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