NBA Playoff Thread

Gasol is an excellent player. He does not possess a significant advantage over the Kevin Garnett we have seen so far in the playoffs. Note the "so far" in that sentence.
IF Odom plays well for the length of the series, I would make LA a slight favorite over Boston. If he does not, Boston wins.
I would assume Artest will defend either Garnett or Pierce, or rather, will defend both, as the spirit moves Phil.

 

But they didn't have to defend Lebron and Howard at the same time. Kobe and Gasol play for the same team, remember? It's a lot easier to defend stars one at a time than together.

And, then, when you throw in Bynum, Artest and Odom, the Lakers are devastatingly big and strong up front, they'll pose far more serious matchup problems than what Cleveland and Orlando can throw at the Celts. This won't be like 2008 when Boston outmuscled and out-toughed the Lakers, Artest and Bynum didn't play in that series and they' should make a big difference down low in this one.

 

The difference for Boston from 2008 is, of course, the dramatic improvement of Rondo as a player. And that's a big difference.

 

This deserves some love.

 

True, Rondo has evolved into a superstar since then.

But Garnett, Pierce and Allen have all seen their numbers decline since 2008 by a similar margin that Rondo's have improved. Kevin Garnett was First Team All NBA and NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, but he didn't play anything remotely close to all star level in 2010. Rondo's improvement doesn't make the Celts better if the other starters have declined.

Despite the remarkable way they're playing right now, this isn't the same Celtic team that went 66-16 in 2008. It's one that finished 16 games worse than that with three stars that were already WELL past their prime in 08 and now are two years older and slower than they were then.

I think the way those guys have suddenly rejuvenated themselves in these playoffs is remarkable, but I'm skeptical that they can maintain through the Lakers. At some point those aging bones should catch up to them.

 

I don't think Rondo has quite reached superstar status yet.
And while the Big 3 are aging, they are all healthy and the early rounds are so spread out they've gotten sufficient rest.
The Celtics have been the best team thus far, but I still think the Lakers win the finals in 6.

 

Garnett has played well in the playoffs but in all three series he has been defended most of the time by smaller players.

Heat: Haslem, O'Neal
Cavs: Jamison
Magic: Lewis

 

Artest could be a big key in a potential series. Pierce abused Radmonovic and Walton in 08 with his physical play. Kobe struggled at times with him too when he switched over. Obviously hope it'd be different with Artest on him. Pierce was one of the guys Artest was brought in to guard, along with Melo and LeBron. Hopefully his D would make up for the potential 1-for-11 performance on 3s on offense.

 

Did Bynum even play in that series? I think the only decided advantage Boston would have is at the point. And the point guard advantage hasn't been enough to beat LA the last two years. Every opponent they've faced in the playoffs has had a better point guard. Pierce would outscore Artest but he'd have to work to do it.I'd take Lakers in six since they'd have the HCA this time.

 

No, he missed the entire playoffs with injury. In the 08 series, the Lakers were starting Radmanovich and Odom, and giving Luke Walton major minutes off the bench. Now they're starting Artest and Bynum, bringing Odom off the bench, and Walton has been pushed out of the rotation.

This Laker team is so much bigger, stronger and more physical inside than they were two years ago. In 08 the Celts outmuscled and pushed the Lakers around underneath. That won't happen this time.

 

Derek Fisher could very well bring Rondo back down to Earth.

 

Fisher is a fine player, but I think that assertion is a stretch. Fisher's not as good as Jameer Nelson, fer instance. Granted, Nelson has been very good, and the problem for Orlando is their shooters, not him.