Is there a better topic for this Blog's introductory post than a preview of the the 2010 NBA finals? No. Accordingly, without further adieu, let's give it a try (go easy with the criticism):
The Los Angeles Lakers vs The Boston Celtics
Granted, it's not the Kobe/LeBron matchup that 99.9% of America wanted to see; while 99.4% is probably a more realistic number if you factor in supporters of the other 14 playoff teams, the notion of a Kobe/Lebron finals is so mesmerizing that I'm sure some of them wouldn't even have minded a sacrificial elimination of their beloved teams for a Kobe/LeBron finals, and thus the betterment of NBA entertainment.
Nonetheless, a Lakers/Celtics matchup is far from a disappointing alternative; I mean, they are only the two most prestigious franchises in NBA history and, thanks to their epic battles throughout the 1980's, arguably epitomize the greatest rivalry in basketball.
Those who simply enjoy watching basketball have been depressed since the Cav's we're eliminated on May 13th, thinking about the epic Kobe/LeBron NBA finals that could have been. Conversely, those who are true fans of NBA basketball, and subsequently appreciate the history of the game couldn't possibly be more excited for yet another Lakers/Celtics finals.
Clearly, LeBron James in the NBA finals is not the most exciting thing in the world.
I mean, c'mon: Russell vs. Wilt? Bird vs. Magic? Does it get any better? No. And anybody who saw HBO's "Magic & Bird" special can confidently give you the same answer without even thinking about it.
And then you got Kobe vs. well, probably the Celtics "Big 3" as a whole. But that, however, was only for 2008. Don't get me wrong, Ray Ray, Pierce, and Garnett are all going to play pivotal roles in this series; but this year, it's all about Kobe vs. Rajon. Yes, I said it: Rajon Rondo, the Celtics most valuable player. But we'll get to that shortly.
While the Celtics were not even close to the strongest team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, this year's finals is a matchup of two teams that are playing their best basketball at the right time. You gotta give Doc credit: he persistently preached throughout the year that his team's play during the regular season was irrelevant, as they, most likely due to their average age of like 67, required a ton of rest and experienced countless injuries. Accordingly, according to Doc, all they needed was a top four finish in the East and a healthy starting 5 come playoff time and they'd be a team that others would not want to mess with.
Could he have been more spot on?
So, what's my prediction? Despite living in Southern California, I would truthfully have no problem picking against the Lakers, if I honestly felt as thought he Celtics were the stronger team; in fact, I'm not a Lakers fan. With that said, I can't do it; that's honestly not going to happen. The Lakers appear to simply be the better team in this series.
The math is in the matchups. For arguments sake, let's rate each team's match up advantage on a scale of 1-5, one being a very slight, and 5 being the equivalent of Adam Morrison guarding Kobe in practice...
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant vs Ray Allen - Clearly, the Lakers have the better player in Kobe. He's playing unstoppable ball right now, and won't get that "I'm going to kill you" look out of his eyes until he gets another ring. While Ray Allen was the more efficient offensive player when they faced off in 2008, scoring approximately 1.5 points per shot compared to Kobe's 1.1, there's no doubt that Kobe will always be the better player, no matter who he plays. Lakers +3
Small Forward: Paul Pierce vs Ron Artest - This one's interesting simply because it's your classic offense vs defense matchup. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Pierce proved all throughout the Cavs series that he certainly has a defensive game hidden up his sleeve; accordingly, don't expect Artest to have anymore games like the one he had in Phoenix for game 6. Boston +2
Power Forward: Pau Gasol vs Kevin Garnett - A very even all around matchup. Pau has the stronger post up game, while Garnett has the more versatile range with his outside jumper. With that said, Garnett's game is slowing down: he cannot be relied upon for his consistent 20/10 game like he used to be. Conversely, Pau's in his prime, and is putting up solid double-doubles every night. Lakers +1
Center: Andrew Bynum vs Kendrick Perkins - This match up would go to the Laker's by a wide margin if it wasn't for the fact that Bynum is never healthy, and Phil consequently has been turning to Lamar in important situations. Still, Bynum is clearly the better player, and his potential is limitless. Lakers +1/2
