The 2010 NBA Finals will feature a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals, this time it is the Los Angeles Lakers who will have the home court advantage over the road warrior Boston Celtics. The Lakers have yet to lose at home this post season but the Celtics are an impressive 5-3 on the road winning 2 of 3 road games against the teams with the two best records in the NBA during the regular season. Here are the 5 keys match-ups that will determine the outcome of this years edition of L.A. vs. Boston:
1. Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace vs. The Refs
The next Technical Foul Celtic Center Kendrick Perkins picks up will earn him a suspension for the next game. Rasheed Wallace has been known to single handedly divert momentum with a quick outburst of his own. This has not hurt the C's so far but one missed game in Finals or swing in momentum can easily cost the C's a game. Since L.A. already has home court advantage the C's can ill afford to give up anything.
Edge: The Refs a.k.a The Lakers
2. Phil Jackson vs. Doc Rivers
These are the last two coaches to win an NBA Championship and with good reason. Both can coach obviously but both also possess the best riches of roster talent and they know how to maximize their talents. Doc did EXACTLY what he needed to do in the Conference Finals clincher by getting Nate Robinson some much needed minutes (and confidence). Phil has to have revenge on his mind after hearing how he was out coached 2 years ago.
Edge: EVEN
3. Ray Ray vs. Ron Ron - The Battle of the X-Factors
Ron Artest is one of the toughest players in the league. His team is widely regarded as not so tough. Ron is going to have to bring every single ounce of that toughness to make sure his mates do not wilt under the physical beating they are going to take at the hands of the relentless Celtics. For all his grit Artest is struggling mightily on the offensive end averaging just 11 ppg while shooting just 41% from the field and 27% from 3. One Celtic who does not fall under the "physical" mystique Boston has garnered over the last several years is the silky smooth Ray Allen. Ray is his team’s second leading scorer and his team is a blistering 7-1 when he scores 20 or more in these playoffs.
Edge: CELTICS
4. The Mamba vs. The Truth
Kobe Bryant is among the most lethal offensive weapons in NBA history. He takes (and mostly makes) just about any shot from just about anywhere south of half court. He strikes fear in most of his opponents and is widely regarded as the best player on earth today. That being said, the last time Mr. Bryant met Paul Pierce in the NBA Finals it was Pierce who had the better series and walked away the Champion and Finals MVP. Pierce is from California and has played some of the best ball in his career at the Staple Center. In this post season Kobe has been at his very best scoring 30 or more in 10 of his last 11 games while Pierce has been at his best when the C's have needed him most. The difference with these two comes down to their TEAM. If Kobe has the better series of the two players it is not inconceivable that his team can STILL lose. If Pierce has the statistical advantage his team may SWEEP.
Edge: EVEN
5. Celtic Fans vs. Laker Fans
BEAT L.A., BEAT L.A or MVP MVP. The fans in Boston seem much more intense and focused on being that extra man as opposed to in L.A. where it is all about STYLE. I will take substance over style any day.
Edge: Celtics
Final Analysis: The morning after the fifth or 6th game Mayor Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa will begin preparations for a welcome meet and great at LAX because there will be no parade in his city. Mayor Thomas Menino on the other hand can prepare to stumble through another victory parade speech. Let's hope it is not as ionic as his last.
Follow Marlon Benjamin on twitter: www.twitter.com/thehoopsforum.com
| Name | Date/Time | Comment |
| Ra | Aug 31 2010 1:49PM | I agree. I was a little skeptical at first but he should be a great fit for our team. We were probably the only team that his style of play fits in effortlessly with. Go C's. |