2008 NBA Finals: Lakers V Celtics????

[CURVE]

Is it Possible???

The Celtics have been unbelievable so far this season. The Lakers have been solid, and getting some decent performances out of the younger brigade of Bynum, Walton and Farmer, but do they have the talent to get past the Spurs, Suns and/or Mavs?

Don't think so, but it nice to dream!

 

[celtic_pride]

Spus, yes, Suns ditto, but for some reason I can't see them beating the Mavs ..
It's really odd and I can't explain it, but I have a feeling Dallas will win the West again this season ...

Surely if this dream finals matchup happened (the NBA would be so thrilled btw) all neutrals would be rooting for Boston ...
Come on it's good (KG, Jesus and Pierce) VS Evil (Kobe and Damn Phil Jackson LOL)

I think this matchup is more likely next season though, esp if the rumours of Kidd joining the lakers next season is true...

 

[mdc]

They can beat the Suns, they have a shot against the Mavs.

But like the Celtics, they have absolutely no hope against the Spurs.

 

[celtic_pride]

They can beat the Suns, they have a shot against the Mavs.

But like the Celtics, they have absolutely no hope against the Spurs.

How the hell can you base that opinion on the fact that Boston has yet to play the Spurs this year ???

It's pathetic how some people can't take an 26 -3 team seriously as title contenders ???

 

[Thewlis Dish]

They can go 79-3 for all a lot of people care - Dallas had an amazing regular season too and look what happened there. Anything can happen in the playoffs. You'd be a very, very brave man to bet against a full strength San Antonio though.

 

[mdc]

How the hell can you base that opinion on the fact that Boston has yet to play the Spurs this year ???

It's pathetic how some people can't take an 26 -3 team seriously as title contenders ???

A little defensive, eh?

I think Celtics are very serious contenders - they can beat any team other than the Spurs (although I think they'd lose to Detroit as well).

They simply can't beat the Spurs because of match-ups. They don't have an advantage at any position.

 

[celtic_pride]

They can go 79-3 for all a lot of people care - Dallas had an amazing regular season too and look what happened there. Anything can happen in the playoffs. You'd be a very, very brave man to bet against a full strength San Antonio though.

But history is against the Spurs repeating though ...

But yes I have Spurs has definite favourites to win again, either against Detroit or Boston in the finals ..

But the big if, they have had injuries for most of the season, and they are looking a bit vunerable IMHO right now.
But still the playoffs are a long way away.

 

[KGCC07]

your joking right?

Lakers in the Finals? LOL

 

[Thewlis Dish]

But the big if, they have had injuries for most of the season, and they are looking a bit vunerable IMHO right now.
But still the playoffs are a long way away.

Have you been under a rock the past 6-7 years? Every season the Spurs seem to start a bit slowly and have people saying they're past it and not a threat, and every season without fail they peak at the right time. It will happen again this year.

Detroit are my pick to meet them in the finals - I think they're 24-7 and no one has said a word.

 

[Borgsta]

Detroit are my pick to meet them in the finals - I think they're 24-7 and no one has said a word.

Also 9-1 in the last 10.

 

[eathb]

Stern would wet himself if this happens

A Lakers/Knicks finals would be his dream one though.

 

[thewhippersnapper]

your joking right?

Lakers in the Finals? LOL

Well it's not likely but hey..more chance than Denver making it.

 

[KGCC07]

Well it's not likely but hey..more chance than Denver making it.

um...

i dont think so.

Lakers are a one man team.

 

[im rick james dog]

i dont think there is any chance of the lakers making the finals

i cant wait for this seasons finals series however, hopefully the final series is a combination of boston, detroit, san antonio, dallas and phoenix.

cleveland clearly were not the 2nd best team last year and the result was a very sad end to an overall boring playoff series.

a san antonio v boston final would be preferable as i would love to see kg v duncan on the biggest stage

 

[Stenglein's a Champ!]

um...

i dont think so.

Lakers are a one man team.

Haven't been paying much attention this year?

 

[Paddy_Mac]

Zi mavs will make zi finals. But i'm biased though.

 

[Darealrath]

I think Celtics are very serious contenders - they can beat any team other than the Spurs (although I think they'd lose to Detroit as well).

They simply can't beat the Spurs because of match-ups.They don't have an advantage at any position.

They have an advantage at SF for sure with Pierce and at PF when Duncan is playing C. I think a slight advantage at SG too, but a big deficiency at PG and C when Duncan is playing there and off the bench too.

The Spurs are a great team but they aren't as dominant as people seem to make out. They haven't won back to back yet and had a lot of fortune go their way to get out of the West last time around.

 

[mdc]

They have an advantage at SF for sure with Pierce and at PF when Duncan is playing C. I think a slight advantage at SG too, but a big deficiency at PG and C when Duncan is playing there and off the bench too.

The Spurs are a great team but they aren't as dominant as people seem to make out. They haven't won back to back yet and had a lot of fortune go their way to get out of the West last time around.

Well, the way I see it:
Parker - Rondo Big Spurs Advantage

Manu - Allen Slight Spurs Advantage (at least Manu as 1st/2nd option > Allen as 3rd option. And Manu is better defensively)

Bowen - Pierce Wash (I'm sure everyone will want to chalk this down as a big Boston advantage, but Bowen goes super-dirty in the playoffs, and destroys opponents mentally. Pierce will shoot his team out of it in at least 1 or 2 games).

