As the NBA Playoffs finally come to a close after practically two months of playing, the Eastern and Western Conference's best square off tonight at 9 p.m.
We all know about the rich history and rivalry that the matchup presents (although some may argue against the rivalry part since Boston owns the head-to-head comparison 9-2). What is being downplayed is the sheer talent on both sides, and the juicy matchups that wait. One thing is clear, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers don't like each other. That is they way it should be.
Here is a look at the starting lineups for both squads and who has the edge at each position:
PG
LAL Derek Fisher
BOS Rajon Rando
To begin the season, Rondo, despite his performance from last year's playoffs, was almost viewed as an afterthought behind the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. What he ended up doing was earning his first trip to the All-Star game, and cementing himself as the Celtics most important player (and most exciting). The Celtics season was, to put it lightly, a slight dissapointment. Rondo's play during the season, along with his gutsy performance against Cleveland, has put him on the national radar as one of the game's premier floor generals.
It has been mentioned before, but Fisher has made it through the gauntlet of tough point guards this postseason. He matched up with Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook in the first round (his play is similar to Rondo's), before dispatching Utah's Deron Williams and Phoenix's Steve Nash (whose play differs from Rondo's). Despite his "dismantling" of those elite point guards, he was aided greatly by his teammates, and Rondo is oozing with confidence right now. Fisher still, and always will scare me in the clutch because the guy is made of nails.
Fisher probably won't be guarding Rondo a lot, but Rondo gets the nod here.
EDGE: Celtics
SG
LAL Kobe Bryant
BOS Ray Allen
Kobe Bean Bryant is one of the game's best, and perhaps its best competitor. That does not stop me from hating him. Teammates walk a thin line with him, and a bad shot or a poor turnover may result in one of Kobe's death stares. His play can lift the Lakers, but it can also end up being the team's downfall. One thing is clear: he is the best player in the series. Some of the shots he made to cap off the Phoenix series were incredible. The Celtics defense, however, is not like the Suns.
Allen came to the Celtics with questions concerning his knees and his ankles, and the fact that great jump shooters tend to slow down when these things happen (He's turning 35 in July). "Jesus Shuttlesworth" is no typical jump shooter though. He has attacked the rim with a smooth ferocity since coming to Boston, and the shots are still falling. When he's on fire look out. His play can absolutely bury teams. Fisher will probably get the brunt of the work on Allen, while Kobe will have to keep up with Rondo.
EDGE: Lakers
SF
LAL Ron Artest
BOS Paul Pierce
With all of the mounting injuries from this season, people tend to forget that Paul Pierce was injured earlier this season. The "Truth" never truly regained his rythm until the Orlando series, where he was guarded by the enigma Vince Carter. Pierce will not have that luxury this series, as he will be guarded mainly by the physical Ron Artest. Pierce has shown that he is not afraid of the spotlight, and has made a living out of nailing fourth quarter shots.
Ron Artest was brought over this offseason for situations like this. The Lakers don't want him shooting 16 times per game (Lakers fans collectively gasp when he lines up a three). He did a superb job covering Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant in the first round, and won't have to concentrate on his offense too much this series. Pierce and Artest's head-to-head matchups have been going on for awhile, and this one should be a physical affair. If Pierce is tasked with carrying the Celtics offensive burden, this series could be a tough one for Beantown.
Slight EDGE: BOS
PF
LAL Pau Gasol
BOS Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett looked old and on the decline during the regular season. There is no doubt he is on the decline (even
Tim Duncan is slowing down a little), but his regular season was somewhat disheartening. This postseason, Garnett has been hooked up to some sort of rejuvination machine, destroying Antawn Jamison in the Cleveland series, and looking a bit more spry. While he won't be putting up 25-15-8 lines anymore, he is still one of the top power forwards in the game, and certainly one of the best competitors.
During the 2008 NBA Finals, Pau Gasol was battered by a collection of Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, P.J. Brown, Glen Davis, and Leon Powe. After the Celtics won, Gasol was branded as being soft (the worst description any player can have). He has played at an all-world level this season and during the playoffs this year. He is one of the best passing big men around, has an incredibly soft touch, and somehow always finds himself under the rim for an offensive putback. This will be a key marquee matchup for the series, as Garnett will have his hands full with the Euro-flopper.
