6/3/10: Celtics @ Lakers, NBA Finals, Game 1

[UConn Celtics Fan]

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n35/mlmdaniels/NBA/nbafinals2010.jpg

GAME 1
Thursday, June 3, 2010
9:00 PM Eastern
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a7/StaplesCenterLogo.png/210px-StaplesCenterLogo.png

[Laker fan]

I think this one could go to Boston. If you guys split... or God forbid take the first two at Staple Center, it's lights out for us. The Celts are very good on the road, but seem to struggle at home (Oh, how they miss the ole Garden). But, with the 2-3-2 format, all you guys have to do is win two of three and it's number 18.

This one will only be fun when it's over when we are talking about it years from now. Until then, I hope you guys have grown your finger nails long because there will be a lot of nail bitters I'm sure.

[RAH]

Yup - too much pressure! This stuff is absolutely torture for me from start to finish. Why do I do this to myself??

[meta4]

Love the lineup pics(is that a freeze frame of Artest getting splashed in the face?...nice). What pagentry this series will have. This is good, I'm a sucker for tradition and storied franchises. Everyone's back healthy(for the most part), seasoned and hungry...can't wait!

[UConn Celtics Fan]

Love the lineup pics(is that a freeze frame of Artest getting splashed in the face?...nice). What pagentry this series will have. This is good, I'm a sucker for tradition and storied franchises. Everyone's back healthy(for the most part), seasoned and hungry...can't wait!

Thanks! The only way I could bring myself to look up photos of the Lakers was to have it be of the Lakers getting pulled down. I couldn't resist a Palace brawl photo for Artest.

[celticgo]

so it's time now right, Celtic and Laker meet again in the finals, it's will be excted to watch it

[Laker fan]

Memorial Day is a dark day for Laker fans. You guys just trounced us. Of course that was the same year of the 2-3-2 format that helped the Lakers ended the curse. But, that was nothing compared to two years ago. I think at one time the Celtics were up by as many as 40 points.

I for one was not angry by the high score. Why do most people get upset on blows out? It's the other teams fault for not stopping it. I blame the Lakers for lying down and not show some kind of respect. However, this is the year to make amends for it. Or is it? We shall see. Good luck to you guys. It will be fun

[canadajerseys]

Undoubtedly,it will be the most exciting game this season,just can't wait!

[RAH]

I for one was not angry by the high score. Why do most people get upset on blows out?
I agree. Usually in blow-outs the bench-warmers are playing at the end, so they naturally want to do as well as they can and are trying to score. Nothing wrong with that. I guess if a team keeps the starters in and they keep running up the score, a person might have a right to complain.

I am very worried that the Lakers will be super-hyped for this series as a way to avenge 2 years ago. Of course, the Cs are hyped to win a 2nd championship and not just be a one-hit wonder. But LA has more incentive, I think. Too much excitement!

[CaptChris]

The match-ups are the thing. Last time around Kobie played off Rondo. He left him to help on PP and Ray. Can he do that this time? Or will Rondo demand his full time attention? Can Ray work Fisher? Will PP be able to get by Artest, get him in foul trouble? Will Gasol stop KG? Or can KG handle Gasol? Gasol and Lamr Odom scare me the most.

Biggest match-up is Bynum and Perk. Can Perk keep his mouth shut and stay away from T's? Can Perk score at all? If he can Bynum will have to stay home and guard him. If not Bynum will block the middle.

Who is on Kobie? Ray will run at him. Others will try to get the ball out of his hands. Perk has to clog the middle becasue Gasol is a great passer for a big man. He gets easy baskets for the other guys.

Should be a WAR.

[Laker fan]

There is every reason to believe that the Lakers will win because of the revenge factor. We have Bynum and seem to match up well. But, Rondo is so much better this year. He is the X factor for the Celtics like Artest is for the Lakers. The only key is: Which Paul Pierce will show up? If it's the Paul Pierce of '08, then it's lights out. With Rondo and Pierce, watch out. But, if Pierce plays like he has this playoffs, one will never no from game to game what he'll do.

