The Lakers have to win at least one on the road to win the series.
They will win two.
In Bryant, they have the league's MVP and best closer, a player capable of carrying his team for stretches with talent and sheer force of will.
"He can do some amazing things. He might be the X-factor," said Coby Karl, who has been impressed by Bryant's dedication to the sport and his game. "You can see his commitment level is higher than most guys in the NBA."
Kobe's commitment will lead to Coby's first ring.
Lakers in six.
--The Idaho Statesman
Ray Allen is an All-Star who is coming out of his shooting slump. Rajon Rondo is a young player who continues to show growth. But they don't come close to the Lakers dynamic duo of Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant.
Gasol will abuse Kendrick Perkins. It's essential for Perkins to have one word in his vocabulary: help.
Lakers in six.
--THE KANSAS CITY STAR
In the final analysis, I give the Lakers the advantage. They have the better team, the best player and the best coach in the game.
Lakers in six.
--Manila Times
The Celtics' Big Three aren't enough to shut down the Big One: Bryant. When Boston double- and triple-teams Bryant, the 10-time All-Star will find Gasol, Odom & Co. for easy baskets. The Lakers have the deepest team in the league and the league's best closer in Bryant, which will prove to be too much for the Celtics' stout defense. This week, Lakers Hall of Famer Jerry West called Bryant a "Picasso in basketball shoes," so don't bet against the team led by the league's MVP.
Lakers in six.
--Miami Herald
The Celtics are 8-2 all-time in the Finals against the Lakers, which means that if Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Larry Bird were suiting up, Boston would have a decided edge. But as these playoffs have worn on, it's starting to feel more and more like Kobe's season.
Lakers in 6.
--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Celtics are doomed if they do and doomed if they don't. If they commit multiple defenders to sealing off Bryant's path to the basket - as they did pretty successfully against LeBron James - then Bryant will find Gasol or Odom slashing for easy baskets or Fisher, Radmanovic or Vujacic for open jumpers. Pierce is the key to the entire series for Boston. If he can command attention and take pressure off Garnett, the Celtics can make it a long series. But they've played too many long series already, allowing themselves to be pushed to seven games by the Hawks and Cavs. Fatigue - and a dose of L.A. revenge for the two regular season Celtics wins - will come back to haunt them.
Lakers in 6.
--Newsday (USA)
No comments:
Post a Comment