Celtics and Lakers Shows Who's Boss
November 15th 2008 02:11
Seeing these two teams at the top of the standings in their respective Conferences is no surprise.
The two protagonists in the last NBA Finals, NBA champions Boston Celtics and Western Conference champions Los Angeles Lakers, are proving to all, two weeks into the new season, why they are the teams to beat.
Boston (8-1), are currently on a six-game winning streak, and with their upcoming games, looks to extend it even further.
Their list of quality victims include playoff rival Cleveland Cavaliers (7-2), tentative Southwest Division leader Houston Rockets (5-3), the Allen-Iverson reinforced Detroit Pistons (6-2), and just recently, the up and coming Atlanta Hawks (6-1).
The Celtics' only loss in their ledger was against the enigmatic Pacers at Indiana. They are perfect at home and still looks pretty much the same when they won the title. If there is any improvement about how they play, it is the fact that they fired up to rewrite history as the next Celtic team to become back-to-back titlists after 40 years.
Judging from the Celtic statsheet, the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen has been consistent in offensive production. Especially Pierce who has been on fire lately as has risen to be Boston's prime option and clutch go-to-guy. Garnett is averaging a double-double at the frontline but has been receiving requisite support from Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis in doing the dirty work when it comes to hustle and defense that is why KG is not getting too extended and over-fatigued. Ray Allen isn't taking too many shots lately because Pierce has been getting more touches. That fact is not really bothering Allen who has settled to be a spot-up shooter and be more effective in concentrating on contributing for their perimeter offense.
With an 8-1 start, Boston is looking to defend their title by once again topping everybody else in the regular season and have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. That plan of theirs will face a serious challenge from the Lakers.
LA is the last undefeated team in the league as of this writing and is looking so dominant by thrashing the opposition with an average winning margin of 18 points.
The Lakers are the overwhelming favorites to win this season notwithstanding the title retention aspirations of the Celtics. Andrew Bynum is back in the fold and the real Lakers juggernaut has revealed itself this early. They have a deep and consistent frontcourt tandem with Bynum and Pau Gasol imposing their will. Bench depth is also a key for their dominance with Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Jordan Farmar bringing in significant contributions. Kobe Bryant is his usual self. Though his numbers aren't quite as high as before, he has been pacing himself well and has been getting all of his teammates involved in pounding away at opposing teams.
A well-oiled machine. That is what the Lakers are now.
So, will it be another Celtics-Lakers finale? It will be good for the league to continue that rivalry that has sprung from the early beginnings of the NBA. We just cannot say that this is sure unless the other teams come out and do something about it.
photo courtesy of getty images
Ray Allen and Kobe bryant goes toe to toe. Another Celtics-Lakers Finals will happen if the current season trends keep up.
The two protagonists in the last NBA Finals, NBA champions Boston Celtics and Western Conference champions Los Angeles Lakers, are proving to all, two weeks into the new season, why they are the teams to beat.
Boston (8-1), are currently on a six-game winning streak, and with their upcoming games, looks to extend it even further.
Their list of quality victims include playoff rival Cleveland Cavaliers (7-2), tentative Southwest Division leader Houston Rockets (5-3), the Allen-Iverson reinforced Detroit Pistons (6-2), and just recently, the up and coming Atlanta Hawks (6-1).
The Celtics' only loss in their ledger was against the enigmatic Pacers at Indiana. They are perfect at home and still looks pretty much the same when they won the title. If there is any improvement about how they play, it is the fact that they fired up to rewrite history as the next Celtic team to become back-to-back titlists after 40 years.
Judging from the Celtic statsheet, the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen has been consistent in offensive production. Especially Pierce who has been on fire lately as has risen to be Boston's prime option and clutch go-to-guy. Garnett is averaging a double-double at the frontline but has been receiving requisite support from Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis in doing the dirty work when it comes to hustle and defense that is why KG is not getting too extended and over-fatigued. Ray Allen isn't taking too many shots lately because Pierce has been getting more touches. That fact is not really bothering Allen who has settled to be a spot-up shooter and be more effective in concentrating on contributing for their perimeter offense.
With an 8-1 start, Boston is looking to defend their title by once again topping everybody else in the regular season and have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. That plan of theirs will face a serious challenge from the Lakers.
LA is the last undefeated team in the league as of this writing and is looking so dominant by thrashing the opposition with an average winning margin of 18 points.
The Lakers are the overwhelming favorites to win this season notwithstanding the title retention aspirations of the Celtics. Andrew Bynum is back in the fold and the real Lakers juggernaut has revealed itself this early. They have a deep and consistent frontcourt tandem with Bynum and Pau Gasol imposing their will. Bench depth is also a key for their dominance with Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Jordan Farmar bringing in significant contributions. Kobe Bryant is his usual self. Though his numbers aren't quite as high as before, he has been pacing himself well and has been getting all of his teammates involved in pounding away at opposing teams.
A well-oiled machine. That is what the Lakers are now.
So, will it be another Celtics-Lakers finale? It will be good for the league to continue that rivalry that has sprung from the early beginnings of the NBA. We just cannot say that this is sure unless the other teams come out and do something about it.
photo courtesy of getty images
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