Thoughts and questions about this potential rivalry

[Barnabas]

I'm usually organized but I'll just let fly and post some random questions and comments on this Celtic-Laker rivalry. 

1)  I don't hate the Lakers.  There's really no one on their roster that gets on my nerves.  They don't play dirty like the guys from Detroit.  But ofcourse I would really like for Boston to win.  And not just because I'm a fan, but because I believe the Big Three deserve to have some kind of reward while their careers are winding down.  I believe it may have been JB who mentioned it during CSL on Friday.  Three veteran guys from losing teams who now have a chance to finish out their careers as champions.  Kobe already has three championships. 

However, I do keep things in perspective.  I realize that whether the Big Three win a championship of not, they're better off than just about anyone on the planet.  It's like wishing Harrison Ford will win the academy award for Best Actor.  These guys are millionaires and will be living charmed lives whether they win or not.  I keep that in mind at all times during these playoffs.

2)  Speculations abound as to the status of Pierce for tonight's game.  On the one hand, Odom's status is also questionable.  Let's say both of these guys cannot play.  Which team would have the advantage?  See, I don't think the answer is as obvious as it seems.  LA will have to start either Turiaf or Walton.  Boston will have to start Posey. 

3)  I'll be keeping an eye on Sasha Vujacic during the series.  He's one player, and also the Raptor's Juan Calderon, that I would wish for Danny to try to acquire.  I believe he has potential, plus he's tall enough to play three positions.  Calderon is also very good, I think. 

4)  Kobe will probably get his way and get to the lane tonight.  I expect Perkins, PJ, and KG to get called for a lot of fouls if Kobe can do that consistently.  We may have to bring a 4th man off the bench.  Who do you think we should bring in, Powe or Big Baby?  I believe Powe, because he plays the interior better.  But what do you think and why? 

[libermaniac]

On the one hand, Odom's status is also questionable.

Where have you seen this?  I haven't heard anything about Odom being injured.

[Who]

On the one hand, Odom's status is also questionable.

Where have you seen this?  I haven't heard anything about Odom being injured.

I don't think Odom is questionable for Game Two.

Odom did sit out practice yesterday. He does have an injury but both the Team and Player are unwilling to give any information on the injury. So no ideas on severity or type of injury.

I haven't heard anyone questioning whether or not he'll play though. I expect him to play unless I hear otherwise.

[Roy Hobbs]

1)  I don't hate the Lakers.  There's really no one on their roster that gets on my nerves.  They don't play dirty like the guys from Detroit.  But ofcourse I would really like for Boston to win.  And not just because I'm a fan, but because I believe the Big Three deserve to have some kind of reward while their careers are winding down.  I believe it may have been JB who mentioned it during CSL on Friday.  Three veteran guys from losing teams who now have a chance to finish out their careers as champions.  Kobe already has three championships.

I find Kobe and Phil Jackson to be extremely unlikeable.  Kobe is a smug jerk who may or may not have a raped a young woman.  Phil Jackson is questioning the manhood of our captain and making excuses for his team.  Hell, the entire Lakers team have shown a tendency to be whiny, pathetic, soft losers.  I have no problem with rooting against them, whatsoever. 

2)  Speculations abound as to the status of Pierce for tonight's game.  On the one hand, Odom's status is also questionable.  Let's say both of these guys cannot play.  Which team would have the advantage?  See, I don't think the answer is as obvious as it seems.  LA will have to start either Turiaf or Walton.  Boston will have to start Posey.

First, Odom will play.  Second, Pierce is a much more important player.  James Posey has quickly become overrated on this blog; the drop between Pierce to him is every bit as big as the drop from Odom to Walton.  Plus, who would play backup small forward for us, if Posey is in there?  Scal?  Tony?  Ugh...  shudder the thought.  Pierce is a vastly superior player to Odom, and is the only player on our team who can consistently penetrate.  It would be a huge blow to us.

3)  I'll be keeping an eye on Sasha Vujacic during the series.  He's one player, and also the Raptor's Juan Calderon, that I would wish for Danny to try to acquire.  I believe he has potential, plus he's tall enough to play three positions.  Calderon is also very good, I think.

I think Calderon is a future starting point guard, and an extremely good one.  Vujacic is a career backup, who is a good and versatile bench player, but that's about it.

4)  Kobe will probably get his way and get to the lane tonight.  I expect Perkins, PJ, and KG to get called for a lot of fouls if Kobe can do that consistently.  We may have to bring a 4th man off the bench.  Who do you think we should bring in, Powe or Big Baby?  I believe Powe, because he plays the interior better.  But what do you think and why? 

I don't think Kobe will have much better success in terms of penetration than he has in the first three games against Boston this year.  If our bigs get into foul trouble, Powe should get minutes, because he's a much better and more consistent player than BBD right now.

[BballTim]

On the one hand, Odom's status is also questionable.

Where have you seen this?  I haven't heard anything about Odom being injured.

I don't think Odom is questionable for Game Two.

Odom did sit out practice yesterday. He does have an injury but both the Team and Player are unwilling to give any information on the injury. So no ideas on severity or type of injury.

I haven't heard anyone questioning whether or not he'll play though. I expect him to play unless I hear otherwise.

  Obviously he's faking it.