In the past 63 seasons, they have combined for 52 Final appearances and 32 Titles. Boston owns 17, the Lakers 15, the first five coming from the original dynasty the Minneapolis Lakers and ten in the city of angels, it's still the same team you bunch of haters. Their most recent match up was delayed a year and both teams have plenty at stake. Boston not only wants to keep their rich tradition alive but want to show that last year could have ended differently if they had been healthy, they have taken the Least 2 best teams, and now only the hated Lakers stand in their way, and they currently own what they want. The Lakers want to close the gap in number of titles but most importantly want to redeem themselves for their showing 2 years ago, while winning it all last year, it did not taste the same when it was not them who dismissed the hated Celtics. Both have injury issues and have earned the right to the title let's see how they stack up.
Two years ago I was excited about the Lakers returning to the Finals annihilating the West, but I felt they peaked one season to early and was not really surprised when Boston beat them yet again, the Lakers lack of toughness, and the label of "soft" still haunt them and after their last Finals meeting both teams have changed, the Lakers more importantly I believe now have the mindset to compete at the level of the Celtics. The Lakers are a decent defensive team but still miss too many assignments so must have good offense to win games, the Leprechauns on the contrary rely on shutting teams down to get the win, two different styles, just like last year, but bodies are older, and younger players have improved.
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo has been called the "best" all around point guard by Lakers Hall of Famer and best Laker of all time Magic Johnson, shame on you Earvin. Rondo has outplayed, Chalmers, Mo Williams, and Jameer Nelson two 1-time All Stars who have flashes but have not been consistent. Fisher went up against the speedy up and coming Russell Westbrook, All NBA Deron Williams, and future Hall of Famer 2 time MVP Steve Nash. While Fisher does not have the number Rondo is posting, you gotta admit, he's had tougher assignments and now gets a chance to show his worth versus the guard many consider MVP material. For the Lakers to win, Fisher must hit his open shots and more importantly cannot let Rondo dictate the pace of the game. Fisher has the toughness and experience to meet the challenge, he may not contribute in stats much, but his leadership on the court and off is priceless. Rondo must be forced to score outside the paint, be sent to the line, and must be limited to no more than 7 assists, if he wants to be the leading scorer so be it, the Lakers must keep him from setting up his team mates.
Shooting Guard: Ray Allen is averageing 16 pts, shooting 45%, 42% from three point land, he had his highest average vs. the Heat, the only team employing an off guard of Kobe's caliber, obviously Ray is not intimidated by the superstars. The same with Kobe he has not faced a better shooter than Allen so if he begins to wander playing the passing lanes, Ray will burn him more often than not. Mamba must make Ray play defense and get him in foul trouble limiting his minutes and taking away fire power from the Celtics. Ray cannot hope to contain Bryant especially if he continues his stellar play he's currently averaging 29.4 pts on 48% shooting improving his scoring with every series, a bigger stat is his 6.2 assists a game which shows his team mates are stepping up. No one player can guard Kobe, but he must not be drawn to try to win the game by himself, if the takes more than 25 shots, the Lakers likely will lose, he must continue to trust his teammates, and they in return must continue to come through. Ray has a very quick trigger and deadly accuracy, who ever guards him must keep him off the 3 point line and not give him a second of free space, no joke, he doesn't need a lot time to wind up, the best defense against him is still to attack him and make him play defense. I actually prefer Fisher guarding him as Fish has no fear running into screens and may get some offensive fouls along the way.
Center: A key missing member of the '08 series is now available only not at full strength. Good thing for the Lakers they really don't depend on Bynum offense to win any bucket he scores is a bonus his job is to rebound and protect the paint, something he has not been consistent at. The enforcer Kendrick Perkins brings plenty of muscle and attitude to get the attention of anybody on the floor, this time up though he will be required to push a bit harder against the 280 pound Bynum. It's a shame Bynum isn't healthy his length and athleticism would have been an advantage against the physical relied Perkins. With both now grounded Bynum has a HUGE job to fill and do his part to help his teammates, he must not average less than 8 rebounds a game or 2 blocked shots, hell if he just alters shots he will do his job. He must not try to prove he can score and must be a better passer from the post and attack with force, forget that finesse crap, throw it down their throat. Perkins just went against All Star Horford, Shaq, and Superman, Bynum is by far the least of a threat especially injured, all he has to do is what he's been doing and keep from getting one more technical as it will result in a suspension.
