So I was half right. At the beginning of the season I predicted a NBA Finals matchup of LeBron James and his Cavaliers against the Los Angeles Ron Artests. But with fate turning out to be a New York Knicks or Boston Celtics fan, however you look at it, the most unlikely team emerged from the East to renew over time what is revealing to be the best rivalry in sports.
So it’s predictions time right? After all, my predictions have been awesome since my pick of the Steelers winning Super Bowl XLIII.
Every bone in my body tells me not to pick against the Lakers. They’ve got the better coach, the league’s best closer, homecourt advantage and five different Artest personalities. And yet this team doesn’t strike me as this year’s champions. Whenever the Lakers have physically been tested, they back down.
Artest is the only one who won’t take a hit and back down from it. I look at the Lakers and one word comes to mind. Soft The Celtics have grit, a roster full of NBA Finals experience, and the toughness it takes to put a team with guys who have names like Sasha in their place.
Every bit says the Lakers should win this in six games. Well, it’s a good thing I got a listening problem. Celtics in five.