celtics afterthoughts: coal in my stocking

Posted on | December 26, 2008 | Comments

Celtics @ Lakers 83-92

Gar. That didn’t go the way I wanted it to. Maybe I’m stubborn, but I still think I’m right about the Lakers. They’re much better at times than last season, but I still think they’re missing something. Although, I will be happy to admit that I underestimated them some. If they win the championship, I’ll also be happy to eat my words (well, not too happy. *wink*) I’m not saying the Celtics will win it. Maybe they won’t. They’re missing something too. The Cavs are tough, but they aren’t 100% there either. I’m not sure exactly what it is that each team is lacking, but if I had to guess…

The Celtics have defense, ”team” philosophy, a rising point guard and the Big 3. But, they’re missing veteran bench players.

The Lakers have talent, depth, a chip on their shoulder and Kobe Bryant. But, they’re missing a consistent sense of purpose. (If they played every team the way they played Boston, they’d be nearly unstoppable.)

The Cavs have Lebron, a better supporting cast than last season, Lebron and well, Lebron. But, they’re missing a clone machine for Lebron. (The team is above average, but they will be SOL if Lebron gets injured. I don’t like those odds.)

Sidenote: As bummed as I was about the Celtics loss, it still had to be worse for Suns fans. That Roger Mason 3-pointer at the buzzer [for the Spurs to win by 1 over the Suns] was a heartbreaker. It also couldn’t have been fun for Hornets fans to watch that drubbing by Orlando. Gack. That was hard to watch.