| 09 June 2010
Ezra from The Purple and Gold Blog and I (Don) wax lyrical about the LA Lakers/Boston Celtics NBA Finals...Ezra: Even with Ray Allen dropping 8 treys and Kobe Bryant nursing a foul trouble the entire night, the Lakers were still able to catch the Celtics and grab the lead back. But I thought the Lakers just kept making bad decisions on defense and poorly boxed out. I mean giving up 12 rebounds to Rajon Rondo is a cardinal sin. It was only Andrew Bynum who was grabbing rebounds with two hands while the rest of the guys were tipping the ball instead of coralling it.
But it isn't over yet. The Lakers knew what kind of mistakes they made, so I'm sure they'll have some adjustments for Game 3. I expected the Finals to be a tight series, and it's looking like it right now. Eventhough the next 3 games are in Boston, the next two should favor the Lakers because it will be every other day. The last time the Celtics had this kind of schedule, the lost both games at home against Orlando. But the Lakers cannot afford to continue to have mental errors on both sides of the floor.
Don: I agree. Rapid games favor the younger, fitter team. And that's LA.
I really hope that the zebras allow the game to flow a little more, I think it's taking it's toll on both teams, and it's making pretty ugly viewing.
I really hope that the zebras allow the game to flow a little more, I think it's taking it's toll on both teams, and it's making pretty ugly viewing.
Bynum's been fantastic - given what we'd become used to. I think I predicted this somewhere (based on the slower pace of the game)!
A lot of Celtics blogs were talking of game 2 being their figurative "game 7"... I have heard some think game 3 is LA's. I disagree - as long as LA can walk away with a win in Boston, then they're in good form. 2'd be great tho'...
Ezra: I'll reserve what I thought of the officiating in Game 2 since Stern might fine me. All I can say is: replays don't lie. But tt's funny how Celtic fans think that a race can be won by moving at the same speed as the leader. It's a 1-1 series. The Celtics will be the first to admit they can't guarantee winning all 3 at home. They may have potentially taken homecourt advantage away from the Lakers, but that is only true if the Lakers can't win 1 in Boston. Make no mistake, the pressure is on Boston to sweep all home games.
Andrew has been inspiring in the Finals. It's too bad he didn't inspire some of his teammates in Game 2. In fact, he and Pau were awesome on defense on Sunday racking up 13 blocks between them. But they're gonna have to do more of that and rebound much better in Boston. After being forced to play only 34 minutes in Game 2, I think that Kobe Bryant will take it upon himself to make sure the Lakers win Game 3. But the Lakers must bring an attitude to win the first two in Boston, but take it a game at a time.
Don: D. D. And more D. That HAS to be the focus for game 3. All aspects of it - positioning, playing, and communication. And on the offensive end? Go with what works. Do NOT fall in love with the 3ball.
But I'm pretty sure that Bynum will continue to play well. The pace of this series is far more to his liking than PHX/Utah. Now he needs to work in tandem with Gasol, and corral those boards. No way on earth should the shortest guy on the floor get double-digit rebounds.
And yes, I think that Kobe will have the Lakers well prepared.
Ezra: No doubt Kobe and the Lakers will be ready. But you're spot on, their defense and patience on offense will win Game 3 for them. They also need to outhustle Boston on the boards, loose balls, and everything in-between. Game 3 is way too important for them to lose. 28 of the 32 teams that won Game 3 out of a 1-1 tie in the Finals go on to win the championship. GO LAKERS!!!
