11916 It has come down to all this. Celtics vs. Lakers! Is it the 80?s again? Anyway, when this season started Kobe Bryant wanted out of LA. On the other side Danny Ainge made two big deals bringing in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Celtics were definitely the favorites in the East and in the league to win it all. Lakers on the other hand were still facing Kobe problems with wanting out of LA. A few weeks later the season started for both teams. Kobe was still a Laker. He was booed, but He had 45 pts. In the 1st game vs. the Houston Rockets, but despite that the Lakers lost 95-93. Celtics had a better start. They started 8-0. Celtics by Mid-way threw out the season were doing just great having the NBA?s best record. Lakers well, they were searching for answers. They were in the top 5 mix for the west?s best. They pulled out a stellar deal to move to the top of the west. They Traded Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol out of Memphis. This set the LAL to be the #1 in the West and more important contenders for the title. When It was Playoff time, the teams that were excepted to be #1 were just that. Celtics had trouble beating the HAWKS. They just could not win on the road. Ray Allen was blamed the most because of this. He was not doing anything. When it was Game 7 in Boston, Boston just crushed the Hawks and cruised in the semifinals. Meanwhile the Lakers weren?t having any problems. They swept the Nuggets, with no problem. They went on to the semifinals where they would next meet the Utah Jazz. Celtics troubles on the road continued. They could not win a road game in Cleveland AGAIN. All this was blamed also, you can guess Ray Allen. He just couldn?t go anywhere. Then there was a game 7 again in Boston. Lebron lit up with 45 pts. But, that again wasn?t enough. Yes, Ray Allen again didn?t do anything (4 pts.), But Paul Pierce sure did. He scored 41 pts. And won the game 97-92 to go to the East Finals. LA would meet Jazz next. Jazz were the best team at home. Most analysts said that if the Jazz just steal one of the first two in LA it would be over. Well, that didn?t happen. LA went on to a 2-0 lead. Putting Kobe on the line 37 times in 2 games. Jazz would return home the next two games. Did I mention they were the best home team? Well, maybe that is why they won the next 2 to tie it up at 2-2. Not only that the kept Kobe and Company off the line. LA would return back home for a game 5. Jazz were done as many as 20 in the game. Too bad because they came charging back, but it was too late. LA would win and make it 3-2. Jazz were confident that they were at home for game 6. Kobe had injured himself probably 30 times in the game, but got to the line because of it. LA would steal Game 6 in Utah. And then there were 4. The Defending champs, the San Antonio Spurs, the 6th straight time East Finals appearance Detroit Pistons, and the two #1 seeds. The Lakers and the Celtics. The people were excited that there might be 80?s rematch written all over it. Should I mention David Stern was excited that what wants was one step closer? The Spurs were the Defending champs, but they weren?t favorites to beat the LAL. LA had all the momentum from the beginning. Spurs had game 1, but they did not know how to close out games. Manu was not a factor at all. That is why this only went 5 Games. LAL were on their way to the finals. Pistons won a road game in Boston where Boston was undefeated until then. Boston still had 0 road wins, but won the 2 of 3 in Detroit to advance to the finals. David Stern got what he wanted. So, did many people. Now, lets get down to it. Celtics have home court. If history tells us anything they are 8-2 vs. the Lakers in the Finals. Ray Allen came up big in the Detroit series and will continue to do that. Paul Pierce has waited 10 long years to get here. K.G. well, you know the story. He wants it bad as anyone. On the flip side, Kobe was criticized that he couldn?t win a title without Shaq well, now he has the chance to. If the Celtics contain Kobe good enough so he doesn?t get higher then 35 pts. They will be fine. If Kobe just goes off. Then LA has got it. The X-Factors are big and always are in the finals. The X-Factor for the Lakers is Lamar Odom. Everyone is talking about Kobe and the Big ?3" Well, don?t forget about Odom. For the Celtics its simple. If Ray Allen does well, everyone does well. I think the Celtics will win in 7. Celtics are 2-0 vs. LAL this year winning both by double digets. That was before the TRADE. LA will steal one of the two in Boston (1-1). Then Boston will trail 3-1 because the next 2 will be in LA. But, the 3rd one in LA is the one Boston will get(3-2). Boston then will return Home and win Game 6 and 7. To win the NBA Finals. I am Hoping LA does get it, but, I just don?t see it. K.G. will finally get a ring and the MVP honors. Defense wins championships. P.S.-Stern HATES Kobe?Celtics will win. Lol. Please comment below and give me your predictions. true 2008-06-02T22:54:28Z 56223 1 2008-06-02T23:12:24Z