Who has an idea to how this series is going to play out?
I have been thinking really hard about this, and I still don't think any team has has a clear advantage. This is why I think the Lakers will take it in 7 though.
1. Kobe Bryant- Say what you will about the guy but he has done nothing but shut up all doubters this season. His injuries clearly were the reason his game was affected so much late in the season and early in the playoffs, and not just his old age (which does play a minor role). He has a big ego and demands respect, and he will not give up one bit until he feels he gets redemption for what the Celtics did to him two years ago. He is still the best player in the game, and it's funny to now see Charles Barkley swinging from his nutsack.
2. Home Court - This is obviously huge, and it is something the Lakers really missed the last time around. Statistically, this point speaks for itself.
3. Ron Artest - This is the series he is here for. Paul Pierce destroyed the Lakers two years ago, and Artest will definitely make it MUCH harder for Pierce to repeat that performance. It would suck to be Pierce knowing that every night you will be guarded by either Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant, or both lol. I also think Artest has the same intensity and desire to win his first championship that Garnett did two years ago.
4. Andrew Bynum - He will probably not fill the stat sheet or make the highlights, but he WILL have an effect if he can play through his injuries. He can bang with the biggest guys in the league, and I am very intrigued to see his mentality in this series.
5. Redemption - This is biggest for Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Both of them have something to prove, and I think Pau will have an amazing series. I look for Lamar to have maybe two good games, but that is all we need out of him. I think he can give us a couple 19 point 19 rebound games again.
If the Celtics manage to win, I think this will be why:
1. Rajon Rondo - Simply put, he will have to play well every game for them to win. The Lakers' biggest weakness is guarding fast point guards, and I think Rondo can cause many problems for the Lakers. His mentality will be the tipping point. He needs to be the leader of that team somehow along with the Big 3.
2. Ray Allen - If Ray has a hot hand, he is extremely difficult for the Lakers to cover in a screen and roll situation. Since I don't see Pierce will be as big a factor as he was last time, Ray will really have to step it up and be aggressive from both the 3-point line and driving to the basket.
3. Kevin Garnett - He is one of the best players on the floor, and his age can't be a factor in this series. If Bynum is healthy, he can really cause problems for Garnett, and at the least drain his energy. If Pau is playing at a high level, which I think he will be, Garnett is going to have a very tough time.
4. Kendrick Perkins - He NEEDS to stop bitching about every foul that gets called on him, and he will need to play big games to have a presence in the paint. I think he screwed himself because this is going to be a very tough series with allot of contact, and people will be getting technicals. I actually wouldn't be surprised if one of the Lakers gets in his face or tries to do something to draw a double technical. We all know how refs these days love to throw that double technical to calm things down, so I can definitely see a Laker gladly taking a technical to get Perkins suspended.
5. Bench - The Celtics need BIG games from their bench. Nate has to step up in more than just one game, and Allan also has to have a big impact. Big Baby also needs to hang with the big boys. This is where I think they will really miss people like Powe, House, and Posey. If their bench can step up, that is another great place to attack the Lakers.
Overall I think it will go in the Lakers' favor. I think the Lakers have more to prove and more motivation. We are healthier and better than we were two years ago, and last year when we won the title. I would argue that this Celtics team is not as good as the team from 2008. I think home court will be a huge factor in the Lakers' favor even though the Celtics are great on the road. I think the Lakers hate the Celtics more than the Celtics hate the Lakers. The Lakers feel like the kid who got beat up by the bully ('08 Celtics) and now we are a little older, but much stronger and want to kick that bully's ass. This is going to make for one hell of a series!!!
I have been thinking really hard about this, and I still don't think any team has has a clear advantage. This is why I think the Lakers will take it in 7 though.
1. Kobe Bryant- Say what you will about the guy but he has done nothing but shut up all doubters this season. His injuries clearly were the reason his game was affected so much late in the season and early in the playoffs, and not just his old age (which does play a minor role). He has a big ego and demands respect, and he will not give up one bit until he feels he gets redemption for what the Celtics did to him two years ago. He is still the best player in the game, and it's funny to now see Charles Barkley swinging from his nutsack.
2. Home Court - This is obviously huge, and it is something the Lakers really missed the last time around. Statistically, this point speaks for itself.
3. Ron Artest - This is the series he is here for. Paul Pierce destroyed the Lakers two years ago, and Artest will definitely make it MUCH harder for Pierce to repeat that performance. It would suck to be Pierce knowing that every night you will be guarded by either Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant, or both lol. I also think Artest has the same intensity and desire to win his first championship that Garnett did two years ago.
4. Andrew Bynum - He will probably not fill the stat sheet or make the highlights, but he WILL have an effect if he can play through his injuries. He can bang with the biggest guys in the league, and I am very intrigued to see his mentality in this series.
5. Redemption - This is biggest for Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Both of them have something to prove, and I think Pau will have an amazing series. I look for Lamar to have maybe two good games, but that is all we need out of him. I think he can give us a couple 19 point 19 rebound games again.
If the Celtics manage to win, I think this will be why:
1. Rajon Rondo - Simply put, he will have to play well every game for them to win. The Lakers' biggest weakness is guarding fast point guards, and I think Rondo can cause many problems for the Lakers. His mentality will be the tipping point. He needs to be the leader of that team somehow along with the Big 3.
2. Ray Allen - If Ray has a hot hand, he is extremely difficult for the Lakers to cover in a screen and roll situation. Since I don't see Pierce will be as big a factor as he was last time, Ray will really have to step it up and be aggressive from both the 3-point line and driving to the basket.
3. Kevin Garnett - He is one of the best players on the floor, and his age can't be a factor in this series. If Bynum is healthy, he can really cause problems for Garnett, and at the least drain his energy. If Pau is playing at a high level, which I think he will be, Garnett is going to have a very tough time.
4. Kendrick Perkins - He NEEDS to stop bitching about every foul that gets called on him, and he will need to play big games to have a presence in the paint. I think he screwed himself because this is going to be a very tough series with allot of contact, and people will be getting technicals. I actually wouldn't be surprised if one of the Lakers gets in his face or tries to do something to draw a double technical. We all know how refs these days love to throw that double technical to calm things down, so I can definitely see a Laker gladly taking a technical to get Perkins suspended.
5. Bench - The Celtics need BIG games from their bench. Nate has to step up in more than just one game, and Allan also has to have a big impact. Big Baby also needs to hang with the big boys. This is where I think they will really miss people like Powe, House, and Posey. If their bench can step up, that is another great place to attack the Lakers.
Overall I think it will go in the Lakers' favor. I think the Lakers have more to prove and more motivation. We are healthier and better than we were two years ago, and last year when we won the title. I would argue that this Celtics team is not as good as the team from 2008. I think home court will be a huge factor in the Lakers' favor even though the Celtics are great on the road. I think the Lakers hate the Celtics more than the Celtics hate the Lakers. The Lakers feel like the kid who got beat up by the bully ('08 Celtics) and now we are a little older, but much stronger and want to kick that bully's ass. This is going to make for one hell of a series!!!
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