After five-games, the Western Conference Finals was decided with the Los Angeles Lakers overthrowing the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. For the fifth time in the 21st century, the Lakers are making the NBA Finals; the difference this go around is that it's the first time that Kobe Bryant has done it without the services of "The Diesel" Shaquille O'Neal. In the years after O'Neal's departure, the Lakers have gone through struggling seasons and times where Bryant didn't even want to be a Laker anymore. Now an MVP, and beside him a new big-man in Pau Gasol, Bryant and his "Lake Show" have found the greener side they've been yearning for, and only await Thursday, June 5th to play the Boston Celtics.
For the Boston Celtics, this year's NBA Finals trip will be their first in 20-years. 20-years since they met (ironically) the Los Angeles Lakers, and lost in six-games to a team led by the likes of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabar and James Worthy. The C's boasted the NBA's best record at 66-16, having completed one of the best turnarounds in the history of the League. Boston fought through back-to-back seven-game series against the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers before finally breaking through on the road, and taking down the Detroit Pistons in six-games. This Celtics team is a far cry as far as team style and appearance from the teams in the 60's and 70's, with three big-name players that all have played at least 50 playoff games but never have made an appearance (until now) in the NBA Finals: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and the man who's been a Celtic for years now, Paul Pierce.
Boston and Los Angeles are two of the League's best who've been through widely different paths in getting to the Finals, but now share the same goal and the same floor for the next seven-game series. Who will win? I have no idea, but I'd like to at least take a crack at sifting through some of the mess to find a good prediction to settle on.
This post season, the story or bewildering trend has been the lack of winning by the road team. The Celtics were 0-6 on the road coming into the Eastern Conference Finals, and finally broke through by taking out the Pistons in Game 3, and doing it again to close out the series tonight at the Palace of Auburn Hills. As a well-informed fan (or at least I think so) that tells me that the Celtics have righted their ship, and are entirely ready to face off with the Lakers who've had nothing but clear skies this post season. The Lakers have only dropped three-games, all of which were on the road. Bryant has been the leading scorer for all but one game this post season - Gasol scored 36 in Game 1 against the Nuggets - and has been so balanced in his duties not only as a scorer but as a facilitator as well. The Lakers swept the Nuggets, took down the Jazz in six and closed out the Spurs in five, placing themselves in the Finals looking as good as they've ever been in 2007-2008.
For the Celtics, any worries of a struggling Ray Allen hindering them as they move forward have dissipated, as Allen put up 29-points in Game 5 and then in Game 6 he dropped 17. Allen has found his stroke, and the Celtics are continually getting support out of the studly Kendrick Perkins and the ever growing point guard Rajon Rondo. The Lakers, even when faced with deficits were able to fend off the Spurs attack and close out their series, and not even with the help of Bryant - or at least not the beginning of it. In Game 5 in Los Angeles, the Lakers were down by a bundle late in the game, and by the might of Jordan Farmar and other bench stars the Lakers started their comeback before Bryant finished it all off with 17-points in the 4th. The Lakers have Bryant, Odom and Gasol; the Celtics just cant find themselves forgetting about Farmar (8 PPG vs Spurs), Fisher (6 PPG vs Spurs), Vujacic (7 PPG vs Spurs), Walton (5 PPG vs Spurs) or Turiaf (1 BPG vs Spurs).
All of this amounts to in my mind to having to pick between Bon and Brian, Ronnie and Ozzy, or Dave and Sammy. Not much is jumping out at me enough before something else from the other side of the argument intervenes. I'm torn, man...
