This was a question that came up on Around the Horn today...I didn't exactly like the route the 'professional bickerers' went with the topic. Since the series at 3-2, I don't think there is any intelligent person in the world that wouldn't rather be the Celtics going into game 6. If it goes to 7...then it will be a different story. Kobe, Phil and the rest of the Lakers would all confirm this. The Celtics have already won a game in the Staple Center, and they have good enough defense to do it again. Defense in the intangible in all playoff games....and that is where the Celtics shine...they have a very good chance to close this out and there is no way they will get blown out in game 6 or in game 7, if necessary.
This does not mean that the Lakers now have no chance to win it all...in actuality they are probably the favorite to do so right now. With home court, Kobe and Phil it is easy to have the Lakers as a sure pick to pull off two in a row. This does not factor in 'who would you rather be' though...they are two completely different subjects. Without a doubt...I, and everyone, should rather be the Celtics up 3-2 on the road.
Most Important Player??
--Another question from ATR...and I would have to say the most important player for game 6 in Ron Artest. He was the lone man brought in this year from last years championship team and he is the guy that was looked as the X-Factor in most series...these last two games are no different. He is known for his lockdown defense, but it hasn't gone to well for him so far this series. Paul Pierce has pretty much played Artest throughout the series...and he has multiple games in the ballpark of 4-12. 12-17 points from Ron will be enough for the Lakers to seal this series...they need the 'Robert Horry' player of the past...Artest was thought to be that...a 6'9 guy with good range to make clutch 3's. He needs to spread out the C's D to open up more room for The Black Mamba to drive and more room for him to operate the triangle offense with O.G.B. (Odom, Gasol, Bynum).
--Kobe is the best closer in the game, no question, but he need players to step up in the fourth--Like fisher in game 3--to set him up for a close. You can have Mariana Rivera, but he wont factor in the outcome unless someone sets him up...same theory. If Kobe doesn't have to score more than 50% of the points in the 4th to win...they will be in good shape. Lets just hope it does...
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--I guess the rebuttal to my Celtics argument would've been....'but how good is the Lakers Defense?' when I said 'the Cs wont get blown out because of their steady D.' The answer is now apparent that the Lakers D was pretty damn good...good enough to hold one of the most clutch teams to 67 points in a clinching game 6. If asked the same question...I would, without a pause for reflection, say the Lakers are in the drivers seat to win Philly's 11th ring. Still...it is going to be anyones game...even without Perkins. The NBA got exactly what they wanted...The Cs going back to LA 3-2...perfect opportunity to sell the league as a more of a team interest instead of all the individual player talk.
ReplyDeleteCrazy there has been enough going on in sports right now to quiet the Tiger talk, LeBron free agency talk, and any other small miscellaneous rumors that have been dominating every SportsCenter hour. Brett Favre included...Look for the Purple and gold to be the favorites going into game 7...but dont look for the Cs to roll over and play dead--like in game 6--they still have the line-up capable of stealing another game in the Staples Center....should be fun
Mavericks 2011**