We may not get a "Kobe vs. LeBron" NBA Finals, but you can't get any better then the Lakers and the Celtics in the NBA Finals. This will be the 12th time that both teams will meet in the finals and the second time in three years. The last time these teams meet was in the 2008 playoffs, when the Celtics defeat the Lakers 131-92 in Game 6 to win the NBA title and Paul Pierce won the Finals MVP. I remember how angry Kobe Bryant was when he walked off the court while Kevin Garnett and his teammates celebrated and embraced that they finally accomplished their goal. Here we are again as we will see an epic NBA Finals for the ages. Will Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen celebrate as the two-time champs or will the defending champs Kobe Bryant and the Lakers get their revenge and win back-to-back titles. Check out my breakdown of what to expect from both teams and who I predict will win this series. Enjoy the article and let the debates begin.
Who will stop Kobe Bryant? No one so get used to it!!!!!
The Celtics defense is the most amazing defense the league has seen in a while, but how will Ray Allen or Paul Pierce stop a man that looks determined to win it all again. Kobe is averaging 29.4 points on over 48% from the field and over 40% three-point shooting and averaging 6.2 assists. Check out how his points per game increased in each round: West 1st Round vs. Thunder (23.5 ppg), West Semifinals vs. Jazz (32.0 ppg), and West Finals vs. Suns (33.7 ppg). He has scored 30 points or more in 11 of 16 playoff games this year. I would like to challenge any Celtic to shut him down in the finals.
Rajon Rondo is going to destroy Derek Fisher!!!!!
Rajon Rondo is having a breakout postseason year and it will continue against 35-year old Derek Fisher. Fisher has been bullied by many point guards in the playoffs. Check out the opposing point guards Fisher has faced: Russell Westbrook (averaged 20.5 ppg on over 47% shooting, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists), Deron Williams (averaged 22.0 ppg and 8.8 assists) and Steve Nash (averaged 17.7 ppg on over 52% from the field and 11.8 assists). Rondo has averaged 16.7 points and 10.0 assists this postseason. He will be the Lakers major concern heading to the finals. Kobe is going to have to help Fisher defend Rondo or else Rondo can possibly be the NBA Finals MVP.
Paul Pierce vs. Ron Artest will be very interesting!!!!!
Paul Pierce averaged 21.8 points over 43% shooting and averaged 6.3 assists in the 2008 NBA Finals. This time he'll face a totally different beast and his name is Ron Artest. Artest is going to make sure that he will not feel comfortable what so ever when he gets the ball. In the first round against the Miami Heat, he averaged 19.6 points and in the Eastern Conference finals against the Magic, he averaged 24.3 points. When he faced LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the Semifinals, Pierce only averaged 13.5 points whil LeBron was defending him. If LeBron can defend him what makes you think Artest won't do any better. Pierce better find a way to draw some fouls and get to the line or else this will not be a good series for him at all.
Pau Gasol can't get Ga-Soft on Kevin Garnett again!!!!!
Pau Gasol has averaged 20.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, and shooting over 56% from the field this postseason. He will have a difficult time against Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in the post but he should be much better. In the 2008 NBA Finals, Gasol only averaged 14.7 points against KG and the Celtics. He can't do that again or else the Lakers will not win the NBA title this year. KG is only averaging 14.9 points and 8.2 rebounds. He should be healthy but does he look a little injured to you. He didn't look good in the Eastern Conference finals against the Magic as he only averaged 10.3 ppg. Offensively he may not be the same player but defensivly he will be huge in this series. He will have to shut down Gasol once again to increase the Celtics chances on winning the title.
Kendrick Perkins will have to be careful or else he'll miss a game!!!!!
Kendrick Perkins has six technical fouls this postseason, with one rescinded when he walked away from a confrontation and was called for a technical foul and was ejected from the game with two techs in the game. If you get seven techs in the playoffs you will be suspended for one game in the playoffs. You know Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, and even Kobe will try to get into his head and will try to get him angry enough to miss a game in the finals.
Andrew Bynum's knee will be a huge issue in this series!!!!!
Andrew Bynum didn't participate in the 2008 playoffs with an injury in his left knee and missed the finals. He'll participate in the NBA Finals but he'll play with a small tear meniscus in his right knee. Bynum's minutes dropped in each round of the playoffs: Thunder (29.7 minutes per game), Jazz (24.8 minutes), and Suns (18.2 minutes). I'm not sure if Bynum will be ready to be physical against the Celtics. If he takes one shot to the knee he's done. The Lakers will be lucky if he can play 25 minutes a game in this series.
Home advantage will be huge for the Lakers but the Celtics are dangerous on the road and at home!!!!!
The Lakers went 8-0 at the Staple Center this postseason, but the Celtics went 6-3 on the road this postseason, including starting the series 2-0 against the Magic on the road in the Eastern Finals. The Lakers must start the series 2-0 to have a great chance of winning this series. The Lakers start the first two games in Los Angeles then play Games 3-5 in Boston and will play Games 6-7 back in LA. If the Celtics win one game in LA, they'll be very relaxed in Boston. The Celtics are 7-2 at home while the Lakers are only 4-4 on the road in the playoffs. Game 1 will be the most important game in the Finals in a long time.
It's prediction time and man what a tough decision!!!!!
The Celtics starting five with KG, Pierce, Allen, Rondo, and Perkins have never lost a playoff series. There's always a first time for everything and the Lakers are about to prove it. I'm taking the Lakers in seven because I think Kobe will be so motivated to win this series it's insane. Get ready for a great playoffs and I hope both teams give us a finals we will remember.
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