Lakers favored?

HOW IS KOBE GONNA STOP KG, RAY, AND PAUL THEY PICKED THEM BECAUSE OF KOBE NOT THE TEAM

A lot of people have fallen in love with the Lakers but they forget a few things. First, Boston and Detroit were the two best teams in the NBA so naturally the series was more difficult. Second, both Detroit and Boston have defenses that can make other teams look bad. The Lakers haven't really faced much D yet, and none like the Celtics or Pistons. The Celtics are starting to play like the 66 win team who ran away with the season and I think the Lakers will find things not as easy as they have so far.

Let the ESPN writers pick the Lakers. At the end of the day the veterans on the Celtics were brought here for this series. If you don't think you'll see the best basketball this season out of "The Big 3" and the rest of the veterans on this team who realize this may be their best chance to win a ring before they retire, you're crazy. The writers picked Kobe because he's the best single player in the NBA right now. But I'm not convinced the Lakers have enough experience outside of their superstar to win 4 games on the sport's biggest stage. I think the series will go 7 and the Celtics prevai.

therealdeal-terence.blogspot.com

Because Kobe is the best dam player in the NBA, sorry Boston no spy gate no victory. Enjoy it before it all comes crashing down.

Most of us know about ESPN...and they don't no for nothin!

ESPN experts ? You mean washed up jocks, DJ's, shills and hucksters ? Celts in five, and that's no jive. Celts in six ? Then it's a fix. Celts in seven ? Stern's in heaven....And if I'm wrong about the outcome at least I'm right about the experts.

Two more basketball writers gave their predictions on ESPN.com and one of them is picking the Celtics.

Just saw an update on their site. There is now a grand total of one analyst--Tim Legler--who picks the Celtics. That's fine with me. Expectations and pressure are on the Lakers, though I have a feeling Kobe is impervious to pressure (I think he actually likes it.) In the Superbowl, the Giants liked being the underdog and I'm sure it felt quite sweet to them and their fans to beat the favorite. Hopefully the Celtics will have a storybook ending and pull off the upset. Bill Simmons (the Sports Guy) doesn't give the Celtics a chance. I hope he's wrong. After the clincher in Game 6, the way the Celtics closed out the game, they are not limping into or backing into the Finals. They earned it. They took that game from the Pistons. They showed--finally--a killer instinct. They beat the East's best team for much of the past decade two times on the road. I think Kobe is dangerous, like another LeBron, with an outside shot and better defense, but the Celtics, I think, can manage him a bit. I don't think Kobe can truly be stopped the way Sheed was stopped, but if the Celtics can manage him, esp. in the 4th quarter, we should be OK. I'm concerned that Kobe and Gasol will put alot of Celtics in foul trouble but I think Perk should use his aggressive, physical style of play against Gasol. And the Celtics need to limit the assists Kobe gets. I'm not sure how this series will turn out but I don't think it's a Lakers shoo-in like everyone is predicting. The Celtics need to win both games at home.

On paper the Celtics are a better team. They have three stars to the Lakers two. Lakers have the MVP, Celtics have the defensive player of the year plus a captian who is really, really hungry. The Lakers bench is better offensively (slightly) while the C's bench has the D. Ask the Spurs, Pistons and Heat what wins Championships -Defense. LA doesn't have the interior muscle to stop Garnett of even Perkins who should have a breakthrough series. Rondo is too quick for Fisher. If the Lakers 3 point shooting falters they will be in serious trouble because they can't compete inside. (see Pistons). Remeber, Cleveland had a brusing front court to go along with Lebron. Tim Duncan, Oberto and Bowen is not Perkins, Pierce and KG. If Bynum was playing in this series it wouldn't even be close, but he isn't. 2008 is the C's year. 2009 - 2011 should be LA.
C's in 6.

Rebounding will be huge. We can't let the Lakers get a lot of second chance points; their offense is just too good. It completely negates our advantage if the defense is tight but they get another chance.

Defence wins championships. Just ask the Spurs, Pistons and Heat. C's have a much better front court than the Lakers and much better D. True the Lakers have Kobe but Paul Pierce and KG are far more hungry for a chamionship. Pierce outplayed Lebron in their series and only has to play Kobe to about 85% for the the C's to win easily. Who's gonna stop KG? Not Gasol - he's too soft. Their interior and tough D should carry the C's. The C's have been getting better every round in the playoffs. The Lakers have flash but it won't be enough - this year. Next year, with Bynum will be a different story altogether. C's in 5.

The "experts" may be picking the Lakers, but the computer simulation at http://www.coolstandings.com is picking the Celtics in 7, giving them a 51.5% chance of winning the series.

