<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>WALTHAM - The video game NBA Live 08 currently has a television commercial showing a digital version of Celtics forward Paul Pierce dunking on the Los Angeles Lakers. Since both teams have played twice this season, the only way the longtime rivals can play outside of a video game this season is in the NBA Finals. And with the Lakers' surprising recent blockbuster addition of forward Pau Gasol, talk of the Celtics and Lakers meeting up in the Finals is once again a possibility. "I know they're pumped up [in Los Angeles]," said Pierce, a Los Angeles native. "They want to see that Boston-LA. It could be possible. It would be good for the NBA. They're looking really good, I know that. They're going to be scary out West." The Celtics own an Eastern Conference and NBA-best 36-8 record. The Lakers (30-16) have the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, courtesy of their 103-91 victory in Washington yesterday. But even with the likes of Kobe Bryant, La mar Odom, and budding star Andrew Bynum, the Lakers weren't viewed as a West title contender over the likes of San Antonio, Dallas, and Phoenix. Bryant even said during last offseason that he would like to be traded. But the Lakers' title hopes were dramatically upgraded with the addition of Gasol last Friday. Los Angeles acquired the 7-foot, 227-pounder and a 2010 second-round draft choice from Memphis for underachieving forward Kwame Brown (whose lucrative contract expires after this season), rookie guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol, and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010. When asked if he was shocked by the trade, Pierce said: "For what [the Lakers] gave up I was. I thought they'd at least give up a little bit. They didn't give up any of their core [players] and they got a guy that can really help them, an All-Star." Gasol, an All-Star in 2006, is averaging 18.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game this season, very close to his career averages (18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks). The 2002 Rookie of the Year won a gold medal with Spain at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, where he was tournament MVP. Once Bynum returns from a left knee injury, the Lakers will have a mammoth front line with Gasol, Bynum (7-0), and Odom (6-10). Gasol, who sat out yesterday with a sore back, could make his Lakers debut Tuesday at New Jersey. "That's making them contenders when you look at the front line with Odom, Gasol, and Bynum when he gets healthy," Pierce said. "Once they come together, they can be a team that comes out the West." Celtics forward James Posey, who played with Gasol in Memphis from 2003-05, said he gives the Lakers "another dimension" and thought he would mesh well with Bryant.</div> Source: Boston Globe
He speaks the truth, he obviously knows whats hes saying, a Laker/Celtic final would boost up ratings.
I don't think so necessarily. The NBA just isn't in the casual fans' conciousness as much as the NFL. If anything could raise ratings though, the Big 3 vs. Kobe is the best the NBA can do.
This would be a very very very good series. Rondo vs. Farmar (young PG's), Allen vs. KB (Jumper vs. Jumper) Pierce vs. Odom (erm... i guess we'll leave odom simply to defend pierce LOL), KG vs. Gasol (Good battle of PF's), Perkins vs. Bynum (old vs. young LOL) The key factor here would be our bench... imo we have a clear advantage over them
Perkins is 21 years old I believe. (i'm older than him lol) But yeah Pierce is right, right after the trade I said they'll go all the way to the finals. (and then get beat by us)
I'm excited for this Celtics/Lakers rivalry to spark back up. However, I don't want to get ahead of myself. There are some great teams out west that we've got to get by first. The same goes for Boston in the east.
