Looks like we've got our rematch with the C's... Here's to a great series! Thoughts? Once it is official, I'll start an official thread.
Wouldn't of wanted anyone else but the Celtics in the finals. Let's hurry up and finish off the Suns already, I've got a sig to update.
Just watched the Celtics toy with the Magic, Boston was finally back to chanting 'Beat LA' again. What do you guys think of the Celtics looking dominate as hell? Anyone of you scared? I know Lakers are going to go hard, but it is going to be tough as fuck to win another title.
I wish Phil wasn't as senile, but aside from that we have a great shot. I think our Bigs match up better than the Magic Bigs. Homecourt usually helps, there are exceptions but I think it'll be the difference.
I think HCA is going to be big for us. We didn't have it last time around, so I think that could be a major player. The other big factor is going to be the health of Bynum. We need to end the Suns series ASAP to give him as much time off as possible.
I don't think HCA means shit. The C's have gone into Cleveland and taken 2 out of 3, should have taken all 3 honestly. And they just went into Orlando and raped them in 2. The Celtic's aren't afraid of the road. I like our chances, but it all hinges on Artest's ability to D up the Pierce and Kobe to D up Rondo (as I think that will be the matchup). I like Gasol this year more than I did in 2008. It should be one hell of a series. I got the Lakers in 6.
The Celts blew out the Magic at home, and won a couple of very tight contests in Orlando. They almost came back from down 20 in game 1, down 11 in the fourth quarter in game 2.
Is Phil really senile? I think that's his method of coaching, 10 rings support his methods and I have nothing to say about him, best coach out there - no question. His intelligence is on another level so we as fans are really not the people to comment his moves. About the series - I haven't watched the games they've played against Orlando. Today I started watching it and recognized quickly it was out of reach for the Magic. I have faith in Lakers and really believe they're going to take it in 7. It's going to be epic and one of the best series from recent years. We have the defensive force to protect the paint and also their stars individually. We have many xFactors - Artest with his defense, Bynum with his presence at post and paint and then Odom, he can really turn things up for us
the C's largest factors are pierce and rondo. with the cavs and now the magic, the C's have reted on rondos shoulders in terms of leadership, his play has been inspiring. pierce is also the leader of the team, he's been there the longest and i very vocal. both these guys contribute the most to the C's morale, which has willed them to defeat opponents that should be beating them. there in lies what the lakers strategy should be, to defeat their team morale. The C's are half the team when they have just lost, they are a streaky team, and if the lakers can take advantage of this, whilst also containing, for the mot part, pierce and rondo, limiting them to less spectacular performances, then i think lakers could have the upper hand in winning this thing. The C's are a group of arrogant players with inflated ego's. I know, its harsh, but its my honest opinion. They will probably try to beat the lakers the same way they did 2 finals ago, but this is a different team, with HCA (perhaps this ha not counted much for cavs or magic, but it certainly has, and will, for us) better defense, a stronger pau gasol and role players who fully understand their roles, attempting to defend us the same way will be unsuccessful.
I think Fish will have a tough series next round. There's no way Fish should be playing 34 minutes a game. We'll still win imo, though. I got us in 7.
I'm brazilian, in case you don't know, and I played basketball when I was a kid (that's not very common around here). I loved to watch the NBA, but didn't had a team. Started to cheer for the Lakers when Magic returned in 1996, never stopped since then. My brother took the easier path at that time and chose the Bulls. You probably thought I was a Cavs fan, because I obviously follow the brazilian players, so I kind of cheer for the Cavs, Nuggets and Suns when my team is not involved.
Oh wow, didn't know you were Brazilian. FWIW, I wasn't complaining you were a fellow Lakers fan (Y). It's always good to have fellow basketball fans from across the world here on S2
