Near the end of the Lakers' series-clinching Game 5 victory over the Spurs, chants of "We want Boston!" were said to have been heard at Staples Center. With the Spurs scoring under 100 points and a Laker victory in hand, it's possible that the chant was actually "We want tacos!" instead.
Let's go with the assertion though that the fans were calling for a match-up against the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Are they sure they'd rather face Boson than Detroit? Neither the Celtics nor the Pistons would be a dream matchup for the Lakers, considering both teams stress a defensive and physical style of play. But at this point you'd have to think that the Lakers would have a better time defeating the Pistons.
This Celtics team may not have the years of experience playing together this deep into the playoffs, but they're quickly showing that they have no problems winning close games against the league's best. Plus, Boston's strength is their league-leading defense and physical presence on the boards, something the Lakers aren't necessarily built to deal with. And even though Pau Gasol didn't play in either of the two meetings between the teams this season, the Celtics absolutely manhandled the Lakers in those games, winning both easily.
So what about the Pistons? Between Rip Hamilton's elbow, Chauncey Billups' hamstring, and Rasheed Wallace's crazy, there's a lot that could hinder the Pistons' chances of playing at the top of their game, which obviously would make things easier on the Lakers. Add in the fact that there's been at least one game every round of the playoffs where the Pistons just didn't show up mentally, and I think the Lakers would much rather face the team from Detroit.
I'm sure if you ask the Laker players, they'll give you the answer that it doesn't matter who the play in the Finals. But the fans might want to rethink things if they were indeed calling for the Celtics, instead of for their two free tacos.
Lakers vs. Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Sunday, May 25, 2008 in San Antonio. San Antonio won, 103-84. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
AP
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) of Argentina drives against Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Sunday, May 25, 2008 in San Antonio. San Anonio won 103-84. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
AP
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan looks to dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Sunday, May 25, 2008 in San Antonio. San Antonio won, 103-84. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
AP
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (R) shoots over San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (C) during Game 4 of their NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff series in San Antonio, Texas May 27, 2008. REUTERS/Eric Gay/Pool (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom reacts after scoring against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Tuesday, May 27, 2008 in San Antonio. He was fouled on the play and Los Angeles won 93-91. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
AP
San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), of France, wipes his face on his jersey as he walks past Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the closing minutes of the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals, Tuesday, May 27, 2008 in San Antonio. Los Angeles won 93-91. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
AP
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 27: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot against Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2008 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Lakers defeated the Spurs 93-91 to take a 3-1 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 27: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2008 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Lakers defeated the Spurs 93-91 to take a 3-1 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 27: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Fabricio Oberto #7 of the San Antonio Spurs go up for a rebound in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2008 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 27: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot over the hand of Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2008 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-30-2008 @ 12:09PM
frank said...
Be careful what you wish for;
Your wish may be granted;
Remember, Celtics beat LA already twice by double digits;
The fact is that LA played those 2 times without Gasol;
Gasol is a master in "D" but he will not outplay Boston ;So, will see.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 12:39PM
Matt Riggins said...
Lakers fans want Boston because we know that in order to be the best you have to beat the best. Nothing would be sweeter than following up just beating the defending champs by beating the team with the best record this season (and everyone's darlings), the Boston Celtics. Yes.. I do believe that in the final minutes (and outside in the street after the game) the fans were chanting "We want Boston!"
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 1:09PM
Mr_A said...
It's better to prove your the best by facing your best challenger. The Spurs or the Hornets could probably beat either Eastern team as well. Boston makes a better series. But if Boston chokes and the Pistons take it, we'll look forward to that matchup, too.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 1:22PM
RakuMon said...
Who doesn't want a Lakers-Celtics Finals? I might fire up my old Sega game in commemoration.
That said, the people chanting "We Want Boston" weren't the fans. It was ABC execs.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 1:25PM
frank said...
In the stock market is called " Insider trading " that is what Jerry West did;
That is why he was in LA giving the trophy
away to LA;
The real prize was Gasol for whatever name,done.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 1:41PM
Bill said...
Lakers would have a bad time with Detroit and an awful time with Boston. Two best NBA teams are playing each other in game 6 tonight. Defense wins championships and the Lakers other than Kobe are soft with no offensive or defensive intimidators in the paint.
