Posted by: humanomaly (29 minutes) | June 03, 2010 at 02:15 AM
Abe....wakeup!!!!!
Posted by: humanomaly (29 minutes) | June 03, 2010 at 02:17 AM
I'm one of those who believe the Lakers will have problems dealing with the Celtics' PGs; Rondo and Robinson. They're both lightning quick and Robinson, who's obviously not the player Rondo is, is still a dangerous streak-shooter and may actually be quicker and more athletic than his first-string teammate. 36yr-old Fisher can't guard these 2 over any length of time and neither can Farmar or Sasha. About the only guard on the Lakers (aside from maybe Kobe, and he'll be guarding Ray Allen) who could run with either of the Celtics' PGs is Shannon Brown, who's isn't an experienced or consistent defender.
Posted by: Gene | June 03, 2010 at 05:01 AM