For the first time since 2004 all 3 of the NBA's most popular teams are in the playoffs, the Knicks, Lakers, and Celtics have historically been the leagues biggest draw. Of the 3 aforementioned teams only two have these teams have been competitive in recent history as the Lakers and Celtics have met in 2 of the last 3 NBA Finals splitting world champions at one apiece. Last years finals were epic going seven full games. The 2009-2010 NBA Finals was a chippy nip tuck series that seamed to have a different hero every night. As the last few weeks of the season have unfolded the haters have been coming out of the woodwork listing out reasons why the Lakers and Celtics couldn't possibly match up in another Final. The biggest reason of all... AGE! For these two ball clubs the majority of their respective rosters are over the age of 30 while the new stars of the league are all under the age of 30 ( Derrick Rose, Lebron James, Dewayne Wade, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony) you get the idea. I would like to say one word to all the critics. Beware! You never under estimate the heart of a champion. Professional basketball has one of the longest and most grueling, travel plagued seasons in all of professional sports and its not always easy to keep your eye on the prize in a season that starts the week of Halloween and ends the steamy days of June. Both of these squads are stacked through the moon with savvy veteran players who have won on the biggest stage and more importantly hold others accountable. Kobe Bryant is one of the leagues all time biggest winners hoisting a handful of championship rings and has a supporting cast that includes a plethora of athletes, play makers and crazy length. The Celtics have the big 4 and a clutch shooter in Pierce along with tenacious defenders in PF Garnett and PG Rondo, and the most efficient 3 point sniper in NBA history RAY ALLEN.( Nailing more 3’s at a better percentage than any player in the history of the league and yes that includes Reggie Miller). UNDERRATED! Add some new faces like Matt Barnes, Shaquille Oneal, Jermaine Oneal, Jeff Green, and Steve Blake to the mix and this series could be made for the Silver Screen. Regardless of all of this, these are still the NBA Playoffs and as in any basketball tournament anything can happen. I have to seriously question the trade deadline deal that the Celtics made in shipping away big man Kendrick Perkins, he was a hard nosed defender that would really help them out with opposing post players and handle the dirty work in the paint. One has to wonder if Shaq can stay healthy enough to eat up space. The Celtics were destroyed on the glass this season, but the playoffs are a different animal. As for the Lakers it really comes down to health and focus. The Lakers have played more games over the past 4 years than any team in the league. With 3 straight finals appearances it would be easy for an older team to get complacent. If the Zen Master can keep the team focused (I would say he can -11 Rings) then L.A. has the arsenal of weapons to 3 peat. The Lakers need to remain healthy, they have a lot of people who know their roles and bring a different bag of tricks to the table and I think this years field of opponents is so strong that the Lake Show will need all of their ingredients to cook up another championship meal. I'm not Miss Cleo and unfortunately I cannot predict the future, but as a basketball fan I would love to see another version of the NBA's most fierce rivalry, Celtics vs. Lakers for all the marbles. Youth can wait.
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