NBA FINALS "LAKERS vs. PISTONS"

[Micchy_boy]

it official it will be Lakers vs. Detroit. a rematch of finals long long time ago. 1989 featuring the showtime vs the badboys. now it maybe Showtime II vs. the Bad boyz II. well i guess.

first of all i like that detroit advance to finals coz i think detroit will give a better fight on lakers than the pacers with full of injuries. and i think its better to defeat a great team in finals.

now lets look at the match-up.

O'neal vs. B.Wallace
Malone vs. R.Wallace
George vs. Prince
Bryant vs. Hamilton
Payton vs Billups

Fisher vs. James
Mednevenko vs. Okur
Rush vs. Hunter
Fox vs Williamson

well i can tell who got the edge but im routing for my lakers all the way.
it will be lakers in 6.

[Andrew]

Right now with the Eastern Finals 3-2 in the favour of the Pistons, I'm guessing that the NBA Finals will be Lakers vs Pistons, with the Lakers prevailing in five or six. I'd be disappointed if they swept, because the Pistons (or even the Pacers if they somehow win in seven) should be able to steal at least one game on their home floor.

I had hoped for Timberwolves/Pacers, but I guess this will do.

[Fresh8]

I predict Lakers vs. Detroit

Lakers win in 4...sweep series while Karl Malone wins Finals MVP because Kobe/Shaq were co-MVP's but both of them donated the trophy to Malone and the media finds GP in the bathroom crying, "Wat about me?!"

Hopefully my lucky egg will do the trick. Just like Lakers vs. T-wolves!

[Bang]

Lakers vs. Detroit: Lakers in 6. (Maybe 5...I don't think they'll sweep though.)
Lakers vs. Pacers: Lakers sweep.

The reason? Simple.
Detroit has better matchups. Pacers just can't stop Shaq in any way, shape, condition, possibility or form. Jermaine O' Neal? Oh c'mon, he's injured. So Detroit will fare better even though Pacers and Detroit are about the same overall.
Kobe wins MVP since Kobe will probably have to do more in Detroit series, (Wallace and Ben guarding Shaq) but you never know if Shaq will just dominate, period, or maybe the votes will be split so bad that Malone will end up winning it (doubt that)...or Payton(nope).

[JBalfour4]

FOUR WORDS - PACERS GOT HURT PLAYERS


Pistions vs. Lakers

Big Ben vs. Shaq (damn I can't wait!!!!!!!)

Rip vs. Kobe (Kobe better do a lot of running)

Winner ........ you tell me

[EGarrett]

Though my powers of prediction seem to be short-circuiting a bit this year, I'd have to say Lakers in 4 or 5 over whoever gets there. Due to the "Happy to be there" thing.

[Steve04]

If it's the Pistons, isn't it a shame that both times Larry Brown has reached the finals in the last few years he's had to go through Shaq and Kobe?

[Andrew]

I've edited the title on Micchy_boy's behalf now that we know it will be Lakers/Pistons.

[Jay-Peso]

Sorry about that thread Andrew

I am sorry to say but the Eastern Conference is going to have a tough time to win this year.

I want the Pistons to win but I think the Lakers are to strong for them but we will see. Can't wait for Game 1

[beau_boy04]

I have no favorites but I favor my team LA in 6 games. A sweep would not happen in this series. Lakers team is too inconsistent.
Believe me Pistons have the right personnel who can put a stop in Shaq. The Wallace's, Prince, etc and they can all block shots. I can't wait to see K Malone and B Wallace match up though.

Thanks.

[Matt]

indeed an interesting series this will be...the two best teams in each conference make it

anyways, get ready to see Shaq play dirty, remember in the season games he got frustrated by Ben Wallace and gave him two hard fouls which resulted in a lower back injury for Ben? Ben aint scared of Shaq. They split the series 1-1. Since then.....Kobe has been better and RIP has been better

Rasheed gets another shot at the Lakers....this could be motivating for him, he gets to have a crack at a team that came back from a 15pnt deficit to defeat his Blazers in 2000.

I'm deffinately going for the Pistons. If the Lakers do win though, I hope it's the last time for a while. Since MJ left it's been Spurs, Lakers 3x and Spurs. In the East it's been NY, Indy, NJ 2x ..........a little less title hogging by the Lakers would be interesting

[wangster]

Lakers in 5

I hate to see them win a championship. I hate to see Karl Malone win a championshipl. But it will happen. Nothing but all the planets aligning with all the possible voodoos in this universe will prevent the "better team" from winning the NBA Finals.

i hope i'll get to eat my words...

[Fresh8]

Here is my 'in-depth' preview:

Centers

Shaq; MDE and Big Ben will take it into the paint in this series. I would expect this match-up to be the big one in the series because evryone thinks that Shaq is the guy who is driving the Lakers in every game. If Wallace shuts Shaq down, is this the turning point of the Laker's winning form?

