Celtics vs Lakers

A Celtics-Lakers finals, what else could the NBA ask for!  The two most storied franchises in the history of the league are once again set to do battle.  I’m sure the ratings will be very high for this series.  Especially since they played in the finals just two years ago.  And many of the same players will be going head-to-head (with a few exceptions) again.  I like what both of these teams bring to the table in terms of experience, toughness, talent, and chemistry.  But obviously, only one team will be able to walk away the championship.  It is up in the air, but in my eyes, the winner will be…

Who Will Take The Title?

I’ll get right to it; the Lakers.  I’m not a Lakers or a Celtics fan.  Since the Celtics got over on the Lakers in ‘08, so I’d like to see the Lakers get it done this time.  Why are the Lakers going to win?

-They have the best closer in the game.  Yep, they had the best closer last time as well.  But the ultimate competitor in the league won’t let his team lose and the players around Kobe will be more prepared this time around.  The “other” players…

-Pau Gasol is tougher now.  Mentally tougher that is.  I heard one of the guys on TNT get asked why he thought Gasol would have a better Finals appearance in ‘10 compared to ‘08.  His answer?  “Kobe.”  In other words, Kobe’s tenacity is contagious.  I agree.  I see Pau playing with more intensity, and more physicality this time around.

-Human nature is another factor.  If you get beat one time, it is human nature to want it juuuuust a touch more the next time you compete against that team.  This “phenomenon” will come into play this year.

-Ron Artest, who does some dumb ass things on the court (off the court as well), will be another player that will help neutralize Boston’s toughness and physical play.  And I DO think the Celtics are very tough.  I have much respect for them.  Just because I am going against them, don’t think I have no love for them.   But Ron-Ron is a nice addition, especially in a Celtics-Lakers type of series.

-I think the Celtics will miss James Posey a bit.  Although nobody can stop Kobe, Posey made him work extremely hard for everything he got.

What Scares Me?

-As good as Rondo was in the Cs ‘08 run, he is that much better now.

-Paul Piece scares me.  Like Kobe (almost), PP is one of the best closers in the league.  He is just quick enough to get by his opponents and just big enough to shoot over them  In other words, he quite often finds a way to get where he wants/needs to get on the court to get the job done.

-Boston’s “D” has been very good.  They all work together to make the on-the-ball defender that much better.  They take a lot of charges, block shots, and play a physical style of defense.

X-Factors

For the Celtics, Rasheed Wallace could be the X-Factor… for better or worse.  For worse - he may not be shooting well, start to get frustrated, and then his famous complaining to the refs, technical foul side could come out.  OR, he could get hot from 3 and drag one of the Lakers big men away from the basket.  That’s all the Celtics need..ANOTHER weapon! 

For the Lakers, the X-Factor is Lamar Odom.  If he brings his A-Game and is a walking double-double, look out Boston.  I think he could make this into a 5-game series if he is focused and hungry.  Then again, he may only show his great ability in short stretches, or only 1-2 times per game.  Sometimes you won’t hear his named called for minutes at a time when he is on the court.  Which Lamar shows up will be very big in determining the winner.

My Final Word

Like I mentioned, I am not a fan of either team.  Of course, I’d much rather see the Bulls take it all.  I also really wanted to see Steve Nash make it to his first Finals.  Since neither of that happened, in my eyes the next best thing is sitting back and watching these two proud franchises go at it again.  I would not be shocked if Celtics find a way to get it done.  But for the above reasons, I am taking the Lakers in 6.5 games.  Ha!  Ok, ok, if you won’t let me cop out with 6.5 games, then I’ll say this; L.A. in 6.