NBA Finals East vs. West Prediction

[RPC13]

"thats yet to be seen or proven. the lakers are 0-2 during the season and kobe stunk. dont give me the gasol factor either.

unless they prove tonight, the lakers havent shown any defense against the celtics this year."



The Lakers didn't play the Celtics earlier in the season with the same team that they're currently using in the playoffs. Let's not forget, the Lakers are 12-3 in the playoffs against some pretty tough teams.

In the first round, they swept a team that ended the regular season 18 games over .500.
In the second round, they took six games to beat a team that ended the regular season 26 games over .500.
In the third round, they beat, in five, the reigning champs who ended their regular season 30 games over .500.

I'd say the Lakers current defense is playing pretty well right now. The Lakers have also averaged 106ppg against those same tough teams. The Lakers are playing well right now. If I were a die-hard Celtic fan, I'd be a little concerned.

[Enigma869]

If I were a die-hard Celtic fan, I'd be a little concerned.

Honestly, we're not really concerned, at all. Boston has been basketball purgatory for 21 freakin' years, so the fact that the Celtics are in the Finals right now makes it all okay in my world. Hell, the fact that they're even relevant makes me happy. If you lived in Boston, you'd understand just how irrelevant the most storied franchise in the history of the NBA has been!

If the Celtics lose to the Lakers, I'll tip my cap to the Lakers. It's honestly not the end of the world. The city of Boston has won more than our share of championships over the past 10 years, so I don't think any of us will be crying if the Celtics aren't able to pull it off (and NOBODY is picking the Celtics). All I can tell you is that the Celtics will show up to play. They finished with the best record in the entire NBA during the regular season, because they're a very talented team. No matter what happens, the NBA was built on the Celtics versus Lakers rivalry, so it will be fun to watch again!


John from Boston

[RPC13]

"Honestly, we're not really concerned, at all. Boston has been basketball purgatory for 21 freakin' years, so the fact that the Celtics are in the Finals right now makes it all okay in my world. Hell, the fact that they're even relevant makes me happy. If you lived in Boston, you'd understand just how irrelevant the most storied franchise in the history of the NBA has been!

If the Celtics lose to the Lakers, I'll tip my cap to the Lakers. It's honestly not the end of the world. The city of Boston has won more than our share of championships over the past 10 years, so I don't think any of us will be crying if the Celtics aren't able to pull it off (and NOBODY is picking the Celtics). All I can tell you is that the Celtics will show up to play. They finished with the best record in the entire NBA during the regular season, because they're a very talented team. No matter what happens, the NBA was built on the Celtics versus Lakers rivalry, so it will be fun to watch again!


John from Boston"



Cheers.


P.S.
My cousin is Bobby Doerr, so I got some Boston blood in me too.

[Since 78]

If I were a die-hard Celtic fan, I'd be a little concerned.

Honestly, we're not really concerned, at all. Boston has been basketball purgatory for 21 freakin' years, so the fact that the Celtics are in the Finals right now makes it all okay in my world. Hell, the fact that they're even relevant makes me happy. If you lived in Boston, you'd understand just how irrelevant the most storied franchise in the history of the NBA has been!

If the Celtics lose to the Lakers, I'll tip my cap to the Lakers. It's honestly not the end of the world. The city of Boston has won more than our share of championships over the past 10 years, so I don't think any of us will be crying if the Celtics aren't able to pull it off (and NOBODY is picking the Celtics). All I can tell you is that the Celtics will show up to play. They finished with the best record in the entire NBA during the regular season, because they're a very talented team. No matter what happens, the NBA was built on the Celtics versus Lakers rivalry, so it will be fun to watch again!


John from Boston

Totally Agree with That!!!!! Lakers Celtics, doesn't get any better!!!

[bru87tr]

If I were a die-hard Celtic fan, I'd be a little concerned.

Honestly, we're not really concerned, at all. Boston has been basketball purgatory for 21 freakin' years, so the fact that the Celtics are in the Finals right now makes it all okay in my world. Hell, the fact that they're even relevant makes me happy. If you lived in Boston, you'd understand just how irrelevant the most storied franchise in the history of the NBA has been!

If the Celtics lose to the Lakers, I'll tip my cap to the Lakers. It's honestly not the end of the world. The city of Boston has won more than our share of championships over the past 10 years, so I don't think any of us will be crying if the Celtics aren't able to pull it off (and NOBODY is picking the Celtics). All I can tell you is that the Celtics will show up to play. They finished with the best record in the entire NBA during the regular season, because they're a very talented team. No matter what happens, the NBA was built on the Celtics versus Lakers rivalry, so it will be fun to watch again!


John from Boston

thumbs up!

[bru87tr]

The Patriots proved that Boston's championship run is over. Lakers in 6.

last I checked the Patriots are still the team to beat.

Giants wont be back there.

[MarcelJordan]

As much as I am a Celtic fan, the reality of Lakers having Kobe in scorching form and with Phil Jackson as coach with enough NBA rings, I think its going to be a real nightmare for Boston.

Not trying to be cynical, but I think experience really will win out in a FINAL.

[Michigan Girl]

This is PROVING to be a VERY GOOD GAME!!!

[Since 78]

This is PROVING to be a VERY GOOD GAME!!!

GREAT!!! GAME!!! LETS GO LAKERS!!!!!!!

[Michigan Girl]

This is PROVING to be a VERY GOOD GAME!!!

GREAT!!! GAME!!! LETS GO LAKERS!!!!!!!

OK LAKERS, your guys are wearing PURPLE!!!!

[conversationpc]

Looks like the Celtcs are gonna take this one...Much better D in the second half.

