2010 NBA Finals: Lakers’ Dream Matchup or Nightmare?

 

Well, it's finally here, the NBA dream matchup - the Lakers vs. the Celtics.  Many have said it is a matchup made in Heaven, which, in this case, is located in David Stern’s office at NBA headquarters in New York.

But for the Los Angeles Lakers, could it be a nightmare? 

I believe Boston has the better all-around team for the same reasons that I thought and still think, despite the outcome, that the Suns had the better all-around team in the Western Conference Finals.

With Bynum playing on one good leg, the Celtics’ starters most likely have an advantage over the Lakers’ starters except for two factors.  First, Kevin Garnett may not be playing on good legs either.  We won’t know for sure until the series gets under way.  Second, and perhaps more importantly, Kobe Bryant, if healthy and rested, can single-handedly make up any advantage that an opposing team has.

But the real problem for Phil Jackson all season has been his nightmare bench.

Except for Lamar Odom, the remainder of the Lakers’ bench is no match for the Celtics’ bench.  Although not as strong as the Suns’ bench, the Celtics’ reserves, if healthy, can outscore and outmuscle the remainder of the Lakers bench. 

Rasheed Wallace takes over for Kendrick Perkins at center with hardly any drop off defensively.  Plus, Wallace can hit from three-point land. 

But Wallace has been dealing with back spasms, which can take a while to heal, and remains questionable for Game One against the Lakers at Staples Center.

Glen “Big Baby” Davis is no Kevin Garnett, but he is no Josh Powell either.  Despite a concussion in Game Five against the Magic, Davis returned for Game Six and will definitely be available for the Finals.

Tony Allen can take over for Ray Allen or Rajon Rondo about as wel...

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