Finally after two weeks of amazing basketball, the NBA finals are set, and as the smoke clears, we are left with the two most storied franchised in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will renew their long documented rivalry.
The Celtics were a team that everyone wrote off and were no one's choice to be in this year's NBA Finals, but after a impressive upset over the favorites, Cleveland Cavaliers, and knocking off the defending Eastern Conference Champions, Orlando Magic, the Celtics are back again as the team they were two years ago.
The Lakers were favorites to be back in the finals, and are the favorites to repeat as champions again, but it was not easy for the Lakers to get back to the finals this year.
The Celtics entered the NBA Playoffs with questions on the health of their team.
The Celtics passed the Miami Heat and were up against their next challenge: The Cavaliers. The world was shocked when LeBron James had quit in Games 5 and 6, and give the Celtics the series.
After knocking out the Cavaliers, no one believed the Celtics could do it again against the Magic. The Celtics jumped up to a 3-0 lead in the series, and had people jumping back on their wagon.
The Magic did not quit, instead the team grabbed two wins before the Celtics eliminated them.
For the Lakers, they had a tough season dealing with injuries with their super star Kobe Bryant. Bryant did not let that stop him from playing, he continued playing with the injuries.
The Lakers opened up their road to repeat with the young, athletic Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder did not let them off easily as they took them six games, but the Lakers won the series.
Next were the Utah Jazz, the team was lucky to advance to the second round, after the Denver Nuggets lost control of their team without the leadership of their coach.
The Jazz had no chance against the Lakers. Los Angeles swept them in four games.
Next were the underestimated Phoenix Suns, the team that missed the playoffs last season and were not expected to be in the Western Conference Finals.
No one had the Suns beating the Lakers, but the Suns figured out a way to beat the Lakers after Los Angeles went up 2-0 in the series.
Pheonix went to a zone defense that brought the team back to a 2-2 tie and was keeping them in the series.
Game 5 was the turning point of the series.
With a minute to go and the Lakers up 101-98, Ron Artest took the stupidest shot in Lakers history.
Artest had missed a running shot but Gasol had gotten the offensive rebound and passed it back to Artest, but Artest took another shot with 22 seconds left in the shot clock but missed the shot.
Afterwards Steve Nash brought the ball up and took a three pointer that missed. The Suns grabbed the rebound and Jason Richardson took another three, but he missed and the Suns got another rebound, this time Richardson banked a three with three seconds left in the game.
The Lakers came back with Bryant shooting a three pointer, but it fell short and Artest was there to put it back for the game winning shot.
The win gave the Lakers a 3-2 lead in the series and allowing Artest to redeem himself for dumb shot he did before.
The Lakers closed out the Suns back in Phoenix and are in the NBA Finals for the third straight year and 31st time in franchise history.
The last time the Lakers and Celtics faced off in the finals, the Lakers were on a roll that was feeding off the trade that brought Gasol to the Lakers.
The Celtics had fire power and great defense that locked up Bryant to allow Boston to beat the Lakers in six games.
This year will be different because the Lakers have the experience, great defense (with the addition of Artest), Andrew Bynum (a player that the Lakers did not have in 2008), and the Celtics are not the same team of 2008.
Artest was brought to Los Angeles to face guys like Paul Pierce. Pierce went off on the Lakers back in 2008, but this time he will be getting locked down by Artest.
The Lakers did not have Bynum in 2008 because he had a knee injury. Bynum has another knee injury, but since he is playing with it, it gives the Lakers another body to fill the post and get rebounds and block shots.
Bynum does not need to lead the Lakers in scoring, any points he gets will be a extra for the Lakers. His defense is what is more important for the Lakers.
The Lakers are favorites this time, because I do not believe the Celtics can take out another elite team for a third time.
Kevin Garnett is not 100 percent, Ray Allen is not going to hurt the Lakers a whole lot, Pierce won't get everything he wants, and the Celtics live and die with Rajon Rondo.
As long as the Lakers continue what they have been doing all season, than Boston should not be a headace.
Boston will get wins, but not all four wins.
The Lakers are well enough prepared to go head to head with the Celtics and they have home court advantage.
Not that I am a Lakers fan, but I do believe the Lakers will beat the Celtics this year.
I pick the Lakers in six games.
Showing posts with label NBA Los Angeles Lakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA Los Angeles Lakers. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
The predictable NBA playoffs
How exciting is it to finally be in the NBA conference finals after a month's worth of amazing and unpredictable playoffs.
The main headline in the conference finals is the Boston Celtics upsetting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance the the eastern conference finals.
