Obsessedsportsnut's Blog

“This will be the 12th Finals meeting between the league’s two storied franchises. When they’re done, the Lakers and Celtics will have accounted for 33 of the NBA’s 64 championships” (via Yahoo! Sports)

As my friend said, “Damn!”

Indeed.

You’re talking about the two most famous franchises in the NBA’s history that have had the biggest stars in league history: Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Bob Cousey, Jerry West, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, etc.

The list goes on and on.

Now, this year’s NBA Finals will add another chapter to this historic series, including a lot of subplots, as both the Lakers and the Celtics have a lot to prove.

For the Celtics:

Ray Allen is almost 35. Kevin Garnett is 34. Paul Pierce is almost 33.

People were talking about how old the Celtics were in 2008; now they’re back, but 2 years older, yet they have been able to play at an intense level to return to the NBA finals. However, the new addition is of course, Rajon Rondo. If he could shoot normally, I personally think Rajon Rondo would be one of the NBA’s best point guards ever.

(It’s ridiculous to think that the Phoenix could have kept him; instead they traded him away for 3 million dollars… Sigh. The Phoenix Suns could have had Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash on the same team; it’s already hard to guard Steve Nash and his accurate passes, just imagine how much the Suns would score if you had two point guards with that much talent! Stat lines would be 18-4-18 for Nash and 20-10-15 for Rondo. Howard, the chemistry would not work at all, Nash and Rondo are ball-handlers; hey, I can dream ok. Just imagine this was NBA Live and you had both guys on your team. That would be a freaking ridiculous combo. Howard, they would get killed defensively, Steve Nash is already a liability and now you want to put Rondo as your 2 guard on a Kobe or a Vince Carter? SHUDDUP! It was just a dream scenario ok? Anyways… )

My main point, the Celtics are old. The Big Three won’t be playing at this level for much longer. In fact, most people disregarded them during the 2^nd half of the season for the Celtic’s “legs” or their health factors. The time is now for the Celtics with everyone healthy and a bench that has been responsible as much as Rondo’s superiority. The Celtics basically have one last shot at a title, and unfortunately this could be it before a big swing in the NBA of 2010 free agency. Orlando couldn’t get it together, Cleveland went from champs to beggars, pleading for Lebron to stay, and other teams tanked for 2010, leaving Celtics with an easier path to the title.

What could happen in 2010 if D-Wade and Lebron and Bosh collaborate to form a super team. No one, including the Celtics could keep up, and maybe the Lakers would have a shot, but if that happens, Lebron gets another 3 rings, perhaps. (Heck no Howard, not after that weak stuff I saw from Lebron, he needs a lot of help. I know, the main idea is that 2010 is a crazy year. Win one before the chaos ensues. Hey Howard, whatcha think about Delonte West sleeping with James’ mom? If it’s true…, but if it’s true?, West, one she doesn’t look that hot…, and you’re stupidity just cost Cleveland another title and perhaps the greatest player they will ever have. Hope it was worth it. :P)

So what does this 64^th Championship mean for both sides?

A lot.

This NBA title would impact 4 of the Celtic’s careers forever.

For the Big 3, it cements their legacy as hall of famers and the idea that ubuntu is real, (that 3 guys were Superstars on their own teams, yet champions together for the Celtics). Ray Allen would not be Reggie Miller. Kevin Garnett would not be Karl Malone. Paul Pierce would not be Shawn Kemp. Shawn Kemp….? Really? Couldn’t think of a better example? Fine, Tracy McGrady if that example fits more. There we go. Shawn Kemp seriously?? Alright alright.

Simply put, these guys were already hall of famers, and this ring can put them in higher levels in the hall of fame ring, and in Celtics history.

For Rajon Rondo, this signifies the beginning, the making of a superstar. Similar to Kobe’s situation in 2009, Rondo will have the chance to win a championship as the leader of the team. Danny Ainge is now lucky and can now build around Rondo once the Big 3 are gone. Remember, last year when the rumor was floating around that Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo were being traded for Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey? At that time, it was already one sided, but now the idea is completely ludicrous. Rondo can “write his own future” and certify himself as the new point guard of the league above Deron Williams and Chris Paul, become an All Star for next 8 years, and hopefully win more titles.