The ghosts of the past will haunt the fakers even though ray allen said in 2003 that kobe cant win a title without shaq its soo true gasol is weak for perkins odom is a flopper and too weak for kg pierce will eat thier fowards apart beat thefarm gunho its in the bank

#298314 - Jun 1, 2008 1:34 PM EDT Report Abuse

Go Lakers.
Red is going to turn in his grave when Phil smokes his cigar.
Lakers in 5.

Go Lakers.

Lakers suck. Get on your own site losers.

What yall fail to realize is that the lakers cruise through the western confrence playoffs. (The hardest confrence in the NBA) with ease. Swept the nuggets, beat the jazz in 6, & made the defending champions look like the miami heat of today. You ppl have to be kidding yorselfs if the celtics can even sweat with the lakers. They struggled with the atlanta hawks in 7 games, and the only reason they won is because they had home court. The celtics are a joke. Who is going to stop Kobe?~Odom?~Gasol?...Did I mention Kobe?

Please folks - be real. The Lakers won a much tougher conference then the C's, and did it very convincingly. They have won 20 of last 24, with many on the road. They are not afraid of the C's, but you cannot tell me you're not a little 'fraid of them. There's a reason KG and Allen came east from the west - they couldn't beat LA. Sadly, LA in 5.

I've been a LAKERS fan from late 60s to the current addition LAKESHOW. I see the LAKERS winning the finals for TWO REASONS; # 1- The irony will become so over whelming when PHIL JACKSON breaks out of the tie with Red what's his name and becomes the winningest coach in playoff history and to accomplish this feat in ,of all places, the BOSTON GARDEN !!!!!!! #2- KOBE is NOT going to let the opportunity pass him by to prove to ALL that He can win a championship without the big Cactus!!!!!,,,,,,,,,LAKESHOW IN 6

Lakers fans go talk smack in the Laker paper message boards.

There are basically TWO reasons why the LAKERS will prevail in this years championship round!!!!!!!!,,,,,,,,#1: LAKERS winning the 2008 finals would make PHIL JACKSON the winningest coach in NBA finals history,including , of course, RED what's his name,He use to smoke CIGARS alot in the Boston Garden......#2: This is the opportunity one KOBE BRYANT has been waiting for, an opportunity to show the world the He can WIN a CHAMPIONSHIP without the BIG INGRATE in the mix.................LAKERS IN 6

Just because the celtic's sign two player's that could not win with their original team's and another player (pierce) who the celtic's were ready to trade him because they STUNK last season, why would anyone think that they could win this series. Most great team's don't win a championship on their first finals.Sorry BOSTON if u don't win it this year u will never WIN it this decade. Laker's in Six at you're house.

People forget how beat up that 87 Celtics team was, everyone except Danny was hurt in the playoffs. Walton was crippled, Bird had back and elbow problems,McHales ankle, Parishes feet as I recall. They had no business getting to the finals, but everyone knew if it went seven they'd find a way. I still believe that if LA hadn't won in six they would have lost.

One thing you also have to remember about these so-called "Experts" is that most of them picked the Pistons last series. Most likley, those who picked the Pistons were remembering that 2004 championship team, and NOT the team that blew it in the ECF in recent years since. These same experts are simply looking at Kobe, and not the potential problems the Celtics can give the Lakers on both sides of the ball.

However, one factor that most people, especially celtics fans, are not thinking about is the coaching matchup. Phil Jackson is 20 times the coach Doc Rivers is. And when the game gets tight and its time to manage the game properly with rotations, timeouts, and playcalling, Phil will prevail. The fact is that Doc hasn't seen a tough coaching matchup thus far bewteen Atlanta's horrible coach, Mike Brown (Lebron RUNS that team), and Flip (who couldnt coach his team to the finals or keep 'Sheed under control). Us Boston fans just have to hope our talent will prevail, and I think it will.

Celtics in 7

It will have taken 16 wins to win a 17th championship. 4 MORE WINS AND WE HAVE GREEN 17!

Go Lakers! And take the Clippers with you!

Celtics in 6. The only reason it won't be Celtics in 4 is because David Stern is going to make sure the refs give Kobe every call in LA while Derek Fisher will be allowed to mug any Celtic the way he mugged Brent Barry and got away with it.

Stern wanted a Celtics-Lakers finals. This would be Celtics-Spurs if the Western Conference finals were officiated failry instead of giving every call to Lakers.

David Stern has ruined the NBA.

I'm glad to hear the ESPN "experts" are picking the Lakers. Most of those guys also picked Detroit to win the last series in 6 games......Go C's!!!!!!

