Phil going to bench Vlad? Desperation move?

[humblebum]

The Lakers honestly have no one to guard Pierce at even an average level. Pierce will dominate Kobe Bryant with his strength and size advantage and if it were any different the Lakers would have switched Kobe on to Pierce much earlier in the series. Kobe's only hope would be to deny Pierce the ball (like Lebron did) but Kobe doesn't have the superhuman stamina to play that kind of defense AND do it all on the other end. Radman doesn't have the footspeed, strength, or tenacity to hang with him. Walton is in more or less the same situation. Too slow, too weak. Ariza doesn't have the experience, savvy, conditioning (he hasn't played consistent minutes in a while) or strength to deal with Pierce.

Coming into the series I and many other Celtics fans predicted this would happen. It's clear now that Pierce is more of a factor in the series than Kobe because he's having an easier job of getting to the rim and generally getting good looks. If this continues and the Celtics continue to play tough D and get solid contributions offensively from the rest of the supporting cast than this series will be over in 5 games max.

[A.J.]

Vlad isn't a starter to begin with.

And Luke Walton is?

[dingclancy]

It is the OP that is stupidly wrong here. Nothing in the article suggests he will change the startling lineup. Lol! All it says are matchup changes, which is what he have been seing anyway.

[LakerFanMan]

Vlad should be benched. He's great as a spot up shooter and in the clutch, but he's pretty much worthless every where else.

[NetsForce]

The only problem with Kobe guarding Pierce would be that Kobe would foul out in the first 3 minutes with the way the refs are tagging him with phantom foul calls.

[KB89]

Emplay wrong again. What a surprise

[Big Bird]

If Kobe guards Pierce it will be like that game a few years back where Pierce scored 39 or 40 and Kobe scored 40 or 41 on him and the Celtics won. Pierce is too big and strong for Kobe.

I know hindsight is 20/20, but this is too sweet to not be quoted.

[Rasheeed!!!]

I like how this poll is unbiased