Lakers, Celtics Looking The Goods
November 30th 2008 11:56
We are one month into the season and, once again, I am back to give my two cents on proceedings. Sorry I haven't written more often, but my mate Wally actually stole my computer and deleted everything off it so I've had to start again from scratch. But anyway, before I begin, I must clarify one error from my previous post. I've received thousands of emails regarding my comments that Utah made the Western Conference Finals last year. I now accept that error and move on.
There have been no great surprises in terms of the conference leaders so far. Boston are simply cruising and it looks like it would take something extraordinary to knock them out of 1st place. They perhaps haven't been as dominant as they were at this point last year, with no wins by 20-plus, but they are consistently getting it done at 16-2, whilst not relying as heavily on the big three as they were early last year. In total, they are only getting 52.1ppg from those guys with Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen playing valuable roles, as has been necessary without the services of James Posey.
The NBA championship has been passed back and forth every year from East to West since San Antonio won in 2003. I think that trend will continue in 2009, despite Boston's dominance. I believe the Los Angeles Lakers(13-1) are best positioned to take it out this year. They are the biggest team in the league by position. Andrew Bynum has already proven to be a huge boost to an already capable frontcourt that troubled the Celtics at times in the Finals last season without him. When you have two quality 7-footers (Bynum and Pau Gasol), plus some very good 6-10 guys (Vladimir Radmanovic and Lamar Odom) at small forward, plus a certain shooting guard, it's hard to see too many losses coming your way. Comparisons are being made to the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls which may be premature, but the talent of this team is not far away from the Bulls who set an NBA record with 72 wins.
I am not declaring the Finals to be a Lakers-Celtics one just yet, but i think it's the most likely scenario by far, so lets assume it eventuates and have a close look at it, position by position.
Point Guard - Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar vs Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen. An interesting matchup here, which is pretty evenly split. Although neither team have a star in this spot, it will still be critical, as the point guard spot always is. The experience of Fisher, I believe, gives him and Lakers the nod. As good as the youthful Rondo has been over the last year, Fisher knows how the make the big plays when they need to be made in big games. Farmar also gives them scoring punch off the bench, while Tony Allen has been steady.
Verdict - Lakers
Shooting Guard - Kobe Bryant vs Ray Allen and Eddie House. Clearly in L.A.'s favour, but will be a big key in this series. The defensive job Boston do on Bryant will contribute to the series outcome in a major way. Expect Paul Pierce to guard him for large portions of games as well the shooting guards. Both Allen and House are vital for the Celts offensively and will need to be on target from long range to have a major impact. Sasha Vujacic will also be able to come in and spread the floor for the Lakers.
Verdict - Lakers
Small Forward - Paul Pierce vs Lamar Odom and Vladimir Radmanovic. Although Odom can play power foward as well, he will also spend time at small forward when Radmanovic is out, to really stretch Boston for size. But even with a couple of guys rotating on him, the 2008 Finals MVP Pierce will be too good for these guys.
Verdict - Celtics
Power Forward - Kevin Garnett vs Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Once again, one of the all-time greats, Garnett, holds the upper hand, even against a tag-team. Gasol will stil be able to score and may take KG away from the defensive boards with his 17-foot jumpers, but Gasol won't be able to remove Garnett from being one of the most influential players in the series.
Verdict - Celtics
Center - Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis vs Andrew Bynum. With Gasol rotating through the Center spot as well, the Lakers should dominate at Center. This is mainly due to the Gasol acquisition. Without him, Garnett would be able to guard Bynum and and the Celtics wouldn't have as many problems defensively. But his acquisition late last season could pay dividends in the June of '09.
Verdict - Lakers
Bench - With Odom, Farmar, Vujacic, Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton all coming off the bench for the Lakers, they probably have the best bench in the league. Boston's is weaker now without Posey, who was a big x-factor last time around. Leon Powe continues to develop, Tony Allen and House are steady, but don't stack up to the impressive Lakers bench.
Verdict - Lakers
I think the Lakers will have the home court advantage in this series and in a reverse of last season will win 4-2, after stealing a game in Boston.
While we're looking into the crystal ball, I'll give you my final standings in each conference.
