Weather Celtics. Lakers. NBA Finals. - Page 2

Direckshun · 05-24-2010, 12:13 AM

The 2008 NBA Finals were fantastic. This year's finals are shaping up to be even better:

The Lakers have gotten bigger and tougher in the interior.
Rondo's emergence gives the Celtics the ability to do so much more than they were able to do in 2008.
The Lakers have a shutdown defender in Artest who will be 110% dedicated to shutting down Pierce.
Rasheed Wallace gives the Celtics the depth necessary down low. The Celtics and Lakers both have very deep benches.
The Celtics just want to win every single game they play more than the other team. The Lakers just want to get the Celtics back.

This series is going to come down to the paint. The Lakers score about 50% of their points by being bigger and taller than the other team. But the Celtics rotation of Garnett/Perkins/Baby/Wallace is deep enough to play them. I guarantee you Doc Rivers' #1 priority will be to push the Lakers out of the paint just like they've done with the Cavs and the Magic.

If they're successful, this means the Lakers will need to come up with at least 40 points a game somewhere other than the paint. Which they can do, of course, especially with Kobe on hand. But it's not going to come from Fisher, who was equals with Rondo in 2008 but now will be completely outclassed by him. And I imagine Artest will be a defensive force this year, focusing just on shutting down Pierce with little attention to the offensive end.

That pretty much leaves things up to Kobe to drive the offense against Ray Allen's savvy and Tony Allen's doggedness. He struggled against a combination of Allen and Posey in 2008. Time will tell if he can finally crack that Celtics defense.

Gasol vs. Garnett when Gasol's will be downright fascinating. Whoever gets the best of this matchup when Gasol's got the ball will determine the series. If Gasol can reliable keep racking up points against Garnett's defense, the Celtics defense will have to clench up to help and open up LA's bombers. If Garnett can keep Gasol under wraps, the Lakers will have no interior game (Bynum stands no chance against Perkins, and Odom will be facing a Garnett/Wallace combination that won't bode well for him), and they're going to struggle to put up points.

On the other end of the court, certainly Phil Jackson's main goal will be to (a.) keep Pierce under wraps with Artest, and (b.) play incredibly soft off Rondo like they did in 2008 to cut off his penetration and forcing him into jump shots. If Rondo hits his shots, this series is blown wide open in the Celtics favor. But he'll probably be iffy, as is his usual way.

Pierce will be shut down, but Garnett will pose problems for Gasol. Garnett's range extends farther than Gasol's ability to defend. If Garnett's hitting, Gasol will have to play tight, and that will open up tons of drives.

With Rondo mostly neutralized, Allen will pose problems for the Lakers' starting backcourt. I imagine they'll try to shut him down with Fisher since he's a ferocious screen-fighter and you simply don't want Kobe fighting through three screens when he needs to be carrying your offense on the other end. Fisher, however, tries to literally fight back against screens and that will slow him down, opening up Allen. Putting in Brown or Farmar will stand a better chance in tracking him down, but they both are turnover prone.

So we get to the bench. The Lakers have the most talented bench, but the Celtics bench outplayed them anyway when that was also the case in 2008. The big difference is that the Celtics do not have a deadeye bomber coming off the bench this year, but they do have a deeper frontcourt and a great hustle-defender in Tony Allen. The Lakers meanwhile will be giving Odom every chance to contribute, with typically mixed results. Intensity will be on Boston's side, which was enough in 2008. It's uncertain if that's the case in 2010.

And that cuts to the heart of the issue. There is no quit in this Celtics team, which is as mentally tough and impregnable as the NBA's seen since the stone cold Spurs of the early 2000s. You can blow them out in one game, only for them to meet you stride for stride in the next game. Mentally, they will not be vanquished. The Lakers have a couple players who are similar in Kobe, Fisher, and Gasol. But the rest of the team is awfully moody, much like they were in 2008, and can thus be demoralized like they were that year. But they are extremely hungry to beat this Celtics team.

I'm a Celtics fan, but I think it's a Lakers-friendly series, since the 2-3-2 format works extremely well for the home team.

Lakers in 6. But this Celtics team is as unpredictably good as it gets, so who knows.

BigCatDaddy · 05-24-2010, 08:43 AM

What odd timing for this thread to be started.

Amnorix · 05-24-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Based on what are they tougher mentally and physically?

Based on a statistical analysis performed by a cooperative research venture formed by Harvard and MIT employing quantum mechanics and chemo-biological studies.

Dude, it's an opinion... Partly from the fact that the C's have had tougher competition and have made them melt before the C's intensity. Because they seem to want it more than ever. Because they're playing sick defensive basketball, which is how we won in '08.

And Bynum hopping around on one leg doesn't help you any in the toughness department.

Crush · 05-24-2010, 09:17 AM

This thread is the ultimate jinx. All of the Celtics and Lakers fans on this board are going to be super pissed.

