Brian Cassil Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Most people who know me much know that one of my passions in life is Los Angeles Lakers basketball. I've lived in Utah for the last 14 years but I grew up in So-Cal and one thing that has never left is my love for the purple and gold. I'm about to explode in anticipation with this years match-up. In my opinion the Lakers-Celtics rivalry is the best in american pro sports. Tonight another chapter in that rivalry starts. I know there are plenty of Bostonians trolling the forums here so lets hear your predictions. Better get them in soon because the game starts in about 4 hours. Here's my prediction. Lakers in 6. Split the first two in Boston, take two out of three in L.A. and finish it up in game 6 back in Boston. Lakers are peaking at the right time, and I think they have better coaching, clutch players, and a deeper bench. I respect the Celtics defense, and they do have an advantage at a couple positions so I don't think any of the games will be a blowout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Wishful thinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Erstad Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 ditto that, Celtics in 6. and by the way... ...the Lakers-Celtics rivalry is the best in american pro sports. Not even close duder! http://espn.go.com/endofcentury/s/other/bestrivalries.html Thought I would see the packers-bears in there, but not so. I don know that the Buckeye-Wolverine rivalry is absolutely insane. John Stewert compared it to Sunni-Shiite "rivalry". This will be a good one though. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 Obviously a debateable point (not to mention many on that list are not "pro" sports) but notice that on the list of 10 we wish still existed rests the Lakers/Celtics at #2. Well, starting tonight, it exists again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illegalalieninbeijing Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I'm betting this will become an instant NBA classic championships. I believe the LA Lakers is a much stronger and faster team worthy to be NBA champions once more. But I am still wishful thinking and keeping my fingers crossed that the Boston Celtics will put up a good fight throughout. Hopefully it won't be a one sided contest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Erstad Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 (edited) Obviously a debateable point (not to mention many on that list are not "pro" sports) but notice that on the list of 10 we wish still existed rests the Lakers/Celtics at #2. Well, starting tonight, it exists again! No doubt, no doubt about it, you are spot on. This will be fun to watch. I admit it, I have NO love for the purple and gold. This is going to be one for the ages, I hope so anyway. Tip is in literally in two minutes - Celts by 7 tonight. We'll see how good I am... OUT! Edited June 6, 2008 by scotty sp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illegalalieninbeijing Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 :DCeltics 1. Lakers 0 :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horhe Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 :DCeltics 1. Lakers 0 Just dont go to the bookies with this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horhe Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 (edited) well with artur boruc in goals for celtic, celtic will win for sure. he's a top keeper! i would say celtic to win 3-1. cheers Ive read some of your posts and Im assuming your taking a piss, but just to be sure Basketball man, basketball. Edited June 6, 2008 by Horhe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 OK, Celtics are now up 1 game to 0. Lakers only need one of these first two. Lakers looked like they were going to take control about midway through the third when Pierce went down. Anyway when he came back and it turned out to be just a slight sprain, it was a big emotional lift that clearly shifted the momentum back it the C's favor. Lakers never really got in sinc after that. Game 2 on Sunday will be interesting. Lakers really need that one now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Erstad Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 I thought Gasol was a bit tougher of a player. he was looking kinda weak there. If LA can employ Odom a bit more, get Kobe going, look out. I thought the C's d would make it a bit harder on LA. THe format is 2-3-2, so if LA does take one, then 2 of 3 at home, it sets up a huge challenge for them back at the garden. It feels like this type of schedule favors the C's. This is gonna be a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 It's a fair point. You can always hope for some Celtics to get injured, that would give your guys a chance. Don't worry about how many more regular season wins the Celtics had either, or that two of those were against the Lakers, that would just put you in a bad mood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanSpaulding Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Ah, the NBA playoffs...where we begin to see the pro's play some D. I must admit, I've lost my love for basketball for the most part...major football guy here...but I could never back Kobe and his Jordan-jocking ways. Still, I've paid some attention. I wanna see KG get a ring. Celts in 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 It's a fair point. You can always hope for some Celtics to get injured, that would give your guys a chance. Don't worry about how many more regular season wins the Celtics had either, or that