Why The Lakers Can Still Beat The Celtics: Finals 2008

After the two bad games the Lakers played in Boston, fans and media alike immediately began to throw the Lakers out as having “No Chance” of winning the series and the NBA title. But not so fast people!

I can’t help it as a Laker fan to try and justify why I think my team is better than the opponent. But, even I must admit that there are some things that can be pointed out. Things that make this series more interesting than people think. These Things even go as far as to point towards success for the Lakers. Here are some key adjustments that Phil Jackson has made to give his team an opportunity to win this series:

Key Adjustments from P.J

• Kobe Bryant guarding Rajon Rondo - This is an interesting one. Probably something they should have been doing all series long from the beginning. Kobe at times is guarding Rondo when Rondo is on the floor, forcing him to beat the Lakers with his jumpshot. This is allowing Kobe to roam and help in double teaming Garnett and Pierce. Rondo is a very important element for the Celtics defensively, but with this strategy it’s hurting Boston big time offensively.

• Ball Pressure on Eddie House & Cassell - Eddie House and Sam Casell eliminate Rondo’s problem by giving the Celtics another shooter to help spread the floor. Now, Kobe can’t roam like he would when Rondo is on the floor. Interesting thing happening here. Phil Jackson is utilizing this as an opportunity to put ball pressure full court to slow down the Boston offense. The Celtics are in turn running out of shot clock time when they finally get the ball to KG in the post, or Pierce in a pick and roll.

• Kobe Guarding Paul Pierce - when he is up to it, Kobe can be one of the best one on one defenders in the game. Paul Pierce is having trouble being his normal offensive self with Kobe on him. This matchup appears to be working very well for the Lakers, particularly when Rondo is out of the game, and the Lakers Farmar and Fisher are putting ball pressure full court.

• Kobe Attacking the basket - I’m not sure how much of this is a P.J adjustment as much as it is a KB24 adjustment. Either way it’s working. Very well in fact. In game 3 Kobe got to the basket at will all game long. Something he couldn’t do even when he tried against the San Antonio Spurs. As much praise as the Celtics defense is getting, it appears from game 3 that Kobe Bryant has found a way to get to the basket, and get their often against this Boston team. Much like a couple years ago with Dwayne Wade attacking the basket against the Mavs, this could change the series and bring the Lakers back from down 0-2

• Derek Fisher guarding Ray Allen - This is a good matchup for the Lakers. There’s nobody suited better for chasing Ray Allen off screens that DFish. He’s strong, quick, and active. And could give Ray Allen more problems as the series progresses.

Some other interesting things to throw at you. The Lakers reserves are looking very comfortable at home. Farmar & Vuyacic in particular. Game 4 I think you will see more activity from Walton, Radmanovic, Ariza.

The Lakers in game 3 did a great job preventing the Celtics from getting those fast break 3 pointers. It appears that is something the Celtics depend on. So watch out for that.

Lakers going back to Boston up 3-2?
This is very well possible. The Lakers are yet to have lost a game at home all playoffs, and there’s not much to suggest that this series will be any different. If the Lakers do in fact go back to Boston up 3-2, the Celtics have the pressure once, possible twice of a closeout game!

With Kobe Bryant on your team in the fourth quarter, anything is possible! This would give the Lakers two shots at closing out the series, a game 6 and game 7 in Boston. If this happens, I think the Lakers will win the series. In order for Boston to win, they are going to have to steal one of the games in L.A!

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