The second headline is the Phoenix Suns make their way back the the western conference finals. They return after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs and a season after missing the playoffs.
The two teams that were predicted to be in the conference finals were the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, and with no surprise, both are there.
The Lakers and Magic both swept their semi-finals series' and are looking to have a collision course in the NBA finals for a consecutive season.
My predictions for the semi-finals were a lot better from my first round predictions. All four teams that I predicted to be in the conference finals are in and I hit the bull's eye with Boston beating Cleveland in six games.
Now that the conference finals are set; it's time to predict who will be in the NBA finals in June.
In the East we have No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics:
I am going to pick Boston in six. I am sold this team is the best team in the east. They were chosen to be the best team in the regular season, but they fell to fourth because of injuries. Now that they have a full roster and are playing their best basketball of the season; I think they have to be the favorite to come out of the east.
Yes, Orlando is great, they swept both of their first two series, but I think Boston has too much momentum after knocking of King Quitter and the Cavaliers.
Rajon Rondo is leading the Celtics with impressive stats, Kevin Garnett looks like he is still in his prime, Paul Pierce is looking sharp from the three point line, Ray Allen is still a prime shooter, and the Celtics supporting cast behind these four guys are superior to Orlando's supporting cast.
Boston has the best defense to match Orlando's hot offense and I just don't see the Magic getting past Boston like they did last season.
Now to the West. we have No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 3 Phoenix Suns:
I have the Lakers in five. It's not even a contest. The Lakers can defeat the Suns with one hand tied behind their back.
The Suns do not have the height to compete with the Lakers' big men. Last series, Pau Gasol went off against the under-size Utah Jazz, and he will do the same with the Suns.
Andrew Bynum is suffering a bad knee, but as long as he can give the Lakers 10 points and 12 rebounds for the series, that will be enough for him to help the Lakers.
Lamar Odom, the player who has been inconsistent forever for the Lakers, will have a huge series. I see Odom averaging a double-double in the series.
The Suns had a impressive season, but their season is going to fall short here. They are just not good enough at their best against the Lakers.
So let's recap my picks. After my predictions we have Boston and LA.
"Boston and LA ... That's all you can say ... is Boston and LA," Kobe Bryant once said about facing the Celtics.
And he is right, that's all you can say, Boston and LA.
The rematch the Lakers have been waiting for two years is going to finally happen.
The rivalry of these two teams is going to be once again renewed.
The best series the NBA can hope for is going to go down in June!
I can't wait for these series to start, check back when Boston and LA defeat their opponents and make the finals to see my prediction of who is going to win the NBA championship!
The main headline in the conference finals is the Boston Celtics upsetting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance the the eastern conference finals.
The second headline is the Phoenix Suns make their way back the the western conference finals. They return after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs and a season after missing the playoffs.
The two teams that were predicted to be in the conference finals were the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, and with no surprise, both are there.
The Lakers and Magic both swept their semi-finals series' and are looking to have a collision course in the NBA finals for a consecutive season.
My predictions for the semi-finals were a lot better from my first round predictions. All four teams that I predicted to be in the conference finals are in and I hit the bull's eye with Boston beating Cleveland in six games.
Now that the conference finals are set; it's time to predict who will be in the NBA finals in June.
In the East we have No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics:
I am going to pick Boston in six. I am sold this team is the best team in the east. They were chosen to be the best team in the regular season, but they fell to fourth because of injuries. Now that they have a full roster and are playing their best basketball of the season; I think they have to be the favorite to come out of the east.
Yes, Orlando is great, they swept both of their first two series, but I think Boston has too much momentum after knocking of King Quitter and the Cavaliers.
Rajon Rondo is leading the Celtics with impressive stats, Kevin Garnett looks like he is still in his prime, Paul Pierce is looking sharp from the three point line, Ray Allen is still a prime shooter, and the Celtics supporting cast behind these four guys are superior to Orlando's supporting cast.
Boston has the best defense to match Orlando's hot offense and I just don't see the Magic getting past Boston like they did last season.
Now to the West. we have No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 3 Phoenix Suns:
I have the Lakers in five. It's not even a contest. The Lakers can defeat the Suns with one hand tied behind their back.
The Suns do not have the height to compete with the Lakers' big men. Last series, Pau Gasol went off against the under-size Utah Jazz, and he will do the same with the Suns.
Andrew Bynum is suffering a bad knee, but as long as he can give the Lakers 10 points and 12 rebounds for the series, that will be enough for him to help the Lakers.
