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

[Andrew]

So, it's a done deal. Lakers vs Celtics for the second time in three years and the twelfth time in NBA history. Time to break out this again.



I'll admit don't have full confidence in this pick, but I'm going to be bold and go with Celtics in five; getting the split in Los Angeles and then sweeping the three games in Boston, similar to what happened with Detroit in the 2004 Finals. The Celtics have the bodies to match the Lakers' bigs, they're playing great defense at the moment reminiscent of the 2008 championship team and seeing the damage that Dragic was doing to the Lakers, I don't think they're going to have an answer for Rondo. It's going to be close, but I think the Celtics can do it. Celtics in five.

[Fresh8]

The Lakers need to control the boards so Bynum's knee is gonna be crucial. How much we will get out of him and how he and Pau and Lamar play against the big Celtics frontcourt. Rajon Rondo is going to be another headache for the Lakers. Artest will hopefully be motivated to stop Pierce.

It's going to be a great series!

Lakers in 6.

[emath]

As much as people don't want to admit it, Kobe is as close to MJ as it gets. He has the ability to will his team to victory. I think it is something that has really only developed in the last couple of years. I believe it was MJ's will to be the best that drove him, and the Bulls to such heights.

I pick Kobe's will to win, over the Celtics in 6 games.

[Andrew]

As much as people don't want to admit it, Kobe is as close to MJ as it gets.

I'm not sure too many people could or would seriously dispute that, Kobe's talent and accomplishments are evident to all but the most bitter hater. Whether he's better or not is what people generally argue about.

[emath]

As much as people don't want to admit it, Kobe is as close to MJ as it gets.

I'm not sure too many people could or would seriously dispute that, Kobe's talent and accomplishments are evident to all but the most bitter hater. Whether he's better or not is what people generally argue about.

Sadly, I guess there are a lot of haters, because I see more "Kobe sucks" stuff than I do people admitting how great he has become (maybe it's because I am local to the Chicago area, and most Bulls fans don't want to believe it).

I am no Lakers fan by nature, but seeing him develop into a talent that I have only seen in one other players in my time has caused me to start following them much more closely. Here's hoping we can somehow snag a couple of free agents here in Chicago and make a run at the Lakers over the next couple of years.

[Axel The Great]

Should've been Suns/Magic. I think Celtics in 7. By the way, in the NBA, there is and was two players closer to a leprechaun than KryptoNate. Is: Earl Boykins. Was: Muggsy Bogues.

[Andrew]

Sadly, I guess there are a lot of haters, because I see more "Kobe sucks" stuff than I do people admitting how great he has become (maybe it's because I am local to the Chicago area, and most Bulls fans don't want to believe it).

There's absolutely a lot of haters (though at the same time, that word does get pulled out too frequently as a defense against legitimate criticism) and they are very vocal. But then there's a lot of haters when it comes to Jordan as well, along with people who underestimate or make excuses for his accomplishments because they didn't grow up watching that era.

[emath]

There's absolutely a lot of haters (though at the same time, that word does get pulled out too frequently as a defense against legitimate criticism) and they are very vocal. But then there's a lot of haters when it comes to Jordan as well, along with people who underestimate or make excuses for his accomplishments because they didn't grow up watching that era.

Very good points.

[cavs4872]

You should've made one of the poll choices something about Lamrock.

[Fresh8]

You should've made one of the poll choices something about Lamrock.

Like:

'Lamrock is suffering with suicidal tendencies after his lover Steve Nash failed to make an NBA Finals... again'

[The X]

Should've been Celtics-Suns rematch of '76 Finals, but ahh well, shite happens, Lakers were the better team in the series

I voted for the C's in 6 since Lala's rely too much on Kobe to carry them when the going gets tough & they won't be able to stop Rondo.

As for Kobe, with each passing year he's definitely looking like securing himself as a top 10 player of All-Time when his career is said & done, & he's getting oh so close to passing Jerry West as number 2 shooting guard of All-Time (behind MJ of course).

[bee-boy]

As much as people don't want to admit it, Kobe is as close to MJ as it gets.

I'm not sure too many people could or would seriously dispute that, Kobe's talent and accomplishments are evident to all but the most bitter hater. Whether he's better or not is what people generally argue about.

Sadly, I guess there are a lot of haters, because I see more "Kobe sucks" stuff than I do people admitting how great he has become (maybe it's because I am local to the Chicago area, and most Bulls fans don't want to believe it).

I am no Lakers fan by nature, but seeing him develop into a talent that I have only seen in one other players in my time has caused me to start following them much more closely. Here's hoping we can somehow snag a couple of free agents here in Chicago and make a run at the Lakers over the next couple of years.

I live in chicago as well and many people think i'm crazy when i say kobe is up there with jordan. Not saying he is better but just up there. Anyway LA in 6.

[benji]

All this Kobe close to Jordan, top ten player in NBA history, etc. talk is nuts.

I live in chicago as well and many people think i'm crazy when i say kobe is up there with jordan. Not saying he is better but just up there.

bee-boy
Kobe Bryant is the G.O.A.T.

[dare]

Lamrock did not make a thread?

Predictions:
Paul Pierce get injured for real this time
Rajon Rondo will be shutdown
KG will be hitting someone then runs away
Ray will prove that he is the best player in the Celtics but it will not be enough.
And we are going to witness how will Kobe kills Sasha

So with that said LA in 5

[kibaxx7]

C's in 6! I just don't want to see the Lakers winning again.

[shadowgrin]

Celtics in 6. The sad thing about this is that when Boston wins it Lakers fans will again have another excuse because Bynum isn't 100%, just like in 2008.

[benji]

just like in 2008.

Kobe stinking in yet another Finals?

[koberulz]

Rajon Rondo will be shutdown

By whom?

Ray will prove that he is the best player in the Celtics

You, sir, are insane.

[NovU]

Lolz... shadow. Yeah, I also see that coming, but with Artest and half(?) healthy Bynum, I think the Lakers have better shot this time. Pierce I think is now stoppable with Artest focusing on him. Radmanovic/Vujacic were crap defenders on Pierce back then.

But I am rooting for Boston, since Lakers fans are starting to compare Kobe to MJ once again. So I am predicting/hoping Boston in 6.

[Andrew]

Lamrock did not make a thread?

He's out of town.

[hova-]

Tough decision, I definitely think it will be a 6 game series that could go either way. My little antipathy for the Lakers + the fact that Rondo is an upgrade over Russell Westbrook who simply burned Derek Fisher in the first round makes me root for the Cs in 6.

[Erchamion]

As much as people don't want to admit it, Kobe is as close to MJ as it gets. He has the ability to will his team to victory. I think it is something that has really only developed in the last couple of years. I believe it was MJ's will to be the best that drove him, and the Bulls to such heights.

I pick Kobe's will to win, over the Celtics in 6 games.

Kobe is great. Much better than spoiled princess James. But his problem is that the Celtics have way to much quality on all other positions to beat them single-handed. His team has to play 120%.

[Dan's Brain]

Lakers in 7. And I'd really like to see Pau get Finals MVP. But considering he won't be the leading scorer, he probably won't get it.

When was the last time we saw a 7-game NBA Finals series. Was it the 1994 Rockets-Knicks?

[hova-]

Spurs-Pistons in 2005 with Big Shot Rob's late heroics.

[koberulz]

2005, Spurs-Pistons.