Metal Bubba wrote:

I'm calling it Celtics in 6.

Agree. Boston in 6.

Pleeeze, let it be Boston. I never liked the Lakers even when I lived in LA, and Kobe Bryant is one of my most unfavorite beings on the entire planet. Maybe Garnett can posterize him in Game 1, and Kobe's psyche never recovers.
Also, the league should investigate the Gasol steal, err...trade. That was theft on a scale rarely seen in pro sports.

mormonrasta wrote:

Doc Rivers vs. Phil Jackson? Hmmmmmm. Lakers in 5.

Lakers in 5? No way! I agree with most everyone. Boston in 6. I think the celtics are hungrier for a title! The celtics match up better with the lakers then the spurs did. Garnett is more athletic then Duncan. Plus Perkins can body around Gasol. Or vica versa. Go Celtics! BEAT LA! BEAT LA!

First. I want the Celtics to win, but is everyone already forgetting how much they struggled these playoffs? Going 7 games against the Hawks... that does not really inspire much confidence. That being said, the loss to Detroit at home may have actually been a good thing for them, because they picked it up the last couple of games. The Lakers have been playing pretty dominantly these playoffs (with or without perceived assistance), so I think it will be a good series with some great matchups. And yes... That Gasol trade is highly suspect. At least Memphis got Kwame Brown in the deal...

Oh... A prediction... Celtics in 7. I just want to see my man Kevin get a ring.

Lakers will win in 7. Home court will be hard to break for either team, but you only need to do it once. Celtics have lost one home game, the Lakers none so far.

Then look at next year. they don't have a draft pick but they look to get back that 7 foot center. Look for them to return next year.

LA in six. Give Kobe his due, it's not often when the best player on the court isn't the champ; right now 9/10 "experts" have picked LA.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs

Fisher/Farmar >= Rondo/Cassel
Kobe > Allen
Radmanovic/Vujaccic < Pierce
Odom < Garnett
Gasol > Perkins

Walton > Posey
Turiaf = Powe/Davis
X factor PJ Brown?

Depth to Lakers
Ability to play on the road to Lakers
Best player on the court when he's on it? = Kobe
Toughest schedule and most impressive road to the finals? = Lakers
Home court advantage to Boston

History to Lakers

They'd also be the youngest team since the 77 Trailblazers to win an NBA championship.

With the Mavs, Spurs, Suns dying off, the Nuggets just screwed up, the Jazz and Hornets seem to be the most likely candidates for the next 3-4 years to challenge the Lakers for supremacy - after that, I expect the Trailbazers to own the west for a while.

In the East, Boston has a short leash as far as age, anyone with Lebron has a chance, and Detroit is only getting older (although Stuckey is going to be a star)(If Chicago is smart, they should be able to parlay their current talent, the #1 pick, and ability to draw solid free agents into future championships)