NBA FINALS, general discussion

[Sedale Threatt]

It doesn't really excite me to see everyone hopping on the L.A. bandwagon. Save the fact that this is a much better, healthier Lakers team (mentally as much as physically), it reminds me almost exactly of 04, when everybody thought we were going to destroy Detroit and the exact opposite happened.

Personally, I was impressed with the way the Celtics played in the Detroit series. They showed growth and maturity after some rough spots against Atlanta and Cleveland. They won twice on the road, and Allen finally decided to show up.

Basketball is a game of matchups, and with their strength/depth inside and an elite scorer in Pierce that we've had great difficulty defending in the past, they look like a very scary team to me. But hey, I picked S.A. to beat us in six so obviously I don't know much. Hope I'm wrong again and we do roll like the so-called experts are predicting.

Two things give me great confidence:

1. Kobe is playing at the level Jordan used to in that he's simply carrying/willing the team to victory. He's done this in spots in the past. But for all the comparisons between the two, this postseason is the first time I've felt they were legitimate. Considering what was at stake, the fourth quarter in Game 5 against S.A. might be the finest I've ever seen him play. Whatever needed to be done, he did it. That's what Mike used to do, and that's what Kobe has been doing consistently throughout L.A.'s 15 playoff games.

2. Jackson vs. Rivers. I've never felt Jackson has gotten the respect he deserves as a tactician. Rarely do you see his teams get caught unprepared or blindsided in a series, especially as it wears on. This is because, besides his ability to manage egos, Phil also has an exceptional ability to analyze games and make the necessary adjustments. As for Doc, I think there's just as much chance that he's going to screw his team up as he will help it.

One thing scares the crap out of me:

San Antonio showed Gasol and to a lesser extent Odom can be taken out of their offensive rhythm by being physical with them. (No surprise there, really) That's the only way Garnett, Perkins and co. know how to play. In fact, I think they're even more physical than the Spurs, so those two are going to have to put on their hard hats and match them bump for bump and elbow for elbow.

Can they do it? I have mixed feelings. I thought both Pau and Lamar did a nice job hanging in and finding ways to contribute against S.A. despite not being at their best. But the reason we survived them having off series was because S.A. struggled so badly to score. I don't think Boston's going to have nearly as much trouble putting the ball in the basket, especially if Allen has rediscovered his stroke. So Pau and Lamar are going to have to play a lot closer to how they did against Utah than they did the Spurs.

///

I'm not going to make any predictions, other than to say that I can guarantee we're going to need to win two games in Boston to win this series. We do that, we deserve to and probably will win the title. If not, I think it's going to be very tough, perhaps even impossible, to sweep a 66-win team three straight games at Staples.

[theFRANCHISE]

It doesn't really excite me to see everyone hopping on the L.A. bandwagon. Save the fact that this is a much better, healthier Lakers team (mentally as much as physically), it reminds me almost exactly of 04, when everybody thought we were going to destroy Detroit and the exact opposite happened.

I feel like its the opposite of that situation

remember the lakers in 04 had the BIG 4? 08 its the celtics and their big 3. The pistons that year added sheed late in the season. Lakers this year added pau. But the thing that bothers me is they keep mentioning that the LAKERS HAVEiNT LOST AT HOME SINCE MARCH 28! Sooner or later thats going to bite them in the ass....

[KObe Bryant]

mehn! i don't know what to say guys, i don't know why we are here after all those drama last off-season! this is just our season. go lakers! i say lakers in 5 guys! i think radman on allen first and if allen started to heat up, then we'll put vujacic and kobe on him. come on, let's go lakers!

[Anklebreaker702]

You guys might want to check out the Celtics thread been having to let them know the real deal. They are trying not to give Phil any credit whatsoever chime in & give Phil his props

[Erik Eleven]

Yes! I won't bring my Angel gear, but can I bring my Trojan gear?

Post of the year.

