Boston will win the 2010 NBA championship

[Mr October]

There's not a team out there that can beat us if we play like we did in the Cleveland series.

LA is a much much better team than Cleveland or Orlando. Sure we beat them in 08 but that was without Bynum or Artest. They match up equal to us in length and depth in the frontcourt. They have Artest to defend Pierce and still have the four time champ Kobe.
We will not be able to shut them out defensivly like we did the Cavs.

 That said I still like our chances. Go Celtics.

I think you're overrating the Lakers.   

Nah. You ever see that NBA promo where Pierce keeps saying "We never give up" " We never give in" "Never underestimate the heart of a champion"?

Well the Lakers are still the champs. They have made the finals the last two consecutive years. You cant overrate the champions. Everyone in Cleveland is realizing that this morning.

  I don't think that LA did anything during the season to show that they were better than Cleveland, Orlando or us. Plus, if you're going to talk about matchups vs the Lakers, don't forget Rondo/Fisher. That's likely the most lopsided matchup in the series.

Yes but Kobe guards Rondo and Fisher does an okay job on Ray.

The Kobe Fisher switch helped LA a lot in the past. However, Rondo in 2010 is superior to Rondo in 2009, and far superior to Rondo in 2008. Kobe is still great (but a touch slower), but he can't just roam off of Rondo anymore.

And Ray has improved his ability to abuse smaller defenders, and Fisher has aged more than Ray in the conditioning / foot speed departments.

The differences between LA, ORL and Boston aren't that much. Yet there is something intangible going on with the Celtics. They look like a champion.

[TitleMaster]

Odom, Gasol, Bynum, etc don't have that same urgency this year.

Folks, Odom's mailed it in, since he's been with the Lakers. Last year was his contract year and so he showed some spark for a paycheck. If Odom played with heart, the Kobe/Odom combo would be the Jordan/Pippen duo of this decade.

Bynum's injury city (esp for a young fellow) and Gasol's well ... a bit of a softy when push comes to shove but still plays with more spirit than Odom.

I don't see the Lakers as a major threat. Remember, they're not called the Fakers for nothing.

[BballTim]

"Suns are a hard matchup - the C's have been imposing their will on teams, Suns will be a hard team to do that to."

Sorry Suns are going to lose big time. 4-0, 4-1

"I don't think that LA did anything during the season to show that they were better than Cleveland, Orlando or us."

Ah we didnt do much during the regular season either. Kinda obvious the postseason is a differnt game. They are the champs untill we beat them they are still the champs. So I really dont get your rational.?

 
 

  I don't get yours either. Are you saying that they're much better than Orlando or Cleveland simply because they won the title last year?

"simply because they won the title last year?"

They have championship experience. Does Orlando? Does Cleveland?
Why is that so hard to understand? You would think after watching Bos dismantle Cleveland it would be obvious. I am not saying we cant beat them I just think its going to be a very hard fought series.

  Jeez, calm down. It was a simple question.

[FallGuy]

Biggest concern - we lose games one and two with a post-Cleveland hangover. Not sure where our focus and energy level is going to be come Sunday afternoon. Are we gonna be ready right from the outset?

But beyond that, I think we can and will beat Orlando.

And I like our chances against L.A. (still soft, IMO) and Phoenix (would just be happy to be there).

So, sure, I'm onboard. Celtics are going to win the title!

[BballTim]

There's not a team out there that can beat us if we play like we did in the Cleveland series.

LA is a much much better team than Cleveland or Orlando. Sure we beat them in 08 but that was without Bynum or Artest. They match up equal to us in length and depth in the frontcourt. They have Artest to defend Pierce and still have the four time champ Kobe.
We will not be able to shut them out defensivly like we did the Cavs.

 That said I still like our chances. Go Celtics.

I think you're overrating the Lakers.   

Nah. You ever see that NBA promo where Pierce keeps saying "We never give up" " We never give in" "Never underestimate the heart of a champion"?

Well the Lakers are still the champs. They have made the finals the last two consecutive years. You cant overrate the champions. Everyone in Cleveland is realizing that this morning.

  I don't think that LA did anything during the season to show that they were better than Cleveland, Orlando or us. Plus, if you're going to talk about matchups vs the Lakers, don't forget Rondo/Fisher. That's likely the most lopsided matchup in the series.

