FanNation - The Republic of Sport

David DuPree said 06/03, 11:50 AM
My Celtics team: starters Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, Kevin Garnett, Bill Russell; reserves Dave Cowens, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Paul Pierce, Dennis Johnson, Sam Jones, JoJo White; coach Red Auerbach.

I'm old school. I still believe that defense wins, first and foremost. The Lakers have plenty of firepower, but the Celtics will make it so difficult to score that it will come down to a defensive struggle. With Russell and Garnett inside, the paint will be out of bounds for the Lakers. I've also got Havlicek as my perimeter man-to-man stopper.

This doesn't mean that the C's aren't going to play offense. They will still run at every opportunity and pound the ball inside when they can't run. Bird will be able to do whatever he wants and Cousy will keep everybody happy.

I also have Parish, Cowens and McHale -- all just as effective at the defensive end as at the offensive end -- to deal with the abundance of Lakers big men. I've got DJ, another defensive genius. Pierce is my get-my-own-shot guy. And if the Lakers just pack in their defense, Jones and White can spot up along with Bird.

This is a blue-collar, hard-hat team that will be physical for 48 minutes.

David DuPree said 06/03, 12:17 PM
I never implied that the Lakers were soft. I'm just saying they are softer than the C's. I also certainly concede that Kareem's sky hook is the single greatest shot devised, but when we're talking about big men guarding the paint, I mean big men who are going to move and not just camp inside. Mikan, Wilt and Shaq aren't going to go out on the floor and properly defend a pick-and-roll. And by the way, be prepared for the Hack-a Shaq and the Whack-a-Wilt.

I'm going to say the Bird-Magic showdown will be entertaining, but a wash. The Lakers who scare me the most are West, Baylor and Kobe. They may go to the line a lot, but they are going to earn every trip there. By rotating defenders on them and doubling them right away, hopefully they won't be able to get into a rhythm.

Here's something else to deal with: One of Magic's biggest advantages is that he can see over anybody who ever guards him. But let's him try seeing over Garnett when he is matched against him late in games.

Also, what's up with the goggles -- Kareem, Mikan, Worthy. I'm surprised Kurt Rambis isn't on the team. Fine. Lakers wear goggles, but Celtics wear hard hats.

David DuPree said 06/03, 01:35 PM
KG is only going to be on Magic in certain late-game situations. I grant you the Lakers will run and get some easy baskets, but the C's aren't afraid to run with them when the opportunities are there. There are plenty of athletes on this team, too, you know. They may not be flashy, but they are effective.

Do you really think Kobe is going to be able to resist taking over? Maybe for a little while, but if you get down 3-1 or go into a Game 7, do you really think he will still be deferring? I'm sure Wilt will love sitting it out when the game is on the line, too. The man is going to want to play 48 minutes every game.

As for your two-headed coaching monster, Phil will sit in his high chair while Riles paces the sideline imploring them to get out of that triangle nonsense and just "play your game." Then he'll turn to Jackson and tell him he didn't read "The Secret Life of Bees" that Jackson left for him. Red, as is his tradition, won't even have an assistant coach because, excuse me, he will have Russell, who won two rings as a coach playing.

And finally, whichever arena the series is played in, there will be smoking, because Red will be lighting up four victory cigars.