Lamar Odom, the player who has been inconsistent forever for the Lakers, will have a huge series. I see Odom averaging a double-double in the series.
The Suns had a impressive season, but their season is going to fall short here. They are just not good enough at their best against the Lakers.
So let's recap my picks. After my predictions we have Boston and LA.
"Boston and LA ... That's all you can say ... is Boston and LA," Kobe Bryant once said about facing the Celtics.
And he is right, that's all you can say, Boston and LA.
The rematch the Lakers have been waiting for two years is going to finally happen.
The rivalry of these two teams is going to be once again renewed.
The best series the NBA can hope for is going to go down in June!
I can't wait for these series to start, check back when Boston and LA defeat their opponents and make the finals to see my prediction of who is going to win the NBA championship!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Celtics are better than ever
The Boston Celtics are back.
The team that won its seventh NBA Championship two years ago, are back to contend for another one.
A team that was written off as too old to compete with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, have made a 180 and now seems to be able to beat anyone.
The Celtics are currently in a 1-1 tie with the Cavaliers in their best of seven series, and Boston is looking to take the lead when the series resumes back in Massachusetts.
As a loyal Lakers' fan, I hate to admit this thought, but the Celtics are the team I am pulling for in the series.
Not only because I know they are going to win this series, but the fact that Cleveland fans are so ignorant and stupid to believe their team is the best with the mediocre players they have surrounding LeBron... is why I want them to lose every year.
Believe me, I would love to see Kobe Bryant capture his fifth NBA Championship by beating "LePrick" James and Shaq, but on behave of the rest of the NBA, we would love to see the Celtics and Lakers get it on again.
The Celtics are healthy and are playing their best basketball of the season, that said, they have the recipe to make it back to the finals for another showdown with their foe.
Trust me, the Lakers have their ticket to the finals set, the Utah Jazz and most likely, the Phoenix Suns are not going to be a threat to them.
I will say it again, the Lakers will not repeat if they get beat by themselves, no one can beat L.A. in a seven game series.
On a final thought, let the rivalry continue Boston and L.A.
The team that won its seventh NBA Championship two years ago, are back to contend for another one.
A team that was written off as too old to compete with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, have made a 180 and now seems to be able to beat anyone.
The Celtics are currently in a 1-1 tie with the Cavaliers in their best of seven series, and Boston is looking to take the lead when the series resumes back in Massachusetts.
As a loyal Lakers' fan, I hate to admit this thought, but the Celtics are the team I am pulling for in the series.
Not only because I know they are going to win this series, but the fact that Cleveland fans are so ignorant and stupid to believe their team is the best with the mediocre players they have surrounding LeBron... is why I want them to lose every year.
Believe me, I would love to see Kobe Bryant capture his fifth NBA Championship by beating "LePrick" James and Shaq, but on behave of the rest of the NBA, we would love to see the Celtics and Lakers get it on again.
The Celtics are healthy and are playing their best basketball of the season, that said, they have the recipe to make it back to the finals for another showdown with their foe.
Trust me, the Lakers have their ticket to the finals set, the Utah Jazz and most likely, the Phoenix Suns are not going to be a threat to them.
I will say it again, the Lakers will not repeat if they get beat by themselves, no one can beat L.A. in a seven game series.
On a final thought, let the rivalry continue Boston and L.A.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Lakers beat their future competitors
The thunder has cleared for the Los Angeles Lakers and the path to a repeat has taken a new jazz tune.
The Lakers took care of business last night in Oklahoma City and put away the Thunder in six games to move on to the western conference semi-finals, and a match up against the Utah Jazz.
For a sixth game, the OKC Thunder fought hard and gave the Lakers one last offensive surge, only to fall a point short from forcing a game seven in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are moving on, but the Thunder are not gone for good.
A team that surpassed its expectations and grew up in front of our eys in six games; have made a name for themselves in the years to come.
The OKC Thunder are the real winners of this series against the defending champs. They played their hearts out and proved they can beat any team in the NBA and can go much further into the playoffs in the coming years.
With the trio combo of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and Serge Ibaka and the supporting cast made up of Jeff Green, James Harden and Nick Collison, only makes this team one big free agent away from being a NBA championship contender.
They have shown they can score at will, defend when called upon and play with the best anywhere.
The OKC Thunder should not leave this series with its head down, because they won millions of people's hearts and respect, including the fans of the Lakers, who wished to cheer on the young team, but only hoped it was against another team.
They made the Lakers work for every point, every game and every win. They made people believe they had a chance to upset the champs.