(sucks it up)
Mac's Outlook on the NBA Finals
Boston Celtics
X - Factor: The Defense
Kobe Bryant nine times out of 10 will be the leading scorer for the Lakers, but that doesn't mean the C's need to solely focus on the MVP. Occasionally doubling up and trapping Bryant is a necessity when playing him, but as we've seen since the trade for Gasol, the Lakers are a completely different team than before this season and offensively are far too balanced for any zeroing in on Kobe. The Celtics prided themselves on defense this year, now they've got to shift the tempo in their favor and pray they contain the dynamic and highly versatile and even deep offensive attack of the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers
X - Factor: Everyone Not Named Kobe Bryant
OK, so it seems like a cop-out, but in reality it's what is going to propel this team to their fourth NBA title in the 2000's. Bryant has averaged 32-points per game in the playoffs, including six-assists and five-rebounds. One way or another, he's gonna' get his points. And one way or another, the Celtics have to tie down someone else. They've got to keep another player silent from the field, whether it be Odom, Gasol, Vujocic, or all. And those players know that. They know that Kobe will be there ever night leading their parade, and they've got to be the bulls in that parade that take every chance given to them by Bryant. They've got to hit the open looks he gives them, and create their own shot when he's being bolstered by a stifling Celtic defense. The entire supporting cast for Bryant has been superb this post season, and exactly why they are now in the NBA Finals. If they expect to take down the best (record wise) team in the NBA, they've got to continue that.
The Prediction:
Lakers in Seven.
The Mac Daddy likes the bench of the Lakers a hell of a lot more than he does the Celtics'. I've doubted this Laker team long enough. In my mind, if the Spurs couldn't handle them (and that's an understatement) then no one can. Not even the Big 3. 20-years later, the Lakers repeat history, just by one more game.
But I'll be pulling for the C's.
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Comments (15) Add A Comment
I'll be pulling for No one likely.But good blog Mac.
(Cincy)
Jamestown, OH
Total Comments (10951)
I think the Lakers will win it in 7 games, and I want the Celtics to win. Great minds think alike Mac.
Dyhard - Thank You!
Germantown, WI
Total Comments (77275)
GO LAKERS!!! Kobe is on a mission to win the NBA title w/o Shaq, and NOBODY isn't playong for the Celtics, and only NOBODY can beat Kobe! Lakers in 6! GO LAKERS!!!
LAKERSRDABOMB
Woodbine , NJ
Total Comments (5)
I'm taking Lakers in 5.
Lakers are a great road team and Celtics has already lost one home game already.
Then 3 games at Lakers, where they are undefeated. Other than the Piston series, Celtics haven't won at road, and I think the athleticism and length of the Lakers will trouble Celtics.
RaiKun
Total Comments (6)
STREAKER ALERT!!!!!! *runs into room, look at all the jealous faces*
Chengy: bye FN
Ashland , OH
Total Comments (9040)
Lakers in 6 is my prediction. Good analyst and blog.
Denis24
Total Comments (2679)
I'm with Denis. Lakers in six games. Decent blog, Mac. I don't really have a whole lot to say because most of what was said I already mentioned (in some way or another) in my blog yesterday. Good analysis though.
G.O.A.T. is back?
Scranton, PA
Total Comments (12359)
Great analysis. I'm a little more optimistic...Manu was basically a nonfactor (due more to iinjuries than good defense IMO) for the entire Lakers-Spurs series, which made the Lakers' lives far easier. The Celtics have made incredible progress this postseason, and seem to get better each game they play.
By doubling, rotating well, and trapping, I feel that Boston can contain Kobe and Gasol. I believe however, the Lakers lack the personnel to guard the Big 3.
Boston in 7.
Basketball Jesus:…
Mc Lean , VA
Total Comments (1590)
I think the X factor is the PG position. Derek Fisher may not be as young, fast an athletic as Rhondo, but where he comes up short in those categories, he more than makes up for in experience, heart and defense.
Although simply based upon stats alone, it may not seem like it, but Fish played well against Deron Williams and Parker, both whom are much more fearsome PGs, yet with similar things going for them, as Rhondo.
I have a feeling Fisher's going to frustrate Rhondo which will disrupt the Celtics offense.
I also think the Lakers have a HUGE advantage in coaching. Doc Rivers got allot of credit for turning the Celts around, but let's face it, in the Eastern Conference, with a combo of Garnett, Pierce and Allen, you don't need Red Auerbach to pull off a 60 win season. Phil on the other hand had the Lakers in the hunt for the West BEFORE Gasol ever showed up, even after Bynum's injury. Look for Rivers to be exposed even more than he was by Atlanta and Cleveland. On a related note, Cassell's gotta be wondering why the Celts bothered to sign him, given his milk carton status in the playoffs.
