2010 Finals (continued)

Doc Rivers trying to contain himself AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

     Game 1, the Lakers came out strong with stifling defense. They dictated the Celtics’ game flow, making sure Rondo stayed out of his flow. Celtics were outredbounded and lacked the effort on the both ends of the floor. The Celtics looked old, especially Kevin Garnett (Pau Gasol had some choice words after Game 1 about KG’s ”older” playing style and as far as I’m concerned, KG needs to prove otherwise).

     KG has been in early foul trouble throughout his last couple of games. The Orlando series, he lost his temper and elbowed Dwight Howard’s arms (video) multiple times. In the first series he was a non-factor after being suspended for throwing elbows in a Heat-Celtic alteraction (video). Note to KG: This is not a Ludacris video from 2001. Stop throwing ‘bows!

     For the Lakers, Kobe played the way he was supposed to. As Marc Jackson would say, “Mama, there goes that man!” And that man went anywhere and everywhere he wanted shooting 10 of 22 for 30 points. Kobe also made it to the line 10 times and dished out 6 assists and 7 rebounds. That’s a pretty good all-around game for him.

     The dark horse, Ron Artest, also came up big in game one with 15 points, 2 steals, and some much needed toughness. The defense was not there the whole time, but the Lakers stepped it up when they needed to. A bad sign for the Celtics is that all four starters for the Celtics scored in double digits (except Perkins who was close, with eight) and even the bench for the C’s contributed 16, behind Rasheed’s 9. If the Celtics played this well and still lost, they may be in for some trouble. The Raison D’Etat for the Lakers’ big win was physicality. Hmmm, what happened to all that tough talk from the Celtics?

     Limiting the C’s to a halfcourt offense and making Rondo walk the ball up the court will also give the Lakers an advantage when it comes to dictating the flow of the game. The slower the game is for the Lakers, the better.

     Game 2, Rondo was more assertive and comfortable playing quality minutes. Patience, agressive drives and finesse defined Rondo in Game 2. After that up and under move on L.A.’s Bynum, it was apparent that Rondo was here to play. However, Game 2 was also the same story for KG. He was nonexistant. KG picked up two early fouls in the first five minutes being sent to the bench, again. In Game 1, KG had 16 points shooting 7 of 16, but he did a poor job boxing out and defending the Twin Towers (Gasol and Bynum). In Game 2, he was non-existant, shooting 2 of 5 for 6 points. But give KG a little credit because he knew he was in another one of his offensive funks, so he started getting others involved with his 6 assists for the game. When there is slack to be picked up, Ray Allen can do it. He did it by setting the tone of the game early, setting an NBA Finals record for most threes in a game (that’s eight) and 25 points before the half.