Garnett or Pierce the X-factor?

[Tricky Ricky]

Who u guys think is the x-factor in this series?

Kevin Garnett-knows this is could be and probably is his only chance at a championship, will his sense of urgency lead him to finally dominate in the paint or will he continue to pass on good shots and tend to stick outside for jumpshots?

Paul Pierce-Will he continue from his 4th quarter performance from Friday night? Will Pierce finally show why he is the captain and dominate Vlad Rad/Will LA be forced to put Kobe on him?

Other-Will it be Posey for his defence/Doc for his coaching/Ray contuining where he left off in games 5 and 6?

My vote is for KG to be the x-factor in this series

[bruno sundov]

paul and kg I expect to get theirs plus on most nights. The xfactor is my boy Rajon. As he goes the celtics offense goes. The less we see of samiam means the better rajon is playing. Sam takes the offense to a screaching hault. Where when Rajon looks to score first he makes that offense go.

[Tricky Ricky]

paul and kg I expect to get theirs plus on most nights. The xfactor is my boy Rajon. As he goes the celtics offense goes. The less we see of samiam means the better rajon is playing. Sam takes the offense to a screaching hault. Where when Rajon looks to score first he makes that offense go.

Very true, on a side note people are thinking Cassell might play better on his old home court (Clippers)?

[bruno sundov]

I can't imagine sam getting to la and all of a sudden knowing when to shoot and pass. He hasn't shown this all year. If he does I will be thrilled. I just don't see it happening.

I want to see rajon get 15ppg,10apg and 5rpg while playing 40+ minutes. have the Celts score in the mid 90's and we win. If we are in the 80's I actually think it is harder for BOS to win.

LA is going to get their points in stretches just how many. How long is the cletics offense drought when the lakers make their runs. If its for5+ minutes similar to the games against DET then we could lose.

[mrautobahn]

That would be Perk. KG and Paul are pretty consistent. However, if Perk does well, it opens up the game for everyone.

So... if Perk stays out of foul trouble... things won't be lookin' good for the Lakers...

[spf211]

It actually comes down to Paul or Ray for me (for the Celtics) or Lamar Odom for the Lakers.

As the RealGM article indicated, KG has been the most consistent and productive player in the playoffs this year. You don't necessarily wanting him to take the last shot (nor would I with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce on this team) but his production is going to be there over the course of the series.

Ray Allen still needs to show up with offense on a nightly basis. Now that we aren't facing a defensive team, this might be his easiest round yet.

But in the final analysis, this has to be Paul Pierce. If Paul can dominate on both ends of the floor -- limiting Kobe to the 20s in points while matching or exceeding that total on the offensive end can go a long way to helping the Celtics win.

IMO since Pierce is at the critical position both offensively and defensively, he's the single biggest factor in the series. Call that the X-factor if you wish -- but I would say that's production from someone you typically don't expect it (could be Rondo or Perkins).

[dsorc]

I have to go with Perkins. If he can stay out of foul trouble and contain Gasol, the Lakers becomes the Cavs offensively while being worse than the Cavs defensively. And then you add the impact Perk has when he's active on the offensive glass and punishing defenses for forgetting about him. Perks needs to be the intimidator in this series against a soft Lakers frontcourt.

[enzino]

big shot ray allen. he got game. he'll be the man

[Vincent Burnett]

I have a feeling that Ray is gonna bring his A game. I also feel that if Rondo plays good, then the Celtics chances increase considerably.

Vincenzo

[Athanacropolis]

Ray, quite honestly, for reasons others have said.

[Bad-Thoma]

I'm going with Ray also, it seems people have written him off because of his struggles this series, but he started to find his stroke the last 2 games, I have a strong suspicion that he is going be on fire in the finals. I can't back it up with reasons, it's just a feeling.

[SLCceltic]

i have to say the bench
we can get awfull stagnant at times with the 2nd unit

the good news it that offensive rebounds will be plenty, so second shot opportunities will be everywhere and with one of the big 3 out there at all times, our reserves should shine as a unit

[eatyourchildren]

I would hope for your sake that neither of your two best players is an X-Factor.

[TheMartian]

IMO everybody should step up and be the X-factor. This is the biggest series in the biggest stage of them all so everybody should bring their A game.

[Hood President]

paul pierce for me, thats your best player and scorer. he cant let kobe burn him and get small on offense.

but Kg has to stop shooting so many jumpers and take his ass down on the block and go to work on them boys.

[Rondo_Fan]

I guess I don't understand this poll, because to me you can't have one of your main guys as the "X-factor".

The X-factor is a guy who nobody is expecting to step up, who puts you over the top.

With that in mind, I vote "Other", thinking of Rondo or Perk.

Obviously though, Pierce and Garnett are going to be our two most important guys in the series.

[GuyClinch]

I am hoping that Ray's hatred of Kobe will make him unconscious out there. He was worrying way to much before you could see him "thinking" out there and that's bad.

Pete