**dirk digler** · 05-24-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Based on what are they tougher mentally and physically?

The problem you have is you keep talking about the 2008 playoffs like it has absolutely any barring on this series coming up. The Celtics were tougher then. The Lakers have toughened up a lot since then. As someone who says they haven't watched really any Laker basketball, you sure like to throw out declaratives like you are completely well versed on the team.

Gasol isn't the same. Artest wasn't here. Odom is even a lot more physical than he was.

The Celtics have a fine team that is hot right now and it should be a good series.

However, there's no way the Celtics are going to push around the Lakers like they did 2 years ago.

I think Amnorix is right especially after watching last night and the ease in which Amare dominated in the paint against Gasol. I don't even know why Bynum suited up what a waste of a night.

Plus the Celtics are on a roll and have beaten or dominated tougher teams then any in the West.

**The Bad Guy** · 05-24-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I think Amnorix is right especially after watching last night and the ease in which Amare dominated in the paint against Gasol. I don't even know why Bynum suited up what a waste of a night.

Plus the Celtics are on a roll and have beaten or dominated tougher teams then any in the West.

Amare had a great game. That happens.

However, one game isn't going to erase how tough Gasol has played in the playoffs since that Celtics series.

The Magic aren't a real physical team outside of Howard. They are a bunch of jump shooters for the most part who stay out of the paint.

**dirk digler** · 05-24-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Amare had a great game. That happens.

However, one game isn't going to erase how tough Gasol has played in the playoffs since that Celtics series.

The Magic aren't a real physical team outside of Howard. They are a bunch of jump shooters for the most part who stay out of the paint.

Gasol has played great most of the time but I don't know if I would call him a physical player.

It will definitely be a great series but as it stands right now I think the Celtics win this series.

KCChiefsMan · 05-24-2010, 09:52 AM

I'm in Boston and I'm gonna have to go out to watch the finals, I might even venture into the city for the first time.

**The Bad Guy** · 05-24-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

I'm in Boston and I'm gonna have to go out to watch the finals, I might even venture into the city for the first time.

How could you live in Boston and not go out into the city?

**The Franchise** · 05-24-2010, 10:04 AM

Sweet....yet another NBA finals that I won't be watching.

KC_Connection · 05-24-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Good analysis Direckshun. Mine is much simpler.

The Celtics are obviously healthy and highly motivated, and have simply crushed the two teams in the NBA with the best record in the regular season, embarassing them in the process. They are tougher, both mentally and physically, than the Lakers (in my opinion), and the Lakers haven't dealt with a team that plays anywhere near the type of defense that the Celtics play, which simply drains their opponent's will to live.

Celtics in six.

The Lakers have Artest now.

KCChiefsMan · 05-24-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

How could you live in Boston and not go out into the city?

because I haven't felt like it. I hate driving here. I don't know how the train system works or where I could go to get on it and park my car in a safe spot. When I get downtown, where do I go? The people here are nasty and I don't like being around big crowds. I'm not adventurous I guess. I will go to the beach soon though.

eazyb81 · 05-24-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

I wont watch if its the Celtics/Lakers, I am so sick of both of these teams

Why? They're the two best teams in the league.

It should be a great series (and yes, the Suns have no shot to beat the Lakers), but I see LA winning in 6.

Kobe is going to have a series for the ages, Artest is going to shutdown Pierce, and Gasol and Bynum will be enough down low.

Amnorix · 05-24-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

The Lakers have Artest now.

Right. And at least a one-legged Bynum. But I'm talking about the entire team, mental and physical.

Look, we won't know until we know. Alot of people on here had the Lakers penciled in for an easy win in the Finals in '08 only to be shocked at the result. Hell, I was at least a bit surprised myself at how "easy" it was.

I feel more confident of beating the Lakers this year than I did in '08. A month ago I wouldn't have said that, but watchign this C's team steamroll, just completely crush, the Cavs and Magic, has made me a believer. But we won't know until we know.

Amnorix · 05-24-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

because I haven't felt like it. I hate driving here. I don't know how the train system works or where I could go to get on it and park my car in a safe spot. When I get downtown, where do I go? The people here are nasty and I don't like being around big crowds. I'm not adventurous I guess. I will go to the beach soon though.

Seriously, WTF? The train system isn't that complicated, there's tons of parking in the suburbs, and most of it is perfectly safe. And Boston is a cultural mecca.

**dirk digler** · 05-24-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

because I haven't felt like it. I hate driving here. I don't know how the train system works or where I could go to get on it and park my car in a safe spot. When I get downtown, where do I go? The people here are nasty and I don't like being around big crowds. I'm not adventurous I guess. I will go to the beach soon though.

Cmon KCCHiefsMan I went to Boston a few years ago and figured it out just fine. I think Boston might be my favorite big city.

