| | 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics Page 1 of 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) | The dream Finals matchup has arrived! Offer your predictions, analysis, thoughts & comments here!!!
So many storylines to discuss.
Kobe & KG. Two of the best NBA Players ever to never step foot on a college arena will now meet up to decide who wins the NBA Championship.
If you're looking for experience, you won't find much of it here. Only Kobe Bryant & Derek Fisher have previous Finals experience from the Lakers & Sam Cassell is the only Celtic player with previous Finals experience.
Doc Rivers' team won a league-best 66 games this season. Even though they struggled mightly on the road during the postseason, they found a way to get it together and win 2 of 3 tough road games in Detroit.
Phil Jackson's Lakers survived through a brutal Western Conference, topped off by a 5-game outsting of the defending champion Spurs where they erased two huge double-digit deficits to win.
This is going to be a very exciting matchup with starpower everywhere.
Game 1 is on Thursday in Boston! | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 5/31/2008 3:00:21 AM | | Well, this is a dream match-up for "old-school" fans. These two teams had some classic finals in the '70's & '80's. Since I liked the Lakers then(much to the chagrin of my old man); I'll pick them again. Kobe is on fire, and Phil Jackson gets the edge for coaching experience in finals. It won't be easy, though. Lakers in 7. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 5/31/2008 4:37:10 AM | | Celtics in 7. If Bynum wasn't injured, it would be Lakers all the way. I look at the matchups and Boston just has too much no matter what lineup they decide to go with. Rondo is a better player than people give him credit for, but is overshadowed by the big 3. Bostons bench has Cassell, Davis, PJ Brown, and Posey. It doesn't look like much, but trust me, the experience is there and these are ultimate role players that are going to do their job to the best of their ability. Don't get me wrong, Kobe can easily make this series go towards the Lakers all the way, but the entire team is going to need to be working on all cylinders to win the championship. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 5/31/2008 7:00:04 AM | Lakers in 5. Kobe will walk into Boston & come out victorious & we the Celtics road record. The Celtic bench isn't scary at all. It's the Lakers' perimeter defense that could cost them. Doc vs Phil  Just pass one of Red's cigars. It's over. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 5/31/2008 7:59:35 AM | Celtics in 6 games, but not a very easy win.
Just pass one of Red's cigars. It's over.
You have to take it from us. Celtics don't hand things out for free.... | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 5/31/2008 3:39:05 PM | I will officially not be watching this as I am completely indifferent to the results.
Not that I really wanted a rematch of the '05 Finals with San Antonio and Detroit, but either of those teams would have been fine with me. I honestly don't care about the Lakers or the Celtics. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/1/2008 11:54:44 AM | Its gonna be the Lakers in 6.
By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Writer May 31, 7:57 pm EDT Buzz Up PrintA position-by-position look at the matchups in the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. CENTER: Kendrick Perkins vs. Pau Gasol. The Lakers wouldn’t be here without their midseason acquisition of Gasol from Memphis. He’s a good passer for a big man, making him an excellent fit for the triangle offense, and is shooting 53 percent in the postseason while averaging 17.7 points. Perkins made 61.5 percent of his shots in the regular season and had some strong games in the Eastern Conference finals, including an 18-point, 16-rebound performance in Game 5. Edge: Lakers. POWER FORWARD: Kevin Garnett vs. Lamar Odom. The Defensive Player of the Year, Garnett increased his offensive production in the conference finals, averaging 22.8 points in Boston’s victory over Detroit. His intensity on both ends of the floor is what makes the Celtics go. The versatile Odom was inconsistent against San Antonio in the Western Conference finals, but rebounded from a poor Game 3 with strong performances in the last two games. Edge: Celtics. SMALL FORWARD: Paul Pierce vs. Vladimir Radmanovic. Finally in the NBA finals in his 10th year with Boston, Pierce is set to face his hometown team. He has shown in the playoffs he can still be a potent scorer, notably in his 41-point effort to beat Cleveland in Game 7 of the second round, and has become an underrated defender. Radmanovic is a good perimeter shooter who doesn’t do much else, and the Lakers need his jumper to be on to soften a Boston defense