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NBA Finals Preview

By: Dan Mason
June 5, 2008

The Lakers and Celtics have won a collective 30 NBA Championships. The Celtics have dominated their head-to-head meetings, winning 8 of the 10 Finals in which these two teams have met each other. However, the Lakers have been much more impressive in the recent past, winning three straight championships a few years back, and the Celtics having been mired in mediocrity or worse for the past couple decades.

But all of that history comes to a front Thursday night, as this year's version of each team arrives in Boston to turn the page to the newest installment of this storied rivalry. Here is a brief breakdown of the teams and their seasons, and a breakdown of each of the starting lineups. Enjoy!

Boston Celtics (66-16, best record in Eastern Conference)

The Celtics enjoyed an incredible turnaround this season. In fact, it was the greatest turnaround in NBA history, going from the cellar, with a record of 24-58, to the top of the NBA with 66 wins. Much of this success can be attributed to the choice to retain Paul Pierce, who suffered through dismal season after dismal season, all the while pleading for management to give him some complimentary players. His wishes came true this off season, as the team acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. These three became the cornerstone of the team's incredible turnaround. Also playing a key role was a quality bench, with players who perfectly complemented the big three. All of this resulted in the best record in the Association this year.

Starting Lineup:

PG: Rajon Rondo, 10.6 PPG/5.1 APG/1.68 SPG (Playoffs: 10.5/6.6/1.8)

SG: Ray Allen, 17.4 PPG/3.1 APG (Playoffs: 14.2/2.8)

C: Kendrick Perkins, 6.9 PPG/6.1 RPG/1.46 BPG (Playoffs: 7.2/6.8/1.35)

SF: Paul Pierce, 19.6 PPG/5.1 RPG/4.5 APG (Playoffs: 19.0/5.1/4.1)

PF: Kevin Garnett, 18.8 PPG/9.2 RPG/1.25 BPG (Playoffs: 21.1/9.8/1.15)

Los Angeles Lakers (57-25, best record in Western Conference)

The Lakers return to the Finals for the first time since 2004, when they lost to the Detroit Pistons. This year's team has its share of drama in the off season as superstar Kobe Bryant demanded a trade, bashed ownership, management, and his fellow players, and then decided that maybe he could stand to play with some of these young guys. After a modest start, the Lakers hit their stride in early January, riding a 7 game winning streak to a 26-11 record. Perhaps it was somewhere in the midst of this that Kobe realized that perhaps this team had some real potential. Late January and most of February yielded a stretch of 18 wins in 22 games, affirming that the Lakers were for real. Of course, the most notable event of the season was acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis on February 2. After Gasol joined the team, the Lakers were dominant, going 28-9. Even more telling perhaps is that 4 of these losses came in games in which Gasol did not play due to injury. Clearly, the addition of a big man who can score 20 a game did wonders for Kobe, in terms of his play, and his attitude.

Starting Lineup:

PG: Derek Fisher, 11.7 PPG/.883 FT%/.400 3P% (Playoffs: 10.0/.846/.559)

SG: Kobe Bryant, 28.3 PPG/6.3 RPG/5.4 APG (Playoffs: 31.9/6.1/5.8)

C: Pau Gasol, 18.8 PPG/7.8 RPG/1.56 BPG (Playoffs: 17.7/8.9/2.47)

SF: Vladimir Radmanovic, 8.4 PPG/3.3 RPG (Playoffs: 8.3/3.4)

PF: Lamar Odom, 14.2 PPG/10.2 RPG/3.5 APG (Playoffs: 14.7/10.3/2.9)

Head-to-Head:

Point Guard: Rondo can beat Fisher with his speed, but Fisher is a strong defensive presence, as well as a veteran leader who has been here before. Even if he can't right his shooting woes from the Conference finals (37.5%), his defense and ball handling abilities will help the Lakers stay in control. EDGE: LA

Shooting Guard: Kobe was brilliant against the Spurs, averaging 29 a game. Most encouraging, was his plus-50 shooting percentage, and the fact that he knocked down the jump shots that seemed to plague him at times during the season. Ray Allen likely will not be able to stop him on the defensive end, and must keep up his improved shooting, especially from 3-point range if the Celtics are to have a chance. How (and by whom) Kobe will be guarded is an issue unto itself, and one which I do not feel qualified to even speculate on. EDGE: LA

