NBA Finals Positional Analysis

Here we are on the morning of the beginning of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. For your enjoyment (or amusement), here's my take on the position matchups.

Point Guard: Rajon Rondo v. Derek Fisher
It's easy to say that Boston holds an overwhelming advantage in Rondo. Don't be that quick, although he does. Keep this in mind. When Boston won the title in '08, Rondo was basically a hall monitor. He pretty much observed the action and didn't initiate any. He has that role now. Fisher isn't a true point guard as he doesn't handle the ball the majority of the time. We all know the Lakers offense runs through Kobe, but do not discount Fisher's role on the team. And he knows his role. Plus, Rondo is a bit banged up.
Advantage: Celtics

Shooting Guard: Ray Allen v. Kobe Bryant
This is a tad closer than people may think. On any given night, Allen still possesses the ability to drop 30 on you. The difference here is that Bryant will be the guy in his face and Kobe takes pride in his defense. As I stated in the point guard section, the Lakers let their offense run through Kobe and he handles the ball more than Fisher. Allen will have to be alert when on defense and with all of Bryant's activity on the offensive end, that could tire Allen. I don't think Allen will drop 30 on the Lakers, but don't be surprised if he squeezes out a couple of games in the high 20's just to let the basketball world know he still has game.
Advantage: Lakers

Shooting Forward: Paul Pierce v. Ron Artest
First and foremost, will Artest display a new hairdo? Haven't seen one yet, but we all know Artest can be open to experimenting with his coif. That out of the way, this is the most interesting matchup, and maybe most crucial, in the series. Artest has sacrificed his offense for the greater good of the team, a trait we haven't observed from Ron in the past. It has provided him a chance to clamp down even more on the defensive end of the floor. Pierce is his next target and you better believe that Pierce will have a tough go of it. In '08, there was no Ron Artest on the Lakers roster. There is in '10 and if Artest plays defense like we've seen in the past, the Lakers could walk away with a title. That's "if".
Advantage: Celtics

Power Forward: Kevin Garnett v. Pau Gasol
I think Lakers coach Phil Jackson made a mistake in calling attention to Garnett and his physical play against Dwight Howard in the Eastern Conference Finals. Not that KG needed to wake up, but this will only serve to motivate him more. But Garnett must be weary of not becoming too intense as he is prone to do. Garnett's physical play will need to be more prevalent on the defensive end as Gasol is no pushover. He's a double-double machine and he has skill to boot. Gasol was viewed as "soft" in the '08 Finals and I expect Garnett to take the ball at him at every conceivable chance he gets. Look for Gasol to try to overturn that "soft" tag this time around, but I'm not sure he can.
Advantage: Celtics

Center: Kendrick Perkins v. Andrew Bynum
Both are hobbled. Bynum by a knee and Perkins with technicals. Both mean so much to the interior defense, but Bynum has more offensive game than Perkins. Can Bynum's drained knee hold up to the physicality he'll get from Perkins? Will Perkins get slapped with that seventh playoff "T"? I'm thinking Perkins get #7 before the end of Game 1 which the C's cannot afford.
Advantage: Lakers

Bench
It's no secret that Los Angeles doesn't get near the support from its bench as Boston does. Only Lamar Odom presents any threat to the Celtics. The issue with Boston's bench is health. Rasheed Wallace's back, Tony Allen's ankle and Glenn Davis' concussion have all had time to heal, and that presents even more problems for Los Angeles. The Lakers desperately need Jordan Farmar and Sheldon Brown to heavily contribute for the Lakers to win, and I don't see that happening. And don't forget that pesky Nate Robinson either.
Advantage: Celtics

Coach: Doc Rivers v. Phil Jackson
I like Doc Rivers. So do his players. They'd jump trough fiery hoops for this guy. I'm not sure if the Lakers would do that for Phil Jackson, but Phil has a ring for every digit on both of his hands. That's worth something, isn't it?
Advantage: Lakers

That makes 4 in favor of Boston and 3 in favor of Los Angeles. No, I'm not going to consider homecourt advantage because Boston plays better on the road. The C's can win at home when they need to...usually. I know I'm in the minority here, but I feel the Celtics will win this series. The 2-3-2 format presents a different animal and another obstacle for the Lakers. Sure, Phil and Kobe have lived it before (Phil has a lot!), but as I said above, the Pierce-Artest matchup is the key. If Artest can't shut down Pierce, then Boston grabs another. If the C's garner a split at the Staples Center, it will only give them more confidence that they can pull off another win in LA when they return for Game 6 and cap off the series with their 18th title. ESPN's Tim Legler agrees with me. Is that good or bad?

Just don't let my brother know I picked his Celtics. I'd never hear the end of it.