BOS vs LAL matchups discussion

[Bahku]

This thread is too early.

Gotta go with LB3533 here (TP) ... I know it's fun to discuss match-ups, but assuming we're going to win the series before we actually do, is just tempting the fates. This is the kind of stuff people were discussing on the Bruins' blogs when they were up three games to none ... bad karma, (sorry, guess I'm too superstitious for my own good, and I really, really hope I'm wrong).

[misha]

James Posey = Tony Allen (IMO the way TA is now is better)

I like the current Tony but I'd put 2008 Posey above him. Posey was huge for us both defensively (helped guarding Lebron and Kobe) and offensively (clutch shooting).

[nickagneta]

TOTALLY disagree with that characterization, especially in this series, where going in we were considered to be at a potential disadvantage with Carter, Lewis and possibly Nelson.

There's a LOT more to defensing Orlando than "locking down Dwight Howard." A lot more.

The Lakers haven't seen anything close to the man defense, the rotations and the help-side work the Celtics will throw at them - not even in the same stratosphere - and that doesn't take into account the physical nature of the Celtics team defense. Bryant will get beaten up - and he should. Hit him, body him and be as physical as possible against an injured player.

HUGE advantage, people. Dwell on the individual matchups all you want, and exaggerate them with LA's success against inept defenses, but the team defensive concept is why Boston wins any Laker series.

Funny thing is, it's always kind of been that way going back to the 1960's. Boston has always seemed to have had much the better defense, team oriented ball movement offense and the tougher more physical atyle and LA has always seemed to have had the higher marque name players, better offense though more individual than team oriented and worse defense and less physicality.

The more thing change, the more they stay the same. Ultimately, championships are won with rebounding and defense. The more physical team that inserts it's will upon the game and muscles and hustles out the rebounds and loose ball and hits and smacks the other team's offense around the most, ultimately wins.

This year, that team wears green.

[CoachBo]

TOTALLY disagree with that characterization, especially in this series, where going in we were considered to be at a potential disadvantage with Carter, Lewis and possibly Nelson.

There's a LOT more to defensing Orlando than "locking down Dwight Howard." A lot more.

The Lakers haven't seen anything close to the man defense, the rotations and the help-side work the Celtics will throw at them - not even in the same stratosphere - and that doesn't take into account the physical nature of the Celtics team defense. Bryant will get beaten up - and he should. Hit him, body him and be as physical as possible against an injured player.

HUGE advantage, people. Dwell on the individual matchups all you want, and exaggerate them with LA's success against inept defenses, but the team defensive concept is why Boston wins any Laker series.

Funny thing is, it's always kind of been that way going back to the 1960's. Boston has always seemed to have had much the better defense, team oriented ball movement offense and the tougher more physical atyle and LA has always seemed to have had the higher marque name players, better offense though more individual than team oriented and worse defense and less physicality.

The more thing change, the more they stay the same. Ultimately, championships are won with rebounding and defense. The more physical team that inserts it's will upon the game and muscles and hustles out the rebounds and loose ball and hits and smacks the other team's offense around the most, ultimately wins.

This year, that team wears green.

Without question. I don't fear a Lakers matchup at all with this defense.

[Jon]

I think Kobe is going to have a tougher time with Ray than most people think.  So much so that I wonder if Jackson will put Kobe on Rondo, not so much because he thinks Kobe can stop Rondo, but because Rondo's going to blow by whoever they put on him, so why not make it Kobe and save him from chasing Ray all over the court. 

But back to guarding Ray.  From an energy standpoint, if Kobe does guard Ray, he may expend much more energy guarding Ray than he did two years ago guarding Paul.  Sure, Paul might be more dangerous, but he moves a lot less.  I really think that if Kobe ends up on Ray, it might take some from his offensive game.  Also, I think Ray will do a pretty good job on Kobe.  Ray did a nice job on Wade (and when asked) LeBron.  He didn't stop either, but he did a good job staying in front and keeping a hand in their face.  Given that Kobe isn't as strong as either of those guys, I expect Ray to hold his own. 

Still won't mean that Kobe won't lead the series in scoring.  However, I think the 2 guard matchup may end up not being the mismatch that some people think it'll be.

[Spilling Green Dye]

The Lakers defense is honestly worse than I expected.  They are giving up some wide open 3 pointers (much more than the Magic are giving up) and seem susceptible to slashers from give-and-go and dribble penetration.

Matchup wise I like the Celtics chances:

Rondo vs Whoever:  He is really the key.  They can't put Fisher on him b/c he would torch Fisher on offense, and remove a good 5 seconds of every shot clock on the defensive end.  Do they then put Fisher on Ray to run around?  

Kobe vs Ray:  I like this matchup.  Kobe will get his points, but as long as he's not shooting a high percentage or getting a good view of teammates, Ray does a good job of minimizing damage.

KG vs Pau or Odom:  Pau Gasol is playing great so I'd prefer to see the quicker/longer KG on him.  As long as KG doesn't let him catch the ball deep, we matchup well here.  On the other hand KG should be able to get the 15-footer pretty consistently.  I actually think Rashard Lewis plays KG better than Pau Gasol.

Perkins vs Bynum or Pau:  Perk can keep Pau out of the middle for post ups, but doesn't have enough speed to prevent Pau from spinning, passing, etc (Think of what Bogut did to Perk).  Hopefully Perkins is on Bynum, which he'll do a good job of isolating.  Perk's physical play is something the Lakers haven't seen in the middle yet.

