Lakers-Celtics: 2008 NBA Finals Preview

It’s been twenty-one long years for Celtic fans. One of the most historic franchises in the history of the NBA finally has arrived back after a long departure.

Winning 16 championships in 19 appearances, it seemed at one time as if it wasn’t a true NBA finals without the presence of the Celtics. It’s also been a very long ride for the Big Three: Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett, for each it appeared that their chance of making it to the big show was non-existent anytime in the future, or ever, for that matter.

That of course is until the team that finished second from last in the regular season a year ago made some big and much needed changes.

At the beginning of this year’s regular season you could almost predict the Celtic’s success in the upcoming season. Pierce was finally surrounded with what he needed to make something happen in the Eastern Conference; they added one of the best pure shooters active in the league right now (Allen) and Garnett, a dominant big man who can make a huge impact on both sides of the ball.

With the Big Three and also good bench productivity, the Celtics cruised all the way to the top seed to win 42 games more than they did a year ago, also becoming the first team to clinch a playoff spot. Everything was going smoothly for them until the playoffs, where it took the C’s two seven game series to defeat the Hawks and Cavaliers, then six to beat Detroit.

The Celtics are only 2-7 on the road in the playoffs, and if they can’t get their act together against the Lakers, it will be the other historic team taking the trophy. Celtics are averaging 96 points at home and only 85 points on the road this post-season.

The Lakers, who benefited from the acquisition of Pau Gasol to help them get to the finals, have played a much better post-season in what can be argued as the most difficult, most competitive Western Conference ever.

There are a few factors that could determine the result of this series. The first one is can Kobe get back to the line where he basically lived at against the Jazz? Bryant shot 96 free throws in the six game series against the Jazz, making 80 of them. Against the Spurs he only shot 24 free throws total. Even though the Spurs were taken down four games to one by the Lakers, Kobe getting to the line is a must in the finals. Ray Allen must have consistent scoring games for Boston; he has to be a true threat from three; during this post season he is shooting only 34 percent.

Next, Derek Fisher must be a factor against Rajon Rondo. Fisher is much more physical and has the chance of being a big threat on both sides of the ball with Rondo being matched up on him. Being a veteran player also will help, being that Rondo is only two years deep in the league.

I’m expecting Gasol to be under the radar once again as he goes against Garnett, but if Bryant is able to penetrate and force Garnett to close off the lane Gasol will make his mark. Second chance points could be a spark for Boston. Kendrick Perkins body size and Garnett’s reach should cause problems underneath for LA.

The Celtics were the better team for both of the games when these two played during the regular season, but both were before the arrival of Gasol. We all know Bryant will get his points, but it’s a matter of whether his team will. It will be a true team effort from both sides, and bench scoring will be huge for both.

I’ll go with Lakers in six; Los Angeles is a tough arena to play in, with a very motivating crowd. Unless the big three are all on the same page I don’t see a victory for them on the road. Lakers win 4-2.