On Thursday (3/5/08) the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers will meet in the NBA Finals for the 11th time in the league's History, 21 years since their last meeting in 1987. These two teams rank one and two for most championships all time -- Boston with 16, Lakers with 14 -- and once these Finals conclude these two teams will account for almost half of the Championships in NBA history. Here's everything you need to know.
The Lakers overcame a lot of adversity to get where they are now
The Inspiration
Celtics: Getting Their Own
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, each of these three are on the back ends of their careers and not one of them has played in the NBA Finals. Last year each of these stars played for some of the worst teams in the league, each of them on the verge of rebuilding; Minnesota and Seattle did, Boston didn't. After the Celtics acquired Ray Allen in a draft day trade with seattle, Garnett changed his mind on his previous stance of never wanting to play in Boston. Thanks to Boston GM Danny Ainge (and a little help from ex-celtic Kevin McHale,) the Celtics have put together the best team in the NBA this year, and now these three superstars finally have a shot at the title.
Lakers: Proving Themselves
Last summer many believed that Kobe Bryant was headed to Chicago, and the Lakers were about to be forced into a rebuilding era; close call. Thanks to patience by the Lakers organization Kobe was not shipped out of L.A. and thanks to some great, young role-players, Kobe was convinced the Lakers had the ability to compete. Even after being called out personally by Bryant, Andruw Bynum had a breakout year, but after a season ending injury the Lakers were able to add the final piece of their team via a trade with Memphis for Pau Gasol. Kobe is already one of the 50 best players of all time, but now he finally has a shot to win a title without Shaq, and prove the lakers right for sticking with him over the Diesel.
Key Matchup: Kobe Bryant vs Ray Allen
Kobe Bryant will be Kobe Bryant, its as simple as that, so the key here is the play of Ray Allen. As for defense, the Celtics will likely use a rotation in guarding Bryant to try and keep him from settling into a groove, but Offensively Allen must be a consistent 3rd option scorer to keep the Celtics in it. Allen has had a very poor postseason so far right up until game 5 of the East Finals where he erupted for 29 points. Allen has always played well above average when matching up with Kobe, but that was when he was the #1 option on Seattle. Allen won't be asked to lead this team, but for the Celtics to win he needs to keep playing Kobe with that same passion that he always has.
X-Factors
Celtics: James Posey
Posey is one of only two players on Boston who have been to the finals, and after the way Sam Cassel has played this postseason, Posey looks to be the only one of the two to play significant minutes. Posey will take the pressure off Ray Allen by helping guard Kobe. Posey has been shooting great from three-point range and has to be the defensive stopper on the wing that the Celtics need.
Lakers: Lamar Odom
Odom had a less-than-spectacular series against the Spurs but the Lakers were still able to win in five, unfortunately for L.A. this wont happen against Boston. Odom averaged little over 12 points per game last series and need to step up his game offensively, only this time, hell be guarded mostly by the Defensive Player of the Year. On the other end Odom must keep Garnett in check and keep the Lakers from having to Double Team him down low.
What to Expect
This match-up will pit the leagues #1 Defense against one of the best Offensive teams in the NBA (Los Angeles ranked in the Top 3 since their trade for Gasol). The Celtics have put together a contender in just a matter of months and Kobe Bryant has finally led the Lakers to the Finals without Shaq. Los Angeles has had a great post-season to say the least, especially compared to the Celtics, but Boston was able to turn it on against the Pistons and it looks like their back at full force. Many are picking the Lakers to continue their hot streak, but after such a long layoff between rounds all bets are off. Boston has been too good at home all year long and won't let the L.A. take such an early series lead. It should go chalk almost all the way but of all the stars on the floor Kobe is the one with Finals expirience and that killer instinct. The home teams should win out until game 5 in Boston. After going up 3-2 the Lakers should close out the series at home.
The Prediction: Los Angeles in 6
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