CELTICS in 6 or 7!!!

Lakers winning are you all crazy? Remember Defense wins championships. Giants proved it and Celtics will do the same.

Defense wins championships , thats the TRUTH, Lakers can't handle the TRUTH.

The Lakers' bench is FAR deeper than the Celtics. But Garnett is a monster, and Pierce is on fire. I don't think ESPN's people pick the Lakers just because of Kobe. Gasol, Fisher and Odom are excellent compliments to Bryant--who doesn't hog the ball as in years' past, but spreads it around (the last game was an abberation).

I think the Celtics' defense is slightly better than L.A.'s, and that may prove the difference. If the early-season Celtics show up, this should be one-sided in their favor. But if this post-season is any indication, it's gonna be a long series. And if the Lakers win one of these first two on Boston's court, hold on to your seat. bottom line, ESPN's crew got it right---the Lakers SHOULD be favored. If the Celtics win--it will be an upset.

THE SHAMROCKS AT PLYMOUTH ROCK ARE TURNING GREEN WITH ENVY AS BRYANT SMOKES REDS STOGIE!! LAKER SWEEP IS SO SWEET!

I think the mayor can go ahead and plan the Celtics victory parade for next week, since they will win in 4 games. The Celtics can also print out thousands of Championship #17 Guaranteed t-shirts so that fans can wave them or wear them proudly during the next 2 games. I wouldn't worry about shipping these t-shirts to another country if the Celtics lose (just like the Patriots), because they aren't going to lose. Celts should win each game by 30 points.

If the Lakers win one of the first 2, they should win the series. Every series takes on a life of its own so who knows what will happen once they start playing, but based on what we have seen thus far, the Lakers CAN win on the road, and have won on the road whereas the Celtics have won ONCE. Pierce may press too hard to play well in front of his hometown when the series shifts to LA. History will have no bearing on this series, talent will, along with which "star"can impose their will on the other team. Anyone want to bet against Kobe doing that? The Lakers have not lost a game at home since March, if they split in Boston, it will be LA in six.

You Celtics are so slow if Boston and Detroit were the two best teams in the NBA why you never kno which detroit team is gonna show up and Boston was the best road team in the nba [in the regular season] and their what in the playoffs? 2-7? and the lakers where the best road team in the playoffs. if it wasnt for homecourt the Celts would have been gone home by now. And the Celtics arent playing like a team that won 66 games so stop. And you say your not convinced the Lakers have enough experience? THEY BEAT THE CHAMPS IN 5 GAMES!!! THE MOST EXPERIENCED TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS !! the Lakers ran threw the tougher western confrence like it was nothing the celts are in the JV League. ANd the last thing i got for you beantown losers if the lakers win game 1 is over cuz PJ is what 40-0 in game 1? but anyway it goes if the lakers win game 1 or 2 in boston its OVER!! and tell the celtics Owner or co-owner or whatever dont sen the first shot by giving a team bulltin board material to show for motavtion "saying yea were 8-2" you should kno PJ is gonna use that and the players are gonna respond in the finals.

What's the difference between a Lakers fan and a puppy?

A puppy stops whining after a beating.

At least these Lakers clowns will disappear the same way the Pistons clowns disappeared after the Celtics smacked them around.

Go Celtics!

Tim Legler is the only writer as espn who knows what he's talking about!

Vegas picks the Lakers as favorites to win the series at -170 (Bet $1.70 on the Lakers to win $1) and the Celtics as the dog at +150 (Bet $1.00 on the Celts to win $1.50). The bookies rationalize the line with the head to head matchups of teh Big 3 for both teams: Gasol and Garnett will guard each other, but the edge they say is on the other two, the long armed Odom will guard Pierce. Pierce is the only Celtic starter that can guard Kobe. So they feel that Pierce after running after Kobe on defense, must contend with the long armed Odom on offense and may be worn out on both ends of the court. Kobe will run after Ray Allen who is an easier defensive assignment that Pierce. They also give a slight edge to the Lakers' bench, playoff experience and coaching. They give the slight edge to the veterans on Boston's bench (Brown, Cassell and Posey) vs. Walton, Farmar , Vujacic and Turiaf.

Recent performances are the best indicator when you make a prediction in sports. That's why most experts pick the Lakers to win. Despite losing both of their regular season matches against the Celtics, the Lakers have come a long way and cruised to the Finals with relative ease. The Celtics, on the other hand, struggled mightily against the likes of Atlanta and Cleveland. Perhaps it's because the Big 3 are finally reverting to their former selves as playoff chokers. They're obviously not ready for this stage yet, despite their tremendous talents had carried the team this far.

