And now the Lakers have the Jazz exactly where they want them. Up 2-0, heading to Utah, the Lakers are in a much more comfortable position than perhaps the closeness of Games 1 and 2 would illustrate. EnergySolutions Arena is indeed a formidable place to play, but having played in front of the unbelievable fan support in Oklahoma City, it shouldn't surprise or rattle the Lakers. Even a split of the upcoming two games in Salt Lake City will give the Lakers a chance to clinch at home in Game 5. So if you'll forgive me, I'd like to look ahead a bit. There is another series going on right now that is arguably even more important for the Lakers than the one they're playing in.
No, I'm not talking about San Antonio vs. Phoenix. I'm looking even further ahead, and much farther East... Let me be blunt- the Lakers have no chance of beating the Cavilers in a seven game series this year. It won't happen. They don't matchup well with the Cavs at all, and proved exactly that twice this season already. They dropped both regular season matchups against the cavs-- wait, I can hear you interrupting me already: "but the Lakers lost both regular season games to the Magic last season, and look how that turned out!" Fair enough, but the Lakers had no idea the Magic would be their Finals opponents last year. They didn't know how good the Magic were, they didn't get "up" for the regular season matchups against them. Those games were just "regular games" to the Lakers. In contrast, the Lakers were extremely geared up for the two matchups against the Cavs this year. The dates were surely circled on schedules in El Segundo before the season even started. Everyone knew the best team in the West was LA, and everyone knew the best in the East was Cleveland. And the teams got hyped accordingly for those two clashes.
Surely all of us remember the debacle of their first matchup. The Cavs played Grinch and ruined Christmas for Angelenos, mopping the floor with our sorry Lakers. They got out to a big lead early, and coasted throughout the second half.
The Lakers had a chance to get revenge only a couple weeks later, in Cleveland. Sadly, this second matchup would end in one of the Lakers most frustrating defeats of the season. Kobe got caught up in his individually matchup with Lebron, and took way too many shots. Nobody else in purple stepped up offensively. The Lakers were in it until the end somehow, but completely combusted in crunch time. Their 'lack of clutch' was summed up by Pau Gasol's two missed freethrows, with the Lakers down only 2 and 25 seconds remaining. After the second miss, my TV remote (RIP) was introduced to the wall of my bedroom, putting on a great impression of a bug meeting a windshield. Who knew those things had so many pieces?
Even more than worrisome than the Lakers lack of execution down the stretch, was their complete inability to guard Lebron. While not terribly surprising- he's the least guardable player on the planet- it's obviously a huge problem for a potential finals matchup. Ron Artest, signed by the Lakers seemingly for the sole purpose of guarding Lebron, could hardly slow him. Lamar fared even worse. Kobe didn't even try. When Lebron brings up the ball in the open court, he's like a 6-8, 275 pound version of Russel Westbrook- who was already enough of a problem for the Lakers- except he's a better passer, can get to the basket at will, and has NBA referees eating out of the palm of his hand. When Lebron starts hitting his outside shots, he's literally unstoppable.
With the Cavs holding homecourt advantage through the Finals, the Lakers really don't have a chance of beating them. That's not pessimistic, it's just realistic. However, there is one a team that can beat the Cavs...
The Boston Celtics are old, banged up, and running on empty. Hardly anyone had them beating the Heat in round one; nobody had them beating Cleveland. But for whatever reason, they always give the Cavs trouble. Nobody on the Cleaveland can stop Rondo, and Garnett, Pierce and Allen have all stepped up their game. They've been able to contain Lebron. After stealing a game in Quicken Loans Arena (where nobody but the Cavs ever wins) the Celtics must really believe they can win the series. They were very close to being up 2-0, but couldn't hang on in Game 1. They've already done the hard part- winning a road game- now they just have to hold serve at home.
It pains me, and I'm mildly embarrassed to admit it, but I've been rooting hard for Boston. Now that they look like they can really win the series, I'll be doing everything but wearing a Celtics t-shirt. Every time I get the urge to cheer for the Celtics, I cringe. There's no team Laker fans hate more than Boston, and yet, I know I'm not alone in rooting for them in this series. A poll on the latimes.com showed 87% of Laker fans wanted Boston to win. I'm so emotionally confused, but I think I'm doing the right thing. It's obviously conflicting, but we all know one thing. We can't beat the Cavs. If we want to win the title this year, someone else is going to have to knock them off for us. The Magic have a chance to do it again, but it seems unlikely. If anyone is going to stop the juggernaut that is Lebron James, it's going to be Boston. Beating the Celtics or Magic in the finals won't be easy either, but it is possible. Beating the Cavs... Not so much.
So while I'm obviously looking forward to the Lakers' Game 3 on Saturday, I'm even more excited for a game Friday night, Game 3 of the Boston vs. Cleveland series . And as much as it pains me to say it, what the heck- Go Celtics!!! Now excuse me while I go throw up.
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