It's On!

Has it really been 21 years since the Celtics were in the Finals? So I was approaching my 8th birthday at the time? Why does it feel like yesterday? In this topsy-turvy world where the Red Sox are perennial champs and the Patriots are the most hated team in sports, we might as well bring back Celtics-Lakers. To be truthful, the rivalry can't be resurrected overnight. I actually like a number of the Lakers' players. But I do hate Kobe, and Phil Jackson, so that's a good start.

As much as the rest of the country is loathe to the Boston sports fans (and we can be obnoxious when grouped together) I do feel like Sox and Pats fans have "earned it" by supporting those teams throughout the Kevin Kennedy and Dick MacPherson eras, respectively. The bandwagoneers and the Bostonians with severe inferiority complexes actually make me try much harder to be a witty, respective fan, as opposed to the "huge asshole" I used to revel in when our teams sucked. The Celtics are a little different. As Girard points out, I'm one of the 12 remaining NBA fans Simmons references. (Clearly, my basketball crazed family helps that along) And, despite the Pitino era, I've stuck it out with the C's since the Big 3 retired/moved on. They're my extended family. I still can't look at a picture of #35 without tearing up. Losing Red was like losing my 4th grandfather (Ted Williams getting the 3rd spot) (Which leaves me with one - my Grampy Jack, who just turned 85 - he's also a Celtics lifer). I meet a lot of people who claim to be fans of "The Bird Era Celtics". Which I understand. And respect. They're clearly the folks the media is trying to get involved, and I think it's good for the game. Basketball is a beautiful sport; it's changed, but it still good. And if you're jumping on this train now, welcome back. But this one's for me - I've "earned" this run to the finals. This team is largely brand new, much like the '02 Pats. So even I don't have a massive attachment to this team yet. It's a 3 year plan, and there's room for improvement. It just happened to come together this year.

I know most the pundits are picking the Lakers. Rightfully so - I agree with Simmons that given roughly equal teams, the "Best Player" (in this case Kobe) is the trump card. But the C's can win this series. And I'll be there, and on this blog until it's over.

So here're some thoughts going through my head on The-Day-I've-Been-Waiting-For-For-21-Years-Eve...

Front Court - Perk/KG/PJ/Baby/Powe vs Gasol/Odom/Turiaf

When the C's have the ball : This one's key - I actually like both Gasol and Odom, but I don't think either can really D up KG (Odom has a chance, but is too inconsistent on both sides of the game). He has to take control early - get some easy buckets, force one of the Lakers' perimeter guys to come down, and either get the Lakers' bigs in foul trouble, or dish out for some open jumpers. Turiaf is a nut, but if he has to play 20 minutes a game, the Celtics are in good shape. Everyone else - got to hit the O boards and be ready for passes when KG gets doubled. if I yell "GO UP STRONG" every time Perk gets the ball, will he hear me?

When the Lakers have the ball : Perk, you're up. You stick Gasol, things will fall into place. He did have some trouble against Z in the Cavs' series (and McDyess for that matter), and Gasol has the capability to force him out on the perimeter, which isn't his strength. All the more reason for the C's to go at Pau/Lamar on the offensive side, and get one of them in foul trouble, so Perk can man up Turiaf. KG can wipe out either GasolOdom. Odom can be taken out for long stretches of time more easily (see the Utah series). I like PJ on Gasol for bench help. Leon should be able to dole out some fouls if necessary. I'm sure we'll see Baby (who I like), but if he's not steppin' on D, get him out of there.

Wings - Pierce/RayRay/Posey/TA/ vs Kobe/Radman/Vujacic/Walton/Ariza

When the C's have the ball : Whomever Kobe's guarding has to make him work his ass off. Paul needs to work this early, because Radmanovic can't stay with him. Force Kobe to get on Pierce, and that will open up RayRay, as well as draining some of Kobe's energy/focus on the O end. I have a feeling that by the end of the series, Vujacic will enter Rambis territory - he'll be annoying. Walton can't D up anyone, and Ariza (who's talented) might as well wait for next year. If Jesus is on, they can get even points from this side. When Kobe takes his "breaks" as dictated by the ZenMaster, Boston needs to abuse these matchups and either force Kobe back in, or at least get rack up some points/team fouls.

When the Lakers have the ball: Kobe's gonna get his, though I'm intrigued by sagging off him and making him shoot - it won't work every game, but the numbers seem to bear out that when Kobe shoots a ton, the Lakers are at a disadvantage. Pierce will take some reps on D here, which is fine if the O is clicking. Posey has to be the man here. I love the lineup where Posey plays the 3 and Pierce plays the 2 - that's the top D line. If Ray scores early, this lineup can be used more (see Detroit game 6). If Tony Allen can play and get in Kobe's grill, all the better - as long as Scal tackles him before going upcourt and either blowing a layup or dribbling off his foot then fouling for no reason. To be safe, let's shelve him for game 1. The non-Kobe wings are all solid 3 point shooters - Boston needs to be very careful about from where they bring double teams, because they can get beat from the outside. Walton's good for a few key turnovers per game, which underscores the need for Pierce to get the Laker's in foul trouble.

Point - Rondo/House/Sammy vs Fisher/Farmar

When the C's have the ball : For better or for worse, as Rondo goes, so do the Celtics. It's a lot to put on a 2nd year point, and he'll continue to improve, but there will continue to be games where he doesn't play great. But neither Fisher or Farmar can stay in front of him (though Fish has quick hands), and he needs to stay aggressive as much as possible. House can play more than in the Detroit series, as he should be able to bring the ball up against the Laker's points. Cassell? Just as soon not see him on the floor, but if the series goes 6/7, I promise he'll make at least one key shot, as well as jacking up some cringe-inducing bricks.

When the Lakers have the ball : Again, Fisher is most problematic as a 3-point shooter. They won't run the triangle through him, but the C's need to be careful if they want to rotate off of him. Rondo needs to man him up straight, and not worry so much about the passing lanes. C's might be able to get some pressure in the backcourt against either point - with the three-day interval between games 1 and 2, might as well try right off the back.

Coaching - PhilJax vs Doc

No, that's no good

Coaching - PhilJax/Tex vs Doc/Thibodeaux

TT is the key here - I guess I'm counting on him to come up with a plan to limit Kobe (no pressure, dude). The Celtics D has always kept them in games. If it's within 7 going into the 4th, they'll have a shot in each game. Doc - just keep the rotation tight, for god's sakes. Remember that the TV time outs can be used to extend rest for the triplets, and most of all - know that they can rest in July.

General thoughts -

The C's have a collection of players that are above average rebounders for their positions. But they must box out with authority - the Lakers have smart players, and O-boards kept the Pistons in games when they weren't playing well. I like slowing the pace, as I think Boston's half-court D is a plus - but they shouldn't be afraid to run. I hate the 2-3-2, but at least it's an "advantage". I see pundits picking the Lakers in 5 - no way the C's lose 3 or 4 in a row, even in LA. It's coming home. I do worry a bit if the Lakers win game 1, as the C's haven't trailed in a series yet - but I honestly expect them to split the first two games - that's the way it always went down in the '80s. They've proven they can win on the road - and Pierce -loves- playing in LA.

It's going to be a battle - I can't be unbiased enough to make a legit prediction, but with the C's D (and Kobe's sporadic indifference), my guess is that it goes 7. Which'll be in the North End. So we got that goin' for us. I think it'll be fun - if the C's win game one, I think it bodes well, but there's no reason to panic if it doesn't happen.

More tomorrow night (if I'm not blackout drunk after furious rally shots during the game) -