NBA Finals: Magic and Larry Give Way To Kobe and KG

June 5th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
By Chris

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Hey, look. It’s the IF NBA Finals preview post. Well, not so much a preview but more of an “It’s about damn time” post. If you are a follower of the sports blogosphere, you’ve undoubtedly seen a number of NBA previews already. Some are discussing the history between these teams (30 titles between them… if you count the Minneapolis days) and the players involved, while others are looking directly at the two teams playing each other.

One thing’s for sure, this trip down memory lane, reliving my formative years growing up on Lakers/Celtics/Magic-versus-Bird NBA Finals before that gave way to Michael has been an absolute blast. However, there’s real basketball being played tonight and while it’s nice to reminisce, it’s time to embrace the present and future of the NBA, which will be on full display tonight.

In the home court advantage corner, we have the Boston Celtics. You know the players — KG, Pierce, Jesus Shuttlesworth, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins. In the other corner, we have the Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson, Kobe, Pau, Lamar, Fish, Vlad Rad and the rest of the gang. There are no mysteries here. No surprises. It’s time to get this damn thing rolling.

Finally.

So, who ya got? Boston? LA? KG? Kobe?

If you wondering about me, check out With Malice’s preview because they asked a number of bloggers about who we got (yes, that’s really bad English) and I was lucky enough to be amongst those asked. Although, if you aren’t the patient type, I picked the Lakers in six games and my reasoning had to do with too much Kobe and the Derek Fisher/Rajon Rondo match-up.

I have a feeling Fish will abuse Rondo this series. We’ll see. However, the most convincing argument I’ve heard for the Celtics almost made me change my mind. Last night, Tim Legler mentioned Boston’s inside advantage and that got me thinking — are you really expecting Pau and Lamar to stop Perkins and Garnett? Really? Granted, no one is going to stop Kobe, but that’s the only place the Lakers hold a clear advantage when it comes to personnel — Rondo and Fish, notwithstanding.

For me, the Rondo/Fisher thing has more to do about experience than it does ability. Obviously Rondo is more athletic than Fisher but even more obvious is Fish’s level of experience when it comes to Rajon’s. Derek Fisher already owns three rings. He knows about what it takes to win on this stage and if Rondo gambles too much, Derek Fisher will punish him and the Celtics.

In closing, all I can say is, “Damn, I’m glad it’s Thursday.” I’m tired of waiting, thinking and talking about what’s going to happen in this series. It’s time to find out.