Spurs and Hornets would have been done in 5 against Detroit or Boston. Lakers will be done in 6.
Bill
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5-30-2008 @ 1:56PM
frank said...
Bill, ( hopefully not Russell) Gasol is not soft;
In 2002 he was rookie of the year in the NBA;
In 2006 champions of the World;
He is younger, taller and smarter then KG,done.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 2:13PM
Nick said...
Who cares? The Lakers will win solely because the NBA is fixed. F KB in the A.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 2:34PM
Ron said...
This clown named Brett Edwards must be kidding. First of all, the Lakers didn't have Gasol for either of these regular season games. Second the Lakers play in a much more difficult conference. Third and extremely notable is the Lakers are 12-3 (80%) in the playoffs, while the Celtics are 11-8 (61%). Lastly, the Lakers have the greatest player in the NBA along with the grestest coach to ever grae the sport. Boston on the other hand has the big three, who lack any type of expirence at this level and a coach who likely shouldn't even have his job. At the end of all this the Lakers and the Celtics will hold 15 championships each.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 3:46PM
frank said...
Kobe and Gasol a deadly combo for any team,including Boston.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 3:49PM
jwesley0315 said...
I think the Lakers want Boston. I'm actually going for Boston. But I think the Lakers will have a tougher time against Detroit. At least 3 of their players that I know of have played together in the Conference finals 4 times together (Prince, Wallace, Hamilton); they have the experience. If the Lakers battle Detroit, I feel they are going to have a harder time getting the "W" than they would against Boston.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 3:59PM
mrhammerstein said...
@frank:
what are your thoughts on the KG trade? superstar for nobodies. how did minnesota do this year? and what about the spurs trading brent barry to their old friend in seattle only to have him not report and then magically sign back with the spurs 30 days later.
any "insider trading" going on with those trades. trades are always one sided. just about every trade is 'talent for money'. rarely ever are they 'equal talent for equal money'. memphis wanted money, lakers wanted talent. it worked out. boston wanted talent, minnesota wanted less money.
how is this different?
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 4:05PM
George said...
Ron: Try 16 for Boston...going on 17.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 4:10PM
frank said...
I forgat about the McHale deal via Angie;
You are right on that one.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 4:12PM
frank said...
Yeah Ron, 16 to 14 but the way that is going LA can catch up in a couple of years;
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 4:19PM
Dr Huxtable said...
It doesn't matter who LA wants. The league wants Boston and they're getting Boston.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 4:27PM
Ron said...
my bad... so, this year will make 16 Boston to 15 LA, sounds like we'll tie next year. and pull ahead sometime soon after that. Either way, LA is a sure fire bet...
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 4:28PM
Martin said...
Lakers match up better against Detroit than Boston, but the injury to Hamilton likely finished off Detroit. (Lakers beat Detroit in LA and barely lost to Detroit on the road without Bynum and Gasol). As for Boston, Gasol may be too weak to handle Perkins. One thought is to change their lineup and start Turiaf or Mbenga to cover Perkins, and have Gasol on Garnett and Odom on Pierce. They lose some firepower but gain some physicality. Plus, I don't know if Radman can cover Pierce.
I don't know where frank gets the idea that Gasol is a great defender. Last time I looked, Duncan was tearing Gasol up one on one. The biggest problem the Lakers had with San Antonio was that Gasol couldn't guard Duncan by himself, and when the Laker's double teamed, that left them vulnerable to the outside three point shot.
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5-30-2008 @ 4:46PM
frank said...
Martin there you are;
Turiaf from the get go ???umhhmmmm
I don't think so;
Don't let Gasol know how you feel about him;
If 19 boards 9 of them off. 4 blocks clean and 5 dimes does not convince you then I lost my case but I know deep inside you admire Gasol, later.
Reply
5-30-2008 @ 4:53PM
frank said...
And by the way Martin that is not the best part;
Gasol close spaces in the paint like no other that is why Parker did not have a free ride in the series and Manu as well;
If Parker did not go into the paint one too many times was ???? You guess it.
Also Kobe and Gasol understand each other deeply well when Kobe is in the paint guess who screens for him ? you guess it and vice-versa ;
You got to admit they are a deadly duo or dynamic duo or what ever, later.
Reply