Celtics @ Lakers preview: NBA Rivals matchup as trade deadline looms

March 11, 2012 Leave a comment

After squeaking out a comeback victory in Minnesota (minus Kevin Love) on Friday, the Lakers come home to Staples Center to take on the Celtics in a matchup of the NBA’s biggest rivalry. Here are 5 pre-game story lines for today’s nationally-televised game in Los Angeles:

Rondo, Celtics eating up Boston Chatter

Boston comes into Staples just four days prior to the NBA trade deadline as Rajon Rondo for Pau Gasol trade rumors continue to fly. While both Bynum and Gasol have been the subject of numerous trade scenarios, almost everyone on Boston is reportedly on the market. The Celtics are actively trying to move Rondo, Ray Allen and Jermaine O’Neal’s expiring contract and have even warmed to the idea of dealing Paul Pierce. Like Gasol however, the Celtics veterans have all played quite well through the rumors.

Green Day at Staples Center

The Celtics and Lakers matchup at 12:30pm PST today on ABC. Despite beating the rival Heat handily last Sunday on national TV, the Lakers typically don’t play well in these Sunday day-game time slots. Kobe and the Lakers also wear their alternate white uniforms on Sundays, another bad omen for Los Angeles. Luckily the Lakers do have their own 5-Ring Clover in Bryant to counter the unlucky leprechauns.

Pau Gasol, Rajon Rondo, Gasol-Rondo trade, Lakers trade

Lakers fans would love to see Gasol play more feisty, kind of like Rondo.

Rivers, What’s up Doc?

While the Lakers have the Masked Black Mamba, the Boston Celtics have an x-factor of their own. Yes, Lakers Coach Mike Brown is a fine coach. Especially defensively. But you’ve got to give the coaching edge to 2-time NBA champion Doc Rivers in this particular matchup. Unlike Brown, Rivers is a master of making adjustments both in-game and at halftime. This could be key if the Lakers build an early lead up like they’re known to do.

Celtics no match for Lakers’ Jolly Green Giants

Green will be all over Staples Center on Sunday. Green uniforms for Boston, green beer for St. Patrick’s Day and of course the Lakers’ Jolly Green Giants. Without a legitimate big man like Kendrick Perkins and Shaquille O’Neal to man the paint, Boston has been forced to use Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass and even Chris Wilcox at center. The Green Giants of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol should eat the smaller Celtics front line alive if they get enough touches. After all, our Lakers bigs like Boston chowder too.

Lakers a pot of Purple & Gold at Home

Perhaps the biggest pot of gold (and purple) for the Lakers today is the fact they’re at home. The Lakers are 17-2 on their home floor, compared to a horrid 7-14 record on the road. One of those losses was against the Chicago Bulls in a game the Lakers gave away and the other one was an ugly loss to the Pacers in which the Lakers led late. In other words, the Lakers almost never lose at Staples Center.

Lakers fans — do the Lakers get the victory today at Staples to go 2-0 against the rival Celtics? Do you think all of the trade rumors surrounding Rondo and Gasol will affect them and if so, who more?

Filed under Boston Celtics, LAKERS RIVALRY, SEASON Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shaq Up in Beantown – Ex-Laker Shaquille O’Neal opts for Celtics

August 4, 2010 1 Comment

It was only a matter of time before the Big Aristotle became “the Big Shaqrecaun”. Okay maybe that nickname needs work, but the point is Shaquille O’Neal is officially part of the Boston Celtics and it feels weird and kind of creepy if you’re a Lakers fan. Before signing, Shaq had failed to land mid-level exception offers from Atlanta, Dallas and even teams in Europe (can you say desperate?). After the Cavs said thanks but no thanks to re-signing the Big Fella, Shaq realized there weren’t many options left.

Boston Market

Enter Boston, a team in the market for size after the starting center Kendrick Perkins severely injured his knee in the 2010 NBA Finals. Shaq reportedly signed a 2-year deal for the veteran’s minimum totaling $2.8 million. Ouch, major hit to the ego (not to mention the pocket book). The Celtics have now reloaded their frontcourt with the addition of Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal and should give the Miami Heat fits down low come playoff time. NBA fans, are you feeling a Lakers-Heat or Lakers-Celtics 2011 NBA Finals?

Shaq hopes to be a 4 ring clover for the Celtics this year in Beantown. Speaking of beans, that's still 1 ring behind Kobe Bean Bryant.

Shaq Bench Press

The Celtics pressed Shaq to come off the bench before they agreed to sign him. All indications point to Shaq being okay with this, but you just know he’s licking his chops waiting for starting center Jermaine O’Neal to get injured. Yes, a literal Shaq attack! Which brings me to my next point: Boston now has two O’Neals. There are only two O’Neals in the entire NBA and they both play for Boston now. This means Shaq’s jersey is going to have S. O’Neal on the back rather than just O’Neal. Another hit to the ego!

O’Neals are Ol’ Neals

Regardless of who gets more minutes, both O’Neals are old and injury-prone and neither is explosive anymore. Jermaine will begin the year as the starter after averaging 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season in Miami. The Celtics can expect similar or slightly better numbers from him while knowing he can get injured at any moment. No stranger to injury himself, the other other O’Neal (that’s right Shaq has fallen that far) will have to prove to the Boston faithful that he still has something left in the tank.

Filed under 2010 Free Agency, Boston Celtics, FREE AGENTS, LAKERS RIVALRY Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

Perks and Benefits – Kendrick Perkins out for Game 7 of NBA Finals

June 16, 2010 Leave a comment

It’s official Lakers fans…Celtics center Kendrick Perkins will not play in Game 7 on Thursday after tearing both the MCL and PCL ligaments in his knee.  In fact, Perk won’t be playing for cool minute.  Injuries like this are typically season-ending, so he’ll be lucky if he’s ready for opening night next season.

Knee injury aside, isn't it about time Kendrick gets his jaundice checked out?

It’s no secret that Boston’s loss of Perk is to the Lakers Benefit, in a big way.  The only true intimidating big body for the C’s inside the paint, Perk’s absence should mean plenty of easy buckets for Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.  The Lakers also should be able to control the battle of the boards, and we all know that the winner of that statistic has gone on to win every Finals game.

In other words, Go Lakers!!!  In closing, I can’t help feel like Karma is on our side as now the Celtics know how it feels to lose their starting center for a critical game or series.

Filed under 2010 NBA Finals, Boston Celtics, LAKERS RIVALRY, NBA FINALS Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

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