Center: Pau Gasol has now proven himself in the playoffs. His defense of Tim Duncan in the last series was one of the top reasons the Lakers came out on top. That being said, Kendrick Perkins may surprise some people. While not the scorer or rebounder Duncan is, he is big and strong, and tough to move inside. Gasol will likely be forced to take a lot of jump shots, or find guys outside. Perkins is also coming of a huge series against Detroit, in which he averaged 9 & 9, and at times dominated Detroit's front line. This match up will be crucial. EDGE: LA offensively-speaking, BOS defensively-speaking

Small Forward: Paul Pierce has become Boston's go-to guy. He is getting points in any number of ways, and might require the use of Kobe to guard. That would also bode well for the Celtics, as he was able to contain LeBron James and Tayshaun Prince effectively in the past two series, and will likely be called on anyway to watch Bryant. Vladimir Radmanovic will not be able to match up defensively with Pierce, but his 3-point touch may become crucial if the Celtics double-team Kobe, or use otherwise complex rotations to stay on him. EDGE: BOS

Power Forward: Garnett has been the Celtics vocal leader all season. He took his game to another level against Detroit, averaging nearly 23 a game on 52.5 percent shooting. He is a monster on the defensive end, and can carry the team at times. Odom will have his hands full, and staying out of foul trouble may prove difficult. EDGE: BOS

Bench: James Posey may play a big role in defending Kobe, but that also means Allen and his shot will be off the court. Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic can provide offensive sparks, and Ronny Turiaf can spell the guys on the front line. Leon Powe and Sam Cassell are effective in limited roles. EDGE: LA by a slight margin

PREDICTION: In the end, this series should come down to the wire. Each team has proven itself over the course of the last month, and now faces a tougher opponent than either faced in their respective conference finals. The Lakers will win the backcourt battle, but Pierce and Garnett should excel, and Perkins will do just enough to slow down Gasol. My prediction: Boston in 7

Dan Mason is a new graduate with a Bachelor's in Accounting. He day-dreams about being in the wilderness, and can't wait to be married in August. You can read his other work at http://www.helium.com/users/432252/show_articles.


