I just about started off the entry by talking about the history surrounding the two teams and the rivalry that has been built up by facing each other in the Finals so many times, but I remembered how much I ragged on media people bringing that up so often in the last entry, so I will forego that...
Instead, I just wanted to focus on the matchup itself...to me, this is as intriguing of a championship that the NBA has had in a long time because there are so many contrasts between the two teams besides their East Coast/West Coast differences. Let’s look at a couple of them...
First, just in team makeup alone, the two sides couldn’t be more different. In talking about the Lakers, everything revolves around Kobe Bryant, and rightfully so because he’s one of the Top 3 players in the game. The Lakers’ problem is they’re very vulnerable if Kobe is neutralized or stopped altogether.
On the opposite side, the Celtics can be called a true team because they have so many different parts that they can rely in if one breaks down. An opposing defence has to deal with trying to neutralize Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. Now, none of the four possess the threat of breaking out for 60-70 points like Kobe can, but the question remains, “Do you pick the team with one 5-star stud player in L.A. or the team with four very good players in Boston?”
Also, the Celtics are known for being a hard-nosed kind of team and will look to make the play much more physical. If it means cheap shots after the whistle or flagrant fouls, the Celtics are not above doing that to get an edge mentally or physically.
The Lakers are a team that relies on much more finesse and skill. Kobe can handle the boost in physicality that the Celtics can offer, but how will Ron Artest/Pau Gasol and company feel about playing a rugged style? Artest will like the physical nature, but will his emotions get the best of him? Will Pau Gasol start to disappear as the bumping and crashing begins to get tougher?
There’s also some intriguing one-on-one battles to look for...in no particular order:
1) Any Celtic Player vs. Kobe Bryant
Again, if the Celtics can neutralize Kobe or stop him altogether, they make the Lakers very vulnerable, but much easier said than done...the player chosen for this assignment will be key...
2) Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher
This is a complete mismatch on paper in favour of the Celtics...how do the Lakers help out Fisher defensively? If Fisher is left on an island by himself, he’s in a lot of trouble, but Phil Jackson won’t allow it...
3) Kendrick Perkins vs. Andrew Bynum
Bynum is not healthy at all, but can Perkins pick up his game to take advantage of Bynum not being at 100%?
4) Bench Play
The Lakers bench has been ineffective more nights than not...meanwhile, the Celtics have gotten contributions from Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace and Nate Robinson off the bench...they help themselves out a lot by winning this battle over the Lakers