Finals Preview

The NBA Finals start tomorrow and all eyes will be on the rebirth of the Lakers - Celtics finals rivalry. Will this live up to the hype and be as historic as the legendary series of the 80's? maybe, maybe not. On one side is the Celtics whose dramatic reconstruction has had every bandwagoner screaming Ubuntu for the last 8 months. But despite making the finals they have looked very shaky at times throughout the playoffs. On the other end is the Lakers led by the Mamba himself, a team that pulled off the greatest robbery of all time (Pau for Kwame and some other guys). Both teams have proved they were the best in their respective conferences all year and now there can only be one. So who will it be? Well there are a few factors that will determine who is crowned the champ. How do these teams match up in these categories lets have a look...

THE BIG 3's

Both teams have three all stars, both teams have 3 guys who can break out for a huge game any given night. Which trio gets the heads up, that would be the Lakers. The Celtics have yet to have a game in the post season where the "Boston three party" have all played well and until Ray can be the real Ray Allen they dont really classify as a BIG 3. The Lakers have THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD!! Kobe averages almost as many ppg as Pierce and Allen combined as well as Odom and Pau both average double doubles. So the Lakers take this one despite what Gatorade and every interview with Bill Russell would lead you to believe.

Bench

The big 3's can play all 48 mins so the "other guys" will be an important factor, which teams drop off will be bigger when the second unit hits the floor could be critical. Again I have to side with LA on this, their second unit is comprised of young shooters and athletic players that can score and also defend. Vujacic & Farmar are shooters coupled with athletic guys who can get out and run and play D like Turiaf and Walton they can not only not lose the game they can help win it. Boston's bench is where it gets tricky mostly because there is no rhyme or reason to their rotation in this playoffs, will it be Sam Cassell dribbling up the shot clock or will scorer Eddie House actually see the court. Posey and Brown are the two constant faces now a days off the bench as well as Leon Powe all of whom are tough and defend but cant be relied on for much offense. Put them on the court with a ice cold Ray Allen and Rondo and it could be disastrous, especially if KG or Pierce gets in foul trouble. Lakers take this hands down!

Clutch

Anyone who ever watched basketball in the late 80's early 90's might have seen two guys named Bird and Jordan take over close games at the end to deliver their teams to victory. Clutch is always one of the biggest deciding factors in sports. When its close can your go to guy step up and deliver when it counts most? Both teams have one guy that will be looked upon to accomplish this task. Boston's Pierce is the only guy on the team that doesnt shrink when there is a big shot to take. Against Cleveland in game 7 he single handedly won that game by becoming unstoppable, count on him being the guy that takes and makes the big shots for the Celts. But again THE LAKERS HAVE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD! no one since MJ himself has instilled more fear in fans at the end of a game then Kobe, it's almost like your just waiting for him to go off and send your team to the gone fishing montage on TNT. Kobe will take over games and hit game winners in this series. My advice to Boston, win big or you wont win at all.

That explains a lot

Now i know what your thinking this articles has been very one sided and I agree it hasnt looked good for the boys in green so I thought of a category that will surely be in Bostons favor...

Screaming

Everyone knows that unless you are screaming or pounding your chest your arent playing very hard at all. Just ask the Celtics. Led by all NBA 1st team screamer Kevin Garnett, they are more than willing to show how "intense" they are by yelling and chest pounding after the most average of plays. Unlike noted slackers Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, and legendary mediocre player Magic Johnson (he smiled all the time). The Celtics wear their dedication on their faces by being fired up at all times. The Lakers have no answer for this. The only guy they have who cares about winning enough to make funny looking faces and give a few screams after some blocked shots is Turiaf but he is nowhere near Garnett's level. If anyones magical roar can win four games its his, so Beantown break out the champagne the dynasty is back!

It worked in Minnesota why not Boston