[CelticSooner]

Revenge is overrated. Once the ball is tipped all that crap goes away and it's about the team that best executes the gameplan. I'm trying to decide on who will be Finals MVP, Rondo or Allen. C's in 6.

[Laker fan]

I think if the Celtics pull it off, it would because of the tenacious play of Rondo. He scares me.

[ThroughThatDoor]

There is no way this guy is actually a Laker fan. It's a lot more pleasant than the actual Laker fans though so I'll take it.

[IPFreely]

You'd be surprised. There are many Laker fans who can appreciate, albeit admire, the Celtic lore and history. I can't stand you guys but take it as a compliment. This is the marquee matchup for the ages.
It don't get any better than this my bean-town buddies. Now, with that said, LETS GET THIS THING GOING!! :cool:

[meta4]

Can't wait, so anxious. Gonna have to setup a playoff scenario on NBA 2k10 til then.

[RAH]

The match-ups are the thing... Gasol and Lamr Odom scare me the most.

I agree.

Pierce said in a recent interview that the Celtics are deeper this year than they were 2 years ago. I don't agree. Seems to me they were a lot deeper 2 years ago. Except for improved play of Rondo, seems to me we have a much shorter rotation. Two years ago they used to routinely play 9 or 10 players, even in the playoffs. As I've complained before on this forum, we seem to have no scoring punch from the bench like we did with House. Yeah, I know Robinson just played great in that one game, but Doc was desperate at that point in the game and Nate just happened to be on. You can't rely on that.

[belgianfan]

Sheed and BigBaby are pretty good scorers coming of our bench

[Shakerbaker]

Congrats to the C's for making it back to the Finals. Here's a link to a video of Laker legends and Celtic legends talking about what this rivalry means

NBA.com (http://youcastcorp.com/c/102/go/index.php?r=115)

On behalf of NBA.com we hope u guys enjoy the video and the Finals

[Celtics17]

I agree.

Pierce said in a recent interview that the Celtics are deeper this year than they were 2 years ago. I don't agree. Seems to me they were a lot deeper 2 years ago. Except for improved play of Rondo, seems to me we have a much shorter rotation. Two years ago they used to routinely play 9 or 10 players, even in the playoffs. As I've complained before on this forum, we seem to have no scoring punch from the bench like we did with House. Yeah, I know Robinson just played great in that one game, but Doc was desperate at that point in the game and Nate just happened to be on. You can't rely on that.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Nate plays a bigger role in the finals than he has so far in the playoffs. Considering that Finley was the 9th man and he's produced almost nothing, I think Doc might replace him with Nate.

[texascelticsfan]

Posey is the only guy on the bench in 08 that is missing and the way Tony Allen has stepped up in the playoffs, we're just missing his 3pt shooting.

Eddie/Nate is a bit of a wash, but Nate has a better handle while Eddie was almost always lights out shooting.

Rasheed is WAY better than PJ Brown, better defender, rebounder and stretches the floor better.

Davis is better now then in 08.

Marquis is better than 08 Tony.

Shelden is better than Scot Pollard.

[CaptChris]

Tony has disappeared again. Daniels has done nothing. Sheldon is sitting.

I am scared that Wallace is going to implode. He is still a moron, who can erupt at any time. His "D" has been hack somebody, and slap the rest. If he does this against the Lakers, they will kill us from the foul line.

I hope I am wrong. I hope he shoots light out.

Problem is: Which Rasheed shows up? The slug from the Miami series or the guy who looked good against Orlando?

[Antoine Walker]

Let's get it on!!!

Can't wait to destroy these smug, gold-wearing, purple flashing, pretty boys of the NBA. Damn them and their attractive fans, their rock star followers, their stylish groupies. Makes me green with envy! Damn them!!