two of those were against the Lakers, that would just put you in a bad mood. Some good ol smack talk. I knew I could get someone to bite! BTW, how many celtic trainers does it take to carry off a man with a sprained knee? regular season? shmegular season! They get home court but lakers just need to take one and they have proven to be tough on the road. Also, don't forget the Celtics are playing a Laker team who is already shorthanded because of injury (Bynum). When Pierce went down I honestly was hoping he would come back becuase if he went down it would have been 4 and out with a Parade down figueroa and what fun would that be? I just realized I'm getting a little soft toward Boston these days. I guess I need to go rewatch the Mchale clothesline a couple more times to get by hatred brewing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Go watch it - it was just a missed block attempt. He can't help it if Lakers have lousy balance. Now watch who helps Rambis get up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 Go watch it - it was just a missed block attempt. He can't help it if Lakers have lousy balance. Now watch who helps Rambis get up. You forgot to add a smiley so people know you are joking about Mchale's attempted murder being a missed block... you are joking, right? And I don't need to re-watch to see who helps him up. Larry was always a class act. You could even tell Larry was pretty embarrased by the whole thing as he was giving Rambis a hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Well, yeah, he was careless but I just watched the video several more times and you can't get intent from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illegalalieninbeijing Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Will work for free for 2 game 4 or game 5 tickets . Darn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illegalalieninbeijing Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 :DCeltics 2. Lakers 0 :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 That game was hard to watch. 38 to 10 in favor of Boston for free throws attempted means one of two things: Either Boston was a lot more aggresive in attacking the basket or there was some serious home cooking going on. I'll let you decide which I thought was the case last night. I'll give boston this, they have taken away almost all the easy baskets that the Lakers are used to getting. Their back is up against the wall now but hopefully it will be different in LA. The celtics up to this point have not proven very well on the road so I'll hang my hopes on that for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Erstad Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 After the 3rd quarter, I was thinking "dismantled, torn asunder, OVER-RATED". Then of course they opened the gates for Kobe and the gang and it ends being kinda tight there. Brian, perhaps in the playoffs the Celts stunk it up on the road, but I think reg season they were pretty tough? Might be wrong there tho. Also don't know if I agree on the home cooking with the calls - there just weren't a lot of LA drives in the first 3 qtrs. and Boston does play good D. I think the Lake Show will come alive in game 3, but be lost again in game 4. When they move back East I predict a 3-2 Boston series lead - if not straight to the parade. Get Jonathon Papelbon out there to do some dancing maybe? Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Between this and the regular season it's 4-0 C's. What's it take to quiet a Lakers fan anyway? You guys are as bad as we are! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanSpaulding Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I don't see how Kobe overpowers KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. I mean, stop Kobe and you have a good chance of beting the Lakers. Gasol can only do so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 I don't see how Kobe overpowers KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. I mean, stop Kobe and you have a good chance of beting the Lakers. Gasol can only do so much. If you look back through these playoffs you'll see that there have been several games the Lakers have won without Kobe having a lot of points. In fact the Lakers dominate more when he doesn't score huge numbers. So much of the Lakers offense revolves around getting the shooters (fisher, radmonovic, vujacic, farmar) open looks and getting the lakers bigs (odom and gasol) easy baskets. The Laker ball movement has been disrupted by the Celtics defense. We will see if they can make some adjustments at home tonight and get those easy baskets back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanSpaulding Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 If you look back through these playoffs you'll see that there have been several games the Lakers have won without Kobe having a lot of points. In fact the Lakers dominate more when he doesn't score huge numbers. So much of the Lakers offense revolves around getting the shooters (fisher, radmonovic, vujacic, farmar) open looks and getting the lakers bigs (odom and gasol) easy baskets. The Laker ball movement has been disrupted by the Celtics defense. We will see if they can make some adjustments at home tonight and get those easy baskets back. Yeah, I just feel their a bit overmatched vs the Celts. Ray Allen and Kobe aren't THAT far apart in skill...though obviously Kobe's better. I dont think the Lakers have anyone to really take Paul Pierce and KG out of their game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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