It's also unfair to put Doc Rivers in this position to match wits against Phil Jackson, who is seeking his 10th ring to surpass Red Auerbach at the expense of the franchise he built. Doc Rivers is actually more like a cheerleader than a basketball coach. One had to feel sorry for him after seeing the way he panicked on several occasions during the playoffs. The Celtics had the best regular season record in spite of Doc, but will ultimately fall short partly because of him.

The Lakers have no defense like the Pistons had. The C's should be able to play alot easier with out hands all over you. The C's defense does not have to cover some like Rip. Ray will have eaiser shot selection. The C's will be able to pass more to fine the open man. Don't think the Lakers are going to play d like the Pistons did. Can't wait for this seris to start. Enjoy everyone.

KOBE is not playing to win another ring, what he is playing for is to prove that he can WIN a ring without Shack. Some team's play for a ring he play's for pride to prove all the Critic's wrong. Does he really need any more reason's to tear your heart out.? Laker's in six

Celts will role over the Lakers. LA is on the outside of the playoffs looking in if not for Kobe, Gasol will help but the talent drops off BIG TIME after those two. What Lakers bench is everyone talking about? Turiaf? Walton? Farmar? Are you kidding? Posey plays D, House is a sparkplug, and P.J. is the saviest vet left in the series. Lakers can't guard all the Celtics' scoring option, and if Boston can close the lane from Bryant and make him shoot, L.A. is in trouble. Celts will take the first two at home, and steal on at the Stap. Boston in 6.

The celtic's only chance is to hire BILL BILICHICK and have him bring his CAMERA CREW to record laker's pratices. Hey if you're not cheating you're not trying.

Kobe has tooo much to prove, he will finally get first of multiple titles without Shaq.

Lakers in 5/6

next year with a healthy Bynum (barring other injuries), its a new gold and purple dynasty....

this is the Lakers time to shine. :-)

Tim Legler's pick of the C's to win shows he has done his homework and not hopping on that Laker train that will soon derail.

Get lost you Laker morons. Celtics smacked around Kobe in the regular season and will beat down that overrated crybaby in the finals.

CELTICS IN 4!

KOBE CAN'T WIN WITHOUT SHAQ! KOBE IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING THE NEXT MICHAEL JORDAN. JORDAN CAN CARRY A TEAM. KOBE CAN ONLY WHINE AND CRY!

The Celtics are a great team and while I wasn't so sure about them after watching the Atlanta and Cleveland series, they looked good in closing out Detroit on the road. They seemed to have picked it back up at just the right time. I hope the Lakers win of course, but if we don't there are far worse tragedies in life. Given everything that happened last summer and the direction the team might have been heading, being in the finals is success enough for this year. I totally respect the Celtics and if KG, Allen, and Pierce all finally win a ring, it'll still be pretty sweet. Naturally, I'd feel a lot better if Bynum was healthy and Ariza wasn't working his way back into shape, but you play the hand you're dealt. In any event, best of luck to both LA and Boston. We're all in for a treat. May the best team win.

Lakers No D?? Are kidding me. The Machine can stop anyone wearing green. He can also shoot the three. The Machine will shoot the lights out of Boston. I predict Vujacic to be the finals MVP. Lakers in 6! Courtesy of the Machine! EL!! (Evil Laugh)

Celtics in 6, Sorry experts said that the New England Patriots would win the superbowl! I see after the lakers go down 3-1, the series will be over for them! they don't have a good record without homecourt advantage! SORRY LAKER FANS, Chris paul was young and first time in semi's, The Spurs were old and tired! Now you will see why RED smokes his cigars, he'll probably be smoking one after this series!
Sorry Lakers, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BOSTONS DOORMAT

The team who is surging should get the advantage. That team is the Lakers. We are the Lakers and YOU are the FAKERS! Lakers in 5

Lakers will sweep Celtics leaves.

Not sure how many local Celtic fans have actually watched full Lakers games ('cause they start and run so late) this season or even during the play offs other than maybe San Antonio but you'll get a taste of what's coming out you on Thursday when the Celts go down 0-1. I hate ESPN as much as the next guy (maybe more I actually think they have ruined sports!) but the various guys on ESPN aren't front running on these picks. The Lakers are actually a deceivingly good, solid team, guys. They were fourth in offense and defense for the season and now they're first in offense in the play off and actually ahead of the Celts in defense for the play offs. Just saying...

You Laker fans sure have short memories. The Celts beat your Lakers twice by substantial margins during the regular season. I believe the Celtics beat the Lakers at least once last season with a much poorer team..Don't think Kobe and the Lakers have figured out how to beat this Celtic team. The Celtics record against the West was 20 - 5.

