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I think that the X-Factor for the Celtics is Pierce.

Why?

Because Rondo and Cassell can both be negated by Kobe, Vujacic, and Fisher.

KG can be negated by Gasol and Odom.

However, I really don't see the Lakers having too much of an answer for Pierce.

The Lakers are a deep and talented team, but I really think that they don't have an answer because he lies right inbetween the Lakers biggest weakness which is at SF.

Both defensively and offensively the Lakers have their most Depth at the Guards, obviously, and at the PF/C with Gasol, Odom, and a bit of Turiaf.

The only guy I can see on the Lakers being able to handle Pierce is Ariza, and I'm not too sure that he can...especially coming off an injury.

If Odom and the rest of the Lakers' team defense can do a decent job on Pierce while Kobe has career nights, they will win.

If Pierce can go off for career nights, I see the Celts taking this series.

KG is going to get his, albeit not too much. The other guys will pitch in for the Celts too.

But Pierce is the one that truly must step up the most.

Obviously PP is important. Lost in the C's "struggles" is that off late PP has been AWESOME - easily the best since our ECF against Jersey. We have to hope he keeps bringing out that kind of game. Some of those spin move baskets he was hitting are just insanely hard, IMHO.

OTOH I don't like the title of this thread. PP is not an X factor but a perennial all-star. <g>

Pete

The X-Factor for the C's would probably be Rondo or Perkins.
We all know what the PGA is capable of.

Yeah Pierce is a MAIN factor not an x-factor.

Him KG, Kobe, and Gasol are main factors in this series.

Ray,Odom may or may not show up.