As it stands today, who is better, the lakers or the celtics

[timepiece33]

As of right now?  That's tough.  Probably us, but it's impossible to say without knowing the status of BBD, Odom, etc.  Both teams have more work to do.

I believe we are better, but we were marginally better last year until Garnett got hurt.   

[angryguy77]

We were better than them last year. Winning the title means nothing, we have a better starting line up and we are very close to having a great bench. If we meet in the finals(I hope to God we do) it will be a slaughter of epic proportions. Also dont forget that kobe hasnt had much time off due to two late postseasons and the Olympics. I think you will see him slowing down this year a little.

[hpantazo]

are you kidding me? The celtics would have beaten them last year if KG was healthy, and have now added Rasheed. The Lakers took a couple of steps backwards by losing a great young defender who came up clutch and played very smart for them, and possibly losing Odom, and they added the most mentally unstable player in the league who also happened to have lost his talent years ago. The celtics are easily better. I'll add to that the cavs lost Ben Wallace, possibly Verajao, and added an ancient Shaq. Big Ben was bad last year, but his presence was key to their defense when he was healthy, they suffered when he went down. Verajao was their best big. Big Z is leaping closer to retirement, his feet aren't going to hold up much longer. The Magic ditched the pg who got them to the finals, their best defensive sg, their most clutch shooter (Hedo) and their best backup big man, and added....Vince Carter. I predict they finish behind the Wizards next season.

[bobdelt]

Did the lakers lose Odom? If Lamar goes back, it'll be tough to pick the C's over the Lakers.

However, I think Rondo will further develop - and will punish who ever is the starting PG for the Lakers.

[ScoobyDoo]

The Celtics ( with a healthy KG and powe, were better than the Lakers...this year). Because when push came to shove, there is no way, Gasol, Bynum and Odom, could handle KG, Perk and Powe / Baby. No way. )

Assuming we keep Baby and they keep Odom and have Artest, we are superior.

To me it's a toughness question. When it comes down to it, they don't have it. Maybe against an Orlando with basically one tough guy...or a Cleveland with Ilglauskas and sideshow Bob they do...but not against Perkins, KG, Baby and Sheed they don't. No way. Celtics are a completely different animal.

I also don't Artest is that big of an improvement, he might actually detract from them.

I'd be more worried if Ariza continued to grow along side Kobe.  

[bobdelt]

Artest brings a lot of toughness, and with Gasols improved physical play, I dont think they'll be called soft next year.

[drza44]

If Garnett is fully healthy next year, then the Celtics are better.  The Celtics dominated them in 08, and the only reason it was closer this year was because the Lakers had more length and were able to create mismatches against Baby and Powe.  With Sheed in the fold, that one advantage is neutralized.

I still think Rondo/Ray/Pierce/KG/Perkins is the best starting 5 in basketball at both ends of the court, and a bench that features Sheed and House is extremely promising.  Best defensive team in the league, with enough offense to overcome anyone.  Including the Lakers.

[gustusias]

We are better. It is not even close. How can anyone beat us next year with this club. Look at the players we have! Pierce, Allen, Hill, House, Rondo, Garnett, Perkins, Wallace just to begin.

[toinewalka]

I think Artest addes to what the Lakers had last year, but if we stay healthy, last year looks exactly like the season before.  We have another ring, and they have to improve on something.

Now that we have Sheed and hopefully Grant Hill I think we are in much better shape.  I like our starters mainly because Rondo and KG give us big advantages that they don't have (granted they have an advantage of Kobe over Ray), and our bench if much better.  They replaced Ariza with Artest, which is an upgrade and closed the starter gap, but our bench is so much better.  They are bringing in Farmer, Walton, and some other garbage, and we will be bringing in a lineup of Eddie House, Grant Hill, Racheed Wallace, and most likely, another defensive PG and another competent big man.  I really think the bench is what would push us over the top in a series.

*If both stay healthy.

[ManUp]

As of right now just including the players each team has locked up (or committed), I'd say the Celtics. Not having Odom takes away a great deal of versatility from the Lakers offense it makes them a lot easier to defend. Plus, while Artest is a great defender he won't create the turnovers that get the Lakers running like Ariza does.

[KingChre]

We are better. It is not even close. How can anyone beat us next year with this club. Look at the players we have! Pierce, Allen, Hill, House, Rondo, Garnett, Perkins, Wallace just to begin.

Can we just issue a (hopefully temporary) moratorium on including Grant Hill on this year's Celtics? Until there is at least one report out there that says something more concrete than "The Celtics are looking at Grant Hill, he's meeting with Doc soon."

I am of the belief that he will probably sign as well, although I didn't think so last year, when he personally told me that it was too cold in Boston for him. (small business relationship, nothing too personal, PM me, if you are curious)

That being said, I do hope he signs, I think his skill set would fit nicely here, but it is way too early to be considering him a member of the team.

[Mr October]

As of right now just including the players each team has locked up (or committed), I'd say the Celtics. Not having Odom takes away a great deal of versatility from the Lakers offense it makes them a lot easier to defend. Plus, while Artest is a great defender he won't create the turnovers that get the Lakers running like Ariza does.

I'm really surprised Odom hasn't been locked up by the Lakers! I thought that was a no brainer. Yeah, without Odom the C's are better... If/When Odom signs, the Lakers will be more loaded again.

Now if Grant Hill or some other stud on the wing is signed, we've got a really goood topic to debate.

If Hill AND Davis are signed, the Celtics will have the best team on paper for sure.

[footey]

Odom will stay there.  He likes it there, and they are going to give him decent bucks to stay.

Artest really makes them a more physical, tougher team. Our edge over them in 08 was that we were tougher, mentally and physically. The Lakers showed alot of mental toughness in winning the championship this season. I for one cannot say that we would have beaten them with a healthy KG.  We had a healthy KG during the first regular season game and they beat us pretty easily. Can't remember whether he was healthy or not the second game.

In any case, it will be a great series if we meet each other in the finals.  I think the 09/10 NBA seasaon is going to be phenomenal.  I am definitely signing up for my League Pass, even if I have to get another job to pay for it!!

[timepiece33]

There were a couple of advantages

1. They don't have anybody inside who can handle Garnett

2. We had a major advantage in that Odom could not guard Allen or Pierce, which made him a defensive liability in the series

The 1st item has only increased because of the presence of Wallace.  They have terrible matchup problems inside.   That said, I do believe 2 has been mitigated. 

[Mr October]

Odom will stay there.  He likes it there, and they are going to give him decent bucks to stay.

Artest really makes them a more physical, tougher team. Our edge over them in 08 was that we were tougher, mentally and physically. The Lakers showed alot of mental toughness in winning the championship this season. I for one cannot say that we would have beaten them with a healthy KG.  We had a healthy KG during the first regular season game and they beat us pretty easily. Can't remember whether he was healthy or not the second game.

In any case, it will be a great series if we meet each other in the finals.  I think the 09/10 NBA seasaon is going to be phenomenal.  I am definitely signing up for my League Pass, even if I have to get another job to pay for it!!

I agree.... If healthy we would have had a [dang] good series... with the advantage going to the Lakers.

No matter what we needed more health and a better bench, a much better bench. We had no 6th or 7th man all year. 

Now we have our 6th man!! 

Time to find Mr. 7