I grew up as a Sixers fan witnessing the unbelievable talents of Dr. J.

He was my 'first' favorite player in the NBA.  During my childhood years I became to hate the Celtics and Lakers as they were the dominant teams while my hero could only go on to claim 1 title in his illustrious NBA career. 

Logically one would think that I would become a Jordan fan then, right?  Nothing further from the truth.  With all the Jordan hype and mayhem that ensued in his emergence, I was simply turned off.  I found myself searching for players/teams that would simply stand up to Jordan and his mighty Bulls.  Unfortunately, it was hard to find a player/team that I could truly endear myself to.  I hated Georgetown and Patrick Ewing, thus I could not like the Knicks and their brash team.  I disliked the Pistons, because...... well, they were the Pistons.  Unfortunately for the East, the days of the Pistons and Knicks of old, have brought about an 'ugly' brand of basketball that is not very fan friendly. 

That is when the league truly divided into the 'high-flying' West and the 'rough and tumble' East.  Since the early 90's the West has seen Run DMC in Golden State, Clyde Drexler and the potent Blazers, Karl Malone and John Stockton with the Jazz, Chris Webber (in his prime) and the Kings, Hakeem and the Rockets.  But in the East, there have been very few 'superstars'.  Guys who held the tag as 'the franchise'.  Sure we had Shaq in Orlando, but that was short-lived before his trade to LA, and the eventual crumble of the Magic after his departure.  Other than that, the East has had.............the Pistons?  Again? 

The very framework of the league is partial to the West right now.  It is fan appealing, and has the vast majority of elite-end superstars.  The East has the 'dreaded' Pistons and their multi-talented star-less crew, LeBron and the Cavs, and NOW the Celtics..........finally.......... again.  (I never thought I would ever type, much less say those words.)  I have always liked Ray Allen since his days at Connecticut.  I have always liked Paul Pierce since his days at Kansas.  And KG?  What is there not to like about the guy?  All three have usually been 'team' players and all about team basketball.  All-business, honest, and people that you would claim as trustworthy. 

I have openly pined for a Lakers/Celtics final this year.  I got my wish.  Unfortunately for us all, we are witnessing some of the worst basketball ever played in an NBA Finals series.  Is it the referees?  Doubtful, but many have proclaimed this Finals to be fixed by the Donaghy crapshoot and the 'horrific' referees in game 2.  Is it a dried out league due to overpaid and overhyped superstars?  Are players softer nowadays?  Can we all watch a game without a player vehemently complaining to a referee?  Is it the allowance of 'zone' defense?  

I don't know. 

But what I do know is the brand of basketball played by the Celtics and Lakers in the 80's was much more appetizing to watch.  And isn't that what the NBA is truly after? 

Now onto the Finals at hand.  I can't diss a Laker fan who felt the referees in game 2 were a bit 'easy' on the Celtics and 'hard' on the Lakers.  The 38-10 free throw discrepency is a bit alraming.  But it isn't like it hasn't happened before in the NBA playoffs this year.  In my eyes, I felt that the Lakers became relunctant throughout that game to blame the refs instead of hitching up their shorts and playing hard-nosed tough basketball.  Kobe in all his greateness nearly pulled off the 21 point deficit to claim victory in game 2.  WIthout any doubt, Kobe is one of the best 3 or 4 players in the league right now. 

The funniest thing to me is the switch and sway of fans, experts, and the like who proclaim each game as 'do or die'.  Every game in a 7 game series is crucial.  One does not trump the other.  And as it stands right now the Celtics enjoy a 3 - 1 advantage.

Will this series see a 7th and penultimate game?  Let me just say, I wouldn't bet against it.  Kobe is, and will be, a special palyer.  Just like LeBron is, and will be a special player.  Certain players have a 'knack' for the moment.  Kobe nearly brought the Lakers back from a 21 point 4th quarter deficit in game 2 against the Celtics in Boston.  Sure he needed help, but in the history of the NBA, who hasn't?

To call this series as being officially over is a bit misleading.  The Lakers were very competitive in Boston in both games.  As were the Celtics in the 1st two games in LA.  I called the series as a toss up from the start, and I fully expect it to get to a 6th game.......at the least. 

Are the Lakers done?  No. 

Are they close.  Sure. 

Will they roll over and die like many are predicting?  I very much doubt it.  They may lose game 5 in LA, but it won't be without a fight.  They may lose any of the remaining 3 potential games to Boston, but I fully expect a solid effort from Kobe and crew throughout. 

Question is:  Will they whine if the calls don't go their way, or will they hitch up their shorts and defend their Western Confernce Championship like many of us expected them to?  They have been hit in the mouth at home.  Giving up an NBA Finals record lead of 24 points should fuel anybody's fire.  