Well where does he rank now? Hrm, probably top 3. I don’t like discounting Chris Paul since he was injured, but I must say Rondo already beat a lot of point guards. Well a list… perhaps?  Fine.

Deron Williams, Rondo/CP3, Nash, Derek Rose. What??How do you put Deron Williams above him? He got bumped out already!!! By a good Laker’s team. Deron Williams has the strongest build and speed, dishes as good as anyone, and has range. I’m knocking rondo for that. Anyways…

On the flip side, the Lakers also have a lot to gain:

Kobe Bryant‘s Legacy

I don’t care what the haters say, but if you win 5 titles, you’re pretty legit.

Kobe Bryant has a lot of things to assert himself as the most dominant player of this era, and the comparisons to Michael Jordan are no longer that far-fetched. Even Kobe has followed the Michael Jordan blue prints of how to succeed, developing a fallaway jumper and an offensive game that no longer relies on young legs to spring for a 540 dunk anymore.

(Kobe Bryant only won 1on his own! I hate that statement, I mean Scottie Pippin won 6 titles. He’s as much of a factor to Michael Jordan’s Success as MJ was to him! I mean yeah if you’re Sun Yin on last year’s Lakers, then yes, you did not win the championship on your own, but stop this whole “Those are Shaq’s titles!” comments.

Kobe Bryant would pass Tim Duncan and Shaq on the active players’ rings with 5, and basically reasserts his dominance in the league. 5 rings. One Hand. I really like Kobe’s game now, you basically witnessed an offensive masterpiece in Game 6, as Kobe silenced the crowd with repeatedly difficult jumpers and even lovetapped Alvin Gentry. You can do that if you’re that good and Kobe is that good. MJ good? We’ll see.

Bill Simmons wrote in his book, The Book of Basketball, (It’s a long book… but very entertaining, though not recommended for anyone under age 13), that Kobe Bryant “wins one more championship…. he quickly jumps Oscar and West to become the third-best guard of all time” (Simmons 529) ß Yeah 529 pages… that’s only ¾ of the book.

Well, this was written in early 2009. What about now? What if Kobe wins another title “on his own”? Where does this put him in the “greatest category”? I never thought there would be another Michael Jordan, and I probably still think that today. But watching Kobe is eerily similar to watching Michael Jordan. We’ll see in 5 years.

The other Lakers? They get rings?

I don’t really care, I mean they’re there for Kobe and they get more famous?

Honestly, it’s not like Farmar and Walton can say HEY I want to go now, because I’m on the best team in the NBA, but I’m not getting enough recognition. You’re the backup pointguard and perhaps the future after Derek Fisher. Quiet now.

As for Phil Jackson?

I dunno, I hope he stays; I think he’ll ride Kobe for one more year and get 12 rings and be on 4 3-peat teams (that’s definitely a record), being a part of MJ, Scottie, Shaq, and Kobe’s ride. Crazy.

Anyways, the reason I’m cutting short is I just realized I have typed nearly a 1000 words, and I have yet to talk about the prompt Jon gave me. The actual finals… Hmmm. Oops, guess thats what they teach you in school, “Address the prompt.”

Anyways here it goes, my opinion is Lakers in 6 or 7.

Rondo is the new bonus, but so is the Laker’s front court.

Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are already a formidable front court with Odom waiting in the wings. Yes, Bynum is not as effective with that knee drained and limited mobility, but his presence is already enough. He’s basically Kendrick Perkins with a better offensive game. Look for him to try to score early in the 1^st half, before Phil Jackson takes him out for Lamar.

That’s the key to this series- How well the front court plays because Celtics have the advantage unfortunately with the back court. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can keep pace with Kobe and Rondo has everything on Fisher. (Ray Allen scares me. Yeah, don’t worry, he scares me too. I get nightmares of his off-ball screens and basically he runs around and gets off a 3. Then I wake up in a cold sweat and realize, wait… crap! That actually happened today. I know, me too L.

