NBA Finals 2008: Los Angeles Lakers are Gold!
May 31, 2008 – Dr. Browntorious
The best there is, possibly to become the best there was, and who knows eventually he could be the best there will ever be – Kobe Bryant. Although there is much debate already amongst The Hoop Doctors on the eventual outcome of the NBA Finals, there is no doubt in my mind that this year the NBA champs will be the Los Angeles Lakers. If you think otherwise, it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. The playoffs have been a breeze for LA so far, they cruised past Denver, had a slightly longer stay than expected with Utah and almost swept San Antonio. That’s right, almost swept the defending champs, the team that quite easily beat Cleveland last year and Detroit in 2005 (Note: Boston struggled to beat these teams during this post season run). They’ve done this by placing a high performance supporting cast around the best player in the NBA, Kobe Bryant. The NBA MVP.
Why do I feel it is a sure bet for LA to come out on top? Look at their opponent, it’s the Boston Celtics. Yes, this one is a throwback to one of the great finals rivalries in the history of the league. For all you past Larry Bird/Magic Johnson era fanatics, they were fairly even teams back then I agree. But let’s look at it today, aside from the historic rivalry, the Celtics are worn out and beat up. It took them a whopping 20 games to get to the finals, where LA only had to take 15 in the more difficult Western Conference. LA is nicely rested and ready to take and dish out a beating. Let’s start by matching up the players:
Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce – Pierce has been great, but Kobe is a better defender and is a proven scorer on absolutely anyone in the league. Pierce was great on Lebron, but he shouldn’t expect to affect Kobe’s shooting percentage like he did with Lebron (he could always call up Bruce Bowen and ask him how that worked out). Advantage Lakers.
Kevin Garnett and Lamar Odom – I’m a fan of both these guys; however, I think Lamar is the most underrated player in the NBA. They both are amazing passers; they both grab over 10 boards a game; except Lamar usually scores about 5 or 6 less points. Advantage Celtics.
Pau Gasol vs. Kendrick Perkins – I shouldn’t even have to match these players up, Gasol is a top 5 big man in the league, versatile scorer, amazing defender and great rebounder. What’s Perkins first name? Advantage Lakers.
Ray Allen vs. Vladamir Radmanovic – Ray Allen is a great scorer, an amazing sharp shooter, but has been slumping as of late. I would be doing an injustice to Allen to compare his career to that of Radmanovic…but come on, who has been a more accurate sharp shooter in the playoffs this year then Radmanovic? Maybe Sasha Vujacic, oh wait he’s on the Lakers too. Ray Allen had a big night with 5 out of 6 threes against the Pistons, great, but Radmanovic has been lighting it up all playoffs long. Advantage Lakers.
Derek Fisher vs. Rondo – This match up is pretty close in my mind, except Derek has the veteran experience and know how to get it done in the playoffs. Do you remember the infamous 0.4 second shot? Fisher is a proven winner, and Rondo’s shot selection has been suspect in the playoffs so far this year. Advantage Lakers.
If you take a look at both teams bench, Boston has been underperforming under the playoff pressure and the Lakers are completely in sync. Lakers have Turiaf, Vujacic, Walton, and Farmar off the bench who could all potentially be starters on almost any team in the east this year. Lakers are really deep; Boston has a few solid bench players but are nowhere near as deep as LA. Watching PJ Brown and Cassell in the playoffs this year makes you think about the fine line between the value of a veteran presence, and having players that are just too far past their prime. James Posey is a great defender but when compared to Sasha Vujacic in the offensive department, this clearly favors the Lakers.
After sizing up all the players, if LA has such a better team, why is it that they only won 57 games vs. Boston’s 66? Most likely a combination of the East vs. West games played, and the Lakers have been gelling increasingly as the season has progressed.
Finally, there is the muscle factor. People say that LA is soft and Pierce, Garnett and Perkins are really tough players who throw their bodies around. Yeah…for those Lakers skeptics, did you guys watch the Utah/LA series? I think Boozer, Harpring and even Okur are much bigger, tougher opponents with regards to throwing their bodies around. Remind me how that series ended?