6th Man: Lamar Odom vs Rasheed Wallace/Glen Davis - Clearly, this one goes to the Lakers. Odom would start on ANY other team in the NBA, and was deservedly a close second to Jamal Crawford for 6th Man of the Year. He's long, versatile, and has a Kardashian waiting for him in bed every night. On the other hand, Wallace and Big Baby are nothing but big, obnoxious bodies that Doc instructs to grab a board or two, proving that they're not completely useless. Rasheed should have retired after Detroit, and Big Baby said adios to the prime of his basketball career when he left LSU after his Junior Year. Lakers +2
Coarch: Doc Rivers vs Phil Jackson - WARNING: the following statement may very well be the most controversial statement I ever make: Doc Rivers vs Phil Jackson is a matchup that consists of the most underrated coach in the NBA and a coach that, at times, is sickeningly overrated. And yes, the underrated coach is Doc Rivers. Okay, I must admit, that may have come off as a little strong. At least give me a chance to explain myself. Phil is one of the greatest coaches of all time, and undoubtedly deserves his spot in the Hall of Fame. That goes without saying. I'm just sick and tired of people consistently making him out to be God's gift to the NBA coaching. Great, he has a championship ring for each of his ten fingers. Nevertheless, there are very few coaches in the NBA that wouldn't be able to win a championship with player combinations that include, but aren't limited to, Jordan and Pippen, Kobe and Shaq, and Kobe and Gasol; and don't get me started on the supporting casts that played alongside those duos. Additionally, keep in mind that Phil was also the coach that couldn't win a championship with Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Shaq - quite possibly the most talented and impressive starting 5 in NBA history. Then there's Coach Doc Rivers, who impressively transformed the Celtics into the laughing stock of the NBA into league champions in 2008 and Eastern Conference champions in 2010. Sure, I'm sure you're thinking that the additions of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are what led to the Celtics quick turnaround, and thus Danny Ainge, President of Celtics Basketball Operations, deserves the credit. However, as the aforementioned Payton/Bryant/Malone/Shaq lineup illustrates, a starting 5 composed of multiple superstars doesn't win a championship on its own. Additionally, even with their "Big 3," the Celtics did not defeat the Cavs and Magic in the 2010 NBA playoffs because they had better players. In fact, I still believe the Cavs and Magic had the stronger, bigger, and more talented lineups. The Cavs and Magic didn't get outplayed; they got outcoached. This realization certainly played a factor in the Cavalier's decision to fire Mike Brown after two 60 win seasons, and I strongly believe it's just a matter of time before Stan Van Gundy is on the hot seat, as well. Lakers +1/2
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo vs Derek Fisher - I decided to save the best for last, and by best, I mean my favorite matchup. Why? Because there is not a more enjoyable player to watch right now in any sport than Rondo, and he is the reason the Celtics are where they are. If they somehow defeat the Lakers, it will be because of him. He is not only by far their most valuable player, but is more invaluable to his teams success than any other player in the NBA (that may have not been the smartest thing to say just one day after Nate Robinson comes in and helps the Celtics light up the Magic with Rondo on the bench, but still). If I'm the Lakers, I'm worried. If Dwayne Wade, Mo Williams, and Jameer Nelson (all three of whom were all stars at least once in the last two years), how in the world do they expect an almost-36-year-old Fisher (who wasn't much faster when he was young) to stick with him? Remember that Kobe/Morrison matchup that was previously discussed? This may be the next closest thing. In fact, if I'm Phil Jackson, I put Kobe on Rondo, and have Shannon Brown chase Ray Allen around the court. Let's face it, Shannon may be the best built to fight through the several trillion baseline screens that Garnett and Perkins will set for Allen throughout the series. Celtics +4
The math speaks for itself. The Lakers, at +3, were the better team at 5 of the 7 positions. With home court additionally on their side, a Celtics victory appears unlikely. With that said, it is still going to be a very difficult series for the Lakers. The Celtics will not allow themselves to be eliminated on their home floor, and, due to the two-three-two finals format, the Lakers are subsequently taking the series in either 6 or 7 games.
Prediction: Lakers in 6
But heck, just as Kevin Garnett so admirably stated after winning the championship in 2008, "anything is possibleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."