 

This means either Pau Gasol is going to take off some of the pressure on Kobe or the bench or Fisher will have to provide some scoring. In the Suns series, it was more Kobe and whoever can help him out that day.

That can’t happen in the Celtic Series.

Kobe and Pau have to be consistent and with the added play of the bench or Odom/Artest, and the Lakers can take it easily in 6.

Yet, this is not a perfect world. I can only hope Artest doesn’t blow a brain-fart and shoot and have the entire Staples Center yell at him. You can’t be that lucky, especially in two series. The Lakers can pull out this series victory if Ron Artest does his job and shuts down Paul Pierce; Artest is perfect for defending Pierce with his upper body strength; (Artest is the master of bodying, which I will write another article explaining the art of bodying up), however the question remains, who guards Ray Allen? (He scares me! Is he even human? No one can be that bald! So early!) At least he’s not like DJ Mbenga.

Kobe would guard Ray Allen, then Fisher would guard…. Rondo. >.<

Kobe would guard Ray Allen, then Fisher would guard…. Rondo.

Kobe guards Rondo, and Fisher guards…. Ray Allen?

Picture in my head: Ray Allen runs around the base line with Derek Fisher chasing him, getting clocked by Kevin Garnett, flopping into the stands, yet the refs don’t call anything, and Ray shoots a 3.  Yeah?  Well imagine that for 48 minutes… Oh…. Yikes.

Kobe guards Rondo, and Fisher guards…. Ray Allen

I don’t know if they have an answer for it. I truly don’t know. Maybe we can call on the Machine?

For Boston, the key is shutting down Kobe, which they have done before and establishing front court dominance, to force Gasol and Odom into foul trouble, which leaves Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga as backups. Pierce and Allen can get hot whenever, but if Kevin Garnett gets hot? That would be too much for the Lakers to handle.

Here’s my take on the series:

The 2-3-2 format favors the away team, putting more pressure on the home team to secure home court advantage.

Whoever wins the first 2 games will win the series.

Lakers have to win Game 1. They’re just better and Phil Jackson is unbeaten if they win game 1.

It’d be great if Lakers win both, putting them in a great position to steal a game at Boston before returning home.
If Boston wins 1 out of the 2, this sets them up for a 4-1 closeout at home possibly.

Essentially, Kobe will not allow his team to cough up a game at home and certainly has the capability to steal one at Boston. If they do, Boston’s done.

However, I think Boston is too jaded and worn down by the East Conference.

Wallace and Davis who are the heroes for the Celtics run are a little banged up and we’ll see if they can be the effective role players they were before.

The Laker’s length will help, but the bench will be a nice bonus. So far the Laker’s starters have had to pick up the slack for the bench play (Sasha…. Slovenia lives in terror!)and if the bench picks it up alongside the starters play, Celtics would not be able to compete.

Result:

Lakers in 5-6. (If bench plays well, and starters are consistent)

Celtics in 6-7 (If bench, Big 4 play well, and Lakers bench plays worse)

Let’s just hope Farmar, Walton, Shannon Brown, came ready to play.

Overall: 

Sigh… a year ago, Paul Pierce tweeted about his opinion of the NBA Finals in 2009.

“Looked like a German shepherd vs. a poodle. That’s OK the Rottweiler Celtics will b back in 2010”

And who would have thought that Mr. Pierce would have held up on his own guarantee.

The Celtics are back indeed and will have the chance to reassert themselves against the Lakers.

So much on the line including history, legacies, and of course the NBA championship.

It’ll be fun, just ask Magic Johnson:

Magic Johnson’s reaction: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5235503

 Like Mr. Johnson says, get ready this is Christmas for all NBA fans. Just enjoy it. I can even though I’m a Lakers fan, I can enjoy good basketball when I see it. This will be great basketball; no more shallackings that we’ve been seeing in the NBA playoffs. I expect super close games and hopefully a 3OT game 7 with Kobe game winner. But then again? ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

 

Enjoy.