Pierce vs Artest:  Artest will guard Pierce much better than the Magic, but usually has some mental lapses here and there, so Pierce should get some 3-point looks too.  I think this matchup will benefit the Celtics because Pierce can kind of cheat off of Artest while playing defense.

Bench:  As well as Davis has played in his Magic series, I think he will struggle a bit against the Lakers size up front, which is why Rasheed should get more minutes.  The only person Davis can realistically guard is Bynum, but Bynum will block most of those inside shots he's getting against the Magic.  Tony Allen can be a real spark off the bench, and I like his defense against Kobe.  Tony just needs to keep attacking, running, and minimizing his turnovers.  Rasheed is cut out for this series, even more so than this Magic series.  I hope he plays well.  

Overall I like our matchups, and am not very impressed with the Laker defense

[butterbeanlove]

Gasol is three years older than he was two years ago. 

[colincb]

Fisher = Mo Williams in this respect: Where can the Lakers hide him? Play up on Rondo, play off Rondo, or chase Ray. I think it's play off Rondo and pray. Not this time.

[Las Vegas Asian]

I just don't see how LA matches up with us. With Bynum hurt they really don't have any depth in the front court. They have Gasol with Odom coming off the bench and that's it. Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga have both averaged about 4 minutes in the playoffs and don't exactly strike fear into anyone. Yeah they could go small with Artest at the 4 but I think we would exploit that matchup be it with KG, Baby, or Sheed. If we play our game I think we beat them in 5!!!

[aporel#18]

This thread is too early.

Gotta go with LB3533 here (TP) ... I know it's fun to discuss match-ups, but assuming we're going to win the series before we actually do, is just tempting the fates. This is the kind of stuff people were discussing on the Bruins' blogs when they were up three games to none ... bad karma, (sorry, guess I'm too superstitious for my own good, and I really, really hope I'm wrong).

TP for both... please, enjoy this wins against Orlando, and wait until the Celtics put the fourth win. It's a very enjoyable moment to see the C's play the best defense, and make the best teams in the league (record wise)look like the New York Bricks.

If/when the Celtics close the series, we'll be able to talk about the fakers or the Suns. Until then, enjoy this moment.

Go Celtics

[Bahku]

This thread is too early.

Gotta go with LB3533 here (TP) ... I know it's fun to discuss match-ups, but assuming we're going to win the series before we actually do, is just tempting the fates. This is the kind of stuff people were discussing on the Bruins' blogs when they were up three games to none ... bad karma, (sorry, guess I'm too superstitious for my own good, and I really, really hope I'm wrong).

TP for both... please, enjoy this wins against Orlando, and wait until the Celtics put the fourth win. It's a very enjoyable moment to see the C's play the best defense, and make the best teams in the league (record wise)look like the New York Bricks.

If/when the Celtics close the series, we'll be able to talk about the fakers or the Suns. Until then, enjoy this moment.

Go Celtics

Back atcha, Aporel ... hopefully the Celtics haven't adopted this "It's as good as done" attitude that seems to be so prevelent here, and I think they're smarter than that. I believe they'll have the same intensity they did on Saturday, though the Magic aren't as apt to play as badly as they did then, and it may be a bit more of a struggle. Here's hoping the fans at the Garden are as loud as they were, too ... our Boyz and KG especially, really feed off the fans. Go Celtics!!

[j804]

Now relevant

.......

[RockinRyA]

rondo>fisher
allen<kobe
pierce>artest
kg=gasol
perk<=Bynum

Celtics Bench>Laker Bench

Sheldon > MBenga

[Q_FBE]

We have waited two years for this wonderful opportunity. I’ll take my chances here. Celtics will develop a similar strategy they had against Cleveland. The community will defend against Kobe.

Key Matchups -

Ray Allen vs Kobe Bryant – Ray has had his share of run-ins with Kobe over the years. Also Tony Allen and Paul Pierce will take turns here.

Pierce vs Ron Artest – This could be a pivitol matchup. Pierce was the 2008 MVP. Artest prides himself on defense.

Rondo vs Fischer – This needs to favor the Celtics. Rondo hopefully will be healthy Thusday night. He is my pick for the Finals MVP.

Perkins vs Bynum – I think Perk has the upper hand here. Bynum has not lived up to his hype well Perkins has made a name for himself defending Dwight Howard.

KG vs Gasol – If we get the 2008 KG back this favors Boston

Sheed vs Odom – Odom has to do better than Sheed but that is not a given.

Glen Davis vs Luke Walton?? Adam Morrison?? – I think this is what gives Boston the edge up front. LA has to rely on finesse and quickness well Boston has been battle hardened with two very Physical teams Cleveland and Orlando.

Shannon Brown vs Tony Allen – I’ll take a good Tony Allen here.

Jordan Farmar vs Nate Robinson – I like Nate here. Doc ought to give him some stints to rest Rondo.

The Celtics must cash in now………. Next year, there will be significant changes and it most likely will not favor the Boston Celtics.

[Bahku]

Artest will be on Pierce, but Pierce should be on Kobe ... he's the only guy who historically has given Kobe fits and shut his scoring down ... it's a joy to watch.