NBA Finals: Lakers (1) vs Celtics (4)

[shadowgrin]

Excellent game, just one of those high-tension, nail biter, grind it out defensive games that I love and lots of fans seem to hate. It reminded me a lot of the Detroit/Spurs series in 2005, which was a great one.

Except that the 2005 Finals didn't suck offensively like the 2010 Finals.

This 2010 Finals only had 3 games where one or both teams shot better than 45% from the field, while the 2005 Finals had 5 games where either team had above 45%. The lowest FG% in any game of the 2005 Finals never dropped lower than 37% wherein the 2010 Finals either team had as low as 33%, even more so with the eventually champions winning it with 32.5 from the field in the deciding game seven ( ).

Finals FG% combined for both teams (7 games) with max and min FG% in a game from either teams:
2010 - 42.5 (max: 56.3, min: 32.5)
2005 - 43.2 (max: 47.1, min: 37.1)


The free throw attempts (FTA) discrepancy of this year's Finals is also horrible. The 2005 Finals only had 2 games where one of the teams had a large margin of FTA, the 2010 Finals only had 3 games where both teams FTA are near each other.
Also worth nothing for the 2010 Finals is that the 4 games where one team had the edge in FTA, all of those 4 games favor the Lakers in FTA.


To nitpick some more:

Total Turnovers for both teams
2010 Finals - 179
2005 Finals - 166

The difference might not mean much, but a margin of +/- 10 is somewhat significant. That's 10 possessions lost or 20 points if we assume a FG of 2 points per possession.

[robjv1]

Yes, I certainly wouldn't disagree with you, in terms of the offensive differences. I was more commenting on the overall quality of Game 7 itself as far as how much I was invested in them and the shades of similarity to Spurs/Pistons series. Overall the 2005 Finals was much more entertaining though.

The missed shots didn't hurt the enjoyment of the game too much for me though, although I feel terrible for Ray Allen. His defense on Kobe was fantastic in long bursts though, it was a lot of fun to watch throughout the game and series. I think the think that killed them the most (besides the things the Lakers were doing right) is their tendency to try to tip the ball on rebounds all series instead of grab them with both hands. Maybe that's just a result of the Lakers size advantage, but it just never seems like they go up wanting the ball more than the Lakers do.

I'm not a huge fan of either team, but I hope Boston has one more run in them, although it's sounding not too great for their future, unless they can pull off some great trade or pickup in the off-season.

I hope there are some crazy moves in this off-season though -- the Lakers are likely pretty motivated to pull off another three-peat at this point and I'd like to see someone give them a major run for their money. If things don't change too much, I don't see anybody upsetting them.

[Andrew]

I don't know, the Celtics had a pretty good shot at winning Game 7 and if not for some really cold shooting down the stretch, could well be celebrating their 18th championship right now. Who knows what happens if Ron Artest doesn't get that putback in Game 5 of the WCF? Not to take anything away from the Lakers but when it's all said and done they didn't exactly breeze to the championship, especially in the deciding game. I certainly wouldn't count out a threepeat but I reckon they'll meet with some resistance.

[robjv1]

Yeah, it was definitely a close one. I just don't know that Boston is going to get back there next year. The Cavs as-is are missing something and I don't see them unseating the Lakers. I think of all the Eastern Conference teams, Orlando still has the best shot at it.

I guess it will likely be another WC team that unseats them, rather than an EC team. Denver needs a bit more mental toughness, but I think they are right there. Utah is a force, but they don't seem ready. Phoenix is likely done and The Spurs seem on their way out. Dallas is either really unlucky or not mentally tough enough, given their talent.

[adv1s5]

i have never seen benji this adamantly unfunny

[puttincomputers]

this game was a flashback to those defensive juggernauts in days of yore.
kudos to the lakers.

[NovU]

Excellent game, just one of those high-tension, nail biter, grind it out defensive games that I love and lots of fans seem to hate. It reminded me a lot of the Detroit/Spurs series in 2005, which was a great one.

Except that the 2005 Finals didn't suck offensively like the 2010 Finals.

You are right, shadow.

However, watching this series, I also thought of possible resemblence between 2005 Pistons and 2010 Celtics. Neither relied big on superstar performance, but was more of team efforts most of times. The defense also was the key in their success, enjoying grind out type games. But ofc, total different series from 2005 finals...

[Jeffx]

Excellent game, just one of those high-tension, nail biter, grind it out defensive games that I love and lots of fans seem to hate. It reminded me a lot of the Detroit/Spurs series in 2005, which was a great one.

Reminded me of those Knick/Heat defensive battles from the late 90s. Intense, physical, every possession is life and death.

Celtics have nothing to be ashamed of. They took down Wade, LeBron, Dwight, and had a chance to beat LA in a Finals Game 7. No one expected that. It was a great playoff run. Hold you head high, Boston fans.