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NBA Finals Preview By: Dan Mason June 5, 2008 The Lakers and Celtics have won a collective 30 NBA Championships. The Celtics have dominated their head-to-head meetings, winning 8 of the 10 Finals in which these two teams have met each other. However, the Lakers have been much more impressive in the recent past, winning three straight championships a few years back, and the Celtics having been mired in mediocrity or worse for the past couple decades. But all of that history comes to a front Thursday night, as this year's version of each team arrives in Boston to turn the page to the newest installment of this storied rivalry. Here is a brief breakdown of the teams and their seasons, and a breakdown of each of the starting lineups. Enjoy! Boston Celtics (66-16, best record in Eastern Conference) The Celtics enjoyed an incredible turnaround this season. In fact, it was the greatest turnaround in NBA history, going from the cellar, with a record of 24-58, to the top of the NBA with 66 wins. Much of this success can be attributed to the choice to retain Paul Pierce, who suffered through dismal season after dismal season, all the while pleading for management to give him some complimentary players. His wishes came true this off season, as the team acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. These three became the cornerstone of the team's incredible turnaround. Also playing a key role was a quality bench, with players who perfectly complemented the big three. All of this resulted in the best record in the Association this year. Starting Lineup: PG: Rajon Rondo, 10.6 PPG/5.1 APG/1.68 SPG (Playoffs: 10.5/6.6/1.8) SG: Ray Allen, 17.4 PPG/3.1 APG (Playoffs: 14.2/2.8) C: Kendrick Perkins, 6.9 PPG/6.1 RPG/1.46 BPG (Playoffs: 7.2/6.8/1.35) SF: Paul Pierce, 19.6 PPG/5.1 RPG/4.5 APG (Playoffs: 19.0/5.1/4.1) PF: Kevin Garnett, 18.8 PPG/9.2 RPG/1.25 BPG (Playoffs: 21.1/9.8/1.15) Los Angeles Lakers (57-25, best record in Western Conference) The Lakers return to the Finals for the first time since 2004, when they lost to the Detroit Pistons. This year's team has its share of drama in the off season as superstar Kobe Bryant demanded a trade, bashed ownership, management, and his fellow players, and then decided that maybe he could stand to play with some of these young guys. After a modest start, the Lakers hit their stride in early January, riding a 7 game winning streak to a 26-11 record. Perhaps it was somewhere in the midst of this that Kobe realized that perhaps this team had some real potential. Late January and most of February yielded a stretch of 18 wins in 22 games, affirming that the Lakers were for real. Of course, the most notable event of the season was acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis on February 2. After Gasol joined the team, the Lakers were dominant, going 28-9. Even more telling perhaps is that 4 of these losses came in games in which Gasol did not play due to injury. Clearly, the addition of a big man who can score 20 a game did wonders for Kobe, in terms of his play, and his attitude. Starting Lineup: PG: Derek Fisher, 11.7 PPG/.883 FT%/.400 3P% (Playoffs: 10.0/.846/.559) SG: Kobe Bryant, 28.3 PPG/6.3 RPG/5.4 APG (Playoffs: 31.9/6.1/5.8) C: Pau Gasol, 18.8 PPG/7.8 RPG/1.56 BPG (Playoffs: 17.7/8.9/2.47) SF: Vladimir Radmanovic, 8.4 PPG/3.3 RPG (Playoffs: 8.3/3.4) PF: Lamar Odom, 14.2 PPG/10.2 RPG/3.5 APG (Playoffs: 14.7/10.3/2.9) Head-to-Head: Point Guard: Rondo can beat Fisher with his speed, but Fisher is a strong defensive presence, as well as a veteran leader who has been here before. Even if he can't right his shooting woes from the Conference finals (37.5%), his defense and ball handling abilities will help the Lakers stay in control. EDGE: LA Shooting Guard: Kobe was brilliant against the Spurs, averaging 29 a game. Most encouraging, was his plus-50 shooting percentage, and the fact that he knocked down the jump shots that seemed to plague him at times during the season. Ray Allen likely will not be able to stop him on the defensive end, and must keep up his improved shooting, especially from 3-point range if the Celtics are to have a chance. How (and by whom) Kobe will be guarded is an issue unto itself, and one which I do not feel qualified to even speculate on. EDGE: LA Center: Pau Gasol has now proven himself in the playoffs. His defense of Tim Duncan in the last series was one of the top reasons the Lakers came out on top. That being said, Kendrick Perkins may surprise some people. While not the scorer or rebounder Duncan is, he is big and strong, and tough to move inside. Gasol will likely be forced to take a lot of jump shots, or find guys outside. Perkins is also coming of a huge series against Detroit, in which he averaged 9 & 9, and at times dominated Detroit's front line. This match up will be crucial. EDGE: LA offensively-speaking, BOS defensively-speaking Small Forward: Paul Pierce has become Boston's go-to guy. He is getting points in any number of ways, and might require the use of Kobe to guard. That would also bode well for the Celtics, as he was able to contain LeBron James and Tayshaun Prince effectively in the past two series, and will likely be called on anyway to watch Bryant. Vladimir Radmanovic will not be able to match up defensively with Pierce, but his 3-point touch may become crucial if the Celtics double-team Kobe, or use otherwise complex rotations to stay on him. EDGE: BOS Power Forward: Garnett has been the Celtics vocal leader all season. He took his game to another level against Detroit, averaging nearly 23 a game on 52.5 percent shooting. He is a monster on the defensive end, and can carry the team at times. Odom will have his hands full, and staying out of foul trouble may prove difficult. EDGE: BOS Bench: James Posey may play a big role in defending Kobe, but that also means Allen and his shot will be off the court. Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic can provide offensive sparks, and Ronny Turiaf can spell the guys on the front line. Leon Powe and Sam Cassell are effective in limited roles. EDGE: LA by a slight margin PREDICTION: In the end, this series should come down to the wire. Each team has proven itself over the course of the last month, and now faces a tougher opponent than either faced in their respective conference finals. The Lakers will win the backcourt battle, but Pierce and Garnett should excel, and Perkins will do just enough to slow down Gasol. My prediction: Boston in 7 Dan Mason is a new graduate with a Bachelor's in Accounting. He day-dreams about being in the wilderness, and can't wait to be married in August. You can read his other work at http://www.helium.com/users/432252/show_articles.