If you read my post where I matched up the remainder of the teams after the first round, you’ll see that my predictions thus far have been fairly accurate. Now I will make a bold prediction. The Lakers will not only win the Championship, they’ll either Sweep Boston or take them in 5. Just remember, you heard it here first from Dr. Browntorious!
Celtic or Lakers fans, feel free to post your thoughts or predictions on this one.
Good post Dr. Browntorius. Lakers are going all the way, I think I agree with your first prediction – Sweep. Boston has had it very easy so far against the weak east…but yet they still are not dominating (7 games against Atlanta, 7 against Cleveland, 6 against Detroit).
I have a feeling Boston fans are about to ge the shock of their lives.
I think the most hilariously ridiculous part of this post was the Radmanovic vs. Allen matchup being in favor of the Lakers.
Soap I have to agree with you. I’m looking forward to what Dr. J-Water or Dr. Anklesnap have to say about the Finals, they have been fairly supportive of the Celtics so far, and a bit more balanced in their posts. Dr. Browntorious is obviously loving Kobe a bit hard.
Browntorious you are about to be put to shame man! Celts are going to hammer your lakers.
This one is all Celtics baby!! Garnett wants this one bad. No Kobe Bryant overconfident wannabe Jordan is gonna get in his way.
Doc. B. You are gonna see soon enough boi. Ray Ray is gonna drop the 3 all over your Lakers.
Dr. Browntorious,
yes it’s gonna be one of the greatest finals with all these talentuous players but…
U’re totally wrong in your pronostics.
Lakers are gold.. not so easily,
Watch Boston and look the way they’re playing: better and better every game!!!
RAY RAY is on fiirrreee!!! and that’s a BIG advantage for the C’s.
I’m ok with the “nobody cant stop Kobe”
but who can stop Garnett?
who can’t stop Pierce?
who can’t stop Allen?
Think about it and u’ll see:
The title will be difficult to reach for all of them!!!
Tshouly23
Rofl. Allen < Vlad Rad?!
I tottally agree with this blog. The Lakers are cleary the better team, enough said. The Lakers experience will be a factor as the coaching staff has been hear man time before. The celts? Im not sure when Doc’s last final appearence was as a coach? Enough said, Lakers in 5! Winning it at home a it should be.
The Celtics do not sstand a chance against the Lakers…
Excellent work Dr. Browntorius. There is no way Pirece can compete with Kobe. Kobe will blow by this guy which will create a double team on kobe. Even if they decide not to double kobe, he will drop 50 a night on these guys.
Most likely they will which will either get Kobe to the foul line, or kobe will find an open lamar, gasol, or 3Point assassins like Rod or Sasha..
Its going to be a big show everybody so bring your popcorn…
If L.A. wins either game 1 or 2 i can promise u its game over, L.A. Has not lost at home at all this post season…
so 3 game in L.A. in a row???? Come on..
The Lakers bench were in the game when L.A. trailed 17 by the spurs.. The bench alone brought the team back with the starters on the bench. They will kill the overrated celtics.
I can keep typin for decades how L.A. will exterminate these overrated eastern conference.
P.S. How the hell could the hawks make it in the playoffs with a loosing record and they had the celtics gasping for air.
If joe johnson can light them up just imagine KOBE….
the warriors did not even make the playoffs, If they where on the east they would have been number 4.
What a shame…. Im embarrassed for the East.. The east is an easy conference
I think kobe will be guarding ray allen not pierce…
vlad had to guard melo vs denver and did an awsome job and plus i don’t see him keeping up with allen when he’s running through screens
LAKERS RIP HARD!!!
Celtics will lose in 6
I agree with doc Brown, Ther Lakers run wayyyy too deep, for the celtics, and not only that , the most important factor is their ability to make adjustments as a whole team. Just look at what they did to San Antonio. They never play any one elses game for too long, Kobe is such a superstar and can change the game at any moment, plus he has a arsenal of weapons behind him like no N.B.A. team has ever seen , the lakers are hungry, ready . Its gonna be a close series But I think That if Boston plays really physical they are gonna send l.a. to the line and .l.a. shoots great free throws.. sorry Boston, your way outta your leagua, everyone knows all the REAL ballers reside on the West side.
