This one should be a doozey...
The stage is set, the storylines are ample, the legacies are all at stake, and the fans are ready.. Bring on the Finals baby.. I think the only thing I can attempt to preview are the individual matchups because the styles are so different in terms of the general gameplay, and the teams have taken such vastly different paths to get to where they are. They have each knocked off some mega stars of the game, Wade, LeBron, Howard vs. Durant, D-Will, and Nash, which would bring one to argue that the Celts had the much more difficult road to the Finals, but now that we are here it doesn't really matter.. 7 games.. first to 4.. let's get into it..
Rondo vs. Fisher
Rondo is obviously faster and a much more compelling playmaker, but Fisher has a little more beef on him and will probably make some key shots at some point just to piss me off.. Still, what is sad with this matchup is I wouldn't even be surprised with 24-9-7 from Rondo for the series even if he is slightly less than 100%..
Advantage: CELTS
Allen vs. Kobe
Kobe is a joke, he's gonna get his 30 points, he's gonna have his black Mamba moments where he hits daggers at the end or in crunch time.. it's a given.. every Celts fan knows this. BUT.. and this is a big but, this is the first series this year where he may actually have to guard someone legitimate. If he takes Rondo, he has to deal with his pesky speed and leave Ray with a much shorter Fisher on him.. If he takes Ray, he will go on the Ray Allen Marathon Basketball Program and run about 12 miles through screen every single game.. Either way I like it for the Celts.. but still, its Kobe..
Advantage: LA
Pierce vs. Artest
This matchup will decide the series as far as I'm concerned.. Artest is what he is.. Tough defender, horrible shooter, crazy human being.. This is still the same dude who melee'd a crowd and pulled Pierce's pants down because he thought it was a good idea.. Pierce needs to let Artest get in his foul trouble, make his bonehead mistakes, and get his open looks on the P&R.. We need you Paul, if ever there was a time to lock in your legacy, this series is it.. go PP
Advantage: CELTS
KG vs. Pau
This will be one of the most scrutinized matchups just because everyone has to question Pau's toughness/physicality, while KG will always be compared to former versions of himself. It's bound to happen. I still say KG can take Pau defensively, even though Pau is a good mid-range shooter and FT shooter.. The rebounding between these two will be most interesting to watch and will probably be huge in the grand scheme.
WASH
Bynum vs. Perk
These guys are gonna bang bodies in the middle. They will both get in foul trouble.. Perk is a little more mobile, Bynum is a little taller.. I don't think this matchup will decide the series in any capacity. I see both of them topping out around 8 or 10 points a game, and contributing much more with their rebounds and inside presence for slashers. Also, Perk, don't get T'd up.. please
WASH
Bench Depth
People keep saying how deep the Lakers are, but I personally see the bench as the largest potential advantage for the Celts in a tight game against these guys, provided 3 balls aren't getting launched all over the place. But you gotta think Sheed, Baby, TA, newly rejuvenated Nate, and Finley is much better than Vujacic, Farmar, Odom, and Walton.. Right? We even have Shelden and Marquis hanging out waiting for some minutes and they have both proven to be perfectly fine in spots.. I think this could swing the series our way entirely if TA is 100% to guard Kobe, and if Nate can be the spark we know he can be.. Sheed and Baby just need to control Pau, Bynum, and Odom when they are in there..
Advantage: CELTS
Doc vs. Phil isn't worth talking about.. Both of them know their teams cold, they both have rotations, they both know when to call time outs.. I know Phil is up 10-1 in the titles, but this late in the season, they both clearly know what they are doing out there..
I hope the Celts can steal one in LA to open this thing up.. Boston crowd is gonna be RAUCOUS games 3-5.. cannot wait..
BEAT LA.
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