Matchups:
Point Guard: Derek Fisher vs. Rajon Rondo
Derek Fisher is playing in his umpteenth playoff series and he has done it against the quick, the strong, and the best. He’s seasoned and plays well off of Kobe. The difference between the he and Rondo is that Fisher doesn’t have to be a traditional point guard that gets them in each set, he gets to pick and choose his spots because of the offense (the triangle) that the Lakers run.
Rondo is playing about as well as you can expect a 2nd year point guard to play. He has his good games and then those, why is this dude playing games. He’s long, athletic, and can make that high arcing jumper go in the basket on occasion. He plays good D, but Fisher should be able to bang him around a little (Fisher looks to be about Emmitt Smith’s size on the basketball court, wide).
Edge: Look for Fisher to play off Rondo, or better yet for the Lakers, look for Kobe to play Rondo as the Mamba tries to cut the head off of the Celtics team. Edge goes to Lakers.
Shooting Guard: Kobe vs. Ray Allen
Kobe – League MVP, Western Conference MVP (if there was such a thing), Lakers MVP, Best player on the planet right now.
Ray Allen is playing on a part time basis. Are we going to get the Ray Allen that couldn’t hit the ocean or the Ray Allen that heated up for the Celtics against the Pistons? Then add to that, there’s something that gets him going against Kobe. Not sure what it is, but I think they had issues with each other in the past that may rear it’s ugly head in this series.
Edge: Unless the Celtics can find a time machine and go and get the healthy version of Ray Allen from Seattle when he was dropping 25 a game, advantage Lakers.
Small Forward: Lamar Odom vs. Paul Pierce
Lamar Odom has been great in the playoffs, well about as great as I expect from him since he doesn’t have that ‘type A’ personality. I remember when he got drafted (I was there and even have my NBA Draft booklet that he signed that night) and I was like the Clippers have found the answer to their prayers. It’s taken him a while, but I think that he’s finally blossomed.
Paul Pierce has played great and has been the ‘Closer’ that the Celtics need. He’s living up to his nickname and he is proving that he can be considered part of that upper echelon of NBA Stars. He has the skills to take you off the dribble, play inside, outside, just a jack of all trades. As long as he doesn’t fall in love with that jumper, he should definitely rep his city when they visit Staples.
Edge: Paul Pierce gets it because Odom can’t guard him on the wing. P2 will have to play Odom on D, but he can handle that. Edge to Boston.
Power Forward: Vlad Radmanovic vs. KG
Vlad has quietly taken to the needling that Phil has given him and has started playing well. In the Utah series, for stretches, he was the best player out there not named Kobe. He loves the deep ball but has shown a penchant for putting the ball on the floor and making something good happen.
KG is the heart of the Celtics. If you could bottle up that energy, you’d put Gatorade and Vitamin Water out of business. He has a complete game and should be able to get his points on O and help on D.
Edge: If KG doesn’t average 20 a game with Radman guarding him, I may puke. The Lakers don’t have anyone that matches up well against KG and they’ll need to give lots of help to get it done. Edge to Boston.
Center: Paul Gasol vs. Kendrick Perkins
Pau Gasol was a godsend for the Lakers after Bynum went down. He not only meshed well with the team but he provided more scoring and passing in the post for the Lakers which is a deadly combination since they are already one of the best passing teams in the league. He’s surprised me with his defense and a little swagger when needed.
Kendrick Perkins has shown that he can be a factor for Boston. He has a few post moves, but his best strength is the Laker’s weakness, and that is strength. Perkins has been that bull in a china shop for the Celtics on the boards and I think that he’ll continue that trend going against a softer Gasol.
Edge: I think this matchup could quietly decide the series. If Perkins is able to dominate on the boards and get easy buckets for the Celtics, it’s over. Gasol has a wider variety of skills, but I have to say that this matchup is a push.
Lakers Bench vs. Celtics Bench
The Lakers bring a bevy of players who have played out of their minds for most of the playoffs: Farmar (ok, he took one series off), Vujacic, Turiaf, Walton, Ariza, Mbenga. Out of all of these, Farmar, Vujacic and Walton have the opportunity to make this a special playoffs for Kobe. If they hit their shots and play unselfishly as they can, this bench is great. When they hold the ball, they really don’t have a one on one player off the bench and it makes them very easy to guard. I expect the Lakers bench to show up and play well.
The Celtics bench is a reason for concern. Most in part to Doc Rivers NOT playing some of them for a while. The Celtics bring Posey, House, Powe, Davis, Brown, Cassell (who has done nothing), and Tony Allen. Normally the bigs off the bench provide a spark of sorts and you’re not sure which one will on any given night. The backcourt help off the bench is spotty. Cassell needs to play like the clutch guy they paid him to be and I think in this series, you’ll need someone like Tony Allen or Big Baby to make a positive impact to help the Celtics.
Edge: When it’s all said and done, I gotta go with,….well push. I think each bench has pluses, but they also have some minus. Yes, a game can be determined by your bench but I expect both benches to play well and this series will come down to the best players playing well (the starters).
So, as you already know I have the Celtics in 7. Who ya got?
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