First off, I think it's common knowledge now that the Celtics and Lakers are both in the Finals again. That makes three straight for L.A. and two in three years for the Celtics (and, as Doc Rivers would like to point out, every year with their full lineup). Here is a look at the results of the Conference Finals, using my famous scoreboard ;)
(My guesses are on the left, while the act results are on the right. I gave myself 2 points for every correct prediction (exact number of games, team) and 1 point if I got the correct team. The total score is out of 4.)
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:
BOS vs. ORL: Celtics in 6 games. -Celtics in 6 games. -CORRECT! (2pts)
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:
PHO vs. LAL: Lakers in 5 games.-Lakers in 6 games. -CORRECT! (1pt)
Total Score: 3/4
Both series were very entertaining, and even though Boston took a commanding 3-0 lead in their matchup, Orlando still fought back to win 2 straight, although they ended up losing and failing to reach the Finals for a second straight year. Boston's bigs were too much for Superman 2.0 to handle, which led to all of the Magic's errors being exposed, such as their over-reliance on the 3 point shot. When Dwight can't hook up his shooters with a good shot after being double teamed in the paint, there isn't much they can do against a team that plays as stellar defense as the Celtics. I give the C's props for keeping their head and not giving up when it seemed that Orlando was going to make a huge comeback in the series, which is what all veteran-laden teams have to do.
The Lakers-Suns matchup was easily the most entertaining of this year's Playoffs. Kobe put on a show throughout the series, making shots and plays that even Michael Jordan couldn't make (and probably wouldn't take, either). It's not that Phoenix didn't expect this, of course. Before, during, and after the series, Phoenix coaches and players commented on how Kobe was the best player alive, how they couldn't stop him and only try to limit him, and Alvin Gentry even said that he was the best player of all time (that includes you, Mike)! Ron Artest had his moments, too, hitting a game-winning layup in Game 5 after a Kobe air-ball and scorching the Suns for 25 points on 10 for 16 shooting on the night.
Amar'e Stoudamire screwed himself over as well. By averaging 25 points in the series, he showed that he is a force in the paint to be acknowledged, but by averaging only 6 rebounds (and grabbing only 4 in the decisive Game 6) and playing worse defense than even his own standards (which are pretty low themselves), he is almost guaranteed to not get a max contract if he chooses to opt out of his current one this summer. His only double-double was during his monster Game 3 effort, when he scored 42 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Too bad for him that the Isaiah Thomas-led Knicks are gone, I'm sure they would've given him a max contract back in the day.
Now, it's time for my last prediction of the Playoffs. Here is my guess about how the NBA Finals will play out:
2010 NBA FINALS:
Don't get me wrong, the series could go either way, just like Rondo's jump shot. Fortunately for the Celtics, however, my boy Rondo's J is steadily improving (it's nice to have Ray Allen as a teammate when you want to learn how to shoot well). The Celtics seem to only get better as the Playoffs progress, so Rondo's shot as a symbol actually makes a lot of sense. Still, even after Game 1's poor showing of defense in the paint and rebouding, the series can go either way. Many Laker fans like to point out that Phil Jackson's teams are a perfect 47-0 in series when they win Game 1, but the Celtics are veterans who have been here and done that. Stats don't mean anything to a team that was supposed to be out by the end of the Second Round according to their "stats." Effort, determination, and teamwork don't have stats in the boxscore, and those are all word that fit the Celtics' description perfectly.
I think that Kobe Bryant's will to win is just too much for the Celtics to handle, however. Did you see him drop that last three with about 3 seconds to play in Game 1? Not only did that give everyone in the arena free tacos (they would get them is the Lakers scored over 100 points, which they did after that shot), but that also gives Kobe at least 30 points in 11 of his last 12 games. He says he doesn't care about the Lakers' historic rivalry with the Celtics, but he obviously does deep down. It was this team that murdered his own back in 2008, when the Lakers were embarrassed in Game 6 of the Finals by losing by almost 40 points, and then having their bus pelted with rocks by Boston fans. If he cared about the Phoenix series' past (which he did), he obviously cares about this one. Besides, beating the Celtics could arguably make him the best Laker of all time.
Don't get me wrong, the series could go either way, just like Rondo's jump shot. Fortunately for the Celtics, however, my boy Rondo's J is steadily improving (it's nice to have Ray Allen as a teammate when you want to learn how to shoot well). The Celtics seem to only get better as the Playoffs progress, so Rondo's shot as a symbol actually makes a lot of sense. Still, even after Game 1's poor showing of defense in the paint and rebouding, the series can go either way. Many Laker fans like to point out that Phil Jackson's teams are a perfect 47-0 in series when they win Game 1, but the Celtics are veterans who have been here and done that. Stats don't mean anything to a team that was supposed to be out by the end of the Second Round according to their "stats." Effort, determination, and teamwork don't have stats in the boxscore, and those are all word that fit the Celtics' description perfectly.
Also, on a side note, I made a quick little wallpaper for the Lakers. It says that they won the Finals, but obviously, the Finals aren't over and can go either way. It isn't that great, but I'm still a beginner when it comes to making wallpapers in Photoshop and it is an improvement on my past productions. Still, for those of you who support the Lakers, here it is. Click on it to enlarge and feel free to use it as a wallpaper, profile picture, etc., and remember where you got it!
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