Lakers v. Celtics Preview

I'm baaack!

After a long absence from the blog I have returned, just in the nick of time to write a trashy NBA Playoff Preview. I know you have all been huddling around your computers in anticipation.

Anyway, this is (hopefully) going to be a great series. Two teams with tons of talent going head-to-head and they happen to be two teams with a great rivalry, sooo much better than Kobe vs. ChokeBron, err I mean LeQuitter.

The series hinges on a few things. I will call them the keys, also known as the x-factors, difference makers or whatever ESPN babble that is out there.

Keys for L.A.
Pau Gasol - The best offensive big man in the game (Name another, seriously just try. Go ahead I'll give you a second....got nothing...exactly) needs to continue his crazy 20, ppg 10 rpg, 3.4 apg average if the Lakers are going to have a shot at all.


Kobe Bryant's hot hand - This is where you say duh, but it needs to be said. He has been killing people during the playoffs and if he averages 30 then L.A. will win.

Bynum's knee - On the offensive end a healthy Bynum forces KG, or one of the Perkins, Wallace, Big Baby trio to not be able to help as much on Pau, who is close to impossible to guard one-on-one (unlike the 2008 version of himself I think he will have a decent series).

Ron Artest's brain - Everyone is waiting for the King of the Malice at the Palace to go insane and do something absolutely indescribable. If he doesn't and can lock down Paul Pierce then the Lakers will win.

Keys for Boston
The old legs stay fresh - Every analyst or person that has watched the playoffs will tell you that the Bean Town boys have been the best defensive team of the playoffs. P Dubbs, Ray Allen and Kevin have been going so hard I'm not sure if they can keep up the tempo on both ends of the floor. If their legs stay relatively fresh they can win.

Rondo's health - The young gunner (pronounced gunna) has been killing, but if he isn't close to 100 percent and we see another sighting of the ugliest tattoo in the game worn by Nate Robinson the Celtics are done. He will not have another performance like he did in Game 6 against Orlando.

The actual big three - They call Pierce, Ray and KG the big three, but the true big three in this series will be Wallace, Perkins and Glen Davis. If one of the three come to play each game L.A. is in trouble. They can throw 18 fouls at Gasol, a beat up Bynum and Odom. And if somehow Rasheed continues to knock down his treys Boston can stretch the floor and force the Lakers length outside.

Predictions
I admit I had trouble deciding this. If the Lakers win game one then it could be L.A. in six. If the Lakers lose game one then it could be the Lakers in seven, but Boston will win in six two of which will be in L.A.

Kofod predicted the same thing. And that is not good. It means that either the Lakers win in four or Lindsay Lohan will actually be hot again and because I can't see either thing happening I guess I will have to stick with it.

BOSTON IN SIX!!