Nba Finals - Lakers Vs Celtics

[Corvus]

...But I felt this merits a discussion of it's own.

There is a story on the site's main page here with some of our players opinions, so I thought I would get some of the forum's opinions.

First let me say, I do not like the Lakers at all seeing as my team, the Golden State Warriors is one of their division rivals. That said I think it is going to be the Lakers in 6 or less and my logic is as follows.

Both teams are great defensive teams, I would probably give the Celtics the slight edge here, but the Lakers are certainly not slouches either. I think what it all comes down to is matchups and bench production, in which case I think the Lakers have all of the edges.

Perkins will most likely end up facing Gasol or Odom, and despite the fact that he played wonderfully in the Pistons series, both of those players can out play him easily I think. Garnet will get the other guy, whether its Gasol or Odom and essentially I think those two will cancel eachother out, whether they're both scoring 20+ points or both defending eachother like their lives depend on it.

I like Rondo, and in another year or two, I think he will be that much better. But Derek Fisher has not only the expereince over Rondo at PG, but more strength and is a better jump shooter. Fisher easily wins this matchup and will probably be a huge factor in this series, moreso than the rest of the playoffs.

Allen or Pierce will get the job of guarding Kobe and just like the Garnet matchup, whichever one it is will end up essentially cancelling out Kobe, meaining the 3rd member of their big 3 HAS to step it up because whichever one it is I think will do a better job against Radmonovic (providing he starts). At the same time, Kobe has shown throughout the latter half of the season and in the playoffs his ability to completely takeover the game so despite Pierce or Allen's best efforts, eventually Kobe is gonna come through for this team.

Then we look at bench production. When Farmar is driving to the basket, Vujacic is hitting those 3s, Turiaf is rebounding, and Walton is excelling at passing, this bench has shown its ability to stay right there with the opposing team's starters, be it San Antonio, Utah, and especially Denver. These guys excel at offense and defense just like this team's starters.

I won't discredit the Celtics ENTIRE bench. PJ Brown has been clutch for them in these playoffs and James Posey is an excellent shooter and defender off the bench. But Sam Cassell has been horrid and has hurt this team more than he has helped in the playoffs, and Eddie House saw VERY limited time against the Pistons which may result in him being fully energized or completely dull and off, I guess we'll see.

Game 1 is tonight and I'm pretty excited to see what happens.

EDIT: i know the Celtics won both of the regular seaosn matchups, but not only are the playoffs, much less the finals a completely different beast than a season game but also both teams, especially the Lakers, have changed quite a bit since then.

[MKdave]

Turiaf is rebounding...

AND Blocking!

[theFRANCHISE]

Even though I don't follow basketball all that heavily, I know that with all the momentum the Celtics have going into this game, and with the strong play of KG/Paul Pierce/Ray Allen, this is essentially Boston's championship to LOSE.

The Celtics need to take advantage of their two home meetings in Boston, and they can't afford to make too many mistakes on the road, simple as that. They may "afford" to lose a road game, but they definitely CAN'T afford to lose a home game, period.

Everyone says time and again that you can't let Kobe Bryant take over a game, but there's been times where his team has stepped up when he's been shut down. The fact that Kobe is league MVP says a lot about his importance to the team, obviously, but it's not necessarily a guarantee that the containment of Kobe translates to a win.

[Sub-Zero]

I live in the heart of Los Angeles, you know whats funny, all of a sudden seeing all these Laker flags on peoples car. If I had it my way I would burn all those flags and replace them with Clippers flags!

anywayssss, in order for Boston to beat L.A, I think they have to have the same approach the Spurs had on Kobe. yeah Kobe was lighting their asses up like birthday candles, but he had to work really hard for almost every shot. just like how they guarded LeBron, they have to absolutely deny Kobe from getting to the paint. can't afford to have gigantic dry spells like the Spurs have, because Lakers will easily overcome a huge deficit. and, they have to get really physical with Gasol and Odom, both finesse players. I think it's easy to get into Lamar's head, he's talented as hell but he's kinda soft.

[neepo13]

Even though I don't follow basketball all that heavily, I know that with all the momentum the Celtics have going into this game, and with the strong play of KG/Paul Pierce/Ray Allen, this is essentially Boston's championship to LOSE.

The Celtics need to take advantage of their two home meetings in Boston, and they can't afford to make too many mistakes on the road, simple as that. They may "afford" to lose a road game, but they definitely CAN'T afford to lose a home game, period.

Everyone says time and again that you can't let Kobe Bryant take over a game, but there's been times where his team has stepped up when he's been shut down. The fact that Kobe is league MVP says a lot about his importance to the team, obviously, but it's not necessarily a guarantee that the containment of Kobe translates to a win.

The Lakers have the momentum going into this game. The Celtics have lost 8 games in the playoffs, their confidence has been shaken alot during the playoffs. The Lakers have only lost 3.

