by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
At this point, with commanding 2-0 series leads by both L.A. and Boston, the remainder of the Conference Finals appears to be a mere formality. The outcome isn’t what’s in doubt; the only question seems to be, When do the real games begin?
Everyone — save for fans of both the Suns and Magic — is just about ready for the main course to be served.
For the second consecutive game, with another victory over visiting Phoenix secured, Staples Center patrons loudly chanted, “We want Boston!” They’re ready for their team to try and get their revenge against the squad that humiliated them in the 2008 NBA Finals.
With the historic rematch seemingly on the horizon, Yahoo! takes a look at the restlessness in both Boston and Los Angeles:
Phoenix just doesn’t look capable of beating L.A. in four of the next five games. The Magic not only would have to do the same to the Celtics, they’d have to win twice in Boston. So here in California they dream of green. And in Boston Saturday, the “Beat L.A.” chants are sure to start early.
The Celtics have a record 17 NBA championships. The Lakers are second with 15. The two franchises have met 11 times in the Finals with Boston winning nine of the series. The back and forth in the 1980s cemented this as a rivalry for the ages, but the 2008 Finals (Boston in 6) are the most relevant should the teams meet again.
It’s that one that the fans here can’t forget. Nor can Kobe Bryant … When our Marc Spears asked Bryant earlier this week who he wanted to see in the Finals, Kobe just responded with a knowing smile. If losing to Phoenix in the early rounds with flawed teams still grinds him, then imagine what that Finals defeat to the Celtics meant? And don’t think for a second Kobe has forgotten or forgiven Boston fans for throwing rocks at the Lakers’ team bus as it tried to pull away from the Garden after the final Game 6 loss.
There are three days prior to the next Conference Finals game, three days for people to look ahead to what’s starting to feel more and more like an inevitability.
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That’s amazing.
All Lakers/Celtics fans are, and since those are the 2 teams that are going to advance to the finals, fans of other teams don’t matter
The playoffs have shown these are the two best teams, easily. They both run beautiful offenses. They both can play incredible defense (although Boston is more consistent). They have stars and superstars on both squads, talented inside and outside play, good coaching.
I mean, what more could you ask for as a fan, even without the longstanding history involving the two teams.
You don’t want to see if Gasol recovers his nutsack when going against KG after Garnett unmmanned him in 2008? YOu don’t want to see if Odom can shine this time, intead of being nullified by Perkins? You’re not curious to see Pierce and Artest, who have bad blood, scare off in an epic battle? You don’t wnat to know if Rondo can continue to shine when Kobe guards him, or if he gets nullified like he did in 2008? Hell, you don’t want to see what happens if hte Lakers decided to put Fisher on Rondo and Kobe/Artest is forced to chase Ray Allen around all series with Allen’s stroke going?
Can the Celtics bench overwhelm the Lakers’? Will Nate Robinson get any tick?
I mean, damn, I want that series BAD. That’s a basketball fans dream. There is no way you can honestly say that it is a surefire victory for either team, and the series should go seven, easily.
That’s not boring to me at all. Far from it.
The best of the best against eachother. I was at the laker game and I wasn’t one chanting “We want Boston”.
To be honest, Lakers playing Suns affects them. Weak kid fighing when the bigger kid awaits outside school.
If lakers pull it vs Boston, Kobe will gain my full respect next to Jordan.
Garnett took Pau’s manhood on both ends.
I don’t care about the stats, watch the tapes. Pau didn’t want it with Garnett and had more shrinkage than George Constanza.
Now Perkins was nice, but for most of the series they let him guard Odom. That’s why I said Odom needs redemption.
Big changes this time around
1. Rondo is a beast now. So, can Kobe contain him like he did last time and rest on defense?
2. Gasol appears to have grown a pair. Is this a mirage or the real deal?
3. Can Paul Pierce still give Artest the business? Artest is slower than his prime, but so is Pierce. Great matchup.
4. If the Lakers can’t hide Kobe on Rondo, is he going to tire himself out chasing Ray Allen around? Jordan had that problem guarding Reggie at times.
5. Is Bynum going to give Perkins series problems?
6. Which bench is better?
7. Which style do the refs favor?
This is why I think Lakers need to f*****ing play and play hard if they want to beat Boston. For Players like Sasha, Farmar, Odom, Brown, players that like to relax or panic when the time comes.
Hell, Howard rebounded from a subpar game with a 30 and 8 game, he still gets more criticism than Nash who has yet to crack 20 points, or hit a three.
Amazing.
There are exceptions, but by and large the NBA playoffs do the best job of presenting greatness.
Thus, love them or hate them, the Lakers win this year. Again.
For those counting, that would be 5 rings and 7 Finals appearances for Kobe. And he’s only 32. MJ and Shaq were winning titles in their late 30′s. How many rings for Kobe? 8? 9?
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