I’ve been harping on matchups everywhere when it comes to the Lakers and Celtics… so let’s just dive into my biggest question:
Who will guard Ray Allen?
The Lakers have been starting Derek Fisher, Kobe, Odom, Gasol and Vlad Radmonovic. Will they go with Fisher/Rondo, Kobe/Pierce, Odom/Ray? That puts Gasol on KG… and me just typing that caused KG to pass out with delight. KG would decimate Gasol. Pau is as soft as it gets. He’s soft-serve ice cream on a hot day. KG can do what he wants, when he wants with him. So I have a hard time thinking they’ll do that.
Would the Lakers consider Fisher/Rondo, Kobe/Ray and Odom/Pierce? Still leaves them with KG on Gasol. And don’t forget Perk on Radmonovic. Perk is strong enough to back him down.
Jon Barry suggested Kobe/Rondo so Kobe could float around on D and double team. I taped a segment last night for Around the Spectrum (which will air tonight at 7pm if you want to hear it) in which Zach Harper of FantasyInsiderOnline.com and TalkHoops.net said Odom on KG would be the best matchup for the Lakers.
Do you see where this is going? Does anyone see a matchup here that favors the Lakers? If its Odom on Ray… then can’t you see Ray blowing by him and getting to the hoop at will? If its Kobe on Ray… then can’t you see Pierce doing the same to Odom? And once those guys get past their defenders… is there ANYONE on the Lakers front line that frightens you? Will the Lakers have to change their starting line up? Will Turiaf start to bang with Perk? Will Farmar or Vujacic start to give them another perimeter defender?
If the Celtics are aggressive and attack the rim, they can probably average 105 ppg in these finals. That’s more than enough to win it all.
Herald: Long time coming for KG | Rondo right on for Eastern champs | Sports world has a new hub | As good as it gets | Globe: Just what Doc ordered | 2 approaches, same result for Kobe, Pierce | Daughter combines Red, Green | Ainge sweating it out in Florida | Souza: C’s, Lakers once again talk of NBA | T&G: Rivalry reborn | Eagle Tribune: Celtics finally – and luckily – found themselves | Daily Breeze, CA: Nothing unites LA like Lakers run | Detroit Free Press: Trade Rip | SI: Thomsen-Pierce, C’s complete turnaround | Pierce on other side of rivalry now | Rivalry renewed | ESPN: Top 10 C’s-Lakers moments | Classic-Revisit the rivalry
And for those of you who want one more look back at the Eastern Conference Finals: BostonSportz has a multi-video look back. And for those of you who REALLY want to look back: WhatIfSports put together an all-time Celtics and all-time Lakers team… and the Celtics won in 6.
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