Celtics vs. Lakers 2010!
It is official! The Boston Celtics will meet the Los Angeles Lakers in a rematch of their NBA duel two years ago. If you will recall, the Celtics manhandled the Lakers in 2008, pushing them around in what many perceive was a “soft” frontline. But 2010 seems to be different with the addition of new players and the vast improvement of up and coming stars such as Andrew Bynum.
Gone from the Lakers team of 2008 is Trevor Ariza who was traded to Houston in exchange for the hot-head Ron Artest. For the Celtics, they have added Nate Robinson, formerly of the New York Knicks and Rasheed Wallace from the Detroit Pistons. Who will you choose?
Odds seem to favor the Lakers this time around. They have a stronger frontline which seem to have gained much experience especially since their title run in 2009. But the Celtics are aching to get back to the top as long as they remain healthy.
Kevin Garnett seems to be slowing down and has become injury plagued. Rajon Rondo has certainly picked up his game and is now part of the “Big 4” of the Celtics. Hence key factors on how the 2010 NBA Finals will go may boil down to the factors below:
- Stopping Kobe Bryant. Kobe is expected to go like crazy to win back to back NBA titles. Based on the various playoff games, no one has really checked the Laker star. The question is, who among the Celtics will be tasked to stop him. At this point, it seems that Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will be doing much of the dirty work unless another sacrificial lamb will be called upon by Coach Doc Rivers. Stop Kobe and you change the path of the series.
- Let’s Get Physical. Expect a physical series from the Boston Celtics. Their frontline is no pushover. Garnet, Wallace and Perkins are expected to make life miserable for Artest, Bynum, Gasol and Odom and we may see some fireworks in the course of the 2010 NBA Finals.
- Mind Games. Lakers coach Phil Jackson has had a knack of employing some mind games on their opponents and has been working somehow. Expect the verbal tussles between Jackson and Rivers to play a vital role in the series.
- Fisher vs. Rondo. The key to execution will remain heavily on who executes the best. The court generals for both teams, Derek Fisher of the Lakers and Rajon Rondo of Boston Celtics will make a difference. At this point, experience seems to be on the side of the Lakers but don’t count out Rajon Rondo.
- Defensive Rotation. Defense wins games and that is what brought the Celtics this far. The Lakers have their own defense but seems soft compared to what the Celtics can do.
- Consistency. Offensive plays and shots will play a key role. Both teams have not shown consistency so far and certainly the one that has one to two players with consistent production in points and rebounds will be a vital factor.
- Home Court advantage. The home court advantage belongs to the Lakers. But don’t tell that to the Boston Celtics who showed they can close out games on the road. One win in Los Angeles may eventual turn the tide of who will be the 2010 NBA Champs.
The 2010 NBA Playoffs brings us back to the days of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. We have seen how those series went. This time, it should not only be about one player. Kobe Bryant can do 30 to 40 points a game. But if no other player steps up, you can bet that the Lakers may find themselves in trouble.
The Lakers have a slight advantage over the Celts but if we call the series now based on their playoff performance, we should see this series reaching a game 7. Forecast? Lakers in 6 games.
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