East
1. Boston
2. Cleveland
3. Orlando
4. Detroit
5. Toronto
6. Atlanta
7. Chicago
8. Philadelphia
West
1. LA Lakers
2. Houston
3. New Orleans
4. Utah
5. San Antonio
6. Phoenix
7. Denver
8. Portland
Thanks guys and I'll get back to you soon (when my farm gets less hectic and I've got time).
There have been no great surprises in terms of the conference leaders so far. Boston are simply cruising and it looks like it would take something extraordinary to knock them out of 1st place. They perhaps haven't been as dominant as they were at this point last year, with no wins by 20-plus, but they are consistently getting it done at 16-2, whilst not relying as heavily on the big three as they were early last year. In total, they are only getting 52.1ppg from those guys with Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen playing valuable roles, as has been necessary without the services of James Posey.
The NBA championship has been passed back and forth every year from East to West since San Antonio won in 2003. I think that trend will continue in 2009, despite Boston's dominance. I believe the Los Angeles Lakers(13-1) are best positioned to take it out this year. They are the biggest team in the league by position. Andrew Bynum has already proven to be a huge boost to an already capable frontcourt that troubled the Celtics at times in the Finals last season without him. When you have two quality 7-footers (Bynum and Pau Gasol), plus some very good 6-10 guys (Vladimir Radmanovic and Lamar Odom) at small forward, plus a certain shooting guard, it's hard to see too many losses coming your way. Comparisons are being made to the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls which may be premature, but the talent of this team is not far away from the Bulls who set an NBA record with 72 wins.
I am not declaring the Finals to be a Lakers-Celtics one just yet, but i think it's the most likely scenario by far, so lets assume it eventuates and have a close look at it, position by position.
Point Guard - Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar vs Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen. An interesting matchup here, which is pretty evenly split. Although neither team have a star in this spot, it will still be critical, as the point guard spot always is. The experience of Fisher, I believe, gives him and Lakers the nod. As good as the youthful Rondo has been over the last year, Fisher knows how the make the big plays when they need to be made in big games. Farmar also gives them scoring punch off the bench, while Tony Allen has been steady.
Verdict - Lakers
Shooting Guard - Kobe Bryant vs Ray Allen and Eddie House. Clearly in L.A.'s favour, but will be a big key in this series. The defensive job Boston do on Bryant will contribute to the series outcome in a major way. Expect Paul Pierce to guard him for large portions of games as well the shooting guards. Both Allen and House are vital for the Celts offensively and will need to be on target from long range to have a major impact. Sasha Vujacic will also be able to come in and spread the floor for the Lakers.
Verdict - Lakers
Small Forward - Paul Pierce vs Lamar Odom and Vladimir Radmanovic. Although Odom can play power foward as well, he will also spend time at small forward when Radmanovic is out, to really stretch Boston for size. But even with a couple of guys rotating on him, the 2008 Finals MVP Pierce will be too good for these guys.
Verdict - Celtics
Power Forward - Kevin Garnett vs Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Once again, one of the all-time greats, Garnett, holds the upper hand, even against a tag-team. Gasol will stil be able to score and may take KG away from the defensive boards with his 17-foot jumpers, but Gasol won't be able to remove Garnett from being one of the most influential players in the series.
Verdict - Celtics
Center - Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis vs Andrew Bynum. With Gasol rotating through the Center spot as well, the Lakers should dominate at Center. This is mainly due to the Gasol acquisition. Without him, Garnett would be able to guard Bynum and and the Celtics wouldn't have as many problems defensively. But his acquisition late last season could pay dividends in the June of '09.
Verdict - Lakers
Bench - With Odom, Farmar, Vujacic, Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton all coming off the bench for the Lakers, they probably have the best bench in the league. Boston's is weaker now without Posey, who was a big x-factor last time around. Leon Powe continues to develop, Tony Allen and House are steady, but don't stack up to the impressive Lakers bench.
Verdict - Lakers
I think the Lakers will have the home court advantage in this series and in a reverse of last season will win 4-2, after stealing a game in Boston.
While we're looking into the crystal ball, I'll give you my final standings in each conference.
East
1. Boston
2. Cleveland
3. Orlando
4. Detroit
5. Toronto
6. Atlanta
7. Chicago
8. Philadelphia
West
1. LA Lakers
2. Houston
3. New Orleans
4. Utah
5. San Antonio
6. Phoenix
7. Denver
8. Portland
Thanks guys and I'll get back to you soon (when my farm gets less hectic and I've got time).
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