that held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage in the league. Edge: Celtics. SHOOTING GUARD: Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant. Allen seemed to break out of his shooting slump in the final two games of the conference finals, averaging 23 points and going 8-of-14 from 3-point range. Bryant, a tenacious defender, will certainly welcome the challenge of trying to get that slump started again. And the league MVP has been at his best in the playoffs, averaging 31.9 points to lead all players in the postseason and shooting 51 percent. Edge: Lakers. POINT GUARD: Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher. Fisher had a fairly quiet series in the conference finals, but his postseason experience, solid defense and courage to take big shots remain a comfort to the Lakers even when his shot isn’t falling. Rondo’s poor jumper was especially off late in the last round, when he shot 10-of-35 in the final three games. The Lakers will make him beat them from the outside. Edge: Lakers. RESERVES: James Posey, P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Tony Allen vs. Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf, DJ Mbenga and Trevor Ariza. Posey won a title with Miami two years ago and is a key contributor who will help defend Bryant, but tough to figure out what else to expect from Celtics’ reserves. Minutes greatly fluctuated along with their production for most of them during the postseason. The Lakers counter with a much younger bench that tries to increase the tempo and energy when Bryant is resting. Edge: Lakers. COACHES: Doc Rivers vs. Phil Jackson. Rivers did a great job molding all the Celtics’ new pieces into a 66-win team. But he’s appeared to lose confidence in some of his role players during the postseason, creating some inconsistent rotations. Jackson, the career leader in postseason victories, did one of his best coaching jobs this season on a team that started with the turmoil surrounding a possible Bryant trade and was never expected to be here. He seeks a 10th title, which would break Red Auerbach’s record. Edge: Lakers. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/1/2008 11:58:31 AM | And the early betting only has the Celtics +3 at home for game 1. That isnt much considering the Lakers were favored by 7 1/2 in game 5 vs the Spurs at Staples!
I wont be suprised to see the betting almost even by game time, Vegas knows! | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/1/2008 12:47:19 PM | | Lakers in 6. I think LA's bench is going to play a huge factor in this series & will keep Boston from making big runs on them when Kobe's on the bench. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/1/2008 3:50:47 PM | | I have been the biggest critic of LA's bench because the sum of its parts is greater than its parts. Man!, we are talking about Luke f'n Walton. Ronny has to neutralize the physical play of the Celtics. If Rad & Sasha go cold from beyond the arc forget about it. Let's not forget the tendacy to collapse the perimeter defense. With Ray, Pierce, Cassel, & Posey sitting on the corner, it's bound to be a problem. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/1/2008 9:19:35 PM | | For the celtics I see Kevin having a monster first game. I know Kobe will have a monster game pretty much every game. First game in Boston I see a whole lot of points scored and Boston will not lose their first game, but as far as the series goes. Probably the Lakers. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/2/2008 4:37:57 PM | | lakers in seven, theyl put an end to one of the greatest playoffs in history. lakers are just too strong even without starting center bynum. plus lakers have kobe, as much as hes hated everyone has to admit that hes the one player in the league who can truly go out and have the ability to take a game and win it (pretty much) himself. neither garnett or allen can do that although they are 2 of the key players in the league. So hopes for the celtics surely rest in pierces hands who has proved that he can win without garnett and allen even in the team. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/2/2008 4:48:28 PM | Lakers bench is a big plus in this series. I don't know how Allen, Pierce or Garnett are going to react now they are on the big stage at the NBA Finals. KG has a history of choking in clutch time.
The Celtics are already in serious trouble. Kobe, Odom and Gasol are headaches enough. That is of course when Odom is on his A game and not playing like he's in a rec league.
They had better have a plan because KG, PP and RA won't be able to play every minute of every game so I'm interested in seeing as to how the Celtics bench will do. Celtics coaches are well aware that the Lakers have tons of energy and scoring off the bench and can turn the game around in no time.
