NBA FInals Preview

NBA Finals Preview

Wow. The Celtics & Lakers both looked impressive in closing out their respective Conference powerhouse. On top of that, they have guaranteed a TV ratings bonanza for the NBA and ABC. And let’s face it, after taking the regular season crown in their respective Conferences, would either team want it any other way? To be the best, you have to beat the best. And this is the first time since 2000 that both Conferences’ top seeds made the NBA Finals.

Eastern Conference Preview

(1) Boston Celtics (66-16)
(12-8 postseason)

(1) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25)
(12-3 postseason)

Season Series: The Celtics swept the season series, winning both matchups (before the New Year).
Analysis: Obviously you can throw out the results from the season, as they last met on December 30th. The Lakers have had some major changes, most importantly they will not have Andrew Bynum suiting up for them, but instead they have Pau Gasol. The Celtics were still crushing opponents back then as they proved that the big trades were going to work out for them.
A major theme harped on by the media is that the Celtics are not that good because both the 8th-seeded, 37-win Hawks and LeBron-led Cavilers took them to the full 7 games. But they did win those 7th games, and then dispatched the Pistons in 6 (and did so in convincing fashion, rallying from down 10 in the 4th to take the series).
Another major theme harped on by the media is that the Lakers are the best thing since sliced bread. Kobe Bryant has been practically unstoppable and his killer instinct (the Bird/MJ gene) has been on full display. Nobody has won on their court, and if you read up on ESPN, apparently nobody will, because the Celtics do not have anyone who can slow the MVP down.
But you know what has been bothering me? Something has been drastically overlooked. Who the hell do the Lakers have that can stop Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce for that matter? Someone please answer that. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol are terrific offensive players and the Celtics will have their problems containing them, but neither of those guys can carry KG’s jock, let alone stop him from doing what he wants to do. And in case you have not heard yet, Paul Pierce is from Inglewood, grew up a Lakers’ fan, and ever since being drafted by the Celtics, he has brought out his best games against the Lakers. He has been so good against them, years ago Shaquille O’Neal grabbed a reporter and told him “Paul Pierce is the motherfuckin’ truth” and he has been nicknamed ‘The Truth’ ever since (strangely the ‘motherfuckin’ didn’t stick). While I am not sitting here saying that the Celtics will be able to handle KB24 – they have their hands fuller than they did with King James – it is being grossly overlooked that the Lakers don’t have their hands full with the Celtics’ forwards.
Let’s not forget that the Lakers could have easily been down 3-1 entering Game 5 against the Spurs as easily as they were up 3-1. It took a tremendous comeback in Game 1 (in which they got away with highway robbery on the defensive end) and the 2nd worst call of the playoffs in Game 4 to get them to that point. I’ve been impressed with the Lakers but not as much as some people say. The Nuggets didn’t look like they even wanted to be there and the Jazz were terrible on the road, and then they got the right bounces against the Spurs. The Celtics looked bad against the Hawks but looked better against the Cavilers (and the 2nd best player on the planet) and even better (save Game 4) against the Pistons. This series should be a war, and being the homer that I am, you know who I’m picking.
Prediction: Celtics in 7.

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