Celtics vs. Lakers: Enough Said

Welcome back, Welcome back, Welcome Back




I started off this blog to chronicle the 2010 NBA playoffs and muse over the NBA of my youth. So, it figures that we would be treated with the 12 meeting in the NBA finals by the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. I barely recall the 1984 or 1985 Finals, but the 1987 NBA Finals (along with MJ), was the birth of my basketball fandom and first finals series I remember and first crushing loss I had as an NBA fan. The recent vintage of Celtics-Lakers in 2008, was a good series and a ratings success for the NBA. Since the 1984 finals each team has won twice against the other, so this so to speak is the rubber match. And with the finals starting tomorrow I figure I better rip through some predictions and a breakdown ala Dr. Jack style. Away we go…

Coaches

Doc Rivers (Bos: 1 NBA championship) vs. Phil Jackson (LAL: 11 NBA championships)

The odds and history is certainly stacked in Phil’s favor, although Rivers delivered one of Jackson’s two losses in a Final. Doc does a great job of getting his players up and along with Tom Thibodeau does a great job coaching defense as the Celtics have the lowest PPG allowed per 100 possessions in the playoffs. Jackson is the Zen master and all that bullsh*t, but he still knows where to put his guys in crunch time and is statistically the best coach in NBA history. Rivers and Jackson are two of the better coaches in the league, so I don’t think either will be totally out-coached. There are certainly some interesting match-ups in this series and it will be interesting to see how Rivers and Jackson handle those as the Finals go on.

Slight Advantage: Phil Jackson (LAL)

Bench

Neither team is going to blow you away with the talent coming off their bench, with the possible exception being Lamar Odom. However, with the way Andrew Bynum is playing, Odom is practically a starter on the Lakers and could be before the end of the Finals. Boston has some injuries with Glen Davis, Tony Allen and some age at play with Rasheed Wallace. The Lakers have perennial no-shows or spark plugs in Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown. Obviously, somebody will surprise us and have a huge game off the bench, but nothing is really jumping out at me. Can we split the Phoenix Suns bench between both teams to generate some excitement?

Advantage: Wash

Starting 5

Point Guard

Rajon Rondo (BOS) vs. Derek Fisher (LAL)

The 2010 playoffs have been a coming out party for Rondo and he’s been spectacular throughout with the exception of some stretches during the Magic series. Say what you want about Derek Fisher, but he still delivered in some key spots for the Lakers. However, it’s going to be tough for Fisher to stay with Rondo and I think he can really exploit some of Fisher’s weaknesses. The big caveat to all of this is the health of Rondo, who is banged up after the Conference Finals and if he is not at full go then there is not much of an advantage here for the Celtics. Whatever the case is I still reserve the right to hate Derek Fisher and make old jokes about him.

Advantage: Rondo (BOS)

Shooting Guard

Ray Allen (BOS) vs. Kobe Bryant (LAL)

Allen is a hall-of-fame shooter and has had a decent showing in the playoffs and hit some big shots for the C’s. Although, Kobe has been just outstanding in these playoffs and still can arguably be considered the best player in the NBA. Bryant has really stepped up his game on both ends of the floor and has practically carried the Lakers through the playoffs. Allen is a nice player, but were talking about the Black Mamba here.

Advantage: Bryant

</div>

Small Forward

Paul Pierce (BOS) vs. Ron Artest (LAL)

This is probably the most intriguing match-up in the Finals. In 2008 the Lakers had no one that could match-up with Pierce, so they had to put Bryant on him, which caused Bryant to exert a lot of effort on both ends. Say what you want about Artest on the offensive end (he’s been brutal), but he has been just tremendous on the defensive end. He completely took out Jason Richardson of the Suns and played Kevin Durant really tough in round 1. On the other end you have Pierce, who has been shooting really well in the playoffs and is the C’s go to option in crunch time. I think were going to see Artest and Pierce mixing it up a lot throughout the Finals. And by my calculation Artest still owes us a blow up this season, so what better stage than the NBA Finals. The outcome of this match-up may determine who ultimately hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy and gets to say Queensbridge.

Slim Advantage: Pierce (BOS)

Power Forward and Center

Kevin Garnett & Kendrick Perkins (BOS) vs. Pau Gasol & Andruw Bynum (LAL)

The reason I included both of these match-ups together is because I basically see this as a wash. Gasol is the more accomplished half of the Lakers duo and Garnett is that of the Celtics duo. Perkins and Bynum are interesting because you never know what you will get out of either player. Perkins may have 4 fouls and 2 T’s before you even blink an eye and Bynum tends to disappear quicker on the court than drugs in front of Lindsey Lohan. Gasol was real average in the 2008 Finals and the C’s feel pretty good about this match-up because they feel they have played well against Gasol and can limit him on the court. Garnett needs to be a presence down low for the C’s, especially on the offensive end, where Boston has struggled at times during the playoffs.

Advantage: Wash





Random things to watch for:
- If Fisher struggles on Rondo, does Phil put Kobe on him?

- The Lakers have not lost at home yet in the playoffs, so with the 2-3-2 format does Boston have to get a split and then sweep at home to have a chance?

- If Kendrick Perkins gets another technical foul then he is suspended for one game in the playoffs

- Will Jack Nicholson be alive for the entire series?

- Does Boston break out a zone? Don’t think so…

- Will Larry Bird bum rush Magic Johnson on the set of ABC Finals coverage? We can only hope…

Prediction

As a former minority stakeholder in the Boston Celtics (yes, you read that correctly) it’s very difficult for me to pick against the Celtics, especially considering I hate the Lakers. Nevertheless, I think we will be treated to a great series in another chapter of this great rivalry. It pains me to say it, but I think the C’s have no answer for Kobe and Gasol takes his game to another level. Although, I hope I am wrong I must say…

Lakers in 7