[Lean]

Yes that's what I'm pointing out to those kids on Facebook. They keep on saying Boston is trash not even thinking of what the Celtics came on through before making it to the very last game of the season.

[Sauru]

anyone who says the celtics are trash is a fucking idiot. you dont make it to the 7th game of the nba finals being trash

[Jeffx]

What do you expect from kids, man? Their knowledge of the game couldn't fill a thimble. It's like these young cats who think Kobe is greater than Michael.

[Rip32]

However, watching this series, I also thought of possible resemblence between 2005 Pistons and 2010 Celtics. Neither relied big on superstar performance, but was more of team efforts most of times. The defense also was the key in their success, enjoying grind out type games. But ofc, total different series from 2005 finals...

The only thing the 2010 Celtics and 2005 Pistons have in common is that they both played superb defense. Those Pistons struggled to score points like an elderly man struggles to get a boner. The Celtics have four superstar caliber players (three on the way down however) and the Pistons had no superstars. I see what you're saying, but those Pistons teams were a lot different than today's defensive juggernauts.

[rise]

Two more than Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

That's crazy! Adam Morrison should return to CHA sometime...

[Andrew]

anyone who says the celtics are trash is a fucking idiot. you dont make it to the 7th game of the nba finals being trash

But they lost that Game 7, by a whole four points! Can't you see how that makes them an awful, awful team that doesn't deserve to be there in the first place?!?

Gotta give the Celtics a lot of credit. They looked like they were poised for a second round exit as the regular season was coming to a close, instead they come within a cold six minute stretch of winning it all.

[Lean]

Exactly. And when you point that argument out to those kids, they wouldn't see it -- being instant Laker fans that they are.

[Fcuk Orlando]

benji, Fuck you and your long ass sig
Even though the Celtics lost, they proved everyone wrong and had a great season (1st RD Wade, 2nd RD LeBron, 3rd RD Dwight, Pushing Kobe to a 25% FG in game 7 (Gasol & Artest had more impact imo))

Heres a song celebrating Boston in general (Not Made By Me)


It's New England baby, and we heatin up the Beanpot\
Big up Boston, you know the whole team hot\
Yo we fresh, y'all a little bit stale\
And we 'bout to make it ugly just like Kevin McHale\
Like Bill Russel takin over - I'm 'bout to make the scene mine\
I got a tea party, baby meet me on the Green Line\
Ain't too many kids that flow better than me\
Well rouned like 'Toines head back in 2003\
Like Tom Brady and the Pats, we rollin kid\
Cross me and pay a toll like the Tobin Bridge\
From the home of the curse, y'all know what I mea\n
We like the left field wall, we stackin Monster Green\
Knock you out of the park, you land on Yawkey Way\
My shit be butter, but around here we say parkay
I rep my own team, we takin over the industry
Like the Big Ticket, baby nobody can finish me

[shadowgrin]

That song just made me want to be a Lakers fanboy.

[Jackal]

One closer to Boston, just one.

Oh man what an amazing time to be a Laker fan. What a season. What a playoff run & what a NBA Finals. First off let me say that there couldn't be a more worthy team to play in the Finals. Boston vs LA is just in another league compared to other matchups LA could've faced. It's a shame Kendrick Perkins had to sit out the 7th game but as a Laker fan I'm not going to dwell on it too much. 2010 Champions! =)

Congrats to all the Lakers players who contributed to winning the trophy and ofcourse to the greatest coach of all time. I sure do hope the man comes back to finish off the trilogy. Lakers fans can rejoice once again!!

Sauru, really sorry for you the Celtics lost. (Not really, but I figured I should be nice to at least one Celtic fan.)

Koberulz, I do believe this game was a big fuck you from Ron Artest to you. QUEENSBRIDGE!!!!

[The X]

Koberulz, I do believe this game was a big fuck you from Ron Artest to you. QUEENSBRIDGE!!!!

Respect Queensbridge!!!

[dare]

Maybe Ammo is the next Robert Horry, lucky bastard

[Jackal]

What? How is Robert Horry a lucky bastard?

Are you fucking kidding me? You compare Adam Morrison to Robert Horry? No wonder people don't like Laker fans. They are dumb as shit.

[Axel The Great]

Robert Horry did more for the Lakers than Ammo.
I thought you were a Laker fan Jackal?

[Jackal]

Why don't you anymore?

[Axel The Great]

I never was a Laker fan.

[koberulz]

Koberulz, I do believe this game was a big fuck you from Ron Artest to you. QUEENSBRIDGE!!!! [/b]

He didn't actually play that well, it just looked like it because everyone else was so utterly shit. He made several of the same bad decisions he's been making, and one game (which, again, wasn't even that much better than usual) hardly excuses every other game he's fucked up.