05-24-2010, 12:13 AM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2063447	Celtics. Lakers. NBA Finals. The 2008 NBA Finals were fantastic. This year's finals are shaping up to be even better: The Lakers have gotten bigger and tougher in the interior. Rondo's emergence gives the Celtics the ability to do so much more than they were able to do in 2008. The Lakers have a shutdown defender in Artest who will be 110% dedicated to shutting down Pierce. Rasheed Wallace gives the Celtics the depth necessary down low. The Celtics and Lakers both have very deep benches. The Celtics just want to win every single game they play more than the other team. The Lakers just want to get the Celtics back. This series is going to come down to the paint. The Lakers score about 50% of their points by being bigger and taller than the other team. But the Celtics rotation of Garnett/Perkins/Baby/Wallace is deep enough to play them. I guarantee you Doc Rivers' #1 priority will be to push the Lakers out of the paint just like they've done with the Cavs and the Magic. If they're successful, this means the Lakers will need to come up with at least 40 points a game somewhere other than the paint. Which they can do, of course, especially with Kobe on hand. But it's not going to come from Fisher, who was equals with Rondo in 2008 but now will be completely outclassed by him. And I imagine Artest will be a defensive force this year, focusing just on shutting down Pierce with little attention to the offensive end. That pretty much leaves things up to Kobe to drive the offense against Ray Allen's savvy and Tony Allen's doggedness. He struggled against a combination of Allen and Posey in 2008. Time will tell if he can finally crack that Celtics defense. Gasol vs. Garnett when Gasol's will be downright fascinating. Whoever gets the best of this matchup when Gasol's got the ball will determine the series. If Gasol can reliable keep racking up points against Garnett's defense, the Celtics defense will have to clench up to help and open up LA's bombers. If Garnett can keep Gasol under wraps, the Lakers will have no interior game (Bynum stands no chance against Perkins, and Odom will be facing a Garnett/Wallace combination that won't bode well for him), and they're going to struggle to put up points. On the other end of the court, certainly Phil Jackson's main goal will be to (a.) keep Pierce under wraps with Artest, and (b.) play incredibly soft off Rondo like they did in 2008 to cut off his penetration and forcing him into jump shots. If Rondo hits his shots, this series is blown wide open in the Celtics favor. But he'll probably be iffy, as is his usual way. Pierce will be shut down, but Garnett will pose problems for Gasol. Garnett's range extends farther than Gasol's ability to defend. If Garnett's hitting, Gasol will have to play tight, and that will open up tons of drives. With Rondo mostly neutralized, Allen will pose problems for the Lakers' starting backcourt. I imagine they'll try to shut him down with Fisher since he's a ferocious screen-fighter and you simply don't want Kobe fighting through three screens when he needs to be carrying your offense on the other end. Fisher, however, tries to literally fight back against screens and that will slow him down, opening up Allen. Putting in Brown or Farmar will stand a better chance in tracking him down, but they both are turnover prone. So we get to the bench. The Lakers have the most talented bench, but the Celtics bench outplayed them anyway when that was also the case in 2008. The big difference is that the Celtics do not have a deadeye bomber coming off the bench this year, but they do have a deeper frontcourt and a great hustle-defender in Tony Allen. The Lakers meanwhile will be giving Odom every chance to contribute, with typically mixed results. Intensity will be on Boston's side, which was enough in 2008. It's uncertain if that's the case in 2010. And that cuts to the heart of the issue. There is no quit in this Celtics team, which is as mentally tough and impregnable as the NBA's seen since the stone cold Spurs of the early 2000s. You can blow them out in one game, only for them to meet you stride for stride in the next game. Mentally, they will not be vanquished. The Lakers have a couple players who are similar in Kobe, Fisher, and Gasol. But the rest of the team is awfully moody, much like they were in 2008, and can thus be demoralized like they were that year. But they are extremely hungry to beat this Celtics team. I'm a Celtics fan, but I think it's a Lakers-friendly series, since the 2-3-2 format works extremely well for the home team. Lakers in 6. But this Celtics team is as unpredictably good as it gets, so who knows.
Posts: 59,693

05-24-2010, 08:43 AM	#16
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-1680878	What odd timing for this thread to be started.
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05-24-2010, 09:17 AM	#18
Crush Amateur Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $2357091	This thread is the ultimate jinx. All of the Celtics and Lakers fans on this board are going to be super pissed.
Posts: 15,298

05-24-2010, 09:52 AM	#22
KCChiefsMan AIC Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Roxbury, MA Casino cash: $10004900	I'm in Boston and I'm gonna have to go out to watch the finals, I might even venture into the city for the first time.
Posts: 11,478

05-24-2010, 10:04 AM	#24
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2065047	Sweet....yet another NBA finals that I won't be watching.
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