Honestly, Every other NBA team sucks

[mgent]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

You lost me there.

I think Kobe's moniker of "best closer" has been greatly overhyped. He hasn't done anything deep in the playoffs/NBA finals to garner that name. Ray has made countless of clutch shots, better team player, and a better shooter

The only thing Kobe can take pride in, is his superior one on one skills

Agreed, and it's been particularly true since the '08 playoffs : he hasn't hit a single game winner or very big clutch shot, '08 included, and it's not a matter of not taking these shots... he is just not making them. Luckily for him his teammates bailed him out twice last year (Gasol against OKC on a tip in and Artest on a rebound after a Kobe airball against PHX).

Yeah I love seeing the ball in Kobe's hands at the end of games.  You just know he's gonna call an isolation, bring the ball about 20 feet from the basket, do a stupid Kobe move, and take an off-balance fade away while having his shot completely contested.  Oh yeah, and NEVER PASS.

Toughest shot in the game and it might have made him famous in his younger days but he's lucky to make even 20% of them now.

[PosImpos]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I agree with you that we are better at PG and SF, but that's it.

[TheBig5]

Saying Ray Allen is better than Kobe is just ridiculous. I understand you are trying to be positive, but come on now.

[fairweatherfan]

I don't really agree with a lot of the arguments in the OP, but I like the spirit - it's a nice counterpoint to the "We suck and everyone else is awesome" attitude.  TP.

[18isGREATERthan72]

I hate the Lakers as much as anyone, but give them some credit.  Saying we're better than them at every position is ridiculous.  Ray over Kobe?  Maybe for our team, and what we do, but Kobe is one of the greatest ever, and overall a better player.  The way I see the position matchup against LA is this.

Rondo > Fisher
Ray < Kobe
Pierce > Artest
KG = Gasol (KG has better defense, but Gasol is a better rebounder and offensive player at this point in both players career)
Shaq / JO < Bynum (If Bynum plays up to what he's capable of, he's better than either JO or Shaq at this point, but not by much)
Baby < Odom (Although I feel like Doc might utilize Green more against Odom, which is a closer matchup.)
Rest of Bench I think the Celtics destroy the Lakers.

[Fafnir]

I hate the Lakers as much as anyone, but give them some credit.  Saying we're better than them at every position is ridiculous.  Ray over Kobe?  Maybe for our team, and what we do, but Kobe is one of the greatest ever, and overall a better player.  The way I see the position matchup against LA is this.

Rondo > Fisher
Ray < Kobe
Pierce > Artest
KG = Gasol (KG has better defense, but Gasol is a better rebounder and offensive player at this point in both players career)
Shaq / JO < Bynum (If Bynum plays up to what he's capable of, he's better than either JO or Shaq at this point, but not by much)
Baby < Odom (Although I feel like Doc might utilize Green more against Odom, which is a closer matchup.)
Rest of Bench I think the Celtics destroy the Lakers.

Glen Davis actually plays very well against Odom. He has trouble guarding his drives but he can post him up and keep him off the glass usually.

Also KG has been a better rebounder than Pau Gasol this year, though in part this is driven by having Odom/Bynum take boards from Gasol. KG is having a great season on the glass. If we had this year's KG last year we win game 7 without it being that close.

[vinnie]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I nearly fell down laughing when I read this. Ray is better than Kobe? And Shaq and JO combined are better than bynum? As for KG and Gasol, I give that one pretty much a tossup. Celts win the other two matchups.

[Fafnir]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I nearly fell down laughing when I read this. Ray is better than Kobe? And Shaq and JO combined are better than bynum? Ass for KG and Gasol, I give that one pretty much a tossup. Celts win the other two matchups.

If Rondo can either hit enough shots to force Kobe to man to man him or get another player to guard him the C's have the advantage in the series. Even with Bynum's play.

That's a big if though.

[OsirusCeltics]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I nearly fell down laughing when I read this. Ray is better than Kobe? And Shaq and JO combined are better than bynum? As for KG and Gasol, I give that one pretty much a tossup. Celts win the other two matchups.

Lol when's the last time Kobe hit a clutch shot deep in the playoffs/NBA Finals?

