Celtic's defense needs to make this game Kobe vs. Celtics

[Brendan]

I wouldn't mind seeing some small ball...

KG or Sheed at the 5 - Pierce on Odom, Ray on Artest, TA on Kobe, and Rondo or Nate on Fisher. I don't consider Pierce guarding Odom a huge risk (except maybe on boards.) I think LAL will give up at least one mismatch on offense (probably Fish on Rondo.)

They get the plus of having Kobe on Tony and roaming, but I think TA can make him pay with tips, rebounds, and late cuts. Plus side is everyone else is a threat.

[Hoops]

Agreed. But I think Kobe won't be able to prevent himself from going into hero mode. He did a good job of passing the ball and scoring at various times in game 6 but in game 7, at home, with his legacy on the line, there is no way he doesn't go into "I'm going to take every shot from now on, screw my teammates" mode at some point. Preferably in the 4th quarter, where he has been dreadful in this series.

Exactly. It's Game 7 and he's so predictably pathetic. He'd probably prefer to lose and complain about his teammates than win without hogging the glory. He might share the ball with Artest and Bynum but no way he lets Gasol or Fisher steal his possible MVP thunder.

This is what we all hope for and want from Kobe, but that just seems too simple and too predictable. I managed to watch Kobe at the press table post game 6 and I was intrigued by his demeanor and attitude. Sorry guys, but I think Kobe "gets it" these days. He wants to win. If they roll like they did in game 6, Kobe will go with the flow - I'm certain of it. He'll still win MVP. There is, however, a window of opportunity to force Kobe into hero mode if we can disrupt their flow early on. If we can plant enough seeds of doubt in the first 2-3 quarters, then I do think Kobe could go into hero mode. But not for selfish reasons as much as that what star players do - they step up when their teammates can't. Fortunately, Kobe in hero mode, as has been well documented, plays right into our hands. Unless it's a one possession game with under a minute left...

[Prof. Clutch]

This is absolutely correct.  Our play in game 5 is the formula for success.  We have done it once, we can do it again.

[wdleehi]

I wouldn't mind seeing some small ball...

KG or Sheed at the 5 - Pierce on Odom, Ray on Artest, TA on Kobe, and Rondo or Nate on Fisher. I don't consider Pierce guarding Odom a huge risk (except maybe on boards.) I think LAL will give up at least one mismatch on offense (probably Fish on Rondo.)

They get the plus of having Kobe on Tony and roaming, but I think TA can make him pay with tips, rebounds, and late cuts. Plus side is everyone else is a threat.

No.  Make the defense and rebounding too weak. 

[Eddie20]

I wouldn't mind seeing some small ball...

KG or Sheed at the 5 - Pierce on Odom, Ray on Artest, TA on Kobe, and Rondo or Nate on Fisher. I don't consider Pierce guarding Odom a huge risk (except maybe on boards.) I think LAL will give up at least one mismatch on offense (probably Fish on Rondo.)

They get the plus of having Kobe on Tony and roaming, but I think TA can make him pay with tips, rebounds, and late cuts. Plus side is everyone else is a threat.

No.  Make the defense and rebounding too weak. 

It is an interesting point and something I too have thought of. Doc was going with a 9 man rotation and now it's down to 8. So if Pierce is not in foul problems and KG, Sheed, or Baby are, wouldn't it be likely that he goes with Pierce vs Odom instead of Williams or Scalabrine? Does he trust either of those two on Odom more than Pierce? Especially with a game of this magnitude.

[Chris]

I wouldn't mind seeing some small ball...

KG or Sheed at the 5 - Pierce on Odom, Ray on Artest, TA on Kobe, and Rondo or Nate on Fisher. I don't consider Pierce guarding Odom a huge risk (except maybe on boards.) I think LAL will give up at least one mismatch on offense (probably Fish on Rondo.)

They get the plus of having Kobe on Tony and roaming, but I think TA can make him pay with tips, rebounds, and late cuts. Plus side is everyone else is a threat.

