Thoughts on Game 1
Why did Boston win Game 1? Here are the keys…
Celtics’ Big Three scored 65 points and Kobe shoots 9 for 26
When the Celtics’ Big three is scoring as a group it will be difficult for the Lakers to win one game. The Lakers had Paul Pierce under control until he caught fire. When all three are playing well, it puts tremendous pressure on the Lakers’ defense to scramble – which will allow players like Rajon Rondo, Sam Cassell and James Posey to have wide open looks.
The Celtics’ bench outscored the Lakers’ bench 17 to 15
The Lakers’ bench has been touted as a big advantage, but the Celtics’ bench won the first battle. The factor I noted in my series’ preview article was the Lakers bench was good but young – and it showed big time Thursday. Luke Walton looked lost and struggled all night. And he has Finals experience!
Boston dominated the glass 46 to 33
The Lakers are not a physical team and the Celtics abused them on the glass. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom will have to average close to 10 rebounds per game in order to negate the Celtics on the glass.
The Celtics held the Lakers to 41 percent from the field
The Celtics did a great job of packing in their defense and scrambling to the shooters. Derek Fisher got loose early, but he was the only consistent threat. Kobe will definitely shoot better than 9 for 26, but he needs help from Fisher, Sasha Vujacic and Vladimir Radmanovic to open the paint so he can attack the basket.
Boston shot 35 free throws and Kobe got to the line only six times
The Celtics’ plan is to keep Kobe off the free-throw line and it worked in Game 1. That allowed the Celtics to have a +7 advantage.
Star of game: Rajon Rondo. His 15 point, 7 assist and 5 rebound night was huge. He also put pressure on the Lakers in that big third quarter, when he found Pierce for two three-point shots.
Turning point: Paul Pierce finding his rhythm early in the third and then continuing it when he returned to the court after suffering a sprained knee.
Unsung hero: PJ Brown was huge with his defense and rebounding. He had a big block on Odom late in the game and seemed to grab every big rebound down the stretch.
Who needs to step up? Lamar Odom has to look to score more, especially when Kendrick Perkins and Brown are guarding him. Phil Jackson benched him late because he needed shooters on the floor or was that a message to get aggressive? Perkins looked lost and nervous. He cannot put the pressure on PJ Brown to continue to have big games. The Celtics need more production in Game 2.
Game 2 strategy
Boston Celtics:
- Continue to keep the ball in the hands of the Big Three early, especially Garnett.
- Get Pierce to move the ball quicker out of the double teams.
- Encourage Garnett to attack the rim more, especially against Gasol.
- Encourage Rondo, Perkins and Brown to be ready and shoot open shots.
- Continue to squeeze Kobe and keep him out of the paint. Kobe only scored one bucket in the paint.
- Run the Lakers shooters off the three-point line.
Los Angeles Lakers:
- Find a way to get inside that Celtic defense for easy scores.
- Get Lamar Odom involved early offensively.
- Negate one of the Big Three on the offensive end.
- Look for Kobe to start the game extremely aggressive offensively.
- Try to get Fisher, Vujacic and Radmanovic some jump shots to force the Celtics to extend that defense.
- Be extremely physical with Garnett and a sore Paul Pierce.
Prediction
The Lakers have shown a great ability to rebound from tough losses all year, but the Celtics are great at home and I see this series going 2-0 headed back to Los Angeles.
MAXIMUST Said,
June 6, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
Hey Eddie!!! Big Fan!
There is just to much to handle for the Lakers…to many holes to fill…they need more production from Kobe, Lamar and Gasol…Gasol and Lamar are both passive caracter…against a Monster Like Garnett no chance…and the Laker bench full of kids…it’s a MAN’S GAME now…I suggest Phil to forget about those little yougster….except Turiaf always have some fire inside him…Radmanovic on Pierce what a Joke…The Lakers have tons of offensive weapon but no GUT’S…NO GUT’S NO GLORY!!!!
Michael Bennett Said,
June 6, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
I think it might take Kobe more than one game to figure out the Celtic’s defense. They’ve been unbelievably consistent all year long with their defense, and especially at home in the Playoffs. So, Kobe is probably going to struggle in Game 2. Game 3 will be different. That home court will open up Kobe’s game - he will get to the charity stripe more often with the home court refs, therefore letting the jumper fall more times than not.
I think the biggest thing that stood out in Game 1 was how much more Boston wanted it then the Lakers. They just looked so determined. They’re weren’t to be stopped. It looked like the Big 3 were waiting their entire lives to make it to the Finals, and when they finally got there, they showed just how individually good they are, and how well they compliment each other as a team.
The other horrible, horrible mistake was made by… DRUM ROLL PLEASE… Phil Jackson. I couldn’t believe it. Phil Jackson is one of the heroes, but he looked out of sync last night, especially with that last two minutes.