Duncan - KG Slight Spurs Advantage

Oberto - Perkins Slight Spurs Advantage

And Spurs Bench > Celts Bench


Just because the Spurs haven't won back-to-back yet doesn't mean they won't this year. Just like if the last 5 flips of a coin have been heads-tails-heads-tails-heads, it doesn't mean the next one is tails
I'm not saying the Spurs can't be beaten - they can. Just not by Boston. I actually think NO might be able to trouble them if they're in good form and Paul maintains his current level of play.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Well, the way I see it:
Parker - Rondo Big Spurs Advantage

Manu - Allen Slight Spurs Advantage (at least Manu as 1st/2nd option > Allen as 3rd option. And Manu is better defensively)

Bowen - Pierce Wash (I'm sure everyone will want to chalk this down as a big Boston advantage, but Bowen goes super-dirty in the playoffs, and destroys opponents mentally. Pierce will shoot his team out of it in at least 1 or 2 games).

Duncan - KG Slight Spurs Advantage

Oberto - Perkins Slight Spurs Advantage

And Spurs Bench > Celts Bench


Just because the Spurs haven't won back-to-back yet doesn't mean they won't this year. Just like if the last 5 flips of a coin have been heads-tails-heads-tails-heads, it doesn't mean the next one is tails
I'm not saying the Spurs can't be beaten - they can. Just not by Boston. I actually think NO might be able to trouble them if they're in good form and Paul maintains his current level of play.

I reckon Perkins is better than Oberto. Oberto cannot handle the big stage and will commit stupid help defence fouls on KG.

 

[Darealrath]

Pierce easy over Bowen. Pierce can carry a team down the stretch in the playoffs and has done so before (notably against my guys a few years back), both with his outside shooting and his ability to get to the line (and plays good D). Bowen is good at what he does but please, we're talking about one of the stars of the league.

Allen has to break even with Manu too. He can do what you said for Pierce, shoot his team out of it. Too good to give the Spurs the edge here.

Duncan plays too much C which complicates comparing him and KG.

I think the Celtics could take them to 6 or 7 games and with the home court advantage they'd likely have I think they'd be every chance. Spurs are damn good but they are a long way from invincible.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Bowen also has a massive psychological edge over Ray if the Spurs choose to go that way.

 

[Tristagi]

LMGDMFAO @ Lakers in finals!

 

[mdc]

Pierce easy over Bowen. Pierce can carry a team down the stretch in the playoffs and has done so before (notably against my guys a few years back), both with his outside shooting and his ability to get to the line (and plays good D). Bowen is good at what he does but please, we're talking about one of the stars of the league.

There's no question Pierce is a very good player. The question is whether he can still be a very good player against Bowen. I have my doubts.

If Pierce is having a 6-22 game, or something like that, it hurts Boston's chances a lot. And I expect him to have a few of those vs. Bowen.

Allen has to break even with Manu too. He can do what you said for Pierce, shoot his team out of it. Too good to give the Spurs the edge here.

By "shoot his team out of it", I meant cost the team the game by missing too many shots, AI style. I don't think either Allen (on the C's) or Manu will do that.

Spurs don't leave 3pt shooters alone (just ask Phoenix), so I can't see Allen having a major impact. And Manu is a much more complete player.

Duncan plays too much C which complicates comparing him and KG.

It's not so much about C/PF as it is about matchups. I expect Perkins will start on Duncan, and the Spurs might use Elson on Garnett. So it's not a direct head-to-head, but they serve a similar function for their team offensively, so it's fair to compare them.

I think the Celtics could take them to 6 or 7 games and with the home court advantage they'd likely have I think they'd be every chance. Spurs are damn good but they are a long way from invincible.

Again, never said the Spurs are invincible. If Detroit makes the finals, they're every chance. But I can't see Boston taking any more than 2 games off them - if they're lucky.

 

[Darealrath]

By "shoot his team out of it", I meant cost the team the game by missing too many shots, AI style. I don't think either Allen (on the C's) or Manu will do that.

Spurs don't leave 3pt shooters alone (just ask Phoenix), so I can't see Allen having a major impact. And Manu is a much more complete player.

Ah sorry I see what you mean.

One thing on your second point though is that Phoenix's 3 point shooters are catch and shoot open look guys, whereas Allen (especially) and Pierce hardly need a look to still shoot effectively.

And on the invincible thing I wasn't referring to you, just the general vibe I'm getting from a couple forums I read as well as the media.

We'll see in a few months anyway mate.

 

[CURVE]

your joking right?

Lakers in the Finals? LOL

I admit it is a dream scenario, I even mentioned that in the original post. Thank You for reading it before this enlightened comment. Greatly appreciated.

um...

i dont think so.

Lakers are a one man team.

Bryant is dominating the stats, but the Lakers are playing more of a team game, then I've seen from them for some time. Odom, Bynum, Fisher, Farmer, Walton & Radmanovic have been pretty consistant performers, and we are getting contributions from a few others at various stages. None of these guys have the talent we need to beat San Antonio in a seven game series, but I do believe we are one the stronger second-tier teams in the West.