The Last Shot Podcast

C Kendrick Perkins (7.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg)

C Pau Gasol (17.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg)

 

Perkins is a solid Big man, but Gasol is a big reason the Lakers are where they are at.  Perkins to me will be a big key defensively for the Celtics in shutting down Gasol, Gasol needs to average 15 to 20 a game for the Lakers to pull it out.  I give the Lakers and Gasol the edge in this one.

 

F Kevin Garnett (21.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg

F Lamar Odom (14.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg)

 

Garnett is a top 2 PF in the league depending on whether your a Garnett or Duncan fan.  I’m excited to see this matchup just because both are so athletic and do so much for both teams.  No doubt there the that KG and the Celtics have the edge in this matchup.

 

F Paul Pierce (19.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

F Vladimir Radmanovic (8.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

 

This will be an interesting matchup Paul Pierce is so dangerous anywhere on the court as Vladimir is more of just an outside threat.  I think Vlad has a tough time gaurding PP to, which makes me give the Celts the edge here to.

 

G Ray Allen (14.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

G Kobe Bryant (31.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.8 apg) 

 

I’m a big fan of Ray Allen the guy is a flat out playa but he is going up against the greatest player in the world right now in Kobe Bryant.  Kobe’s hunger to win it all without Shaq is big right now.  I think for the most part he will be able to do what ever he wants.  Don’t be surprised to see him average 35+ in this series.  Edge goes to Kobe and the Lakers

 

G Rajon Rondo (10.5 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.2 rpg)

G Derek Fisher (10.0 ppg, 2.2 apg)

 

Fisher is the savy veteren who has 4 final appearances and three championships so he has the experience in the big games over Rondo.  Rondo is young and has plenty of talent but way to inconsistent and inexperienced and I also think Fishers defense will fluster him so I have to give the edge to Fisher and the Lakers.

 

Celtics 

 F James Posey (6.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

G Sam Cassell (4.7 ppg, 1.2 apg)

 F P.J. Brown (2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg)

G Eddie House (1.2 ppg)

 F Leon Powe (4.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

 F Glen Davis (2.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg)

 Lakers 

G Sasha Vujacic (8.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

 F Luke Walton (7.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

G Jordan Farmar (5.1 ppg, 1.3 apg)

 F Ronny Turiaf (2.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg)

 

I thought at first the Lakers would have the better bench but after looking at it on paper I like the Celtics bench a little more but not by much.  The thing that I give the Celtics the edge is they have a couple players in Cassell and Posey who are crafty veterans that have won championships with other teams.  Yes Luke Walton does but wasn’t a big reason for it.  So if posey and cassell have big series they have a great shot of winning it all.  Edge goes to Celtics (not by much)

 

Coaching

Doc  Rivers

Phil Jackson

 

Doc Rivers is a great coach and has done a great job this year but this is a no brainer here who has the edge.  Not many people can say they have won 9 NBA championship rings in there life.  Edge goes the PJ and the Lakers.

 

All in all I give each team 4 edges in this series but like I said on our last show I think the Lakers win it in 6 games.  Should be a great series and hopefully makes a lot memories like the rivalries they had in the 80’s