I still remember Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals like it was yesterday. This was before I started Lakers Nation, so I was able to go out and watch the game at one of my favorite sports bars, Pipers. I was watching with some relatively new friends, which basically meant that I wasn’t going to making the best first impression on them.
As the game went into the final quarters and the Lakers getting blown out in Bean Town by what seemed to be like 50pts, I found comfort in my ginormous mug of beer and passed out in order to ignore any type of media coverage.
To be honest with you, I really thought we’d see them again next year, but then the Celts went through some injury problems with KG’s knee, so they basically didn’t have it to make it to another Finals. On the other hand, the Lakers poofed the Magic and earned their stripes as World Champions.
Now in June 2010, we stand at the steps of the most improbable Finals matchup, consider how both teams stumbled into the playoffs. Boston more so than the Lakers weren’t expected to make it, especially with task of beating the Top 2 seeded teams in the NBA, record wise.
But they did and now sets up a matchup that I’ve been waiting 2 damn years for. All the experts at Sports Illustrated and ESPN are picking the Celtics. I think they’re doing that just to get some irate Laker Fans to tune and increase their page views, comments and ratings.
Next: I’m here to tell you the Top 10 Reasons Why the Lakers are going to Beat the Living Crap out of the Celtics
No. 10 – No James Posey, PJ Brown, Leon Powe or Eddie House.
The Celts aren’t as deep as they were in 2008. Remember the defense PJ Brown played on Lamar and Pau. He was a throwback to the old school who also hit some keyshots from 18ft. James Posey let Paul Pierce chill while he D’d up Kobe for the entire game. Posey along with Eddie House rained almost every Key 3 pointer in that series. Leon Powe had that one miracle game, which then made us have to listen to him being homeless a billion times on ABC!
You see where I’m getting at? The Celts have replaced these 4 key components from their championship team with Rasheed Wallace who coasted through the whole season and rather play beyond the arc than inside where he belongs. I’m convinced that he still gets chills down his spine walking into Staples Center after the way he choked in the 2000 Western Conference Finals against the Lakers.
Let’s not forget Nate Robinson, who because of ONE good performance this post-season, thinks he’s the Celtic Mascot, cheering and waving his towel during that clinching game over the Magic.
No. 9 – Our Full Laker Squad is taking the Court.
In 2008, we were hit with a number of injuries that I feel wouldn’t have necessarily given us the series, but at least prevented us from getting our face smashed in by 39 points. Recently acquired Trevor Ariza never quite made it all the way back into mid-season form as he recovered from a broken foot. Andrew Bynum, who had a breakout season after Kobe wanted him traded for Jason Kidd was hampered by a slow recovering knee injury.
No. 8 – We got Home Court Advantage
For a team that closed 3 straight opponents out ON THE ROAD, you’d think that home court advantage wouldn’t mean that much. Then when you throw the Celtics into the equation, you don’t take anything for granted.
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