2000 Lakers vs 2008 Celtics

[Djoker]

Who wins a seven game series between them?

Both monstrous regular season teams that struggled a bit in the playoffs and both from before the 3pt explosion so we don't melt everyone's brains discussing tactical evolution and how the older team can't adapt.

[Homer38]

The 2008 celtics were much better in the ECF and Finals that they were in the first 2 rounds.It was not the case for the lakers when they were outscored by the blazers and pacers in the last 2 rounds.So the celtics are my choice.Celtics in 6

[tsherkin]

I'm trying to envision how Boston is going to guard Shaq in his apex season while dealing with Horry, Glen Rice and Kobe. That's a pretty tall order. I guess the specific defensive environment does matter, though, as there were some noteworthy rules changes after 2000.

I suppose it hinges pretty heavily on how Kobe plays. He was dog crap in the Finals, which was sort of his MO, but he was critical in the WCF series versus Portland, so which Kobe do you get?

[Djoker]

Kobe was injured in the 2000 Finals. We're assuming both teams are fully healthy.

[tsherkin]

Kobe was injured in the 2000 Finals. We're assuming both teams are fully healthy.

Kobe scored poorly in most of the Finals he played in, not just 2000, which is to what I was referring.

[homecourtloss]

The Lakers would have game seven at home, which makes me want to go with them, the way the Celtics match up with them. The Celtics’ struggles are a bit overblown as that first round series with the Hawks wasn’t really close, and the Hawks would never in a position where they could win and were blown out basically all four times in Boston. I didn’t pay all that great vs. the Cavs then again, it was a LeBron.

The Lakers were quite fortunate in the fourth quarter in the game seven versus the Blazers.

Celtics in six.

[Djoker]

Yes the Celtics destroyed the Hawks despite it going seven but they were actually outscored by the Cavs (-1.1) and also played a very close series with the Pistons (+1.7).

[pillwenney]

Perk with KG helping would be one of the better historical combos to throw at 2000 Shaq. But man, it's still 2000 Shaq.