Yep, you Laker fans sure do have short, selective memoreies. Feel bad for you! If the refs let the players play ball, the Lakers have no chance!

Even after the addition of Gasol, and in spite ot the Lakers .800 win percentage with him in the line-up (including playoffs), I've always thought the Lakers were still a year away. I believe that when Gasol really gets incorporated into the offense, and Bynum and Arriza recover, the Lakers will become more than a championship caliber team, but become a dynasty with the potential to run up a string of trophies for the next 5+ years. That means all the pressure is on the semi-aging Ceiltics to do it this year, or else KG will have to play until he's 100 years old to have a chance for the three rings Russell predicted for him. Unless McHale can somehow orchestrate a way to get LeBron and CP3 to boston.

Boston will soon find out that the team they beat during the regular season will resemble nothing like the team that will show up thursday. The biggest different will be pau gasol instead of a kid fresh out off high school (andrew bynum) at the center position, i too dint think gasol was that good thank god i was wrong.Lamar Odom is so under rated, he won't stop pierce but he will contain him with his long wing span. Like kobe ,garnett will get his points but a still like my chances LAKERS IN 6

Just repeating something over and over as though it were true does not make it so (although it does make you a republican) If the west is better than the east and the Celts went 25-5 in the west and the Lakers went 20-10 in the east, the Celts must be much better.

"Boston will soon find out that the team they beat during the regular season will resemble nothing like the team that will show up thursday. The biggest different will be pau gasol instead of a kid fresh out off high school (andrew bynum)"

Um, j.aldana, all of your idiot Laker buddies are saying that the Lakers sweep the Celtics with Bynum in the lineup. Now you're saying Bynum actually hurt the Lakers.

Why don't you Laker idiots make up your mind. Can't you cerebrally challenged quiche eaters get your stories straight?

You Laker morons know the Celtics will mop up your overrated team and Kobe will go back to being the crybaby he has always been.

KOBE CAN'T WIN WITHOUT SHAQ! CELTICS IN 4!

Celtics in 5 has defense Laker do not

Celtics in 6.
The Celtics D alone will stifle the lakers. Anyone who thinks the Lakers' 3 of Gasol, Odom and Kobe are better then KG, PP and RA are insane. 3 hall of famers vs 1 hall of famer and 2 good players. lebron is a tougher player offensively than Kobe and we stopped him too.

Lakers are just a bunch Hollywoof soul-less fools. Go back to hollywood and drown yourselves in coke.

It's so funny to hear how the celtic's fans are describing this team as the best thing since slice bread? Please be REAL a 4 GAME SWEEP of the series. I have not seen anything about the celtic's that scare me to think that . When the BIG MIGHTY cavaliers take's you guy's to a seven games series, not exactly scaring anybody. Where were your BIG THREE PLAYER'S IN THAT SERIES? , boston made josh smith look like MICHAEL JORDAN if you cant stop smith how will you ever stop KOBE?. Maybe you're right i could see a series SWEEP a LAKER SWEEP. atlease you guy's are putting up a fight as compare to last season . L.O.L . By the way please don't fire you're Coach after phill jackson out coaches him.

Celtics in 5? (chuckles)

Most objective experts (ESPN, SI, etc) believe the Lakers are better on paper on the Celtics.
Phil Jackson has won has many titles as the great “Red” How many titles does Doc have?
The Lakers made the road to the finals look easy and seem stronger in every game. The Celtics have lost at home, can’t win on the road and seem to be just getting by...

The Lakers have a stronger team, better coaching, and momentum.

Lakers will sweep.

LAKERS IN 5

best defense is a better offense have u ever heard of that morons

bunch of boston celtic band wagon jumpers!!! its a shame

im sorry boston aint got no chance cause lakers got it this year and with kobe come on you aready know whos gonna win

SORRY SI CALLED EXPERTS AND FAKERS LOVERS
PAY BACK IS A B!TCH, AINT IT?

CELTICS IN 6
AND THEY MADE KOBE AND YOUR BELOVED FAKERS LOOK LIKE CREAM PUFFS...

TEHRE CAN ONLY BE ONE

BOSTON CELTICS = NBA CHAMPS!!!

SORRY SI CALLED EXPERTS AND FAKERS LOVERS
PAY BACK IS A B!TCH, AINT IT?

CELTICS IN 6
AND THEY MADE KOBE AND YOUR BELOVED FAKERS LOOK LIKE CREAM PUFFS...

TEHRE CAN ONLY BE ONE

BOSTON CELTICS = NBA CHAMPS!!!