Last, but certainly not least…
Mark Jackson needs to shut up about the Kobe/MJ comparisons. Seriously. This is the only reason I never gave Kobe the credit he deserved. It was always because people think he’s as good or better than Michael. And, Mark Jackson said it again last night during the game. I love Kobe Bryant. I think he’s fantastic. I think, all around, he’s the 2nd best player in the league. And, I think he’s probably the 2nd best SG of all-time. Maybe Jerry West. But, for sanity sake, he’s not even close to Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever. He’s the best individual performer, and the best team players… okay, maybe Bill Russell is a better team player. But, you get the point. Is shouldn’t even have to write this. It’s fact. It’s known. But, dumb Mark Jackson HAS to be relevant, so he says dumb lines like “Kobe Bryant is just as good if not better than Michael Jordan.” He just makes himself look dumb. Kobe is brilliant on the court. He’s one of the best in the game today, arguably the best. Let’s leave it at that.
Luke Walton Celebrity Gossip | Thoughts on Game 1 Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 12:26 am
[...] Why did Boston win Game 1? Here are the keys… Celtics’ Big Three scored 65 points and Kobe shoots 9 for 26 When the Celtics’ Big three is scoring as a group it will be difficult for the Lakers to win one game. The Lakers had Paul Pierce under control until he caught fire. When all three are playing … Source: Thoughts on Game 1 [...]
Matt Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 6:15 am
am overseas on business, and it’s killing me. People say the Celtics play hard defense. I say they’re more like thugs. Not having seen the game it’s very tough to call this from afar, but just in watching the Clts play over the course of the playoffs, too many times someone else has ended up on fhe floor or hurting. The refereeing throughout the playoffs has been questionable. As to the Pierce thing, I haven’t seen anyone say it yet, but it smells like one Auerbach’s lowlife moves. C’mon..Willis Reed? Rocky? If they’re going to use cheap stunts then we should get some clowns and a pony to go along with the rest of the circus.The home court advantage has gotten way out of control for whatever reason this year, and this kind of stuff just tilts the wheel of fortune that little bit more. Play ball, not kabuki.
having diatribed my way into infamy, the reality is that we have a classic West Coast/East Coast old school finesse vs bangin style war. The Lakers need to turn up the volume on some House of Pain (jump around, anyone?) just to jack Boston a bit more…..and then beat them down, on the boards, on the outside, run them down the way Magic and Kareem and worthy used to…The Lakers have a bunch of kids who when their hair is on fire can be amazing…..but they don’t yet have the cold blooded intincts they’re going to need in a hostile house.
Jacob from Boston Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 7:02 am
Good article eddie, always enjoyed reading what you have to say.
you should have seen laker fans on http://www.celticsblog.com a few made posts saying (before the game) that the celtics had the dream ref match up and if they lost it was the refs fault.
Also they noted that derek fisher would dominate rondo and that would be why the celtics would lose…
so my question is…do laker fans follow basketball or do they just pretend to like everything else in hollywood?
dan Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 7:46 am
matt are you serious? the pierce thing wasn’t fake. everyone needs to stop saying it. do you really think paul pierce would purposely miss minutes in the game he’s been waiting for all his life? the wheelchair was clearly a precaution the trainers forced him to use and people need to get over it. saying the lakers will win by banging the boards is an awful statement. the lakers are a bad rebounding team and usually play a very small line up. the lakers need to hit their shots, not rebound better and everyone is finally realizing that the lakers won’t put up the same offensive efficiency they’re used to against the celtics defense. and please for the love of god don’t blame the refs after kobe shoots 9 for 26. the refs had nothing to do with it. I don’t know if you’ve watched a single celtics game in the playoffs but if you had, you would know we have gotten the worst calls. pierce offensive foul ringing a bell? one last thing, don’t ever compare kobe, pau and odom to magic, worthy and kareem because it is just a ridiculous statement. pau is weak and odom is a choke artist.
Celtics247.com » Blog Archive » Today’s Links 6/7 Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 9:55 am
[...] Library Paul Pierce: Inglewood or Hollywood? Slam Unsung hero of game 1: PJ Brown? HoopsHype Thoughts on game 1 AFP Lakers coach cynical about Pierce knee injury Pierce ignores long term injury risk to play in [...]
Anh Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
Much respect Eddie. Your blogs and breakdown of the games are always great. These other people who dissed you are just homers and speak too early before anything has ever happened.
Jman Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
So. All the Lakers/Kobe fans were talking trash, saying that Boston’s inexperience would kill them, but I seen some things alot of people aren’t recognizing. Sam Cassell did what he does best, and that’s shoot. I swear the ball didn’t stay in his hands more than 5 seconds before he shot it, but this series he’s making it. It’s kinda like the whole Shaq thing with free throws; When they need him to make the shots, he’ll make them. PJ Brown too picked up some rebounds and got a nice block on Kobe or someone.
