Pick: CelticsAlright fans of ShotsHeard, let me get it out of the way. I called the Spurs-Lakers series wrong. You can read my last blog entry on insight as to the officiating attrocities that allowed for that. Still, my sincerest apologies for not fulfilling the dream of perfection. 13-1 is good, but perfection is glorious is it not?
I don't believe they are trying to be Hollywood so much. They legitimately feel that Kobe Bryant cannot be beat now that he has a quality sidekick in Pau Gasol. Bynum or no Bynum, the Lakers were not going to be here without Gasol. After acquiring Gasol, the Lakers were 22-5 when he played and 5-5 when he did not play.
The experts are legitimately enamored with the Gasol trade opening up Kobe's game. They clamor about how he takes over at the right points and in the 4th quarter.Ano
Another key element is the output of each team's number three men. Odom has been solid while Ray Allen has been spotty and looked worn out in the Detroit series. Ray Ray did show up for the pivotal Game 5 though, nailing five three-pointers and draining a jumper in the final minute to stop the bleeding as Detroit had got within one.
The Celtics have home court advantage and that is a huge factor as they are 10-1 at home this post-season (the Lakers are 9-0 at home). Whether the Celtics come out of the gates strong with two wins in games 1 and 2 or close out the series with two wins in games 6 and 7, the Celtics should win 3 out of 4 at home.
The Celtics have found their road touch again. They on 2 of 3 at Detroit, which is a really tough place to play in the playoffs. It's just as tough if not tougher than Los Angeles, where the Lakers are 9-0 so far this post season.
Pierce has always loved to play in his hometown of LA. In his game there this year he went for 33 pts, eight boards, three dimes and four steals. He's been putting up performances like that in LA going back to the Pierce and Walker days.
The other two members of the Big Three are not without their motivation. KG has been dogged his whole career for not winning the big one. Going back to Ray Ray's Seattle days(probably Milwaukee days), he has always hated Kobe's guts.
Of course, winning that illusive ring for the first time, should be plenty of motivation for the Big Three. If they think about the other things too much, it could end up being more of a detriment.
Boston and LA enjoy great point differential margins. But the Celtics defense is what sticks out. The Celtics were easily the best team all year on defense. T-Mac called it the best defense he's ever played against. Kobe had a hard time against it to, going only 15-46 from the field in his two games verse the Celtics this year.
The Celtics pack it in really well, so the key to beating them is making the shots on kick-outs and eliminating the C's ability to cheat away from their men. Detroit could not do it, but Vujacic, Fisher and Walton may be able to. Kobe should be able to penetrate and dish, much of the time. If the Lakers are making their shots that'll open up the two man game for Gasol-Kobe and Gasol-Odom.
Bryant will average more than anyyone and that could translate to a ring. But it's not a proven formula at all. Pierce will likely shine the brightest just as he did in Game 7 of the conference semifinals against LBJ, who outscored him. But it was Pierce making the biggest plays when it counted the most.j
While Kobe is going against a concentrated defense, Pierce will be enjoying isolation plays as the Lakers will have to stay at home on KG, Allen and three-point specialist James Posey. Pierce will be taking it to Radmanovich and Walton all day.
While Kobe is going against a concentrated defense, Pierce will be enjoying isolation plays as the Lakers will have to stay at home on KG, Allen and three-point specialist James Posey. Pierce will be taking it to Radmanovich and Walton all day.
One last factor is coaching. Phil Jackson is easily a better coach than Doc Rivers. Rivers will have to bring his A game to compete with Phil's B game. When the game is on the line, Doc is going to have to be the one to figure out who gets that shot, something he has struggled with.
We have seen the light bulb go on over Rivers' head though. With the Celtics up by three in the final minute, we saw him not afraid to trust his talent (that got him 66 wins) and make it a match of free-throws rather than give the Pistons a chance at making a game-tying three.
Doc has more line-ups that work that he can play around with. He's the one that has to figure out when he needs Cassell in the game for leadership, or House for spark, or Posey for defense and spreading the court, or Tony Allen for his intangibles. With the Lakers, Phil's triangle offense system and simple defensive schemes are refined and its just a matter of getting core guys their rest and keeping them out of foul trouble.
It's going to be great to see the purple, gold, green and white again. There is no reason to not believe will see an instant classic or two. This is the most exciting finals match-up since the Bulls/Jazz or perhaps since the last Lakers/Celtics finals, over twenty years ago!
Other 2008 NBA Finals PostingsIt's going to be great to see the purple, gold, green and white again. There is no reason to not believe will see an instant classic or two. This is the most exciting finals match-up since the Bulls/Jazz or perhaps since the last Lakers/Celtics finals, over twenty years ago!
2008 NBA Finals Predictions
2008 NBA Finals Posting #1: Reflecting on the first two games between the Celtics and Lakers2008
NBA Finals #2: Game 3 Analysis2008
NBA Finals #3: A Tale of '24'
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