Bleacher Report - Articles by Zina Zaflow

Lakers-Celtics Game Three: Deep Thoughts

Zina Zaflow — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:36:58 -0400

1. That was some ugly, ugly basketball. Can't recall ever finding a game so unattractive. If that game had hit on me at a bar, I would have lied and told the offending game that I already had a boyfriend.

2. Why did the Celtics go single coverage on Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter? Try as I might to wrap my head around the possible strategy behind that decision, the best I can come up with is that the Celtics were simply TIRED.

3. The Rajon Rondo injury, unlike the Paul Pierce injury, was real. Rondo earned much respect from me in his handling of the sprain, but I worry what will become of the Celtics if he's not 100% by Thursday.

4. Sasha Vujacic. All hail the inconsistent conquering hero. The Lakers REALLY needed him and he came through with 20 points and, at the risk of sounding like a girl: he's super cute...I would marry him and have 10,000 of his inconsistent babies.

5. The Celtics give good screens. Like, really good. However, those screens sometimes veer into illegal territory, and the Lakers need to capitalize on that.

6. I miss the good old days—when refs weren't the sixth man on the court...Yesterday was the worst day ever for the Tim Donaghy claims to rear their ugly head. This is a guy who is about to go to JAIL for betting on games he was officiating. I'm not saying he's lying, but I am saying we need to consider the source.

This game was more evenly called, though, aside from the first quarter 14-2 disparity in favor of the Lakers. The rest of the game went 34-22. Better.

7. Not that winning the free throw battle was great for the Lakers, as Kobe Bryant missed seven of his 18 free throws. If Kobe was his usual self at the line, this would have been a more decisive victory.

8. Game Three was all about the disappearing superstars. Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom were all no calls/no shows for Game Three, with Pierce and KG combining to miss 27 of their 35 shots. Gasol and Odom fared only slightly better, shooting a combined 5 for 18.

9. Great defense wins championships—but makes for crap games. The lead changed seven times in this game and the score was tied four times. Sounds like the makings of a great game, right? Wrong!

To play defense against a high-scoring team like the Lakers, and to match the defensive energy of the Celtics, both teams have to lose some of their speed and offensive numbers. It's too bad, really, but efficiency is often boring. Just ask the Spurs.

10. The teams were evenly matched in the rebound column, which made me really happy. The reason I called this series to go seven games is because the Celtics are such a fantastic rebounding team. I'm happy to say that the Lakers have it in them to keep up in this column, which I still believe is the key to this series.

In conclusion, as ugly as last night's game was, and as much as people are saying that it was there for the Celtics to take, I must disagree. You can argue that Games One and Two were there for the Lakers to take, and I would disagree with you on that one also.

Save for the occasional blowout, in hindsight, almost all games were "there" for the losing team to take. This is just something homers tell themselves to feel better about a loss.

Though the Celtics lead the series 2-1, I still think The Lakers are the better team—the more skilled team with the deeper bench.

The Celtics are, however, a rougher team, and these Lakers with their pretty skills and silky finesse are simply going to have to be willing to wrestle. And last night, they were.

As I called it before the Finals began:

Lakers in seven.

NBA Finals Game 1—A Girl's Opinion: Paul Pierce Was Faking

Zina Zaflow — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:32:45 -0400

It's the stuff playoffs lore is made of. It's the stuff of legend. Of rivalry.

A story to add to the history of an already storied franchise. A story to go side-by-side with the Kevin McHale/Kurt Rambis clothesline moment and the Kareem/Bird elbow to the face, jaw-to-jaw smack-talking moment.

It's the first game of the much anticipated final round of the 2008 NBA playoffs.

The Celtics are being worked over by the Lakers as many expected they would be.

Why, Kobe isn't even scoring and still the Lakers seem to be in control. Why, the score isn't even that lopsided and, still—the Lakers seem to be in control.

The Celtics' team is looking downtrodden. The crowd is getting antsy—the way people get when they know a storms a'brewin'.

Then it happens.

Paul Pierce, the resident hero, the golden child, the prodigal son, goes down, hobbled by his own teammate.

It's bad. There's sobbing. Hysterics. A wheelchair. (When was the last time you saw a wheelchair in the NBA?)

