BOS vs LAL matchups discussion

[LB3533]

We have a real shot to win this Finals in 5 games.

We need to win Game 1 and then our home games 3 through 5.

I will live with Kobe draining and drilling fallaway jumpers with hands in his face.

I will not live with Artest punking us for 20+ points to go along with his defense and hustle.

[Yugocelt]

I can't stand Artest.  What a bonehead idiot, I really hope he doesn't punk us like one poster said. 

Sorry, needed to be said.


(Maybe not, every Laker gets on my nerves in some way) 

[TitleMaster]

Folks, Odom is not an X-factor for any more than one or two games. He's clearly the most inconsistent top talent on the Laker's roster. With that in mind, I think the matchups favor the Celtics by a long shot. Realize, when the pressure's on, the Laker's will revert back to Kobe ball.

[Jon]

I feel good about this matchup.  The only matchup I'm at all concerned about is Pierce vs. Artest.  In many ways it's like the Allen/Reddick matchup the past series.  It's not even so much who Artest is other than the fact he has the size and strength to stay with Pierce. 

On the positive side, he isn't the offensive threat LeBron was, so Pierce should have a lot more energy to expend on the offensive end. 

Other than that, I think Rondo absolutely destroys the Lakers.  He's going to abuse Fisher and while the Lakers have size, they suck defensively on the inside, so Rondo should be able to finish at will. 

And if Perk can handle O'Neal, Shaq, and Howard, he should totally shutdown the injured Bynum.

I also fully expect Garnett to abuse Gasol. 

I also think that the Kobe/Allen matchup is going to be much closer to a draw than most people think.  The media is already forgetting that while Kobe played admirable defense on Pierce in '08, it was others who chased Ray around picks and screens for 40 mpg.  I really think the burden of having to chase Allen down (something Artest is way too slow to do) is going to take a toll on Kobe offensively and defensively. 

[TitleMaster]

The only matchup I'm at all concerned about is Pierce vs. Artest.

It's not an issue. Trust me, the Lakers are counting on it. They think that if Artest pulls down Pierce's trouser that he'll lose his composure and cost the Celtics the series. That's so 2003/04! Rondo is the primary ballhandler and closer for this team. Pierce will pick his spots and beat Artest w/ intelligent basketball. It's the Lakers who have *Kobe ball* syndrome and defer every playmaking strategy to their guru. Force Kobe into an iso-situation and the Lakers became a one-dimensional team. Celtics in 6!

[kw10]

I like our match-up with the lakers. Our bigs evenly match theirs, except Lamar off the bench might have a slide advantage outside, but our back up bigs can also abuse him inside. PP should hold an advantage over ron, especially after playing lebron. Kobe's going to get his points, but Ray is also an underrated defender IMO (him on lebron in round 2). While Ray can abuse Fisher (or make kobe chase him tired) and Rondo can dominate whoever is guarding him.
Go Celtics!!!
Let's get Banner #18!!!!

[barefacedmonk]

I like how we match up with those Staple pins....Pau Gasol vs KG is the only match up that worries me a bit.

[Tai]

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.

Barring injury from Odom, Bynum, or Gasol, I think those 3 guys will fill up the 96 minutes for the frontline. Why? Cause on top of them more or less doing just that in the Suns series, someone else said no one is scared of guys like Powell, Walton, Mbenga, etc., and that's reason enough for Phil to be scared to play them, especially in the NBA Finals, especially against Boston. I mean, like you said, which big off their bench past Odom should care the Celtics when healthy?

[Tai]

As far as individual matchups, they will matter to an extent. Have no doubt, this will be decided in the team defenses. It's hard to pick the Lakers' team defense over ours, especially after how they played against the Suns.

Offensively, if Rondo makes things happen, we'll be very tough to defend. He'll either get to the paint, or create open 3s or open looks in the paint.

We can set a pick on Artest for Pierce and let him get to the key, draw some fouls, or he can just pull up!

Even Ray can get to the key when given the chance.

I like our chances. Hopefully my feelings are justified.