[Erik Eleven]

Phil has to start Ariza or we're toast. Radman isn't strong, smart or athletic enough to guard either Pierce or KG on switches.

Start Ariza at the three, switch on defense to let Trevor handle KG and Odom might actually stand a chance guarding Pierce.

[TonyMontana]

Yo call me crazy but I have this sick feeling one of the Cs big 3s is going to get hurt/injured bad in this series.

I was watching the old Lakers/Cs on NBA TV and all of a sudden I got this chill in my back that one of them is going to flip an ankle or hurt a knee.
Seriously No B.S ..... I hope nothing bad happens, but these stupid feelings always turn out to be true.

I hope not since Im really looking forward to a good game by both sides.

[Erik Eleven]

Yo call me crazy but I have this sick feeling one of the Cs big 3s is going to get hurt/injured bad in this series.

I was watching the old Lakers/Cs on NBA TV and all of a sudden I got this chill in my back that one of them is going to flip an ankle or hurt a knee.
Seriously No B.S ..... I hope nothing bad happens, but these stupid feelings always turn out to be true.

I hope not since Im really looking forward to a good game by both sides.

Call me crazy, too, then. I had the exact same feeling last week, unfortunately. Garnett... Here's hoping to a healthy Finals. It'd be nice to see both teams go at it at full strength.

[WCDYNASTY]

Its amazing how 90% of sports TV and internet are saying that the Lakers will win it all . . . lovin' it!!!

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Its amazing how 90% of sports TV and internet are saying that the Lakers will win it all . . . lovin' it!!!

Im not, they said that same **** in 2004.

[semi-sentient]

Here's a simple sig that I made to kind of counter the Celtics fans "BEAT LA" sig that some of them wear here.

(picture)

Feel free to use this one as well:

[andrewww]

im very interested to see the cross matching between the celtics and lakers. im pretty sure boston wont throw in too many wrinkles with how they guard the lakers, but for the lakers guarding the boston wings, im not sure how phil will play this.

i would personally put radmanovic/ariza on pierce, fisher on ray allen (yes fisher is strong enough despite the size advantage of ray allen to guard him), and kobe as the roamer playing off of rondo when necessary.

[milesfides]

P.S. I've read the Lakers are considering putting Odom on Perkins. That might not be a terrible idea, if Odom can somehow keep him off the boards.

I'm expecting Odom will struggle offensively in this series. He won't find many open lanes, and he'll be pressured to shoot from the perimeter. The key for him is to not lose confidence. Whether he shoots or he drives, the lack of confidence shows on both and hurts both. He need to stroke it from the perimeter and attack the basket intelligently. But I'm not sure if this'll happen. But if Odom can neutralize Perkins, that may be good enough.

I think Kobe + Gasol can outproduce KG + Pierce. At least play them evenly. If that's a wash, more or less, then we need to look at the other matchups.

Limit Ray Allen (he seems like the weak link) just like how I think Boston will limit Lamar Odom. How? Sasha.

Then, it's up to our bench (Farmar, Walton, Radmanovic, Ariza) to outproduce Boston's bench. Posey and House and Cassell are the main threats, but Posey was the only guy who hurt us both games - 10 and 8 points.

For us, I think it comes down to Jordan Farmar. He scored 9 and 13 points against the Celtics in the regular season. If he disappears as he did against the Jazz, it'll be tough. If he can gain us that advantage, then we have a leg up on the Celts.

If Radmanovic can hit a couple shots off the bench, if Walton can move the ball and help that happen, then we're golden.

[CX44]

Just think God gets to watch this series and listen to Chick Hearn and Johnny Most call the play by play

[WCDYNASTY]

Man, I can tell this Finals series is gonna be an intense one!

[RJM]

Pau's balls. Where are they?

[TyCobb]

I wasn't aware he ever had any.

[RJM]

I wasn't aware he ever had any.

True, true.

[AgentK0be]

-= original quote snipped =-



Im not, they said that same **** in 2004.

Yup!!!