2010 NBA FINALS PREDICTIONS

 

So, once again the NBA title is one the line. Seven games to decide who makes history. Here we go.

Lakers vs Celtics:

Well for the Lakers this is their third NBA Finals in a row. Last time around they even took the trophy, beating the Magic 4-1. It was an about time moment for one of the NBA's most famous teams which is usually there or thereabouts. For the Celtics this is their first trip to the NBA Finals since '08 and this year's series is a rematch of that encounter. Back then the Celtics won 4-2 with a team that really caught people on the hop. Prior to that rumble I hadn't thought that I'd see a Celtics vs Lakers Finals series without the use of a time machine! Still on that occasion the men in green turned out to be the better side and took their place in franchise history.

As for their route here well the Lakers were always a lock to get to the Finals. The Thunder gave them more trouble than expected in the first round but the Lakers won 4-2. They then ran into the Jazz in the Conference semis who they swept 4-0. The Suns were always going to be a headache though in the Western Conference Finals but the Lakers were always going to win. 4-2 as it turned out. The Celtics were anything but a lock to get this far. Yeah their 4-1 win over the Heat in the first round was relatively predictable...but they weren't meant to mug the regular season-dominating Cavs 4-2 in the Conference semis. And surely they could mug the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals? Well it turned out they could. 4-2.

As for the players well the Lakers are the defending champions. Kobe in particular has won plenty of titles over the years. Gasol, Fisher, Odom, they all know how it's done as well. The team's only significant new guy is Ron Artest and he's played his part well enough so I'm sure he'll be a factor. As for the Celtics well this is largely still the team that won the title in '08 just two years older. Only difference is, there is now less emphasis on Garnett and Rajon Rondo has become more of a factor. The question make has to remain though - do this team still have what it takes to go all the way, particularly without their '08 home court advantage or are they going to be like the '99 Knicks in getting a reality check?

So, in terms of history well the Lakers clearly have the edge here - the '08 Celtics have to be respected but in terms of title winning they could yet be a flash in the pan. As far as their run to the Finals in concerned, again the Lakers still have the edge though credit must be given to the quality of the teams the Celtics beat. In terms of players it's a tougher one to call but surely the Lakers have the edge here as well, yet again you can't discount the Cs. So, bottom line, there can only be one conclusion. The LA Lakers will surely be the 2010 NBA champions. They won't have it all their ouwn way though. I reckon they'll have to collect it in 6.

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