NBA Finals Preview

By Ahmed Khater, Forrest Johnson, and guest analyst Robb Silverstein

The Lakers Celtics rivalry has been one of the most prolific in sports history. This time, as 10 times before in history, the two teams are meeting in the NBA finals. Your two Cougar Sports Analysts will break down what promises to be one of the most hotly contested series in recent history.

Forrest: If the Celtics win this series it will be on the back of Kevin Garnett. He is flat out the most dominant big man (Shaq being a possible exception) of the past decade. He is intense and plays with more firepower and more heart then any player I have ever witnessed play the game of basketball. The Celtics also have the NBA’s top defense and are owners of the best record in basketball. In a seven game series where the Celtics have home field advantage I don’t think they, Kevin Garnet and the rest of the Big Three (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen) can be stopped.

Ahmed: The top team in the West goes against the top team in the East. The Lakers have the MVP and the best basketball player in the world in Kobe Bryant. The Lakers not only survived, but thrived against in the Western playoff bracket, which is considerably harder than its Eastern counterpart. The Celtics, however, have had trouble with every team they have played so far, including the Atlanta Hawks who took them to seven games. Kobe’s desire to win a title alone, Phil’s Jackson experience in the finals, and the superiority of the triangle offense will be too much for the Celtics to handle. The Celtics have never faced a Laker team with Pau Gasol, with whom the Lakers have gone 34-7, which includes going 12-3 in the playoffs.

Forrest: Pau Gasol is a good player and in the Lakers system he fits in perfectly but if you think that either he (a finesse center who is labeled by some as soft) or Lamar Odom can guard Kevin Garnett then you are just plain out of your mind. He will play with an intensity level that only one Laker, Kobe, can match. KG knows that this could be his last shot at a championship along with Ray Allen and the rest of the Celtics veterans. People question who will guard Kobe but if you remember the job Paul Pierce did against LeBron James in game seven where James went off for 45 points and Paul Pierce followed suit and kept pace with James by dropping 41 points of his own. The have been pummeled by critics all year saying that they won’t be able to compete against the tougher Western Conference but they are owner of the best regular season record against the West of any Eastern Conference team.

Ahmed: Pau Gasol may not be able to guard Garnett alone. Neither can Lamar Odom. But the Lakers, as a team, certainly can. The Lakers have established themselves as one of the most intensive defensive teams in the league. If you don’t believe me, just look at how they subdued Tim Duncan’s offensive firepower. Just how the Lakers disrupted Duncan, The Lakers will be able to do so to his Eastern counterpart, Kevin Garnett. Once Garnett gets the ball on the block, the Lakers won’t give him enough time to make a comfortable move. Phil Jackson will send a quick double-team, forcing the ball out of Garnett’s hands, and daring someone to hit the three-ball with a defender closing-out from the rotation. Kobe, Sasha Vujacic, and Jordan Farmar will harass the Celtics gaurds on the perimeter, leading to Boston disorientation. Flat out, the Lakers defense and offense alike, will lead to a Lakers championship.

Lakers in 6 games.

Forrest: Overall I think the Celtic’s home court advantage along with the defensive intensity and will to win will be too much for the Lakers. When it comes to the Lakers double-teaming Garnett and forcing the threeball the Celtics will thrive. As a team they shoot 38% from downtown and Ray Allen and Paul Peirce will not be afraid to launch. Too much Celtic intensity, too much Kevin Garnet, and Kobe will once again prove he is too selfish of a player and history will repeat it self. The Lakers will fall to the Celtics.

Celtics in 7 games.

Ahmed: All I have to say to Laker fans is, no doubt, Kobe shall rally the troops.

Final Deciding Voice; Cougar Analyst Robb Silverstein:

While I think both teams have a lot going for them there’s some intangibles that make me pick the Celtics to win in 7 games. The first intangible is James Posey. Posey, a role player for the Celtics knows how to come off the bench and lock up opposing teams best players and hit 3s. He was very valuable for the Heat when they won the finals back in 2006. Another player to watch that most people don’t talk about is Celtics center Kendrick Perkins. He does not do anything fancy but watch for him to out muscle any Laker player down low and get key rebounds.

In case you’re wondering who to root for my advice is go for the Celtics. They have four players born in Northern California including two born in Berkeley ( Eddie House and Cal product Leon Powe) and Paul Pierce was born in Oakland.

The Lakers are very talented but the Celtics have the home court advantage and a few intangibles that could win them the championship.

2 Responses

1. 9:46 PM on June 5th, 2008Rashad:

   first off. how is Robb a guest analyst? He has written way more articles than either of you. and second, the Celtics are winning in 4

2. 8:10 PM on June 6th, 2008Forrest:

   The Celtics arn’t winning two games in L.A. rashad…

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