26 Dec 10 Who Wants It? 2010 NBA Finals Lakers Celtics

Many people wanted to see Lebron versus Kobe. Sorry folks, maybe next year.Here we are again; just two years removed from the last time these two teams met in the Finals. A few things have changed since then to say the least. In 2008 the Celtics won in 6, but how the 2010 Finals will shake out are up for debate. James Posey, Leon Powe, Eddie House, and P.J. Brown are all gone, but Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Glen Davis are not the same players they were in 2008. Likely forgotten by most who watched the 2008 finals, at times Sam Cassell was getting minutes over Rondo. Cassell playoff player efficiency rating in the 2008 playoffs was 6.2, compared to Rondo player efficiency rating of 18.4 in 2010 playoffs (clickherefor more information on player efficiency rating). Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
Perkins has also become a much better player, setting better screens and playing better defense. Perkins averaged less than 20 minutes per game in the 2008 Finals, and this surely will not be the case in 2010. On the Lakers side they no longer have Trevor Ariza, but Ariza was hardly a factor in the 2008 Finals. Ariza played at most nine minutes per game in the Finals; sometimes not playing at all. The Lakers also have Andrew Bynum (although his health is a concern), who they did not have in the 2008 Finals, and have added Ron Artest. It looks as though the Lakers will have more quality players this time around, but the improvements in Celtics' players' game (including Rondo, Glen Davis, and Kendrick Perkins) may prove to be the equalizer.Garnett versus PauTwo immensely talented power forwards. One is on the tail end of his career while the other is in his prime. Garnett time on the basketball court appears to be winding down, his legacy already cemented, but Garnett is not satisfied. He wants to win another title. He making up for lost time. Garnett career was almost wasted in Minnesota until Danny Ainge swooped in and brought Garnett to Boston. Shortly thereafter Ainge added Allen to create Boston Big Three. Pau now has something Garnett never had. A chance to play with a contender in his prime. Pau was rescued in much the same way as Garnett, only at a much younger age. Pau may outmatch Garnett in physical ability, but this matchup will be all about who wants it more. Garnett appears as though he will do just about anything to win another title, including karate chopping opponents. In game six of the Eastern Conference Finals Garnett twice chopped at Dwight Howard arm (not sure how Garnett didn at least receive a technical foul). The look Garnett had in his eyes at that moment was something like I have never seen on or off a basketball court. Intensity, tenacity, anger, determination, and, certainly, insanity (view the clip on YouTubehere). After seeing that, if you do not think Garnett highest priority at this point in his life is to win another NBA Title then you need to get your eyes checked. Just how bad does KG foe, Gasol, want to win another NBA Title remains to be seen. His disappearance in the Western Conference Finals certainly has some Lakers fans worried, and rightfully so.Artest versus Pierce.Over the past two regular seasons Artest has played Pierce well, but how much of that carries over to playoff success is anyone best guess. Pierce has shown he is a different animal once the playoffs come around, but expect Artest to limit Pierce due to his large, 250 pound frame. Lakers fans are excited about Ron Ron emergence in the final two games of the Suns series on the offensive end, but they should be wary. Once Artest makes a few buckets do not expect him to stop shooting anytime soon and that could spell disaster for the Lakers. The chance of Artest putting on a shooting display similar to that of game 6 ofReebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
the Western Conference Finals is highly unlikely. One thing Artest does appear to have is his drive to win his first NBA Title, at least when interviewed. Artest often mentions how his childhood pal Lamar Odom has a ring, but he does not and how he needs one. However, Artest actions off the basketball court make you wonder whether an NBA Title is genuinely his top priority or if he is having more fun being a celebrity in Los Angeles. Artest is a wild card. Anyone who says they know how he will play or what he will do in these finals is lying. Well, except maybe Artest himself, but even he probably doesn have a clue.Rondo versus Fisher.Do we even need to talk about these two? Fisher has been around for ages and Rondo is all that anyone can talk about when the Celtics are brought up. Rondo has shown he is one of the top 5 point guards in the league. Fisher on the other hand is winding down; put bluntly, he is old. Fisher can still hit a big three and draw a charge, but if you think he will hang with Rondo for four quarters then you obviously haven been watching the NBA this season. One concern if you're a Celtics fan is Rondo play over the final three games of the Eastern Conference Finals against Orlando. Rondo just did not look like Rondo. Slowed by alleged back spasms Celtics fans hope that is all that wrong. In interviews Rondo seemed passive, calm, and showed little emotion. Is Rondo motivation to win another title fading or was this just Rondo normal cool, calm demeanor showing itself? Rondo tenure in Boston has been successful to say the least and, perhaps, all that winning has made him less hungry. He does not know what it feels like to be on stuck on one of an NBA bottom feeder like the Clippers or Timberwolves. If Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
youre a Boston fan you can only hope Rondo knows just how fortunate he is. Look at Steve Nash. He may be one of the top five point guards of all time, and it is very likely he will finish his career with not only with zero NBA Titles, but zero NBA Finals appearances.Kobe versus AllenTwo future hall of famers. Kobe is one of the top 10 greatest basketball players of all time and he shot lights out in the Suns series. Kobe's stellar shooting could spell trouble for the C if it continues. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Celtics defense makes the Suns defense look like D-League. The being said, the Suns did force Kobe into some tough shots in the Western Conference Finals and he drilled most of them. Kobe's shooting percentage will certainly drop. There is no doubt Kobe wants revenge for the 2008 Finals loss to the Celtics. Kobe waited for all of last year, but the opportunity never came. He will now have his chance and you can bet he will have the Kobe Scowl ready. What about Ray? Allen has one of the sweetest jumpers ever to grace a basketball court and he showed it in the 2008 finals. Many people forget just how well Allen played in those finals due to the spectacular performance of Paul Pierce. Allen shot over 50% from three in the 2008 Finals, including hitting seven of nine three pointers in the close out game. Ray is the key to this series and do not be surprised if he is your 2010 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.Perkins versus BynumHow will Bynum knee hold up is an enormous question, but another looming question is that of Perkin technical foul situation. Perkins has amassed numerous technical fouls this postseason and after having one rescinded he finds himself in grave danger of being suspended. Currently with six technicals, Perkins is one shy of being handed down a one game suspension by the league. Double technicals are called all to often to clean up the low post in the playoffs and if Perkins somehow manages not to get Td up at least once more during these finals the Celtics will be very, very lucky. If Perkin is suspended Rasheed Wallace will have a chance to prove he is worth the three year contract the Celtics gave him in the 2009 offseason. Wallace played well against Dwight Howard in the Eastern Conference Finals, but he has been known to give Howard trouble. Celtics fans better hope Wallace can do what he did against Howard to Bynum.PredictionCeltics in 5. Kobe is forced to guard Rondo because Fisher cannot keep up Arizona Cardinals jersey
with Rondo. This forces Kobe to expend too much energy on the defensive end and leaves Fisher to guard Allen. Allen ends up shooting 50% from three point range in the finals, again, and takes home the 2010 NBA Finals MVP.Don like the prediction? Have comments? Post them!If you like what you read subscribe and checkout my bloghere. More sports related posts to come!