Yes but Kobe guards Rondo and Fisher does an okay job on Ray.

  First of all, Kobe guarding Rondo during the finals only seemed to be effective right after Rondo sprained his ankle. Secondly, that strategy was based on Kobe ignoring Rondo and helping on everyone else. Fast-forward to 2010, where trying to contain Rondo became the top priority for Cleveland, and their failure to do so was probably the biggest reason they lost the series.

[misha]

We have a good matchup against the Lakers. Pierce and Tony can slow Kobe down. KG gonna molest Gasol, Ray will have a lot open looks and Artest is not as defensively good as he used to be. Perk - Bynom is also nothing to worry about. And all they have on the bench is that candy eater - Odom.

I'm worried a bit about Orlando though. 

[P2]

As I said in another thread, Cleveland did scare me, and I thought we would lose to them, but after what I've seen and considering that Cleveland was supposed to be the toughest matchup for us in this year's playoffs, I am very confident that neither Orlando nor Phoenix can win against us. Different story with the Lakers though. They could take us to 7.

[Spicoli]

I'm getting the same feeling. I can't present x's and o's and things of that sort, but i do know what a championship calibur team looks like. This Celtic team appears as though they're poised to win it all. It's also good to know that we have not lost a playoff series yet when everybody is healthy.

Spicoli, TP for your handle and image.  Fast Times is my all-time favorite movie!  Good stuff.

Thanks! It's a great movie indeed!

[LB3533]

Kobe is the only guy that scares me cause he is playing with urgency and hunger.

Kobe knows he is hurt and he wants to put the playoffs to an end as fast as possible.

Despite all that, let him try and average 30ppg against our defense.

Let him try.

[greg_kite]

As I said in another thread, Cleveland did scare me, and I thought we would lose to them, but after what I've seen and considering that Cleveland was supposed to be the toughest matchup for us in this year's playoffs, I am very confident that neither Orlando nor Phoenix can win against us. Different story with the Lakers though. They could take us to 7.

I agree with everything you said.  Luckily for the Cs this year not having home court doesn't matter.  They actually seem better when the pressure is off, such as being in L.A. for a closing game.

The Lakers size is what concerns me most.  KG will not "eat up" Gasol.  If anything I'm afraid Gasol might be better than KG now.  He's very efficient in the post, as is Bynum.  Jackson is smart and tends to know the right matchups most of the time.  If Bynum is healthy and playing with passion I can't see anyone beating the Lakers.  The good thing is Bynum has been up and down with both.

Orlando will also be a tough out, but if we took them to 7 last year without KG I think we should be good this year.  Don't talk about Nelson or Carter either.  Last year Alston was hitting all his threes and playing well and Turkoglu was the leader of the team.  Last year's Magic might have been better than this year, and we still almost beat them with the Ticket Stub.

Phoenix will be toast and will need a miracle to beat L.A.  Nash will need to dominate and Richardson will need to play Kobe even in order to have a chance against L.A.

[greg_kite]

Odom, Gasol, Bynum, etc don't have that same urgency this year.

Folks, Odom's mailed it in, since he's been with the Lakers. Last year was his contract year and so he showed some spark for a paycheck. If Odom played with heart, the Kobe/Odom combo would be the Jordan/Pippen duo of this decade.

Bynum's injury city (esp for a young fellow) and Gasol's well ... a bit of a softy when push comes to shove but still plays with more spirit than Odom.

I don't see the Lakers as a major threat. Remember, they're not called the Fakers for nothing.

I hate the Lakers as much as anyone, but Odom was clutch against OKC.  Fisher was too.  When they need him Odom can still be a nightmare.

[jdub1660]

Yea right on. 
We will beat Orlando
Will be a hard fight to beat the Lakers.

I really think the Orlando series will be harder given the matchups...Comparing starters, we have the upside. But come bench time, Tony and Sheed have to step it up to calm down their 2nd unit of 3 point shooters.

[zerophase]

There's not a team out there that can beat us if we play like we did in the Cleveland series.

seconded. absolutely true.

[xmuscularghandix]

There's not a team out there that can beat us if we play like we did in the Cleveland series.

seconded. absolutely true.

Rashard Lewis will be in foul trouble ALL series.