As for the Pierce drama thing, that’s crap that anyone would try to call him out on that. I understand the reason they all flipped out and carried out like he was dying.IT”S THE FINALS!! Why risk making him walk out on his own and put pressure or weight on an injury that could be worse than it really is. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
The Celtics are going to take this thing in 6, and that’s only b/c of Kobe. I think in LA that some of the players will naturally pick it up, like Gasol and Odom. The Big 3 tend to start playing 1 on 5 basketball when the home team picks it up too much. And here too is where the bench has to step up. If Cassell and Posey,etc can keep the game close when the Big 3 rest, then when it’s Crunch Time we won’t have to see Pierce/Allen/KG taking stupid shots, like contested 3’s or 15 ft jumpers early in the shot clock.
Keep Ray Ray going, keep that Celtic Pride to motivate your defense, and hope the bench doesn’t stop producing, and this series will be over soon enough Lakers Fans.
jeremy Said,
June 7, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
for anyone who has followed the lakers this year and throughout the playoffs will tell you that game could easily be one of the worst games they have played since acquiring gasol. as the lakers have in every series besides denver this postseason, they lost the first game on the road. nobody, and i mean nobody has made game to game adjustments this postseason like phil jackson and the lakers have. yes…kobe struggled, but as bad as the lakers performed, they were still in that game throughout.
my opinion of boston remains the same as it has all playoffs. they are a good team, mentally tough…hardly, and they are basically a jump shooting team which is why they have struggled on the road.
what’s going to eventually kill boston is the lakers depth and their ability to put an offensive threat at every position on the floor at almost all times. as kobe begins to heat up, it makes it almost impossible for any team to stop the lakers offense because there is no real player you can cheat off of. after this team has won in both utah and san antonio, how could any of us doubt them winning game 2?
Jamal Jones Said,
June 8, 2008 @ 12:08 am
Thanks EJ for a wonderful article. Insightful and hits it home (I am rooting for your to join the coaching ranks!).
I do not think that anything more needs to be said about Game 1 — onwards to Game 2.
My gripe is how people want to claim Kobe is in the same league as MJ. Kobe went 9 for 26 in the NBA FINALS for crying out loud!! He went to the line 4 times!!! Do you think MJ (even dwyane wade for that matter) would ever have such a horrid performance on the world stage in the NBA finals (I think not)?! MJ played in an physical era, not now when the league is full of prima donnas, hand checking and zone defenses. Lets put this MJ / Kobe comparison to rest — MJ captured the world’s imagination whereas Kobe barely captures his teammates imagination.
Matt Said,
June 8, 2008 @ 2:33 am
Eddie, you know what you’re talking about.
For the Celtics, its Pierce, pierces the lane. He has to get in the paint, has to drive, has to shoot, has to lead the Celtics. If he doesn’t, the Celtics go to play is a jumper in the lane for KG. Put that against Kobe in a clutch situation, which would you rather have?
For the Lakers, you called it. Odom is key, and he must rise to the occasion. If he is not averaging at least 15, 9, 4, the Lakers have no chance. Gasol must also get up on the boards, he is the most talented big man the Lakers have, and he must bruise down low with the Celtics.
Keep writing, look forward to your offseason articles.
Jim Said,
June 8, 2008 @ 9:59 am
Lakers in 6! Boston had all those factors and they still barely won at home. Lakers will steal one in Boston and I don’t see anyone winning in Staples all year!
Jim Said,
June 8, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Lakers in 6! They will steal one game in Boston. I don’t see the Lakers losing at Staples Center in these playoffs.
Hun1 Said,
June 8, 2008 @ 11:03 am
Dont expect Kobe to continue to miss easy shots the rest of the series. Game 2 predictions:
Lakers Predictions
- Turiaf, Walton, and Sasha all contribute more in game 2
- Kobe will be over 50% from the field
- Lamar will grab close to 15 boards this game alone
- Gasol will score more than 25 points
- Lakers win by 9 points
Celtics Predictions
- KG will get his Points, boards, etc.
- Pierce scores under 20 points
- Ray will score slightly over 20 points
- Rondo will frustrate boston fans with turnovers and making dumb decisions.
Series will be tied 1 - 1
Michael Bennett Said,
June 9, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
I know I sometimes don’t call them correctly, but look at this guy Hun1.
That’s the worst predictions I’ve ever seen. Let’s see - here’s what he wrote AND what actually happened:
Lakers Predictions
- Turiaf, Walton, and Sasha all contribute more in game 2 (WRONG! - combined 14 points)
- Kobe will be over 50% from the field (WRONG! - 11-23 FG - 48%)
- Lamar will grab close to 15 boards this game alone (WRONG! - 8 rebounds)
- Gasol will score more than 25 points (WRONG! - 17 pts.)
- Lakers win by 9 points (WRONG! - Lakers lose by 6 pts.)
Celtics Predictions
- KG will get his Points, boards, etc.
- Pierce scores under 20 points (WRONG! - Pierce scores 28 pts.)
- Ray will score slightly over 20 points
- Rondo will frustrate boston fans with turnovers and making dumb decisions. (WRONG! - Rondo had 16 assists and only 2 TOs)
Series will be tied 1 - 1 (WRONG! - Series Celtics up 2-0)