Step up, or chump out and whine.  It is time to see what Kobe, Phil and the Lakers really have.  And if I'm right, I think they have a lot of fight left in them. 

Like they say, it isn't over 'til its over.  

Celtics in 7.

First and foremost congratualations to the coaches, players, fans, and organizations of the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.  Both teams have encountered tough opponents, and some tough series to get this far.

The NBA Finals start on Thursday @ 9:00 EST this week.  Good news for Cleveland Cavaliers fans because LeBron and company need some rest after a hard fought 6 game series with the Detroit Pistons. 

The King vs. Mr. Fundamental.  LeBron vs. Duncan.  Easily 2 of the 5 five best players in the league will be the spotlight in this matchup.  But in all reality, they will not be the deciding factors.  San Antonio does not have a matchup for LeBron, and Cleveland definitely does not have anyone to guard Duncan.  Bowen and Ilgauskas will try mightily but will need a ton of help to be successful.  Holding either player under 25 points will take a huge effort by either team.

I say, why fight it.  Especially for the Cavs.  Let Duncan get his 30+, just don't let Ginobli, Parker or Finley kill you.  IF the Cavs can hold GInobli, Parker, and Finley from having break out scoring efforts of 20 or more they just might have a chance. 

WIth that said lets analyze the matchups:

Point Guard:  Tony Parker vs. Larry Hughes/Daniel Gibson.  I've felt that Larry Hughes has been the achilles heel for the Cleveland Cavaliers these entire playoffs.  He did step up and perform admirably in the Detroit series but it was his bench counterpart, Daniel Gibson, that put the Cavs over the top to defeat the Pistons.  Tony Parker is playing the best basketball of his career.  No doubt this has to favor the Spurs, but if Gibson can keep up his play from the Detroit series this may not be as much of a no brainer as we all might think:  Advantage:  Spurs

Guard/Forward:  Sasha Pavlovic vs. Ginobli/Finley.  Along with Duncan, this is where San Antonio will enjoy their biggest advantage.  Sasha is getting better but he is a far cry from Ginobli or Finley.  Unless Sasha can bring some serious game, this is what I consider the difference in the entire series.  Advantage:  Spurs.

Guard/Forward:  LeBron vs. Bruce Bowen.  Bruce Bowen is considered one of the best lock down defenders in the league.  So was Tayshaun Prince.  Advantage:  Cavs.

Power Forward:  Duncan vs. Gooden/Varejao:  Cleveland will try to guard Duncan with a 3 headed rotation in Ilgauskas, Gooden, and Varejao.  None of those matchups are good for Cleveland, heck they struggled guarding Rasheed in the post.  Cleveland will need to avoid as much foul trouble as possible in this matchup.  Don't be surprised if Duncan fouls a couple of these guys out in a couple of games.  Advantage:  Spurs.

Center:  Ilgauskas vs. Oberto:  The All-Ugly 1st- Team NBA team members go head to head in this matchup.  This is a foreigner freak show.  These guys are both built around defense and rebounding, although Ilgauskas has a little more scoring punch.  Advantage:  Cavs

Bench:  With Horry, Ginobli, and Brent Barry coming off of the bench, the Spurs look to have a decisive advantage.  Don't be so quick to give it to San Antonio.  WIth the added punch that Gibson has supplied off the bench, the hustling of Varejao, and the sometimes clutch shooting of Donyell Marshall, the Cavs aren't as outdistanced in this category as you might think.  But with the experience and deeper bench, the Spurs have the edge.  Advantage:  Spurs

Coaching:  Gregg Popovich vs. Mike Brown:  You're kidding right?  This is probably the worst matchup of them all for Cavs fans.  Popovich is probably the most underrated coach in the league.  Personally, I think he is the best.  His counterpart on the Cavs sideline is easily one of the worst coaches in the league.  Advantage:  Spurs

As you can see, I don't see a bright outlook in this one for the Cavs.  They have matchup problems abound all over the court, and their biggest problem is the matchup OFF the court between the two head coaches. 

Unless LeBron can bring to the table 4 more of his Game 5 performances in the Eastern Conference Finals, I don't see this one as being much of a contest. 

But then again, we all thought Dallas would dominate Miami last year, and that the Lakers would throttle the Pistons in 2004.  Stranger things have happened and the Cavs may be a team with destiny on their side.  However, I'll call for this magic carpet ride to come to a screeching halt.   The Cavaliers are a year or two away, and the Spurs are too veteran a squad to let this opportunity slip by.

Final Pick:  Spurs in 5.