Ben Wallace will need to play his best defence on Shaq and then try and contribute on the other end too. I don't think Shaq will have trouble playing D on Wallace. Of course, Wallace's role on the team isn't scoring so as long as he plays real tight defence on Shaq- it's all good for the Pistons.

However, I'll go with Shaq in this match-up... because he can do everything!

Advantage: Lakers

Frontcourt

Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace will be matching up against Devean George and Karl Malone.

Devean has been on and off in the play-offs. But when he shoots well, the Lakers seem to win games much more easily. If he can play more consistently in this series, Shaq and Kobe will have less double-teams to face. But he'll have to get past Prince who is playing well this playoffs. Apparently, the Pistons have been recieving less e-mails concerning Carmelo Anthony after that Game 2 winning block!

Karl Malone and Rasheed Wallace will be an interesting match-up. Malone has mentioned that he'll be 'showing up' in the Finals and I hope we'll see more of him. Plus- Malone will be playing for that ring...it might be his last chance. And Rasheed will also be motivated to play well in the series because he missed the finals back in 2000 due to that fourth quater breakdown with the Blazers! (I think he is waiting to get his revenge)

The key for the Pistons is their stingy defence and in my opinion Wallace's offensive contribution. And I think the Pistons frontcourt does have an edge against the Lakers, only because of George's inconsistency and Wallace's defence.

Advantage: Pistons

Backcourt

It's the man in the mask, the Butler against the Glove and KB8.

Richard Hamilton has just finished playing a brilliant Conference Finals against Indiana. He averaged 24 ppg and scored a career high 33 points, a few days ago. He is quick off the pick and his release is lightning quick. If the Lakers want to shut him down, Kobe will need to play his some-what non-existent defence! I believe that Billups has had a quiet playoffs but he is still a main contributor with the Pistons. He is averaging 15.5 ppg and 6.2 apg. He will also need to chip in a few points in order to sink the Lakers.

Gary Payton. What can I say. He doesn't really fit in with the team right now but he is helping the team. His minutes have been cut ever since Jax decided that he should split the minutes up so that D Fish gets some action too. Payton who is 35, will have to play his trademark defence (if it's still in him!) and make the most of his minutes.

Kobe Bryant, 'the closest thing to MJ - if there is a closest thing,' as someone said (I believe it was someone on Minnesota's coaching staff...), will need to be moving all the time with all the picks being set. He will need to try and keep up with the endurable Hamilton and try to shut him down. I believe that if Kobe can limit Rip to 10 - 15 points, the Lakers will win easily. But as all ways- Kobe is unpredictable!

I think both backcourts are evn because of the Laker's unpredictability and inconsistency and Rip's slashing/scoring ability. And Billup's will be more consistent than Payton, I assume.

Advantage: Even

Coaches

Larry Brown and Phil jackson. Phil must have the edge here, courtesy to hype cause he may win his 10th championship! And Larry Brown...if they lose I'll be asking,"What if they let Milicic play!" or "What if they had Melo!"

Advantage: Lakers

Bench

Detroit only main contributor off the bench may be Corliss Williamson. Don't expect any heroes coming off the bench top win a game for the Pistons! I think the starting five will play most of the game!

The Lakers main bench players are: Derek Fisher, Medvedenko, and Rick Fox (Fox who has just been reput into the rotation)... these guys are good especially Fisher who will need to play real good if Payton needs someone to fill in. Medvedenko will need to rebound well if he is playing for Shaq (If Shaq is in foul trouble)....The Lakers have a deeper bench in terms of individual strengths. Rush can shoot, Walton is smart, Fox has the hustle, and Fisher is Fisher.

Anything is possible in a ball game, but I think there is a much higher chance that a sixth man from the Lakers will win a game rather than a Pistons benchman would....

Advantage: Lakers

Final Decision

The Lakers have had a rough season and after knocking out the best team in the West; during the regualr season and the defending champs, they look on task to win their 4th trophy in 5 years. If they win, Payton and Malone will get their rings and maybe stay for 04-05 and Phil will have his 10th ring as a coach. Kobe may also stay because of this!

The Pistons have an outside chance of being a threat. Defence is their strength and they'll need it to beat LA. But they will need to score too and thiey will rely on Hamilton to keep Kobe busy on the offensive end. And I believe that even if Detroit gets hot...it will only last one or two games.

I believe the Lakers will sweep the Pistons. They have home-court advantage which is a big plus!

And also. Kobe Bryant for Finals MVP!

[.]

This should be a very very nice series, you got 1 of the best defenders in the league playing against the Most Dominant Player in the league, we will see Rasheed Wallace back bringing up 2000 memories etc...

But after all of this has been played, I can see the winner in either 4 games or 5, but the Lakers are like the weather, so we dont know how they will play this game, and come out next game, but I do think that the Spurs and the Timberwolves had the better team then the Pistons have, and the Lakers defeated both of them in 6 games (including a 4-0 streak on the defending champions). Malone will probably defend Wallace the same way like he did on Garnett, because both of them love to post and shoot the fallaways, so you better see him pulling the chair or something.