The Boston Celtics are going to annilate the Lakers. Kobe Byrant is nothing more than a spoiled snitcher who got fresh with R. Bell one game and got slapped in the month. He didn’t even fight back. He just walked away holding his busted lip. Kobe ain’t no Michael Jordan and when it comes down to gut check time he going to show you just how great he isn’t without Shaq Daddy. Celtics all the way Baby!
Laker’s can beat the Celtic”s “if” they play their game. That’s the rub for the enitre series, ” WHO CAN PLAY THEIR GAME “. The team that plays their game the way they are suppose to will most likely win. I think the Laker’s have the higher ability when it comes to playing their game simply because of Phil Jackson’s coaching. His players believe in him and he believes in them making them all feel confident in their game play. Laker’s win series ( who cares how many games)!
Wow…radmanovic over allen? you don’t know what your talking about
Elan Spriz is simply the most logical person here. Everyone else is just talking s&*t and pretending they can match players up. Match ups meen nothing because they can either way any night. Kobe could score 50 and play D like he was a machine OR Pierce can score 39 and the lakers can go to the line a total of 10 times in and ENTIRE 48 minutes. Anything can happen people but The Los Angeles lakers have more over all talent and are better coached. No offense to Doc but Phil Doesnt have 9 rings for no reason. JORDAN didnt get a single ring till Phil showed up and neither did KOBE or SHAQ. PHIL is an amazing coach even though it doesnt look great right now….He will lead them back to a 3-2 lead over the celtics and then we just have to take one on the road….PIECE OF CAKE!!!!!!
LOL @ Sina…
You were starting to make some sense for a few seconds until you basically just said that the Bulls won the Championships because of Phil and not Jordan.
Let’s be real, they may have lost a few more games without Phil Jackson, but pretty sure Jordan would still have some rings there Yo….
Be careful not to lose all credibility by going over the edge!…
If you flip that coin with Phil Jackson, He has never won an NBA championship without Jordan, Kobe, or Shaq!!! Who needs who more? Ask Larry brown when he went to new york how easy it is to coach a winning team without the players that get it done!
LOL @ Sina
I never really saw LA as a Championship caliber team. Yes they have the MVP. Yes they have a really deep bench. And yes they have a coach who has 9 championships under his collection. But was that really enough for them to win? Now they’re down 3-1 and NO ONE has ever won a NBA championship from that big of a deficit.
wow looks like your prediction backfired celtics won by how much tonight and did kobe even play all series i forgot… dumbass
wow, this must be a pretty hard post to swallow. The celtics didnt just beat the lakers, they took them to school. The defense took kobe out of the picture for basically the whole series. The highly touted lakers bench did nothing but choke. Game 6 was their opportunity to at least go out fighting and after the 1st half the lakers went home.
It’s sad that the lakers have lost the title. Being in Africa, me and my homies had to wake in the early hours of the mourning, im talking about 3am to watch the matches. Although we could see that there was a problem on the way the defence was arrangenged, we kept hoping that things would change. This weakness was visible even in the play-offs, it’s just that people refused to admit it. once they played a more defencive team, everything was reveieled. it’s also sad that we only see Kobe as our hero, of which he is…he really tried to put the boys on another level, but the problem is once he was double teamed, that was the end of the attack, least said about what was happening in defense. I respect Fisher, he’s a hard working player but Kobe and Fisher can not do this alone. Yes Gasol was signed in, but are all these moves the right ones? can these players blend to become a team? I heard on the finals some one saying that players win games, but teams win championships. We lost the title, it’s all good. We win some and loose some. Im sure the coach will come up with some good thoughts out of this title chase.
Peace
Well, I suggest you and all the Lakers, especially the coach find new jobs. Happy Retirement1! Go Celtics!
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