I'll be honest. I am a Lakers fan. But when I saw Pierce go down, I was heartbroken. I don't like seeing a guy get hurt. I prefer for my team to beat a team that is healthy, complete, and on its best game. I don't want my championship to have an asterik next to it.

I believe in sportsmanship. In fairness. In honest gameplay.

So, when Pierce—having been so injured that he succumbed to tears, flailing, and a WHEELCHAIR—came back to the game mere moments later with nary a limp, I was mightily turned off.

Here's my opinion: (And, no, I have no facts or evidence. This is why it's an "opinion"). I don't doubt that it hurt. Perkins is a big dude. I can imagine that all that man coming down on you hurts.

But if Pierce was hurt enough for, again, a WHEELCHAIR, where was the limp?

Why was he gone for just a few minutes? Do the Celtics have some magic healing potion in the locker room? Can I have some?

Seems to me that it was a way to inspire the team—and the crowd.

And, hey, it worked. But if I want drama on ABC, I'll watch "Lost" or "Grey's Anatomy."

This is the NBA.

And just as I thought it was ugly when some of my fellow Lakers fans cheered when Pierce went down, I thought it was ugly to turn the moment into a melodrama. And a badly timed one.

You know you're in trouble when you're pulling out the dramatics for Game One.

All that being said, I have to be honest about one other thing: When Andrew Bynum went down with the knee injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season and eventually led to his recent surgery, I got off my couch and screamed at him through the TV to walk it off and stop being such a big baby.

So, clearly, I lack a certain, shall we say, sensitivity? I thought Andrew was overreacting. And I was really wrong about that.

The difference is, Andrew didn't come back to that game to go score-crazy on his opponent. If he had, I would have held it against him much like I hold it against Pierce.

I open up the floor to angry comments. And...GO!

NBA Finals Tips from a Girl: How to Get Tickets to a Lakers-Celtics Game

Zina Zaflow — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:37:20 -0400

It's the most wonderful time of the year. (I actually just sang that out loud)

It's the NBA playoffs.

The sun is shining.

The birds are chirping.

Lakers' flags flap in the breeze.

There's magic (not Johnson) in the air.

And if all this wasn't enough, the basketball Gods have smiled down upon us all and are gifting us with a Lakers/Celtics match up.

Admit it, you want to go to one of these games. Admit it!!!

Have no fear. I'm here to help...

Ten ways to get into the Lakers/Celtics' NBA finals.

1) David Stern

You must become a close, personal friend of Stern's. Or just have blackmail-worthy photos of him. The way that Joey Crawford clearly must. In fact, call Joey and ask (nicely) if you can borrow said photos. Promise to take him out to lunch as a thank you: Just you, Joey and Tim Duncan. Sweet.

2) First Born

Call every radio station in L.A. or Boston that's handing out tickets to lucky winners and offer to name your first born "Black Mamba", or "Boston Three Party", depending, of course, on which team you plan to approach.

This will be most effective if you are already with child and are soon to spawn. If you may spawn during any of these games, all the better!

3) Break In

Break in to either arena the night before the game. Hang out in the rafters. Survive on a diet of popcorn and the often discarded ends of hot dog buns until morning.

4) Blame Kobe

Get in line to accuse Kobe of having an affair with you. Then tell the attorney's who come after you that you are willing to settle for a pair of courtsides, and VIP parking (Parking near the Staples Center is bothersome). This is most effective if you are a dude... because if you're a girl, somebody's already beaten you to it.

5) Get Jacked Up

Become a very close personal friend of Jack Nicholson between now and Game Three in Los Angeles. Throw yourself at his mercy. Beg him to take you. Show a little skin if you must. Don't be so shy! This one's for all the marbles.

6) No Sweat

Go get yourself one of those handy dandy sweat mop thingies that keep the floor from being slick during the games. Get the biggest one you can find. Show up on game day, clock in for work. I think those things are expensive. But no worries. This can replace your Swiffer Sweeper when all is said and done.

7) Pray

And I mean a LOT. If your prayers aren't answered, quickly convert to another religion and try praying to another God. Maybe he'll be more cooperative.

8) Cheer up

Wait patiently outside of the arena before the game. When you see the cheerleaders show up, slip into line with them and make your way in. You're one of them now. Cheer your heart out. I bet you'll look so pretty in your uniform! I beg of you to send me the photos.

