On the Prospects of a Lakers-Celtics Finals

I sit in my living room in Delhi, with Celtics up 3-0 in their series with Orlando and the Lakers up 2-0 in their series with Phoenix. I’m hoping that both the C’s and the Lakers win and that they meet, once again in the finals. Actually I’m more than hoping, I’m craving this finals, one that I’ve watched many times as a boy growing up in the Los Angeles area and having my heart broken so many times by those Celtics. But I also remember all of those years of Magic and Bird and how the Lakers truly broke through with those amazing Pat Riley coached teams-Showtime!

But now I want the Celtics, as much as the Boston fans chant “Beat L.A.” It is time for redemption from two years ago when the Lakers were stomped in Game 6 in Boston. Kobe didn’t forget that and the Lakers came back last year to claim a championship. But this year will be even sweeter, a sort of redemption from two years ago. Of course, Andrew Bynum might not really be able to play in the finals and Lamar may have to start, weakening the Lakers bench, but still I can see the forcus, the march to win back to back titles, from Kobe and the Lakers. http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/sekou_smith/05/22/lakers.focus/index.html?ls=iref%3Anbahpt1

The Celtics are playing at a very high level and I have to admit that Rondo will run roughshod on the Lakers guards, unless Brown and Farmar can keep pace. But, this will also be overcome by the sheer determination and the home court advantage. It hasn’t seemed to make a difference to Boston where they play but in Los Angeles hopefully the play and the intesity of the fans will make it difficult for them to come out with a “W” at this point.

Kobe will take care of Allen, Gasol will take care of Garnett, the toughness of Artest will take care of Pierce, something the Lakers lacked two years ago, and Bynum will hopefully be well enough to take care of Perkins. The battle of the benches will make the series interesting as nobody can really match up with Big Baby, but Lamar should be able to take Wallace.

I hope that the Lakers dispatch the Suns quickly and make the series that everyone can’t wait to see. I say “Beat Boston!”