Power Forward: Last time Gasol was manhandled by Perkins and Garnett, this time around KG will not have the size advantage he had against Odom in '08. The Champs most important player must get back to being aggressive and pull a double double each game, he has the key in not allowing KG to become a helper as he has the ability to hit from mid range or find the open man. Gasol was one of the most criticized and now has a chance to redeem himself and finally get rid of the "soft" label. If he is not the 2nd best Laker, it gonna really hurt his team chances to win. KG offense stat have diminished from the last series, he of course is no longer needed to lead the team in scoring, his passion come in the defensive end. He has not faced a forward of Gasol's caliber though. Beasly is unproven, Jamison overrated and past his prime, and Rashard over payed, none of these players is a proven All NBA or international player. KG will bring his antics, it is up to Gasol to meet the challange and make him pay for daring him to shoot or playing to intense.
Small Forward: The '08 MVP is coming off his best offensive series and leads the team in scoring these playoffs. Of course the Magic had no answer for him offensive or defense and when he did go against a legit small forward, King Crab, his production was the lowest of the playoffs. While not LeBrons level, Ron Artest is a proven defender that will show this is not Space Cadet Radmanovic or Luke Walton that Pierce abused 2 years ago. Artest was brought here for one reason only, shut down players like Pierce, here will be the final verdict if his signing was a good idea. Pierce is still the Leprechauns best offensive player, if he continues to go the line the Celtics will have a good chance in claiming another title as that would mean Artest will be in foul trouble forcing Kobe or oh my Sasha or Walton to pick up guard duties. I'm praying for an old school man's game and the refs let them play, too many times if a players graces Pierce's uniform he gets whistled for a foul. Artest should focus in shadowing Pierce and make his life a living hell reminiscent on when Rick Fox shadow Peja in '01.
The Bench: Back in '08 the Leprechauns had Posey,House, and Brown, with Tony Allen and Big Baby playing minimally, they have a bigger role now and are joined by Rasheed Wallace, Nate Robinson, and Michael Finley. 'Sheed and Davis have had their moments and could prove huge if they contribute especially 'Sheed. Nate Robinson can score in bunches and as unreliable as the Lakers bench has been that's scary as Nate can go on scoring runs all by himself. Tony Allen has also had his moments and will be asked to help contain Bryant, good luck. The Lakers 6th man and X-Factor continues to be Lamar Odom, I really feel if Lamar is not pulling a double double each game, the Lakers are not winning, his production is vital. The machine is slowly getting some playing time back and if he could get his touch back would be a huge plus. Farmar has shot the ball well and played decent defense he has shown to have trouble with quick guards though, if he cannot hack it he should be sent back to the pine. Shannon Brown's size and athleticism was supposed to be key in the Lakers bench, but he has been a disappointing. Not much scoring is needed from the bench anything between 25-30 points should be enough with Lamar taking the bulk of the scoring, everyone else should just shoot smartly and consistently especially the guards. Lamar has the speed to negate 'Sheed and piss him off, he must play in control and not get called for charges though and not get discouraged if the Boston big men punish him on every drive, I say again he must be productive for the Lakers to repeat
Mainly the Lakers must shy away from getting trigger happy from the 3 point line, more than 15 3's is too many, they should only take them when open, especially Artest and Odom. Sasha,Fisher, and Farmar are key in this department. The Lakers know what they're getting themselves into, they will be hacked, slapped, scratched, pushed, pulled, steppe on, bumped, hey this is the NBA, No Babies Allowed, you wanted to prove you were tough, here's the chance, take the challenge, ram it back in their faces, get rid of that nasty tast and memory that was the '08 finals. If the Celtics get in their head, those games will be lost. Here's to Kobe cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time and to get him closer to that elusive 6th title that would give him as many titles as MJ.
Again, I hope the refs let them play, this has all the makings of a great series.
Lakers in six
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