NBA "Where Amazing Happens" Finals: LA Lakers vs Boston Celtics

[peternorth]

Cos that's what they are at the end of the day, a team. This Lakers squad hasn't faced adversity together. It has all the polish of a fantasy roster, but at the end of the day, it still has a ring of 'Kobe + Supporting Cast' to it.

LeBron + Supporting Cast got beaten in last year's Finals, just like Iverson + Supporting Cast, Kidd + Supporting Cast and Dirk + Supporting Cast before it.

It'd sure be a nice fairytale for Kobe to win the lot, but a pig with lipstick is still a pig.

Celtics in 6.

firstly you're biased.
secondly lakers not having faced adversity? bynum going down had me raising the white flag.
iverson + supporting cast defeated by kobe/shaq + supporting cast
each time someone loses you can throw in supporting cast.

^^^^^^^^

biased

 

[mdc]

Cos that's what they are at the end of the day, a team. This Lakers squad hasn't faced adversity together. It has all the polish of a fantasy roster, but at the end of the day, it still has a ring of 'Kobe + Supporting Cast' to it.

The only adversity the Celts faced was self-inflicted. Personally, I'd prefer my team to steamroll two quality opponents rather than choke and recover against two mediocre teams.

And calling LA 'Kobe + Supporting Cast' is just another way of saying Boston don't have a go-to guy. Because Boston's "big 3" are no better than Kobe/Gasol/Odom.

At 2.40 or whatever they're paying the Celts have value given their home-ground advantage, but comparing mediocre teams like Philly '01 and Cleveland '06 to one of the best offensive units in recent times is crazy.

 

[TigerFan]

firstly you're biased.
secondly lakers not having faced adversity? bynum going down had me raising the white flag.

Bynum going down pre-empted the trade for Pau Gasol. Despite all the Kobe-centric press coverage, Gasol's still adjusting to his new role.

If the Lakers are to win the NBA Finals, Gasol will need to be their second-best contributor on any given night, and when the guy who's playing the second-most minutes on your team is a recent trade acquisition, you're instantly at a disadvantage.

The fact is, since the Gasol trade, the Lakers have had a smooth ride. No big ins, no big outs, nothing unexpected. If the going gets tough, let's see how long Kobe's newfound unselfishness lasts.

iverson + supporting cast defeated by kobe/shaq + supporting cast
each time someone loses you can throw in supporting cast.

Garnett/Pierce + Supporting Cast > Kobe + Supporting Cast

The only adversity the Celts faced was self-inflicted. Personally, I'd prefer my team to steamroll two quality opponents rather than choke and recover against two mediocre teams.

Call it what you like, these Celtics have been tested, and they've found a way to win.

The Lakers are yet to face their biggest test, and that raises a big enough question mark for me to back the Celtics.

And calling LA 'Kobe + Supporting Cast' is just another way of saying Boston don't have a go-to guy. Because Boston's "big 3" are no better than Kobe/Gasol/Odom.

Boston have a go-to guy, his name is Paul Pierce.

As for the 'Big 3', I'm not getting into that argument. We've got 7 games to settle that one.

At 2.40 or whatever they're paying the Celts have value given their home-ground advantage, but comparing mediocre teams like Philly '01 and Cleveland '06 to one of the best offensive units in recent times is crazy.

Maybe that comparison was a bit harsh, but those teams will all have one thing in common come June 20...

The tag of 'Loser'.

Celtics in 6

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

If there is basketball karma then Boston deserves to win.

 

[Borgsta]

Does anyone else think that KG is just going to absolutely crumble in game 1?

I think he will have a normal KG series after it but for some reason I just see the pressure getting to him in the 1st.

Lakers by 5.

BTW, betting agencies have the Lakers as favourites for the series, yet they are $2.30 to win today ??? Why???

 

[mdc]

BTW, betting agencies have the Lakers as favourites for the series, yet they are $2.30 to win today ??? Why???

I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but suppose that Vegas believes Lakers a -2 points better than the Celts overall. A home-floor advantage is traditionally worth +3.9 iirc.

So on the Celtics home floor, the Celtics are a -1.9 favourite, whereas on the Lakers home floor they're a +6.9 dog. So the betting would reflect that.

 

[peternorth]

lol the boston globe reporter on sportscenter this morning goes "there hasnt been as much intererest in basketball since, well 20 years ago"

 

[rainman06]

Lakers in 7 KOBE MVP

 

[TheLakeshow]

For some reason i think the longer the series goes the less chance LA have of winning it

 

[peternorth]

as a laker fan i didnt expect to make it this far so its a bonus being in the finals. as a basketball fan i would think that everyone here wouldve tipped boston to make the finals and win it. i think boston will win, unfortunately.

 

[LukeHodge15]

Lakers Nutcase, but im very very worried about this series.
Come on KOBE, show those haters how u are the best basketballer on the planet.

 

[lewisalloverit]

Finally todays the day! Can't wait till tip-off.

 

[walkers a legend]

Is it on sopcast ?

 

[peternorth]

gasol 2

la 2-0

 

[peternorth]

terrible backcourt violation call on gasol.

 

[Rick18]

Celts by 5, nice start from Allen with that 3.

 

[peternorth]

another bad call on gasol. clean block on kg

 

[walkers a legend]

up by 3 !!!!!!!!

 

[walkers a legend]

lol did anyone see that Shaq ad ?

 

[CURVE]

Boston dominating the boards, but Lakers up at Halftime 51-46.

 

[krisholio14]

I'm struggling to find a good feed.

Anyone help?

 

[Dime]

Buy Foxtel

Two shithouse calls on Pau in the first half as pete pointed out.

Good to see Pierce in foul trouble

 

[krisholio14]

Buy Foxtel

Two shithouse calls on Pau in the first half as pete pointed out.

Good to see Pierce in foul trouble

Bit hard when you live in a block of units with an arseh*le landlord

 

[walkers a legend]

I'm struggling to find a good feed.

Anyone help?

Im watching this one

http://www.justin.tv/luisquiroz

 

[peternorth]

Im watching this one

http://www.justin.tv/luisquiroz

im watching http://www.justin.tv/ross_yoursport (english feed with pommy hosts!)

anyway expect boston to hit back strongly in the third as they always do?