Last night's Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in the books, and already, the 2010 version of Lakers/Celtics is shaping up to be quite different than in 2008. L.A. dominated from the 2nd quarter on to coast to a 102-89 victory. So, in this hyperactive 24/7 sports media, does this mean the Celtics are doomed, or is it just a blip on the radar? Sadly for fans of Green 18, it might be the former, instead of the latter...here's why:
(1) Kevin Garnett just isn't Kevin Garnett any more.
-As much as fans of the Celtics and KG bought into his performance against Cleveland in the 2nd round (19 PPG, 7 RPG), the Big Ticket has looked a shell of his '08 self (11 PPG, 7RPG his last 7 games). As much as KG's desire and toughness bolstered the Celtics championship season, everyone seems to forget the guy was a pretty good player. His advantage over Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol was the big difference in the '08 Finals. Now, KG is getting outjumped, outrebounded, and most disturbingly, outoughed by the Lakers front line. If KG doesn't start holding his own, the C's don't have a chance.
(2) Maybe Rajon Rondo isn't the Greatest PG Alive.
-Many NBA experts were salivating over Rajon Rondo throughout the first 2.5 rounds of the playoffs. And why wouldn't they, his all-around dominance of the game, his hustle, his command of a team with 3 Hall of Famers, we were watching Rondo grow into a superstar before our very eyes. But, a funny thing happened on Rondo joining the Big 3 in Springfield (that's where the Basketball HoF is, FYI)...now, he's banged up. After all the hard fouls and falls he's taken, the toll of playing 41 minutes a game is catching up with the young PG. He, like Garnett, needs a big boost of something to get the Celtics back to their dominant ways.
(3) The Lakers Length Exploits the Celtics Greatest Faults
-As the great crew of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mark Jackson pointed out last night, the Celtics have had two weaknesses throughout the season, turnovers and rebounding. And after about 5 minutes, these problems were already rearing their ugly head because of the Lakers length. Rondo's ability to finish at the rim is taken away. When Bynum/Gasol/Odom are on the court, the Celtics can't compete with their size. And, as they found out last night, the Lakers aren't backing down this year, either. On the perimeter, Allen, Pierce, and Rondo are struggling against the defense of Artest, Kobe, and Shannon Brown. The Celtics are going to have to play much tougher and smarter at both ends than they did in Game 1 to compete.
(4) The Celtics Bench Isn't What it Was.
-Besides the Celtics toughness in the frontcourt, the biggest advantage Boston had back in '08 was their bench play...minus Sam Cassell, of course. They had James Posey, a long, tough defender who could also stretch the D from 3 point range. Now, they have Tony Allen, who isn't as good a defender or shooter and is an offensive liability if he isn't taking the ball to the rim, which he can't do against the Lakers front line.
In '08, they had a steady veteran presence in P.J. Brown who could rebound and compete with the Lakers on the inside along with Leon Powe. Now, they have Big Baby Davis, who I think could be blocked by Jeff Van Gundy, and the mercurial 'Sheed, who, might have more technical fouls this postseason than field goals. Add this to the loss of gunner Eddie House, the addition of fossil Michael Finley, who looked like he was playing in cement trying to stay in front of Shannon Brown.
And anybody expecting Nate Robinson to pull off another kryptonite performance in this series might be waiting for a while. In other words, the Celtics bench isn't good, and it doesn't have potential to get better.
(5) The Lakers Are Simply Better than in 2008, while the Celtics Aren't.
-While I'm not ready to pronounce Pau Gasol the 2nd best player in the league, there's no doubting the Spanish big man is not only better, but tougher than in '08. That Kobe Bryant fella is still as good as ever, and the addition of Ron Artest certainly won't help Paul Pierce's chances of repeating as Finals MVP. Nobody in the league does a better job of playing Pierce with a combination of length and strength. Meanwhile, the improvement of Rondo can't offset the aging of the Big 3 or the lack of bench play in the 2010 Celtics.
While the Celtics are definitely capable of bouncing back, it's going to be a tough ask. But, as someone once said, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion". And for a starting 5 who's never lost a playoff series, writing them off after just one game would be foolish. Still, beating this Laker team might be their greatest escape yet.
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