They were discussing this on WEEI when I was out on my lunch break. The hosts were saying with the addition or Artest, the lakers are better than the Celts. I personally think that losing Ariza and Odom is a far bigger loss than just Artest can pick up. Odom especially because of his size and versatility.
What do you all think?
Artest >> Ariza, and maybe its just me, but I don't remember seeing anything about Odom signing with another team.
I think the C's are better right now. Ariza was the Lakers best defender not named Kobe, and often played in crunchtime for them. He was their version of posey last year. And Odom was their starting 4. I think they will resign him which will bring the teams back even, but right now its the C's.
Ariza is considered the best defender other than Kobe because of those 2 steals in the playoffs. Anyone who actually watches the game rather than SportsCenter knows Ariza isn't their defensive savior.
Plus, Artest is about 5 times the defender Ariza ever will be. Once the Lakers re-sign Odom, I'd say the Lakers take it since their bench can outrun the C's like no other.
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.
Then what does? Having the most wins during regular season? because the Lakers defeated the Boston in that race too. Let's not forget the Lakers were 2-0 against the Celtics despite the C's have KG and the Lakers not having Bynum. Wait, does this mean that the regular season doesn't matter either? What does then? Preseason? Summer league?
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the C's main excuse for losing "oh regular season doesn't matter. We're still the champions till someone else wins so the Lakers are still much worse than the C's!!! YEAH THE CELTICS ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!"?
Hypocrites.
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.
Gasol = Garnett (KG's more effective, but he's coming off a huge injury)
Kobe > Allen (no explanation needed)
Bynum > Perkins (even, but bynum's height gives him an advantage)
Odom > Wallace (Odom's much quicker and versatile)
Artest = Pierce (Pierce's offense is neutralized by Artest's defense)
Fisher < Rondo (Rondo's way too fast for Fisher)
Jackson > Rivers (10 > 1)
Kupchak > Ainge (4 > 1)
Overall, as of now, I'd say the Lakers take it. All depends on how injuries and chemistry plays out for both teams though.
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.
I give you props for actually using your brain.
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
You as well sir. Congratulations. I was just beginning to lose all hope for the residents of Boston when you two came in the clutch and showed that there is indeed intelligent life there.
I know the regular season is not the post season, but the Lakers did beat a fully healthy Celtics squad twice this past season. And hell the game in Boston, Bynum didn't even play and Luke Walton started both games and played 28 and 33 minutes respectively. Luke Walton should never be playing that many minutes. EVER.
Artest is significantly better than Ariza. Obviously if Odom doesn't return that would hurt the Lakers, but assuming he returns, the Lakers are the better team (though I think the C's could easily win a playoff series).
Thank you.
In conclusion, it's fairly obvious it's an even match up with an advantage going to the Lakers. Additionally, since they just won the championship, the Celtics will remain worse than them till they outperform them in the playoffs.
Also, I've noticed that all the retarded posts are coming from the people who've accumulated a significantly higher number of posts compared to the people who looked at the facts realistically. I once again congratulate all 3 of you for using your heads, and as for the others, I'd like to recommend some time away from the forums to allow your brain to recover from the damage it suffered through by spending so much time on this site.
Good night, and we look forward to meeting you in the fall.
Topic: As it stands today, who is better, the lakers or the celtics (Read 24641 times)