No.  Make the defense and rebounding too weak. 

It is an interesting point and something I too have thought of. Doc was going with a 9 man rotation and now it's down to 8. So if Pierce is not in foul problems and KG, Sheed, or Baby are, wouldn't it be likely that he goes with Pierce vs Odom instead of Williams or Scalabrine? Does he trust either of those two on Odom more than Pierce? Especially with a game of this magnitude.

I think it really depends on the flow of the game.  If C's are up or its neck and neck, I think he goes with Williams or Scal, however, if they are down, I think they would go small, and might even go really small playing Nate and Rondo in the backcourt together. 

He also could go with a lineup like that if they are having luck running.  But if its clearly a half court game, I don't think he would take that risk.

[DavorCroatiaFan]

I believe that Sheed can get into Gasoft head now without fear of 7th technical. I have a feeling we will see great NateRob game.
BEAT LA

[slamtheking]

This is my fear with the C's down Perk. I think that they're forced to go after Sheed & KG to get them into foul trouble, meaning the offense runs through Pau. Which is a little scary.

We need another night where the mainstream media says "You can't blame Kobe"

Sheed and his propensity to pickup dumb fouls worries me more than anything else heading into tonight's game.

This is what I fear going into the game.  Phil knows we cannot afford to get Sheed or KG in early foul trouble so he has his team pound the ball inside to Pau and Bynum with some Kobe driving into the paint.  If either of these guys ends up on the bench in early foul trouble, we're toast no matter what BBD does. 

For once though, I would like to see what happens if we can go at Gasol with either KG or Sheed and see if we can get some early fouls on him.  I don't fear a front court of Bynum and Odom.

[Hoops]

This is what I fear going into the game.  Phil knows we cannot afford to get Sheed or KG in early foul trouble so he has his team pound the ball inside to Pau and Bynum with some Kobe driving into the paint.  If either of these guys ends up on the bench in early foul trouble, we're toast no matter what BBD does.  

Rondo and Allen have to wreak havoc in the frontcourt to prevent penetration by the guards and delay LA from getting into their offense. Gasol can't get it done down low if he only has 3-4 seconds left on the shot clock. This is the best way to protect the bigs.

[Bynum4MVP]

Too juicy of a chance for Kobe to pass up.  But be careful what you wish for.

I think Kobe will oblige your request.  My thing is FG%.  If he can shoot near 50%, I'm perfectly happy with hero mode Kobe.

It's for all the marbles tonight, no way Kobe shows up passive...but I do think he'll still keep his teammates involved.

Lamar Odom is due for a huge game.

[Celtics Fan]

Wow a Laker fan? Do you have your own blog? What is it so I can give some Celtics insight.

[Celtics Fan]

Beside Lamar Kardashian had his big game him and hacktest it won't happen tonight.

[tgreanier]

Wow a Laker fan? Do you have your own blog? What is it so I can give some Celtics insight.

Bynum4MVP is a good Lakers fan. There are a few of them out there. He has never been a jerk and is in no way a troll. So, don't get all hot and bothered about his comments. They are rational - even if we don't agree 

[wdleehi]

Wow a Laker fan? Do you have your own blog? What is it so I can give some Celtics insight.

Bynum4MVP is a good Lakers fan. There are a few of them out there. He has never been a jerk and is in no way a troll. So, don't get all hot and bothered about his comments. They are rational - even if we don't agree 

And yes, there is a Laker blog on SBNation.  Try to be respectful if you go on there.  I hate knuckleheaded fans (not talking about any member) that make the rest of us look idiotic. 

[Bynum4MVP]

Bynum4MVP is a good Lakers fan. There are a few of them out there. He has never been a jerk and is in no way a troll. So, don't get all hot and bothered about his comments. They are rational - even if we don't agree 

TP and good luck tonight as a fellow NBA fan.

But I wish all hell on the Celtics.