2010 NBA Finals

#4 Boston Celtics vs. #1 Los Angeles Lakers

What has seemed destined for weeks begins on Thursday. In a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics take on the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2008, the Celtics defeated the Lakers in six games, including an embarrassing Game 6 throttling by the Celtics. The Lakers will be looking for revenge and also for their second straight NBA Championship.

The Celtics bring back the same starting five from two years ago, while the Lakers have a couple major differences. Ron Artest is a significant upgrade over Vladimir Radmonovic, and the Lakers also have a healthy Andrew Bynum, which allows Pau Gasol to play power forward. Bynum's health has been questionable throughout the playoffs but his presence will make a huge difference in guarding Kendrick Perkins.

The Celtics have a huge advantage at point guard with Rajon Rondo going against Derek Fisher. The Lakers can let Rondo get his, as the Lakers are used to being overmatched at point guard. As long as Fisher can contribute some scoring he maintains his usefulness. The Lakers main advantage is having the best player in basketball on their team, Kobe Bryant. Bryant was other worldly against the Phoenix Suns and it seems that everyone has come to their senses and realizes he is the best player in basketball over LeBron James.

As I mentioned, Ron Artest's presence will make a huge difference in this series. Paul Pierce went off in 2008, winning the Finals MVP. I am certain he will have much less of an impact with Artest on him. To me that is the biggest difference maker, and the reason the results will be different this time around.

Bench wise the Celtics have a slight advantage. The Lakers have Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, and Lamar Odom. Lately, they have been playing with an 8-man rotation, as Luke Walton, DJ Mbenga, Sasha Vujacic, and Josh Powell have been seeing very limited playing time. The Celtics bench includes Tony Allen, the suddenly reappearing Nate Robinson, Glen Davis, and Rasheed Wallace. In my opinion the Celtics bench was stronger two years ago, with steady guys like PJ Brown and James Posey.

Another huge difference between 2008 and now is homecourt advantage. The Celtics had homecourt in 2008, and it helped propel them to a 2-0 series lead. The Lakers have the homecourt this time and need to win the first two games in Los Angeles, which would allow them to instantly gain control of the series.

This will be a great back and forth series. I expect it go to the full seven games, with the Lakers pulling it out in Game 7 behind another epic Bryant performance. I think the Lakers have the players to slow the Celtics down, and I think the revenge factor will play a huge part in this series. Kobe and Phil will be celebrating their fifth and eleventh championships, respectively.

Prediction: Lakers over Celtics, 4-3

2010 NBA Playoffs - Los Angeles Lakers

Western Conference Finals

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #3 Phoenix Suns

The defending NBA champion Lakers have gotten their swagger back. After struggling with upstart Oklahoma City in Round One, the Lakers disposed of the Utah Jazz in four games. Now they face a red-hot Phoenix Suns team. The Suns are fresh off a sweep of their own, over longtime rival San Antonio.

Los Angeles always has the advantages in the size department with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom. The Suns strength is their athletic play on the perimeter, led by Steve Nash. Nash should run circles over Lakers point guard Derek Fisher, but that has been the case for about three years now for the Lakers. Jason Richardson will have the unenviable task of trying to slow down the best player in basketball, Kobe Bryant. Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and the hobbling Andrew Bynum will all probably see time guarding Amare Stoudemire. Ron Artest will be going up against a revitalized Grant Hill.

The new theme with the Suns is that they can now play defense, in addition to their run and gun style. However, playing good defense is easier when you aren't facing an offense with so many options, like the Lakers have. The Lakers will have the size advantage and thus should have many second chance opportunities. The Suns will have to play as well defensively and probably better than they did against the Spurs to have a chance.

I really don't think the Suns will be as difficult a challenge for the Lakers as some believe. I know that the Suns are playing very good basketball right now, but they aren't built to handle the Lakers. The Lakers shouldn't overlook Phoenix, but the Boston Celtics or Orlando Magic present bigger problems. I think LA will take care of business at home, as they have all postseason, and then steal a game in Phoenix. Then it will be off to defend their NBA championship.

Prediction: Lakers over Suns, 4-1