2010 NBA Finals (Lakers vs Celtics)

It's all set. Two of the most storied franchises in basketball will renew their rivalry for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. And for the most hardened of hoop fans, it doesn't get any better than the Los Angeles Lakers going up against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. 

Over the next couple of days you can expect picks and predictions, especially in a series of this magnitude, from practically every basketball-loving soul on the planet. So let's get the ball rolling, shall we? 

Let me state at the outset, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am a Lakers fan, though not of Kobe Bryant. I root exclusively for the team, and not for any particular player. Heck, I'd support them even if they were led by a Mini-Me lookalike of Charles Barkley named Nick Van Exel. Wait...I think I already did.

That being said, and without any hint of bias, I predict a Los Angeles victory in this series. And if you don't want to take my word for it, maybe you should listen to this guy: 

The NBA Finals marks another 2 weeks of a ritual that has, for me, spanned 2 decades. I had written about this previously (as matter of fact, it's the first entry on this blog). But a LA-Boston series always has special significance as it takes me back to the days when I was first learning the game. The time of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, Red Auerbach vs. Jerry West, Showtime vs. Beantown.

That generation of Lakers introduced me to Kareem's skyhook, Worthy's fastbreak finish, Green's hustle, Scott's 3 pointers, and Magic's wizardry. It was an awesome sight to behold, and I have been a Lakers fan ever since (which answers the question, how I can root for the Lakers without being a Kobe fan).

A lot of history has already been written about the Lakers-Celtics rivalry but this 2010 version of the LA-Boston showdown has a storyline of its own. Kobe Bryant will try to redeem himself from the humiliating defeat he suffered at the hands of Paul Pierce's Celtics two years ago. The Los Angeles frontline is also raring to prove that they will be no pushovers this time, after Kevin Garnett virtually turned Pau Gasol into a Spanish senorita in 2008.

On the other side, Boston coach Doc Rivers will want to show that his victory over legendary Lakers coach Phil Jackson was no fluke. Also, Rajon Rondo would like to showcase his emergence as the new leader of the Celtics, one who is capable of taking them all the way to the championship.

As stated earlier, I'm predicting a Lakers victory. This is based largely on the addition of two key pieces to their puzzle. Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum will be the x-factors for Los Angeles in this series. Sure, Artest's unpredictability will make or break them at times, but against Boston his style of play and rugged defense will be key in wearing down scorers like Pierce and Ray Allen. This was something the 2008 Lakers lacked, as Pierce and Allen weren't physically challenged on the offensive end, leaving them with enough energy to play defense against Bryant. With Artest covering his back and disrupting the Celtics backcourt, Kobe should be free to become a scoring machine in this series.

Bynum might be playing injured, but I will take a 50% Bynum over a 100% DJ Mbenga any day. Again, this is another thing the Lakers missed in 2008, a wide body capable of physically challenging the bigs of Boston. Even at 15-20 minutes a game Bynum's presence will already be a big lift when faced with the likes of Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace, and Glen Davis (it also gives Gasol enough time to find his mojo).

Of course, there is always the hunger factor. Kobe, Gasol, and Co. would want nothing less than a convincing victory to purge the ghosts of 2 years past. There is also a different aura surrounding this Laker team, evident during post-game interviews. Gone are the jovial, free-wheeling Lakers who seemed happy just to make it to the Finals. This 2010 squad has a very business-like demeanor, seemingly focused on winning the championship first, before getting into any sort of celebration.   

For Boston, it appears that they just don't have the same "ubuntu" this year. Consider that the 2008 Celtics core of Garnett-Allen-Pierce was assembled and motivated in pursuit of the single award that had eluded their illustrious careers. And since they had won a championship against the Lakers, it's hard to erase the perception that it's already Mission Accomplished for them. Even new recruit Rasheed Wallace won a championship, while with Pistons in 2004, against this very same LA franchise.

Also, it is usually forgotten that the Celtics lost 2 key components of their 2008 championship run: PJ Brown- to retirement, and James Posey- to the New Orleans Hornets. Brown provided veteran hustle and timely baskets, while Posey played hard-nosed defense against Bryant and hit dagger threes. While it can be argued that Wallace is more than a capable replacement for Brown, Boston just doesn't have a substitute for Posey. Kobe's longing for some payback, and the lack of a dedicated defender on him presents a very dangerous proposition for the Celtics.

Finally, the wear and tear of many NBA wars is already catching up with the Celtics core. As tough as they are, Garnett, Allen and Pierce cannot deny that their 2008 versions would trump their 2010 selves any day.  The rise of Rondo as the new leader of the Celtics should not be solely attributed to his improved skills, but should also be seen as an acknowledgement of the decline of the Big Three.

Given all of these factors combined, I still see a long series, possibly 6-7 games, as Celtic Pride will not allow itself to be steamrolled by the Laker Express. It will also be a physical series. Though probably not as physical as Kevin McHale clotheslining a Kurt Rambis.

Of course there's still a chance that Rondo will explode and average a triple double, Garnett could re-live his MVP days at Minnesota, while Pierce and Allen might score 30 points each every game. 

But I doubt it... 

Hey, I'm a Lakers fan.