Respect ... respect ... respect is the only word that comes to mind when I think about these guys. Durant has made me a fan of his and Westbrook has become a NBA all star in my eyes.
The players from Oklahoma City, are a team who came into the series against Los Angeles as the inexperience boys, and left the series as NBA veteran men looking to get back to the playoffs next season and finish what they left on the court last night.
This team was expected to make the playoffs this year and lose in the first round to the Lakers with no wins, but they were not expected to force the Lakers to a nearly seventh game.
The Lakers and the rest of the NBA now know they must acknowledge this team as a contender for now on.
The scariest fact about this Thunder team is that they are young and ready to improve.
The Lakers took care of business last night in Oklahoma City and put away the Thunder in six games to move on to the western conference semi-finals, and a match up against the Utah Jazz.
For a sixth game, the OKC Thunder fought hard and gave the Lakers one last offensive surge, only to fall a point short from forcing a game seven in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are moving on, but the Thunder are not gone for good.
A team that surpassed its expectations and grew up in front of our eys in six games; have made a name for themselves in the years to come.
The OKC Thunder are the real winners of this series against the defending champs. They played their hearts out and proved they can beat any team in the NBA and can go much further into the playoffs in the coming years.
With the trio combo of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and Serge Ibaka and the supporting cast made up of Jeff Green, James Harden and Nick Collison, only makes this team one big free agent away from being a NBA championship contender.
They have shown they can score at will, defend when called upon and play with the best anywhere.
The OKC Thunder should not leave this series with its head down, because they won millions of people's hearts and respect, including the fans of the Lakers, who wished to cheer on the young team, but only hoped it was against another team.
They made the Lakers work for every point, every game and every win. They made people believe they had a chance to upset the champs.
Respect ... respect ... respect is the only word that comes to mind when I think about these guys. Durant has made me a fan of his and Westbrook has become a NBA all star in my eyes.
The players from Oklahoma City, are a team who came into the series against Los Angeles as the inexperience boys, and left the series as NBA veteran men looking to get back to the playoffs next season and finish what they left on the court last night.
This team was expected to make the playoffs this year and lose in the first round to the Lakers with no wins, but they were not expected to force the Lakers to a nearly seventh game.
The Lakers and the rest of the NBA now know they must acknowledge this team as a contender for now on.
The scariest fact about this Thunder team is that they are young and ready to improve.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Lakers five qualities to repeat
What qualities do the Los Angeles Lakers have to win its 16 NBA championship this season.
5. The bench: This season the Lakers bench has been inconsistent and unreliable for Lakers' coach Phil Jackson. The answer to this is the injuries that have occurred throughout the season. Last year the Lakers were fortunate to have a safe season with no major injuries, but this season the team has had its share of multiple injuries from Kobe Bryant to Pau Gasol. Since most of the starters had injuries that kept them out of action, the Lakers had to bring a bench player to start; causing the bench rotation to change its course. Once the team manages to keep the whole roster healthy, then everyone on the roster will be back on their regular role on the team and boosting the Lakers bench back to being one of the most efficient benches in the league.
4. Ron Artest: The biggest question has been, will Ron Artest be a great addition to the Lakers or a bust. The question has been great so far but the question will not be answered until the playoffs are well underway. Artest bring a lot more than Trevor Ariza did last year for the Lakers. Artest bring his physical defense that the Laker and Jackson has been wanting for many years. He also brings his outside jumper that he has been consistent with fore many years. He is hungry for a championship and has shown he doesn't matter if he scores or not for the Lakers to be successful. He helps Kobe Bryant out on the opponent's best player and keeps Bryant rested to do his part on the offensive side. Ariza did very well last year for the Lakers but Artest will be matching those stats once the playoffs begin, because the Lakers will need everyone's production once they get deep into the playoffs.
3. Andrew Bynum: Finally, for once everyone thought the boy was going to have a full season, but that thought was thrown out once Andrew Bynum suffered a strain Achilles a few weeks ago (but is expected to return before the playoffs.) Bynum will help the Lakers a lot with his huge frame and dominates down on the post, this injury is different from the other injuries that Bynum has suffered because this injury should not effect the production that he has given the Lakers thus far and he should be able to bounce right back with the 15 points and eight rebounds that he has put up this season. This postseason will be the first time Bynum will be efficient for the Lakers and will have a big part in the Lakers capturing its 16 title.