[Bahku]

The only matchup I'm at all concerned about is Pierce vs. Artest.

It's not an issue. Trust me, the Lakers are counting on it. They think that if Artest pulls down Pierce's trouser that he'll lose his composure and cost the Celtics the series. That's so 2003/04! Rondo is the primary ballhandler and closer for this team. Pierce will pick his spots and beat Artest w/ intelligent basketball. It's the Lakers who have *Kobe ball* syndrome and defer every playmaking strategy to their guru. Force Kobe into an iso-situation and the Lakers became a one-dimensional team. Celtics in 6!

Yeah, really ... if you saw that video, Artest admits that he could do nothing against Pierce ... even after pulling his shorts down, Paul drained a three in Artest's face.

Here ya go:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD796H08J7w




And to add a little more confidence to your doubts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRPQX92KRwE




And ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpxvasAnkcc




One more ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wX938uv5Oo



Feel better now, I hope?

[misha]

Do we have anyone to cover Sasha Vujacic?

[jimmehx]

The only matchup I'm at all concerned about is Pierce vs. Artest.

It's not an issue. Trust me, the Lakers are counting on it. They think that if Artest pulls down Pierce's trouser that he'll lose his composure and cost the Celtics the series. That's so 2003/04! Rondo is the primary ballhandler and closer for this team. Pierce will pick his spots and beat Artest w/ intelligent basketball. It's the Lakers who have *Kobe ball* syndrome and defer every playmaking strategy to their guru. Force Kobe into an iso-situation and the Lakers became a one-dimensional team. Celtics in 6!

Yeah, really ... if you saw that video, Artest admits that he could do nothing against Pierce ... even after pulling his shorts down, Paul drained a three in Artest's face.

Here ya go:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD796H08J7w




And to add a little more confidence to your doubts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRPQX92KRwE




And ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpxvasAnkcc




One more ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wX938uv5Oo



Feel better now, I hope?

Fantastic videos Bahku.

TP for sure.

[vgulab]

my prediction Celtics in 6

You know why Boston will beat LA? couse Kobe can't win it alone. Jordan couldn't win it alone so Kobe can't. Why alone? Because Gasol will be shut down.

And for the matchups Boston have adventige.
Bynum is injured but when he will be in Perk will handle him so this matchup is not important.

Gasol will be shut down by KG. If the Lakers expect to win they need Gasol but KG is going to be the most important piece on our team in the finals. Not only i expect KG to stop Gasol i expect to abuse him also.

Artest will not get somany open shots and in the offensive end he will not be factor.His job will be to contain PP but that will not happen couse PP is to smart for artest and if PP can't post up against artest he will live wwith his mid range jumper or the 3 point shots so i'm not worried here PP will score 20 easily so again this is adventige for us.

Kobe will score 25-30 at least we can't stop him but Ray did a great defensive job this playoff so he will give his best.In this matchup the lakers have adventige but Ray will get a lot of open shots this series belive me.

Fisher can make some important shoots but that's all.Fisher will not drive to the basket he will not have 10 asist and Nelson was twice a player Fisher is now.Rondo will set the pace of the game will beat Fisher in transition he will score and asist. his nights will be 20-10, 15-15 big adventige here for us.

Odom is their best bench player. Odom can hurt us with his rebounding. we can't alow him to have 10rebs every night. But Rasheed was not on the Celtics team in 2008 but he is now. As long Sheed plays on this level Odom is a joke. Plus we have another big guy in the rotation that's big baby and they don't have another big guy who can be a factor.

Farmar,Brown,Vujacic against TA,Nate,Finley again we have better match up better and longer bench. TA great defender and also he can score we saw that in the playoff. Nate will be the spark of the bench and Finley if we need he can make big shoots. And Lakers bench backcourt is noting special they can't win a game.

[nickagneta]

Only matchup in this entire series that matters for anything is the Boston team defense versus the Lakers' team offense. In any given game,if Boston holds the Lakers to 92 points or less, they will win. If they can't hold them to less than 100, they lose. Anywhere in between and it's a toss up.

[celticinorlando]

gasol is the key