[theFRANCHISE]

The Lakers have the momentum going into this game. The Celtics have lost 8 games in the playoffs, their confidence has been shaken alot during the playoffs. The Lakers have only lost 3.

Hmm, well, I DID say I don't follow basketball heavily...LOL.

I only based the Celtics' momentum on the dramatic elimination of LeBron and the Cavs.

But again, take everything I say with a grain of salt.

[Sub-Zero]

to me, Boston showed lots of improvement in the Pistons series. not only did they get their first road victory of the playoffs, but they got two wins in Detroit, and they overcame a 10 point deficit in the 4th quarter for their second road win to close the series. they also lost their first home game of the playoffs, and thats why their first road win was impressive. I don't think the Celtics are shook at all.

[Corvus]

Pretty sloppy game so far, but that's probably because they all haven't played in a week.

But Kobe has been selfish and taken a lot of stupid shots so far, if he doesn't start with the teamwork and show he is the MVP, Lakers will lose this game at least.

they overcame a 10 point deficit in the 4th quarter for their second road win to close the series

Very true, but did you see the Lakers' comebacks in games 1 and 5 against the defending champions? 20 pt deficit and a 17 pt deficit respectively at points in those games? I hate to be giving all this praise t the Lakers but that's even more impressive to me.

[Sub-Zero]

yeah I saw those comebacks and they were impressive, but wasn't comparing them to the Celtics comeback. its just that I don't think the Celtics were shook from their previous series.

[Ravens_Pwn12]

yes lakers lose

[Sub-Zero]

that was a pretty good game, but the pace of the game was getting annoying with all those ticky tacky fouls. good news for the Celtics, they won game 1 because Phil is 41-0 in series wins after winning game 1.

[minford]

I hate the Lakers but I really hate the entire New England area with fiery passion so I'd love to see a Boston rival urinate on the Celtics. Seriously, is anyone else as sick with this Boston crap as I am? My cousin, a New Yorker, introduced me to the term "Mbutt" yesterday. I like it.

[MKdave]

It was a shame the lakers didn't complete their comeback last night; the more I think about it, the more I think the Pierce injury was faked.

[Sub-Zero]

I was really surprised they didn't get the ball to Kobe at the end down by 4. how the hell do you not give it to him?

[MKdave]

I was really surprised they didn't get the ball to Kobe at the end down by 4. how the hell do you not give it to him?

I don't know why they gave it to Kobe to inbound. I think that was silly.

[ragnorok99]

It was a shame the lakers didn't complete their comeback last night; the more I think about it, the more I think the Pierce injury was faked.

I agree it was overblown, but I think he was just really, really scared.

The officiating last night was pretty lopsided. Kobe got hosed a couple of times, like when he barely poked Ray Allen while trying to get around a screen. And I don't remember who got called for it, but I don't think it should count as a foul if you run into a guy AFTER you make a block.

[MKdave]

And I don't remember who got called for it, but I don't think it should count as a foul if you run into a guy AFTER you make a block.

It was Turiaf, I threw a pillow at the TV screen (any crime against Turiaf is a crime against my lord!)

[Sub-Zero]

expect to see the same type of officiating, this time in the Lakers favor. (see Lakers/Jazz series at Staples.)

[Ravens_Pwn12]

lakers are gonna get swept

[ragnorok99]

It was Turiaf, I threw a pillow at the TV screen (any crime against Turiaf is a crime against my lord!)

Was the pillow there so you had something soft to throw at a fragile TV? I need to start keeping one around like that.

expect to see the same type of officiating, this time in the Lakers favor. (see Lakers/Jazz series at Staples.)

Yeah really. Homecourt should mean something, but not incredibly bad officiating.

[MKdave]

lakers are gonna get swept

I personally guarantee that the lakers will atleast 2 of their 3 consecutive home games.

[Ravens_Pwn12]

anyone bet on this besides me?

[Sub-Zero]

I did and I lost another 50, lol

[Ravens_Pwn12]

I did and I lost another 50, lol

wow you high stakes hahaha i bet 2 dolars on that game and 5 on the series

[Sub-Zero]

believe I've lost alot more than that. this is incredible progress for me

[MKdave]

You bet against the Lakers? At home? you're both idiots.

[Ravens_Pwn12]

You bet against the Lakers? At home? you're both idiots.

hahahha it was a close game

[Sub-Zero]

yeah how are we idiots if the game was close? Lakers are lucky to escape with a win as badly as they've been playing.

[FerrariFan87]

My heart is with K.G. and Ray Allen as they really deserve an NBA Championship... however, as I have no real connection to either side, may the best team win, but if Boston fails to win a game in L.A. it's all over

[MKdave]

yeah how are we idiots if the game was close? Lakers are lucky to escape with a win as badly as they've been playing.

Because I had guaranteed that the Lakers would win atleast 2 games of their homestand. It is foolish to go against the word of Dave.