I have been struggling with this Celtics-Lakers series for a few days, convinced the Lakers were a little better and would win in six games. My thinking was the Lakers would sweep the first two in LA and the Celtics would win two of three in Boston, probably Game 3 and Game 5. And then the Lakers would close it out.
But then I started listening to the comments, particularly from the Lakers camp. I heard Coach Phil Jackson talking about the bus incident in 2008 when fans apparently tossed “stuff” at their bus after the Game 6 clincher in the Garden. Then I heard Kobe Bryant say the Celtics-Lakers rivalry means nothing to him. Then I realized the Lakers are in trouble. They know that Kobe is the best player in the world, but other than Pau Gasol, there is nobody on the Lakers you can really trust in crunch time.
I believe the Celtics will in the series and I believe it will go seven games. I believe the C’s will win tonight, too, setting up the classic seven game series.
In the end, I believe this will be about will and the Celtics have too many guys with “will,” including their coach.
The Lakers are a tough matchup for the Celtics because Gasol can score on whomever is covering him. He’s too quick. But the Lakers have too many question marks.
I believe Ray Allen will be the key player in the series. He will be the guy the Lakers won’t be able to cover. He will be the MVP.
Mind you, this will not be easy. I don’t want to make it sound that way. I believe Kobe Bryant is among the top three or four players ever. And he’s in a his prime. But that won’t be enough, barely.
Enjoy the series. Contrary to what Kobe says, this is going to be fun.