EDGE: LAL (what a douche though)
C
LAL Andrew Bynum
BOS Kendrick Perkins
Although he just 22 years old, Andrew Bynum right now is running up and down the court like Patrick Ewing at the end of his career (not a compliment). He has been having knee trouble all of his young career, and recently had his knee drained. If healthy or capable, Bynum is a lethal offensive weapon who possesses nice post moves and incredible length to go along with Gasol's own length.
After having a technical rescinded from the infamous game five from the Orlando series, Kendrick Perkins is playing on thin ice. One more technical foul and he must sit out a game during the series. When playing, Perkins is a key anchor to the Celtics team defense. Un-athletic and incredibly slow, Perkins uses his IQ and physical presence in being a factor in the game. This matchup is full of if's: If Bynum is healthy; if Perkins can stay out of foul/technical foul trouble; if Doc Rivers chooses to attack Bynum on the defensive end.
EDGE: PUSH
Bench
LAL Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton
BOS Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Michael Finley
Lamar Odom is often considered the x-factor for the Lakers. If he shows up they win; if he doesn't they lose. He can stretch the floor, penetrate against slower big men, and is a great passer. During the regular season, the Lakers bench (aside from Odom) struggled mightily to find any sort of consistency. During the playoffs, however, Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown have come back to life, and provided a much needed spark off the pine. Farmar will hit threes and be a stabilizing presence, while Brown provides an incredible athleticism that the Lakers need. Vujacic (my least favorite player in the NBA) has received some minutes lately. He is tasked with knocking down three's and hounding whomever he is guarding. Walton has gotten around five minutes per game this postseason.
Like Artest, Rasheed Wallace was brought in for the big picture. After frustrating me to no end during the regular season and some of the playoffs, Wallace turned his game around in the Cleveland series, and played magnificent defense on Dwight Howard during the Orlando series. He is starting to hit his outside shot again, and now that he is in the finals, you can expect Sheed to put it all out on the line. Glen Davis had an up and down season, but his hustle can be credited to helping keep this season alive for Boston. After getting a concussion via Howard, it was unkown whether the big man could play again for a little bit (Davis is already an oddball). He showed up for the game six win, and his team defense has been incredible this postseason. Tony Allen played much of the regular season in Doc River's doghouse, but regained a spot in the rotation during the final stretch of the regular season, and has been a key cog off the bench ever since. Allen will never be confused with Ray Allen (Tony can't shoot at all), but his one-on-one defense has been an enormous lift to the Celtics' chances. Brought over in the Eddie House trade, Nate Robinson's play eventually earned him a spot out of Doc River's rotation. After Rondo took a hard spill in game six against Orlando, it was Robinson's play that helped propel Boston to victory. While he may take some ill-advised shots at times, Robinson will have a say during this series. Once a fixture at all-star games, Michael Finley's game has been restricted to straight jump shooting. Naturally, he doesn't receive a whole lot of minutes.
EDGE: BOS
Coaches
LAL Phil Jackson
BOS Doc Rivers
I will start off by saying that Phil Jackson is arguably the greatest coach in NBA history. With that said, he is still an arrogant, pompous, mind playing genius who has had the great fortune of coaching some incredible teams. He knows how to push the right buttons and has generally been great at making adjustments.
Doc Rivers has seen some of the worst of times and some of the best of times during his tenure as coach of the Celtics. After a difficult season, Rivers, along with Tom Thibodeau, have coached this team to perfection. Rivers has made the right adjustments, continually motivates his team to excel, and has perfected his playoff rotation.
EDGE: LAL
EDGE: Boston wins in seven games.
Tim Duncan is slowing down a little), but his regular season was somewhat disheartening. This postseason, Garnett has been hooked up to some sort of rejuvination machine, destroying Antawn Jamison in the Cleveland series, and looking a bit more spry. While he won't be putting up 25-15-8 lines anymore, he is still one of the top power forwards in the game, and certainly one of the best competitors.