.......**crickets**....

[vinnie]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I nearly fell down laughing when I read this. Ray is better than Kobe? And Shaq and JO combined are better than bynum? As for KG and Gasol, I give that one pretty much a tossup. Celts win the other two matchups.

Lol when's the last time Kobe hit a clutch shot deep in the playoffs/NBA Finals?

.......**crickets**....

Stating that Ray Allen is better than Kobe Bryant is beyond ridiculous and does not deserve more than 1 second of discussion.

[slamtheking]

I hate the Lakers as much as anyone, but give them some credit.  Saying we're better than them at every position is ridiculous.  Ray over Kobe?  Maybe for our team, and what we do, but Kobe is one of the greatest ever, and overall a better player.  The way I see the position matchup against LA is this.

Rondo > Fisher
Ray < Kobe
Pierce > Artest
KG = Gasol (KG has better defense, but Gasol is a better rebounder and offensive player at this point in both players career)
Shaq / JO < Bynum (If Bynum plays up to what he's capable of, he's better than either JO or Shaq at this point, but not by much)
Baby < Odom (Although I feel like Doc might utilize Green more against Odom, which is a closer matchup.)
Rest of Bench I think the Celtics destroy the Lakers.

Glen Davis actually plays very well against Odom. He has trouble guarding his drives but he can post him up and keep him off the glass usually.

Also KG has been a better rebounder than Pau Gasol this year, though in part this is driven by having Odom/Bynum take boards from Gasol. KG is having a great season on the glass. If we had this year's KG last year we win game 7 without it being that close.

I think the key against Odom is physical play.  He doesn't have the bulk to take a 7-game beating against BBD, JO and Shaq if they can lay body on him.  Odom's a fairly smart player that knows enough to utilize his speed over the C's frontcourt to alleviate that disadvantage. 

As far as having this year's KG in the finals last year -- I think it makes the last game closer and come down to a final shot at the end.  it wouldn't have put the C's over the top in terms of being out of gas at the end with KG and Sheed not being able to get any rest and BBD being useless on the boards.  I can go along with KG getting a few more rebounds than he did but the Lakers were hanging all over the offensive glass so they'd still have had a field day on the glass.

[barefacedmonk]

Lol when's the last time Kobe hit a clutch shot deep in the playoffs/NBA Finals? .......**crickets**....

How many playoff games do you think will be decided by a "clutch play"?

Ray is a better 3 point shooter but Kobe is the better overall player.

[boom]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I nearly fell down laughing when I read this. Ray is better than Kobe? And Shaq and JO combined are better than bynum? As for KG and Gasol, I give that one pretty much a tossup. Celts win the other two matchups.

Lol when's the last time Kobe hit a clutch shot deep in the playoffs/NBA Finals?

.......**crickets**....

Are we talking about who's better in regards to the last 30 seconds of a 48 minute game and ignoring the other 47.5 minutes, or the whole game? If it's the first, then you should apply the same to the rest of the match-ups..

[mgent]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I agree with you that we are better at PG and SF, but that's it.

I think we are WAY better at PG and SF, slightly better at PF, and about even at C (a healthy Shaq can do everything Bynum can).

As for Kobe vs Ray, Kobe's better (not because he takes way more shots) but I don't think by much.  It's probably closer than it was 5 years ago, although Ray wasn't that far off then either.

Where would Ray be ranked now that Roy is coming off the bench?  I'd put Manu at 3rd between Kobe and Ray, but that's it.

[Donoghus]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

I nearly fell down laughing when I read this. Ray is better than Kobe? And Shaq and JO combined are better than bynum? As for KG and Gasol, I give that one pretty much a tossup. Celts win the other two matchups.

Lol when's the last time Kobe hit a clutch shot deep in the playoffs/NBA Finals?

.......**crickets**....

Are we talking about who's better in regards to the last 30 seconds of a 48 minute game and ignoring the other 47.5 minutes, or the whole game? If it's the first, then you should apply the same to the rest of the match-ups..

Exactly.

Also, its not like Ray was exactly tearing it up in Game 7 last year, either.  3/14?  That's clutch?  Or the 0-13 in Game 3?