I'm not sure who is going to guard Kobe..Pierce or Allen but I'm saying Pierce even though he is slower than him his defense I believe is better.
Most people think KG will dominate Gasol but if any of you watched Gasol back on the Grizzlies when they played KG when he was on the T'Wolves, Gasol made him look like a kid at times, dunking over him, doing turn arounds ,etc.
Kobe and some other players have the experience and have been there, plus the bench and the coach.
I pick the Lakers to win. But I could be wrong if KG decides not to curl up into a ball. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/2/2008 8:56:28 PM |
Most people think KG will dominate Gasol but if any of you watched Gasol back on the Grizzlies when they played KG when he was on the T'Wolves, Gasol made him look like a kid at times, dunking over him, doing turn arounds ,etc.
I remember Gasol's dunk on KG..i love Kevin Garnett but he's wound up on too many posters during his career.....including one by LeBron James earlier in the playoffs....let's see if Kobe can get him durin the Finals LOL | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/3/2008 9:21:33 AM | This is weird. I NEVER thought I would actually pull for the Celtics as opposed to the Laker. A lot has changed since the 80's. I see Boston winning this in 6. I just don't think KG will be denied. KG has had many poster moments, but this is the finals and I see Gasol going to school with KG being the instructer.
P.S. Basketball has to be the luckiest sport in the world. Who was that referree fixing games? Exactly. This season couldn't have been more perfect for the NBA. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/3/2008 7:58:03 PM |
This is weird. I NEVER thought I would actually pull for the Celtics as opposed to the Laker. A lot has changed since the 80's. I see Boston winning this in 6. I just don't think KG will be denied. KG has had many poster moments, but this is the finals and I see Gasol going to school with KG being the instructer.
P.S. Basketball has to be the luckiest sport in the world. Who was that referree fixing games? Exactly. This season couldn't have been more perfect for the NBA.
I wouldn't say it's been a lucky season. Both the Pistons & Spurs did a poor job at holding leads with their season on the line. Very surprising that both veteran teams could not keep their composure in a elimination game. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/4/2008 8:25:57 AM |
I wouldn't say it's been a lucky season. Both the Pistons & Spurs did a poor job at holding leads with their season on the line.
I was referring to the scandal at the begining of the year that could have ruined the NBA for a long time. Only a season like this can make you forget about all those things.
As far as the Pistons, they just didn't want it. I agree with Charles Barkely when he said Rasheed Wallace would be the greatest ever if he really wanted it, but as you can see he doesn't and his lack of effort brought the whole team down. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/5/2008 5:53:09 PM | | This will be a good seris I can see a couple of overtimes in it. I think the lakers will take it in 6 because celtics don't have the mvp. GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!! | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/5/2008 6:04:00 PM | | Lol what's up with Mike Breen sporting a bandaid above his right eyebrow? His wife must've beat his ass before he went on the air..haha. | |
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| 2008 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics
Posted: 6/5/2008 7:29:04 PM | My 1st half analysis of Game 1:
Lakers lead 51-46 at the half.
Despite Kobe Bryant's 3-10 shooting so far, Los Angeles has put together a nice run to end the 2nd quarter.
Derek Fisher has done a nice job with 13 points & has been to the line 8 times, which almost surpasses Boston's entire team total of 11.
Pau Gasol also put in a nice 1st half with 12 points & finished well around the basket.
Kevin Garnett had an excellent 1st half with 16 points & 6 rebounds for Boston. Rajon Rondo also chipped in with 10 first-half points.
But so far, the combo of Ray Allen & Paul Pierce have produced just 9 points on 3-12 shooting. Boston knows that this will have to improve significantly in the 2nd half if they want to win Game 1.
A stat to keep a close eye on in the 2nd half: Assist/Turnover ratio. LA has 14 assists compared to just 4 turnovers so far, while Boston is dead even with 8 assists & 8 turnovers. The Lakers may be the younger team, but they're taking great care of the basketball to this point & shooting well against a great defensive Celtics team.
Stay tuned for the 2nd half!! | |
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