No it's not a retro game review. We actually have an NBA Finals featuring the Lakers and the Celtics. Of course, this time no Magic and Bird, but rather Kobe and Pau versus Pierce and Garnett.
The Head says: What a difference a trade makes. To start the year Kobe trade rumors were still doing the rounds, but then L.A. brought in Pau Gasol and the entire complexion of the Western Conference changed. With Kobe, Gasol and Lamar Odom the Lakers have a star-studded starting line-up that rose to number one in the West.
That already happened at the start of the season in Boston, who got Kevin Garnett from Minnesota and Ray Allen from Seattle. All year the Celtics have been at or near the top of the East, and for a stretch at the start of the season they were thought to be unbeatable. However as the season wore on, the fatigue set in and the Celtics got their asses kicked handedly from time to time.
The Lakers' stars are younger, and in fact in their prime. They've had no physical problems whatsoever, and should be able to survive a slug-out with Boston.
Lakers says I.
The Heart says: I've always thought the Lakers would somehow rebuild a team that would once again be dominant in the next decade. In fact they are two years early. Boston has enjoyed a huge turn-around, going from last to first in a season. Seeing the age of the guys running the Celtics, Garnett and Allen are not going to have many more chances to win the NBA Championship. Kobe already has a couple of rings, and will have more chances if Gasol and Odom stick around.
Celtics says I. Just for the sake of it.
The Gut says: A throwback NBA Finals. Two old rivals colliding again. What new guard? Except in this case I do feel the Celtics are running on borrowed time. They'll play more desperate perhaps, but there's too many concerns here about the Celtics' durability. Celtics have to win quick and fast, something I would expect the Lakers to prevent handedly.
Lakers win in six.
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