Boston is just better than the east, and maybe the whole league, when healthy. We forgot that when they struggled with injuries this season.

No doubt LA's bigs have to play better than '08. But, Bynum was injured in '08. I think two years of having him in the lineup will help. And, I agree Boston presents more problems. I guess I'm just optimistic that the Lakers have toughened up a bit and will be motivated to redeem themselves. It should be a good series.

 

And, after last night, maybe you're right...maybe Boston is better this time around. :thumb:

 

I think it's going to be a great series, and either team winning would not shock me. I just think that the advantage LA's bigs have over most teams in the league in the post won't be there against the Celtics. LA has beaten OKC, Utah, and Phoenix to a pulp with their size, and physical play is right up Boston's alley.

Suns have at least added some drama to the series. I don't see how they could win the series, but I'd like to see them give the Lakers a run for their money.

I figured the Suns would get at least 1 at home. Kobe was spent by the end of the game. Phil played him to many minutes.

I've been really impressed with the effort Boston's front-line players have given during this series; Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis have come up huge against Lewis and Howard off the bench. While the Magic are a good team on paper, and have one of the best coaches in the League, I think Hedo Turkoglu's absence has played a very big part in the Magic's problems with Boston in this series. Carter is arguably a better player than Turkoglu, but in that system, he isn't as effective IMO. Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter both have been absent in this entire series, and Nelson is getting out played at every turn by Rondo-who is quickly becoming the best Point Guard in the NBA. I'm really at a loss when I watch Dwight Howard in this series; really, he hasn't been as effective this season as he was last season-and definitely not as effective as he was in 2007-2008. He has the ability to be one of the most dominant all-around post players in the history of the NBA, but he simply is not a very talented offensive player. He is only in his fifth year, and his best years are still a while down the road, but from what I've seen from him, he has one move offensively. I know that he has tried to employ the hook into his game, but he is simply not effective with it at this point. I think that he was the most effective when he focused primarily on defense, instead of trying to score more. He is by far the best post defender in the NBA, and pretty much unstoppable when it comes to controlling the paint-and far better suited to take over a game just by playing defense. I think he needs to work harder at developing a solid offensive game, and add more to his repertoire than just a drop step dunk. If he does that, I don’t think there’s a player in the league that could be able to contain him at either end of the floor.

I've been really impressed with the effort Boston's front-line players have given during this series; Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis have come up huge against Lewis and Howard off the bench. While the Magic are a good team on paper, and have one of the best coaches in the League, I think Hedo Turkoglu's absence has played a very big part in the Magic's problems with Boston in this series. Carter is arguably a better player than Turkoglu, but in that system, he isn't as effective IMO. Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter both have been absent in this entire series, and Nelson is getting out played at every turn by Rondo-who is quickly becoming the best Point Guard in the NBA. I'm really at a loss when I watch Dwight Howard in this series; really, he hasn't been as effective this season as he was last season-and definitely not as effective as he was in 2007-2008. He has the ability to be one of the most dominant all-around post players in the history of the NBA, but he simply is not a very talented offensive player. He is only in his fifth year, and his best years are still a while down the road, but from what I've seen from him, he has one move offensively. I know that he has tried to employ the hook into his game, but he is simply not effective with it at this point. I think that he was the most effective when he focused primarily on defense, instead of trying to score more. He is by far the best post defender in the NBA, and pretty much unstoppable when it comes to controlling the paint-and far better suited to take over a game just by playing defense. I think he needs to work harder at developing a solid offensive game, and add more to his repertoire than just a drop step dunk. If he does that, I don’t think there’s a player in the league that could be able to contain him at either end of the floor.

 

For the stats Howard puts up, he's the least dominant big-time player in the league IMO. 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks from him just don't register the same way that a great game from Kobe or someone like that do, at least IMO.

I'm curious to see how the opening game of the finals plays out. The Lakers couldn't face two teams that are more different than Phoenix and Boston. I'm interested in how they respond to a team that's going to be their grill before the planes land in LA until its over after playing the Matadors of Phoenix to get to the finals.

After being asked of Paul Pierce's "sweep" comments on Twitter before Game 3, Dwight Howard told reporters, "Pride comes before the fall. Just know that."

 

I thought that was funny.

I'm curious to see how the opening game of the finals plays out. The Lakers couldn't face two teams that are more different than Phoenix and Boston. I'm interested in how they respond to a team that's going to be their grill before the planes land in LA until its over after playing the Matadors of Phoenix to get to the finals.

 

That's why I made my statements earlier in the thread. It seems like the Laker's bigs have gotten tougher, but they've yet to face a team with even one legit post defender. The Celtics have 4.

 

If Bynum doesn't play better the Lakers are going to have their hands full with the Celtics. I don't think they can beat them, if Bynum's only putting in 2 points and 2 rebounds. The Celtics take away what teams do best, and make others beat them. Kobe and Gasol will get theirs, but probably not at the excellent volume they get them now.

 

I'm still thinking about it, but I think I might take the Celtics to beat the Lakers and do it convincingly.

These playoffs have been tough to watch. Zero drama. Not a lot of intensity.

 

I can't wait for Lakers/Cs finals.

After being asked of Paul Pierce's "sweep" comments on Twitter before Game 3, Dwight Howard told reporters, "Pride comes before the fall. Just know that."

 

I thought that was funny.

 

Sort of like how cocky the Magic and Howard were coming into the series? I guess that's the difference in the two teams. Orlando thought they knew what it would take to win a championship, Boston knows how to win a championship.

The Magic have played better tonight. With the exception of Vince Carter, who is a pathetic excuse for a star 2 guard.

And the Magic collapse begins in 3....2...1...

 

Will Dwight finally quit with that goofy smile after the Magic get swept?

Oh where...Oh, where..did Vince Carter go?

Come on Celtics! Sweep! You can do it!