So, this is the probably one of the last chances Beantown will have the opportunity to basically, “Steal” home court back. Boston has to win this one, cause winning two in LA isn’t impossible, but very, very hard to do. Don’t get me wrong, the Lakers are good, but I’m a Boston fan. I’ve always been a Boston fan since I was a kid and there would not be a better feeling if the Celtics took another championship from the Lakers. But the battle has only begun, as this three game series will forever change the dynamics in this storied rivalry.
I’m almost annoyed how the commentators, writers, critics, etc are saying how this is a re-match of the 2008 championship series and how things are almost the same but then slightly different and this would be revenge for the Lakers if they win, etc.
Again, everything has changed in two years. Although this is a re-match of the same teams, the teams are not the same. What I want to convey to all readers, either Laker fans Celtic fans or just bball fans, is that this is not the same championship series as 2008. The teams are different, the dynamics are different and the players are older. You literally have to be 30+ to play for Boston, minus Rondo, and the Lakers have had two years to gel, mold, and watch their bench players like Andrew Bynum and Shannon Brown emerge as a scoring threat. The chemistry that the Lakers develop can’t be taught, bought or even calculated. Their chemistry was built on trust among the players and ability to co-incide with a head case like Kobe. I give most of the Lakers credit, playing along Bryant, though brilliant is difficult. It would almost be easier to play with good players rather than a great player.
As for the Celtics, the emergence of Rajon Rondo has eased the pressure of the Big 3. Granted, every night, we all expect something from the Big 3, since they were all at one time great players of their own. But with each season and especially these playoffs, the wear and tear of the aging Celtics are catching up. They are clearly aging every season and this maybe their last shot at glory in NBA world. However, the Celtics look to be in great hands in the future, as the Rondo has broken the single season assist record, recording two triple doubles this season, and being a pain the butt for the other teams. As the Celtics have show this playoff, their resilience and capability to depend on other people besides the Big 3 has been their strength as well as their weakness. Games 2 and 3 have shown how important PGs are as both Rondo and Derek Fisher each won that game for their respective teams. But as Game 4 showed, the starters are suppose to cancel out and the bench plays a vital role in winning championships.
Even as a Celtic fan, I believe that the Lakers have a much deeper bench than the Celtics. But in Games 2 and 4, the reserves for the Celtics have out shined the Lakers.
Tonight, as Game 5 will serve as a turning point for both teams, I believe that whoever wins Game 5 will win the championship. What I do know though, is that great basketball will be played and a champion will be crowned.
GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!!