It's the matchup of the fans' dreams.
The beast of the East. The best of the West. Celtics vs. Lakers.
The two storied franchises have a combined 30 NBA titles. The rivalry originated in the 1960s and has continued for a near half-century. Greats like Russell, Baylor, West, Bird, and Magic have been featured in this intense rivalry.
Now future Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett have the opportunity to etch their names in the record books and create their legacy on this historic rivalry.
The Celtics and Lakers have met 10 times in the NBA finals, with Boston taking the first 8 and Los Angeles the last 2. I fully expect the Lakers' winning ways to continue.
Here are 10 reasons why the Lakers will be crowned NBA champs in 2008.
10. Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom is one of the most underappreciated players in the NBA. After emerging as a formidable threat with the Clippers while battling drug addiction, Odom was traded to the Miami Heat. There, he played in the shadow of Dwyane Wade and suddenly found himself in Los Angeles.
Despite struggling to establish a connection with Kobe early, following Phil Jackson's arrival, Odom emerged as a solid No. 2 man alongside Bryant. Odom served a great purpose on this year's team, and has continued his strong play this postseason, playing hard on both sides of the ball.
Odom averaged a double-double this season with 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. In fact, following the trade for Pau Gasol, Odom played the best basketball of his career, overshadowed by Kobe's MVP season. Odom averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists per game following the blockbuster deal which leads to...
9. The acquisition of Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol had made a name for himself in Memphis. With the Grizzlies, he set numerous franchise records and became an All-Star.
Earlier this year, however, Gasol was traded to the Lakers in a deal that solidified Los Angeles' status as the best team in the Western Conference. Gasol immediately jelled with Bryant to form a 1-2 punch that was as formidable as any in the NBA.
Gasol averaged close to 19 points and eight rebounds in the 27-regular season games with the Lakers, while shooting at a ridiculous 59 percent clip. Gasol's impact proved invaluable in the playoffs as well providing a foil to the Cambys, the Boozers, and the Duncans that stood in the Lakers' path.
Gasol has been equally impressive in the postseason and is a big reason why the Lakers are in the NBA finals. His acquisition has allowed Kobe to be more free on the offensive side of the ball and has made the entire team stronger and deeper.
8. It ain't Boston's year
Yes, the Celtics had the best record in the NBA. That is, of course in the regular season. That is, of course in the Eastern Conference. That is, of course, in the lowly Eastern Conference.
The fact is another Boston team also thrived in the regular season. The New England Patriots went 16-0. But they failed to live up to the lofty expectations they created when losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. Come to think of it, once 2008 rolled around, the Patriots were a different team.
7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Marcel Mansour about 1 year ago
Great article Nickil. I agree with you about the Lakers beating the Celtics because of their major advantages with Phil Jackson as their coach and their great bench with players like Farmar, Sasha, Ariza, Walton and Turiaf. Finally, I think Kobe gives the Lakers the final deciding edge over the Celtics. The only hope for the Celtics is that they win all of their home games because they have home court advantage. The Lakers however have shown they are more than capable of winning a road playoff game by ending Utah's season at their house and beating the Spurs in game 4 in San Antonio.
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Marcel Mansour about 1 year ago
My bad, I meant to write good article Nikil. Sorry.
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venky suriya about 1 year ago
While appreciating the Lakers beating the great teams like Nuggets, Jazz & Spurs, please do not ignore about the tenacity and fighting spirit of Team Celtics - they've the best clutch player in Pierce, more focussed and fighter in Garnett and the cool-as-cucumber Allen besides having one of the deepest bench. Look at what Celtics have done to Superstars in the earlier series' - Joe Johnson, LBJ and Kobe is going to have a tough-time against Celtics defense. On top of it, Celtics have the home-court advantage - Celtics are the best and Banner 17 is going to raise in Boston in June.
- Venky
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Greg B about 1 year ago
Venky,
When you say Paul Pierce is the best clutch player, you know that title belongs to the guy they call the Black Mamba, Triple Ocho, Kobe1 Kenobe, or KB24.
You are comparing Gold and Silver here. Silver is also a valuable metal but not even worth half the price of gold. The gold being Kobe of course....
As for the rest of the Celtics, I find it hard to actually give credit to Ray Allen who has very rarely showed up during the post season. He simply isn't big enough a player to be considered the three, in "The Big Three." Boston has the "Big Two". Lakers have a true Big Three in Gasol, Odom, and Mamba. As for the Laker bench mob, they have two guys coming off the bench that are just as good as the Celtic starters at those positions. Those are Turiaf who is as good as Perkins and Farmar who is just as good as Rondo.
I do see James Posey as an X-factor but the Lakers have their own in Vujacic and Walton. Through the playoffs Vujacic has been playing as good as or better than Ray Allen.
Add to all this that the Laker team is almost all under 30 years of age led by the MVP and 3 time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant and the best coach in Basketball. Celtics have a steep uphill task. They will need a lot of luck to compete with the powerhouse Lakers. Nothing is impossible, but a Celtics victory is highly unlikely.
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rick suaree about 1 year ago
MY BELOVED LAKERS WILL FALL TO THE CELTICS IN 7.
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Matt Robbins about 1 year ago
As a long time Laker fan I would very much like to believe the 10 reasons why the Lakers will win but I can't. I have seen too many Laker teams with Kobe and Phil leading the way completely lose their way after one bad loss. The Lakers have breazed through the play-offs and with the Home Court advantage have been leading each of the series. It will be very interesting if Boston holds serve the first two games and we see what Kobe and the Lakers are really made of. I want to believe...I truly do, but ask me again after game 3.
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Alexa Freed about 1 year ago
Hmmm.....
How'd that prediction work out for ya???
Sorry LA. You guys are still young. Maybe next year?
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