The Lakers and Celtics will meet, once again, in the NBA Finals. Do the defending champs have the edge? Or will the 2008 title-holders re-claim the trophy? Here's a breakdown.
Point Guards: Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher
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Rajon Rondo has spent most of these playoffs making sure everyone knows that Boston's superstar "Big Three" now has four charter members. Last summer, Danny Ainge was actually shopping the guy; now he's in the "top ten players in the league" conversation. Derek Fisher is a solid veteran who won't shy away from taking the big shot, but he has no chance of stopping Rondo's drives into the paint.
Big Edge: Boston. This is the mis-match that could decide the series.
Shooting Guards: Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant
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If this is Ray Allen's final tour with the Celtics, he's going out with a bang. Still one of the game's purest shooters; the long layoff between the Magic series and this one should benefit ol' Jesus Shuttlesworth. Kobe Bryant has been outstanding throughout the playoffs, though some observers have raised the concern that he's taking too many low-percentage shots (mostly two-pointers from just inside the arc). So long as the keep falling, I'm not concerned. It will be interesting to see how often Allen and Bryant are actually matched up on each other. The Celtics may use Rondo or Paul Pierce -- superior defenders both -- on Bryant, and Kobe could be used to check Rondo at times.
Edge: Kobe, but Paul Pierce has done a good job of slowing Bryant in the past.
Small Forwards: Paul Pierce vs. Ron Artest
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Paul Pierce is a very complete player, equally capable of leading the team in scoring or serving as designated Kobe-stopper. His defense was a big reason for the Celtics win when these teams matched up in the 2008 Finals -- when he was named MVP. Ron Artest can go from hero to goat... and back to hero... in no time. Case in point: during the Phoenix series, when Artest followed a bone-headed three-point attempt with the game-winning put-back of a Kobe Bryant miss.
Edge: Boston. Pierce is as solid as they come. Artest might be excellent, but that's far from a sure thing.
Power Forwards: Kevin Garnett vs. Pau Gasol
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Amazing what Kevin Garnett can do when he can actually move, no? Garnett's return from an injury-marred 2009 season has been one of the biggest keys to the Celtics' playoff run; don't forget -- the Celtics have never lost a playoff series when they've had their current starting five intact. Pau Gasol is one of the most skilled big men in the league and an under-rated complement to Bryant at the four, but the old whispers about his toughness have started to re-emerge during the offseason.
Edge: Push.
Centers: Kendrick Perkins vs. Andrew Bynum
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Both teams have major question marks in the middle. At this point in their careers, Kendrick Perkins is probably the better player -- but his next technical foul will mean a one-game suspension, and that could really hurt the C's. Andrew Bynum gives the Lakers an imposing physical presence in the middle, but his health is always a question mark -- he spent part of the break after the Phoenix series getting fluid drained from his balky knee.
Edge: Celtics. One of Boston's biggest strengths is physicality, and Perkins is the most physical of the bunch. But he'll have to keep himself in check; missing a game during the Finals isn't an option.
Benches: Rasheed Wallace vs. Lamar Odom
Coming off the bench in this series: two of the most talented -- and inconsistent -- players in recent memory. Rasheed Wallace plays defense like an old-school big man, but has shooting range that makes guards jealous. He also spent the bulk of this season in terrible game shape and is always a threat to take a technical foul at an inopportune moment. Lamar Odom might be the biggest matchup nightmare in the league today, with point guard skills in a power forward's body. But he's terribly inconsistent.
Boston's bench is deeper; widebody Glen Davis is a good energy player in the frontcourt, Tony Allen has become a valuable contributor and even Nate Robinson is capable of changing a game with his instant offense -- as in game six of the Orlando series. The Laker rotation doesn't go quite as deep; Jordan Farmar will get minutes at the point, but he can't guard Rondo either, which could make Shannon Brown a very important player for Phil Jackson. Los Angeles is particularly thin in the frontcourt.
Edge: Boston. The Lakers might be in big trouble if Bynum's knees start acting up.
Coaches: Doc Rivers vs. Phil Jackson
Doc Rivers has grown as a bench coach, but c'mon. Phil Jackson just might be the best in league history. Both might be looking to end their careers on a high note; according to the rumor mill, Rivers is strongly considering a return to the broadcast booth after the season, and someone keeps planting stories that the Lakers will ask Jackson to take a pay cut if he wants to come back next year.
Edge: Big Chief Triangle, aka the Zen Master, aka Phil Jackson and his Lakers
Overall: Celtics vs. Lakers
The Lakers have the best player in the series, the best coach and home-court advantage. The Celtics are deeper are peaking at the right time, and know that they beat the Lakers in a seven-game series just two years ago.
The biggest mismatch in the series is at the point. Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar simply don't have the quickness to keep up with Rajon Rondo. Combine that with Andrew Bynum's iffy health -- if his knees act up he might not have the lateral quickness to protect the rim from Boston's drives, which makes Rondo an even bigger weapon. Phil Jackson is a brilliant tactician, but sometimes it just comes down to the players.
The Pick: Celtics in Six.