9) Maintain

Show up on game day with a maintenance van. Borrow one, steal one, or even paint a phony business logo on your existing vehicle. Go up to the entrance. Tell them that there's a leak. Or a hot water malfunction. Or a towel shortage. Whatever! Just get in there, you!

10) Go delusional

Develop a complete inability to tell fact from fiction. Reality from fantasy. Say things like "Who am I?" "Where am I?" "Why won't Jordan Farmar return my calls?"

Then, on Thursday night, Game One, retreat to this alternate universe where you sit center court, up front. Because, sadly, as coveted as these tickets are, this may be your best shot at getting in...

If any of these work for you, you owe me! BIG.

Lakers-Celtics in '08 NBA Playoffs: a Chick's Perspective

Zina Zaflow — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:32:49 -0400

The Lakers and the Celtics. It's on. I am so excited, I could puke in my own mouth!

At the beginning of these playoffs, I told anyone who would listen that if it wasn't a Lakers-Celtics final, I'd be borderline suicidal. As it stands, no need for hara-kiri.

Here's what I think. But beware: I'm just a girl. So what do I know?

REBOUNDS

Whoever wins in the rebound column controls the pace of the game, wins the series, and takes home the gold ball trophy.

The young, athletic Lakers would prefer to play a fast-paced game: running up and down the floor, exploiting the fast break.

The Celtics prefer a slower pace: clogging up the paint, relying on the help defense, blocking the passing lane.

The Lakers don't do "help defense." In fact, it seems like they don't believe in the double team at all. This may prove problematic, because it can potentially leave the paint open for the Celtics to camp out in, waiting for the rebounds to come to them. The Lakers will have to limit the Celtics' second-chance points.

RAY ALLEN

So much of what's happened to Allen this postseason is psychological. He's having, as Jeff Van Gundy put it, a crisis of confidence. Those last two games against a bruised and beaten Detroit team helped get some of his mojo back. But he's shaky. If the Lakers can effectively shut him down in game one, whether they win or lose, they'll have a chance to silence him for the series.

Remember, these guys got through series running 7-7-6 games respectively—in the Eastern Conference, for the love of God!

Atlanta was an under-.500 team and took the Celtics to seven games! I don't know about you, but I love the NBA. I don't want my champions to have gone 7 games with an under-.500 team. Call me crazy.

LAMAR ODOM

My bet is that Odom is a name you hear a lot in the Celtics' gym these days. To me, he's the X factor in this series.

Odom is a fast 6-foot-10 guy who can run the ball across the court, play in the paint and on the perimeter, and take big guys off the dribble. He's lean, athletic and finally living up to his potential.

As long as the inconsistency that has plagued him throughout his career doesn't rear its ugly head, he's going to be tough for the Celtics to defend.

THE BIG SIX

At the end of the day, Kobe, Gasol, Odom, Pierce, Allen and KG are going to get their numbers. The BENCH of either team will have to show up and show up BIG to win it.

It would be tough to argue that the Lakers take the edge on this one. Their depth is insane. What strikes me about their bench is their unshakable confidence.

Take Sasha as an example. The guy can throw up brick after brick and will STILL shoot like he's wearing a jersey bearing the number 24. Got a love a guy with huevos.

Be honest. The Celtics don't look like a championship team right now. As much as I begrudged the Spurs for their boring (but effective) game play, they always looked like champs. Not the Celtics. Not at this stage of the game.

I know, I know, they had the best regular-season record. But, at the end of that season, no one would have believed it if they were told the Celtics would struggle through a pair of seven-game series and that Ray Allen would become a near shadow of his former self. My point is that things change.

I just don't see that there is any team in this league that could, at this point, beat the Lakers four out of seven. They've got a deeper bench. They've been able to neutralize point guards way more talent than Rondo (Iverson, Parker, Williams). They've got the best coach in the NBA, a guy who can manage the game, the clock, and the players in his sleep. And, of course, there's number 24.

My money's on the Lakers, though I disagree with all of these five-game predictions. It's gonna be a long one. I say Lakers in seven.

But if this series is over in five and we miss out on at least one more game before the NBA goes dark for the summer, I will be borderline suicidal. Again.