2. The Hunger: The biggest part to repeating in the NBA is having the players who have won the title; do it again in the following year. This will be the only thing keeping the Lakers from the title, because the drive from the players other than Kobe Bryant will be question since everyone knows that Bryant always has the drive to be the best no matter if he knows he is already the best. The Lakers must show the determination once the first ball is tipped in the playoffs because no matter who the opponent is in the first round, that team is going to test the drive of the Lakers and it will show if the Lakers are really greedy for another title.
1. Kobe 'Bean' Bryant- Any team can win the NBA championship when it has Kobe Bryant on its team. Bryant is a player that can do it all for the team; he can put a team on his back and pull it to victory or he can win a game for the team at the final buzzer. Bryant has always wanted to match the greatest of the NBA and to do that, he must win as many as titles as he can before his career comes to a end. Once Bryant reaches the finals, no matter who is the opponent; if it is LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Miami Heat, Bryant will not let another chance from being that close to a title slip away again. Bryant will not let his team fail on the big stage again, because the man drives off being pressured to win the whole thing on his own and he does not fail.
The five qualities for the Los Angeles Lakers to repeat as NBA Champions and capture its 16 title will factor down two these five things. No team cannot beat the Lakers in a seven game series or will never do as long as the Lakers are on its A-game.
My prediction is the Lakers in six games against the Orlando Magic in 2009 NBA finals rematch.
5. The bench: This season the Lakers bench has been inconsistent and unreliable for Lakers' coach Phil Jackson. The answer to this is the injuries that have occurred throughout the season. Last year the Lakers were fortunate to have a safe season with no major injuries, but this season the team has had its share of multiple injuries from Kobe Bryant to Pau Gasol. Since most of the starters had injuries that kept them out of action, the Lakers had to bring a bench player to start; causing the bench rotation to change its course. Once the team manages to keep the whole roster healthy, then everyone on the roster will be back on their regular role on the team and boosting the Lakers bench back to being one of the most efficient benches in the league.
4. Ron Artest: The biggest question has been, will Ron Artest be a great addition to the Lakers or a bust. The question has been great so far but the question will not be answered until the playoffs are well underway. Artest bring a lot more than Trevor Ariza did last year for the Lakers. Artest bring his physical defense that the Laker and Jackson has been wanting for many years. He also brings his outside jumper that he has been consistent with fore many years. He is hungry for a championship and has shown he doesn't matter if he scores or not for the Lakers to be successful. He helps Kobe Bryant out on the opponent's best player and keeps Bryant rested to do his part on the offensive side. Ariza did very well last year for the Lakers but Artest will be matching those stats once the playoffs begin, because the Lakers will need everyone's production once they get deep into the playoffs.
3. Andrew Bynum: Finally, for once everyone thought the boy was going to have a full season, but that thought was thrown out once Andrew Bynum suffered a strain Achilles a few weeks ago (but is expected to return before the playoffs.) Bynum will help the Lakers a lot with his huge frame and dominates down on the post, this injury is different from the other injuries that Bynum has suffered because this injury should not effect the production that he has given the Lakers thus far and he should be able to bounce right back with the 15 points and eight rebounds that he has put up this season. This postseason will be the first time Bynum will be efficient for the Lakers and will have a big part in the Lakers capturing its 16 title.
2. The Hunger: The biggest part to repeating in the NBA is having the players who have won the title; do it again in the following year. This will be the only thing keeping the Lakers from the title, because the drive from the players other than Kobe Bryant will be question since everyone knows that Bryant always has the drive to be the best no matter if he knows he is already the best. The Lakers must show the determination once the first ball is tipped in the playoffs because no matter who the opponent is in the first round, that team is going to test the drive of the Lakers and it will show if the Lakers are really greedy for another title.
1. Kobe 'Bean' Bryant- Any team can win the NBA championship when it has Kobe Bryant on its team. Bryant is a player that can do it all for the team; he can put a team on his back and pull it to victory or he can win a game for the team at the final buzzer. Bryant has always wanted to match the greatest of the NBA and to do that, he must win as many as titles as he can before his career comes to a end. Once Bryant reaches the finals, no matter who is the opponent; if it is LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Miami Heat, Bryant will not let another chance from being that close to a title slip away again. Bryant will not let his team fail on the big stage again, because the man drives off being pressured to win the whole thing on his own and he does not fail.
The five qualities for the Los Angeles Lakers to repeat as NBA Champions and capture its 16 title will factor down two these five things. No team cannot beat the Lakers in a seven game series or will never do as long as the Lakers are on its A-game.
My prediction is the Lakers in six games against the Orlando Magic in 2009 NBA finals rematch.
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