NBA 2010 Finals Preview: Celtics vs Lakers
This indeed is a classic end to the road of the the finals. A showdown, that the Gods of Fate must have planned themselves. History makes us remember legends like Bill Russell and Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and John Havlicek, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and so on.
In essence it looks like the 2008 NBA Finals which the Boston Celtics won. Now the Los Angeles Lakers are rallying up again to have their long due Vendetta. Yet despite the fate created scenario; who in fact has the edge.
1- The Point of Point-Guards
Rajon Rondo has been the stunning Celtic in the playoffs. His balanced rhythm and vigour have helped win against Miami, Cleveland and Orlando. Along with him Nate Robinson has proven to be a promise. When Rondo wasn’t around he stepped up and took charge.
On the Lakers’ turf Derek Fisher is the man in comparison of Rondo. It doesn’t matter if he has been inconsistent or hasn’t been the usual star. He is the veteran that you can depend on when duty calls for him. Though despite his capability to perform in time of need Rondo is simply too good for him so in the Point-guard depart the Celtics will have the edge.
2- Shoot-guards on the watch
A reason for many people to switch on their TV and watch the match would be to entertain from the on court competition between Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant. They always have managed to put up a show.
Kobe will try to make his one-man show when the team is down and Allen may get him a couple of times but Kobe couldn’t be stopped by the Suns and will prove the game winner in the end. So the showdown points do go to the Lakers.
3- Small-forwards, Big issue
A factor itself would be Paul Pierce who got the 2008 Finals MVP with his famous clutch shots. He stunned the Orlando Magic with that and will do so again being without doubt the best small forward in the series.
While the Celtic bench has Marquis Daniels to add the enigma, the Lakers have a stronghold with Lamar Odom and Ron Artest to capture the points in the small gaps. In the end it will rely on Odom. If he is able to out play Pierce then Lakers will get the treat.
4- Power-forwards the back-bone
When it comes to Power-forwards then the unsung hero from the Laker’s camp would be Pau Gasol not because he isn’t brilliant but simply because Kobe is out there with him.
Gasol was the pivot that made 2009 Championship turn towards Lakers. He can be a tough competitor against Kevin Garnett; with deep insight of the game he often out wits others. However the competition between Gasol and Garnett would be tough and the Celtic would have the edge in the area having the humongous Glen Davis. His rebounds will be the key for them.
5- Centres in Centre
The Celtics would definitely have the professional requirements fulfilled in the division with the untiring Kendrick Perkins and the lanky Rasheed Wallace.
But the story doesn’t end there. The Lakers have a more technical and clever approach. While the unstoppable Andrew Bynum will be the key in the key, he will be assisted with Gasol and Odom. Bynum has this remarkable ability to stop the Power-forwards while Gasol and Odom take the rebounds and help out with the Centre work. This team work will help succeed the Lakers in the Centre’s branch.
6- Coaches lead the way
On the coaches issue Phil Jackson is way ahead in lead to Doc Rivers. Rivers will give him a deserved tough time, but the guy is simply a living legend in time. His uncanny moves are simply indecipherable. Lakers are lucky to get afoot ahead by just him being there.
7- Fate is not sealed
The stats, the history, the predictions all suggest one thing that is for sure this will be a close series. They both are very different teams; having different styles different gaining leaps in different sections but they both don’t know one thing and that makes them alike: they both don’t know how to give up.
There will be comebacks from the Celtics and the Lakers will stun everybody by their class. Both teams will get full advantage of their home but in the end Lakers will probably get the deserved victory having just too much diversity in their ranks.
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