[Michigan Girl]

Don't know what happened there in the last couple of minutes w/ the Lakers!!
Kobe was not at his best tonight!!!
Great Game none the less!!!
BY TWO GREAT TEAMS!!!

Sorry...78...RBJ and Laker Fans!!!
This is FAR from over!!!

Congrats Boston Fans!!!

JFB...7...etc!!!

[RebornJrny]

Don't know what happened there in the last couple of minutes w/ the Lakers!!
Kobe was not at his best tonight!!!
Great Game none the less!!!
BY TWO GREAT TEAMS!!!

Sorry...78...RBJ and Laker Fans!!!
This is FAR from over!!!

Congrats Boston Fans!!!

JFB...7...etc!!!

Good game, Celts played very good defense against Kobe and Gasol. Just need to make an adjustment for the next game. Congrats to Celtics fans!

[Since 78]

Congrats Boston Fans! Great D at the end!! Although I think Pierce was fakin

[bru87tr]

ya, that worked out well for bryant tonight. again we shut him down.

9-26 , ya I would say it wasnt his best night. lol......

so much for not being able to stop bryant. say what you want, gasol or not he doesnt play well against the celtics.

[MarcelJordan]

Luke Skywalker voice : "I...don't....believe it! "

Im ecstactic! Well, Kobe was not up to mark this time and I hope that Celts will still be able to control him next games.

[bru87tr]

well, eventually he is gonna go off. its not gonna happen for 7 games but hey the first game was very important to set the tone.


it just kills me how all the kobe lovers say he cant be stopped and then make the arguement that we didnt beat them with gasol. well now whats the excuse ? he was plain shut down and we were in his face all night making him take bad shots.


kobe is the best all around scorer in the league but lets not treat him like god or michael jordan.


lets give the celtics some credit. it kills me how no one picks them to win. these guys were by far the best defensive team, had the best record and have 3 big all stars. they deserve more respect than they are getting.

[bru87tr]

its funny watching the guys on sportscenter.

they all say what kobe didnt do, not what the celtics did do. the only guy who talks neutral is magic johnson, which is amazing cause he is a laker guy. he sounds like the only one who isnt on kobes jock and tells it like he see's it. the only guy who knows what he is talking about.

[bru87tr]

this sums it up.


http://www.nba.com/finals2008/lakers_080605.html


sorry....as much as I like kobe as a player. I cant stand him as a person. he is so full of himself and never gives credit where it due. you will never see the celtics play that card. they give props to the team that wins. kobe: "the ball def bounced their way" the way I seen it the ball was bouncing their way and we didnt play any defense in the first half.

he missed bunnies...etc,etc. the guy is a piece of work and overconfident if you ask me. but thats not a secret.


it amazes me how full of himself he is. atleast derek fisher told it like it was.

[NealIsGod]

this sums it up.


http://www.nba.com/finals2008/lakers_080605.html


sorry....as much as I like kobe as a player. I cant stand him as a person. he is so full of himself and never gives credit where it due. you will never see the celtics play that card. they give props to the team that wins. kobe: "the ball def bounced their way" the way I seen it the ball was bouncing their way and we didnt play any defense in the first half.

he missed bunnies...etc,etc. the guy is a piece of work and overconfident if you ask me. but thats not a secret.


it amazes me how full of himself he is. atleast derek fisher told it like it was.

What good would it do to give your opponents confidence by praising them after Game 1?

[bru87tr]

this sums it up.


http://www.nba.com/finals2008/lakers_080605.html


sorry....as much as I like kobe as a player. I cant stand him as a person. he is so full of himself and never gives credit where it due. you will never see the celtics play that card. they give props to the team that wins. kobe: "the ball def bounced their way" the way I seen it the ball was bouncing their way and we didnt play any defense in the first half.

he missed bunnies...etc,etc. the guy is a piece of work and overconfident if you ask me. but thats not a secret.


it amazes me how full of himself he is. atleast derek fisher told it like it was.

What good would it do to give your opponents confidence by praising them after Game 1?

its not praise. its telling the truth and geting over yourself.

most teams tell it like they see it. not lie.

kobe needs to get off his own jock.

[Since 78]

Hour to Game time. Lakers need to keep this game up tempo. Kobe needs to get in the flow early and not try to wait till the second half.

[Michigan Girl]

AGREE!!

[bru87tr]

Hour to Game time. Lakers need to keep this game up tempo. Kobe needs to get in the flow early and not try to wait till the second half.

the uptempo game has been great!!!

[Natalie]

DSB playing right now!!!!!

WOO HOO

[MarcelJordan]

2 up! Phew, that was CLOSE! Celts again giving the fans seizures!

[Michigan Girl]

2 up! Phew, that was CLOSE! Celts again giving the fans seizures!

NO KIDDING!!!!
The Lakers just ABOUT took it!!!

CONGRATS Celts Fans!!!!

Sorry RBJ & 78!!!
I think LA is going to tell us a different story!!!

[Since 78]

2 up! Phew, that was CLOSE! Celts again giving the fans seizures!

NO KIDDING!!!!
The Lakers just ABOUT took it!!!

CONGRATS Celts Fans!!!!

Sorry RBJ & 78!!!
I think LA is going to tell us a different story!!!

Thanks, MG. I hope so!

[7 Wishes]

Well, Jackson's typical bullshit got to the officials, and they gave a shit load of bullcrap calls to the Lakers to make sure they got back in the series. Typical.

[conversationpc]

Well, Jackson's typical bullshit got to the officials, and they gave a shit load of bullcrap calls to the Lakers to make sure they got back in the series. Typical.

The Celtics had plenty of opportunities to capitalize on Laker mistakes and they just didn't do the job. This was the kind of game they should have won. It's their own fault. Not the refs.