I would like to see how Ben Wallace responds to Kobe driving, will he step up and leave Shaq behind him for the easy dish, or will he stay with Shaq and trust his teammates to stop Kobe from penetrating, because once Kobe is at the rim and the defense has picked him up, then its over when Shaq has the ball, no time to recover.

I think Kobe will play on his best and be alot more agressive to win the Finals MVP award, Kobe has faced better defenders then Richard Hamilton this series, and still it was hard to slow him down, the Rockets and Timberwolves did a good job on double teaming him on the Malone/Shaq pick and roll, but this can be stopped by passing when the helping defender is coming at you, but not close enough to stop the pass to Malone/Shaq, I saw this a couple of times in the final period of game 6 vs Minnesota. I dont know if they will double him, but I want him to go inside instead of forcing fallaway shots or 3-pointers like he did in the San Antonio Series, also...dont ask the screen to often because the defense will find a way to slow it down whatever will happen.

Predictions: Lakers 4-1 (I would say 4-0 if the Lakers were more consistent.)
MVP: Kobe Bryant (This is his best chance at winning one in his career, and I believe he is going for it)

[MVP]

A Lakers win in 5 or 6. I think the Lakers have depth and experience advantage. If Ben Wallace has to cover Shaq one-on-one, Wallace will be in foul trouble. However, I think the Pistons only chance would be to double team Shaq and Kobe at every opportunity. They have to try and force Malone/Payton/George/Fisher/Rush to make the big shots.

Honestly, I hope the Pistons take this even though I don't think they can.

[Jackal]

Lakers in 5.

[Ruff Ryder]

Two words: Rasho Nesterovic! (wait that was the spurs)

LA in 6. Ben Wallace may be buff, but Shaq is buffer. The Pistons probably won't get much out of Ben on the offensive end. I think Kobe is too much for Rip.

If the Lakers learn to not leave guys wide open, then they will win.

[Yessie]

As ive been saying all year. Kobe,Shaq,Mailman, and payton will take the lakers to there 4th title in 5 yrs. i was just waiting on what team from the east was going to be sacraficed to the Los Angeles Lakers. i hate to tell all the laker haters out there but i told you so.

[Alcoholic]

I don't know for sure but is Kobe going to go to court anytime during the finals? Because if he does then maybe that good luck charm kind of thing will give him like 40 points and possibly a triple double, and that would really help him get the MVP award. It's a shame I think that he hasn't won any MVP awards, mainly because Shaq is the one that gets it. And this is possibly the last chance Karl Malone has to get a ring. Personally I think he would have won at least one ring if MJ wasn't around when he and stockton were.

[matmat8]

I don't know for sure but is Kobe going to go to court anytime during the finals? Because if he does then maybe that good luck charm kind of thing will give him like 40 points and possibly a triple double, and that would really help him get the MVP award. It's a shame I think that he hasn't won any MVP awards, mainly because Shaq is the one that gets it.

Well that's because shaq deserved his MVP awards back then even though kobe was already a great player.

[.]

I think this whole going to Colorado thing to get better numbers is crap created by the media, maybe Kobe is more pumped up after court, but he should play like that every single game, if he can do it with minumum sleep, then why wouldnt he do it when he is well rested? that doesnt make sense to me, I want him to attack the rim every game, not just after court

[Andrew]

As ive been saying all year. Kobe,Shaq,Mailman, and payton will take the lakers to there 4th title in 5 yrs. i was just waiting on what team from the east was going to be sacraficed to the Los Angeles Lakers. i hate to tell all the laker haters out there but i told you so.

On behalf of everyone who doesn't necessarily like the Lakers but gives credit where credit is due, I'd just like to say that we're not all "haters" - we just happen to like other teams and have different opinions.

[Matt]

hmmm, i wonder who will pick up Hamilton. If Kobe does this may somewhat take away from his offense, and if Payton does then Hamilton has a huge advantage. Billups love to play against the Lakers, over the last two seasons he'd had some great games, including a 33 point massacre of Kobe and Fisher that had Jax about to barf! Anyways, stopping Hamilton will be key for the Lakers....that mofo Artest couldn't do it

[Ben-le-ouf]

LOS ANGELES LAKERS !

And for the 1st time, KOBE will be MVP.

[Micchy_boy]

hmmm, i wonder who will pick up Hamilton. If Kobe does this may somewhat take away from his offense, and if Payton does then Hamilton has a huge advantage. Billups love to play against the Lakers, over the last two seasons he'd had some great games, including a 33 point massacre of Kobe and Fisher that had Jax about to barf! Anyways, stopping Hamilton will be key for the Lakers....that mofo Artest couldn't do it

i think kobe will guard Rip .kobe offense might be affected but i know he can still deliver his number offensively. well also i think if rip will guard kobe then it may affect somewhat his offensive. so i think it will just crossed out.