I think LA in 6 is a pretty fair bet. It's LA that's been playing like an elite team, while the Celts have struggled to get here. Funny how things can change so drastically over 6 weeks.
perfect360
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (989)
Celtics in 7 for a couple of reasons.
1. The big men of the Celtics are way more physical then the Lakers big men. Like in the series vrs. the not so physical big men of the Pistons KG and Perkins will dominate their counterparts. KG being guarded by either a natural SF or a PF who is known for being dominated by more physical counterparts equals another dominating series. The big men of the Celtics will be able to out strengthen the Lakers and dominate.
2. The Truth will be able to have a breakout series unlike the last two series where he was hindered by his oppenent. Unlike against Cleveland he won't have to waste tons of energy guarding Lebron and unlike Detroit he won't have to waste some energy on defense and be guarded by a nasty defender in Prince. Paul Pierce going up against a guy who wouldbe on the bench if Bynum was healthy.
3. Ray Allen and the Celtics defense were able to lower Kobes dominance without doubleteaming in the regular season. Againt the Celtics KKobe shot only 32% from the field and his team lost both times. I know it won't be as easy to do that with Gasol but the C's showed they could do it a little without double teaming already.
4. The Celtics have homefield avadantage and will finally be rested. They will get 6 days of rest before the Finals start unlike the last two series where they only had 1. I know the Lakers will be a little bit more rested but 5 days will help them greatly and they sowed they could keep winning without rest already. Now about the homefield advantage the Celtics are 8-1 at home this year and their road struggles are gone. THey showed they could iwin on the road when it matter most after they lost at home and in a game that got them to the Finals.
Celtics in 6
Anythings…
Boston, MA
Total Comments (2135)
Oh Boston -
1. The Lakers did fine against SA, and everyone was saying the exact same things about the Lakers big men and the physicality of Duncan, Oberto and Thomas.
2. Pierce will likely have just as nasty a defender on him, as I'm guessing Phil will play Kobe on Pierce until Allen proves his playoff struggles are fully behind him. Allen may likely see a healthy does of Vujacic and possibly Ariza, if healthy, both of whom are solid defenders.
3. It's been 5 months since the last game between the two, and the Lakers are a much different and more polished team. Nothing against Bynum, but Gasol has stepped into the triangle without missing a beat, not to mention the other Lakers are much more confident and seasoned at this point. I think Kobe will do just fine. And, really, Kobe had a pretty good game in the 1st meeting between the two, so the Celts really only had success against him in one game, which could simply be an anomaly.
4. I wouldn't count homecourt as a huge advantage. The Lakers are 4-3 on the road in the playoffs, which includes a win in Utah to close out the series and another in SA against the defending champs. I actually am happy to have the Lakers starting w/ 2 games on the road, and I will be very surprised if they don't go back to LA with at least one win. I really think Game 1 has a big chance of being a LA win. Phil has plenty of time to work on strategy, and I have a distinct feeling Doc Rivers is going to be severely outcoached in this series.
Also, I think Fisher is going to cause problems for Rhondo when the Celts have the ball. Fisher played well against both Williams and Parker, and both are bigger threats than Rhondo.
Lakers in 6! ;)
perfect360
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (989)
Boston in 7..
excellent blog Mac.. and GMTA.. I used the same Bird/Johnson pic in my blog ....lol
KPKahder -
Total Comments (45280)
This was what I was hoping for. Make a short blog with a few thoughts and let the fans go at it in the comments.
Mac is the Demon of…
Fort Hood, TX
Total Comments (9404)
I am still a Loyal and dedicated fan of the Spurs and always will be, its too bad the media and the NBA would rather have FLASH AND TRASH ito represent the Western conference.....rather than CLASS AND TRUE PLAYERS OF THE GAME................BH
bhag
Carrollton , TX
Total Comments (1)
Celtics won it 6 with pierce and our big men dominating and Kobe being slightly contained as I said
Anythings…
Boston, MA
Total Comments (2135)
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