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NBA Finals - Lakers beat Celtics 4-3

Ridders

Ridders

Coach
Messages
10,831
Both teams limped into the playoffs yet both have played the best ball in the playoffs. It's been a pretty impressive run for the Celtics, beating Cleveland and Orlando. If they can beat LA it would surely have to count as one of the great title runs in recent history.

Below are obviously all Sydney times

Game 1 - Friday 4th June - 11am
Game 2 - Monday 7th June - 10am
Game 3 - Wednesday 9th June - 11am
Game 4 - Friday 11th June - 11am
Game 5 - Monday 14th June - 10am (if required)
Game 6 - Wednesday 16th June - 11am (if required)
Game 7 - Friday 18th June - 11am (if required)

I think the Celtics will take it in 6. Bynum being so limited just worries me too much. If he was healthy, I'd pick LA.
 
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Tiger Hawk

Bench
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2,928
Going to be interesting that's for sure. On one hand I lean towards LA due to KG's diminishing impact and Artest matching up well with Pierce. On the other hand, Rondo should absolutely shred Fish/Farmar and they have multiple (good) defenders to throw at Kobe (unlike Utah or Phoenix).

At gunpoint I'd probably lean towards Boston only because Bynum is limping around. On the other hand, Davis, Wallace, Daniels, Allen are injured for the Celtics......sheesh. Boston in 5.
 
Ridders

Ridders

Coach
Messages
10,831
I feel that the Lakers are going to be in for a bit of shock with the Celtics series. In the last two series LA have gone up against teams that were pretty defensively challeneged. Jazz and Suns relied more on out-scoring their opponents. Also will be the first time in the playoffs for the Lakers when they're facing a similar size front court. I could just so see the Celtics stealing game 1.

Will be nice that LA actually have someone to guard Pierce. There was nothing more painful in the 08 Finals than watching either Radmanovic or Walton try and guard PP.
 
Ridders

Ridders

Coach
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10,831
Mr Saab said:
Kobe wants a ring for his thumb...he will avg 35 this series.
Lakers in 6
Click to expand...

He's certainly in some great form running in. So pumped to see what he can do against the Celtics defense.
 
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Mr Saab

Mr Saab

Referee
Messages
27,762
Ridders said:
He's certainly in some great form running in. So pumped to see what he can do against the Celtics defene.
Click to expand...

If he can get over the Celtics then this will be the icing on his cake. No disrespect to the Magic last yr, but they are not the Celtics.
If he can get revenge for 2008 then it will be his best accomplishment yet.
As you said, the Celtics defense is very good and they are tall.
 
Special K

Special K

Coach
Messages
19,566
Tiger Hawk said:
And Boston isn't?
Click to expand...
I think Artest and Kobe on the biggest stage just feels like lock down D. If Rondo comes up big this series they can do it. I just think that the Lakers will come out the other side of this one. But there are some great potential match ups, but I still wish we could have seen a fresh match up in Suns/Magic.
 
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Tiger Hawk

Bench
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2,928
Kobe's in great form against teams with nobody able to defend him one on one. Grant Hill, J-Rich, Wes Matthews etc etc. Boston can throw Pierce at him (did so effectively in 2008), Ray Allen always raises his game against Kobe and Tony Allen (possibly the Celtics most important player) stifled Wade pretty well in that first round series and will try to emulate Posey from 2008. There's also legit shot-blockers on the Celtics front-line, unlike both the Jazz or Suns.

Against the Thunder, with Thabo or KD checking him, Kobe only went for 23.5 a game on 40% shooting, something people seem quick to forget after he went off against weak defensive teams in rounds 2 & 3. If he goes for 35, he's going to have to take 30-plus shots against the league's best defensive team - which is exactly what Boston want him to do.
 
Ridders

Ridders

Coach
Messages
10,831
Special K said:
I think Artest and Kobe on the biggest stage just feels like lock down D. If Rondo comes up big this series they can do it. I just think that the Lakers will come out the other side of this one. But there are some great potential match ups, but I still wish we could have seen a fresh match up in Suns/Magic.
Click to expand...

It'd be nice to see Nash get a ring. Deserves it.

This will be Kobe's 7th NBA Finals. That's some achievement
 
McLovin

McLovin

Moderator
Staff member
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33,902
Lakers in 4....yeah that's right...

I think Pau's going to dominate with 28 and 14 a game...
 
ByRd

ByRd

First Grade
Messages
5,937
Tiger Hawk said:
Going to be interesting that's for sure. On one hand I lean towards LA due to KG's diminishing impact and Artest matching up well with Pierce. On the other hand, Rondo should absolutely shred Fish/Farmar and they have multiple (good) defenders to throw at Kobe (unlike Utah or Phoenix).

At gunpoint I'd probably lean towards Boston only because Bynum is limping around. On the other hand, Davis, Wallace, Daniels, Allen are injured for the Celtics......sheesh. Boston in 5.
Click to expand...
Fisher wont be guarding Rondo, Kobe will be on Rondo and Fisher will be chasing Allen around the court.

I cant wait for this series to start, i was hoping we would get the Celtics and this is going to be a tough series, Lakers in 6.
 
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Tiger Hawk

Bench
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2,928
I'm sure that Kobe will take possessions guarding Rondo, most likely in the 3rd & 4th quarters, but I can't see the Lakers most important offensive player guarding him for whole games at a time.

And anyway, IIRC Kobe guarded Rondo for most of their first matchup this season and Rondo didn't exactly have too much problem penetrating against him.
 
ByRd

ByRd

First Grade
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5,937
They will play it smart against Rondo, they will sag off and force him to shoot, he will penetrate but they will limit it.
 
Ridders

Ridders

Coach
Messages
10,831
Tiger Hawk said:
I'm sure that Kobe will take possessions guarding Rondo, most likely in the 3rd & 4th quarters, but I can't see the Lakers most important offensive player guarding him for whole games at a time.

And anyway, IIRC Kobe guarded Rondo for most of their first matchup this season and Rondo didn't exactly have too much problem penetrating against him.
Click to expand...

Agree. Mind you chasing Ray Ray through a million screens isn't easy either.
 
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Tiger Hawk

Bench
Messages
2,928
Ridders said:
Agree. Mind you chasing Ray Ray through a million screens isn't easy either.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's not ideal for Kobe defensively, can't really take possessions off against Boston - mind you, I wouldn't expect that from him either.

Come on already!
 
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