[UConn Celtics Fan]

If I'm not around to post the thread for game 2, could sombody quote the first message, make the necessary changes, and repost it for game 2? I'm unsure of how often I'll be near a computer for the next few days.

Game one is only a few hours away! Let's go Celtics! BEAT L.A.

[Laker fan]

Boy, the refs stunk. At first they balanced it out well. Then there was suspect calls against Boston. I thought when Kobe blocked the slam dunk it was a foul. Ray Allen got rooked. Kobe does not seem happy. He knows you guys can come back. You only need to take one from us before going to Boston. Your defense was good, but the offense needs to pick it up. I'm sure Doc will come up with something. Laker fans are not resting easy.

[mait]

I am going to be at game 2 sporting the Green and White ;) hoping our boys pull through and spank!

[Celtics17]

Boy, the refs stunk. At first they balanced it out well. Then there was suspect calls against Boston. I thought when Kobe blocked the slam dunk it was a foul. Ray Allen got rooked. Kobe does not seem happy. He knows you guys can come back. You only need to take one from us before going to Boston. Your defense was good, but the offense needs to pick it up. I'm sure Doc will come up with something. Laker fans are not resting easy.

Our defense was not good, and the refereeing was fine.

Gasol killed us with his length and his aggresiveness. 'Sheed did a better job against him defensively than anybody else.

KG has to step it up in the next one. Michael Beasley, Antawn Jamison, and Rashard Lewis did not prepare him to face Pau who beat him up in game one.

Kobe's nasty, but I'll take 10-22 with 4 turnovers. It's the bigs who have to be contained.

I'm not feeling too great this morning, but I still have faith that we'll show up better on Sunday.

[meta4]

the celtics allow themselves one bad game per series, last night was it, celtics take next 2 will go up 3-2 then take it in game 6 in LA

[texascelticsfan]

I think they need to switch KG to Bynum, its just a better matchuo for them. Sheed/Perk/Baby can bang with Gasol, let KG conserve his energy on Bynum's weak game.

The phantom 5th foul on Ray...please.

[RAH]

Our defense was not good, and the refereeing was fine.

Gasol killed us with his length and his aggresiveness. 'Sheed did a better job against him defensively than anybody else.

KG has to step it up in the next one.

Yes, indeed. I was worried about Gasol for this series, and he killed us. Gasol is playing the way they needed him to play in the 2008 series. I am very worried. Enough to predict LA in 5 games. But of course, I hope I'm wrong.

[meta4]

I don't understand the negativity. We were in this the whole game. But we played sloppy. That was the best that LA had and we were still in it playing our second worse game of the playoffs (the worst being game 3 in the cleavland series). Just like in the cleavland series after the game 1 loss, I remembered people acting the same way, oh cleavland is just the better team. We came back in game two and blew them out. This team thrives on being labeled too old, too slow...not good enough. That's how they roll. Game two is the biggest game of the series. If we win, then we have chance of taking it all. If we lose, it's over. LA will steal one in Boston, putting them up 3-2 going back to LA and they'll close it out in 6 or 7. If we take game 2 and 3 lose game 4, come back and take game 5, we can close em out in 6.

[Laker fan]

I agree this thing is not over with. I'm a big KG fan and don't understand what I am seeing. He just looked so tired out there. He just could not muster enough energy to shoot two layups in a row. If he stops trying to muscle Gasol and play his game, he won't be so tired.

I don't expect Boston to play the way they did on Thursday. I'm sure Sunday will be a better game.

[missing35]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=5253247

Pau calls it how it is... hopefully KG can dig deep and pull out some mind over body stuff b/c if he doesn't get it going the C's are in trouble.

I like Rondo's response to Pau's words. It should be very very interesting to see how KG and the TEAM reacts to this.

I think Pau was just trying to be honest, but what a stupid thing to say if indeed it does get KG and the rest of the Celtics going.

Game 2 = Must win!