Post by jailblazer2352 on Jun 3, 2008 20:21:19 GMT -5
With the most anticipated NBA Finals in recent memory set to begin on Thursday night, my tingling fan sensation has developed a need to fire up the ultimate debate. The Lakers and Celtics, two of the most successful franchises in the history of anything (Microsoft, McDonald's, and Disney included) will meet for the 11th time in the championship round. Collectively, the two teams have combined to play in 60 Finals Series', win 30 championships, and produce over 30 Hall of Fame players and coaches. The teams are legendary and the players are iconic. From Red Aeurbach's victory cigar to Pat Riley's championship guarentees, winning is the lifeblood that fuels Boston-LA. So who's number one, numero uno, the head honcho? Which team would win if you created a roster of each team's best? Below, I have created my opinion on the all-time lineup of each team and who I believe would be the ultimate champion if the two ever got to square off. I base my opinions on the player's career with the Lakers or Celtics (sorry Bill Walton, Dominique Wilkins, and Dennis Rodman). I welcome all of your contrasting opinions.
Los Angeles Lakers
C-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-What a decision. Center for the Lakers stands parallel with being quarterback of the Cowboys as the ultimate glamour position. Four hall of famers can stake a rightful claim to this spot. As a 6 time MVP, 6 time NBA champion, and the league's all-time leading scorer, Abdul-Jabbar has to get the nod over Shaq, Wilt, and George Mikan. He was a force on the greatest Laker teams of all-time and his success is more prolonged than the others.
PF-Elgin Baylor-Besides Kobe, Baylor is the most dominant scorer in Laker history, averaging nearly 30 a game. The fact that he never won a ring often causes him to be overlooked among so many legends who have.
SF-Kobe Bryant-I know, Kobe is a guard. On this team, he'd have to make the transition. Trust me, no one is more fit to do so.
SG-Jerry West-The best white player west of Larry Bird is remarkably the fourth option in this star studded-lienup of scoring prowess. In crunch-time, he'd arguably be the first (Kobe would definitly argue).
PG-Magic Johnson-The Magic Man was not only the greatest point guard ever to step on a floor, his incredible size (6'9) enabled uncanny versatility. His 42 point, 15 rebound performance in the '80 Finals while filling in for an injured Kareem at center serves as undisputed proof. Magic is LA's equivalent of Bill Russell in that he was the face of the franchise's dominant era (Showtime).
6th Men-James Worthy, Shaq-Big Game James would combine with the Big Aristotle to spark a dominant group of fresh legs off the bench. Worthy was the best 3rd wheel in NBA history as he starred for "Showtime" back in the '80's, routinely turning in clutch performances. In his prime, Shaq was the most physically dominating player since Wilt Chamberlain.
Coaches-Pat Reilly, Phil Jackson-Fire meets ice in this incredible coaching duo. Reilly would serve as the slick, thingyy, public voice who consistently connects with his players through fiery demands and motivation while Jackson would be the X's and O's, calm behind the storm, Zen-Master of getting stars to play together. You'd can find a better pairing of coaches.
Boston Celtics
C-Bill Russell-The greatest winner in sports history. Dominated games with defense and rebounding. Dominated an era with defense and rebounding.
PF-Larry Bird-The "hick from French Lick" stands just below Russell in the annals of Celtic legends. Possessing the best jump shot in history, Bird dominated a fast, athletic man's game without being fast or athletic.
SF-Paul Pierce-With Pierce at small forward, he would match up with Kobe. Ironically, that is the only matchup on this list that we will ever see again. Like Kobe, Pierce has carried his team to the Finals by dveloping into the necessary closer that Kevin Garnett isn't.
SG-John Havlicek-When God envisioned a Celtics guard, he came up with John Havlicek. The gritty, do-it all Havlicek put new context on the cliche "go hard or go home." His tough as nails demeanor combined with a cold as ice mental make-up to to make Havlicek one of the game's all-time clutch players. Sixers fans still have nightmares of "Havlicek stole the ball!!!!!!"
PG-Bob Cousy-The man who invented the behind the back pass was ahead of his time both on and off the court. Along with being the first player ever to earn a shoe contract (Converse), Cousy was the maestro of the Celtics incredible eight consecutive championships from 1959-1966.
6th Men-Kevin McHale, JoJo White-McHale was Bird's version of Scottie Pippen. White was the leader of the two-time champion that fell between the Russell and Bird eras.
Coach-Red Aeurbach-Victory cigars, nine championships as a coach, seven more as a GM, Aeurbach defines the Boston Celtics franchise. All the mystique stems from the man who created the inaugural basketball dynasty from his own gentetic makeup. Paul Pierce explaining his rimmed in, game-icing free throw in Game 7 against Cleveland sums it up "No question, it was the ghost of Red Aeurbach."
So who would win? In a series with a dream matchup at every position, LA's athleticism meets Boston's grit. Kareem's sky-hook meets Russell's defensive prowess. Magic's showtime meets Cousy's pre-historic build-up to Showtime. If Havlicek "steals the ball", Jerry West will nail a full-court prayer (circa 1970 Finals). In a series of clutch performers, one guy needs to seperate himself to a Jordanesque level. Fortunately for LA, Kobe is the second coming of "his airness." His maniacal drive to win would combine with the strength and ability of being the most gifted player on any floor (unless Jordan is his opponent, that would be the ultimate game of one on one, but it's another story for another time) to carry the day for the boys from LA. Kobe is the difference. Lakers in seven, and that's a double edged sword.
Los Angeles Lakers
C-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-What a decision. Center for the Lakers stands parallel with being quarterback of the Cowboys as the ultimate glamour position. Four hall of famers can stake a rightful claim to this spot. As a 6 time MVP, 6 time NBA champion, and the league's all-time leading scorer, Abdul-Jabbar has to get the nod over Shaq, Wilt, and George Mikan. He was a force on the greatest Laker teams of all-time and his success is more prolonged than the others.
PF-Elgin Baylor-Besides Kobe, Baylor is the most dominant scorer in Laker history, averaging nearly 30 a game. The fact that he never won a ring often causes him to be overlooked among so many legends who have.
SF-Kobe Bryant-I know, Kobe is a guard. On this team, he'd have to make the transition. Trust me, no one is more fit to do so.
SG-Jerry West-The best white player west of Larry Bird is remarkably the fourth option in this star studded-lienup of scoring prowess. In crunch-time, he'd arguably be the first (Kobe would definitly argue).
PG-Magic Johnson-The Magic Man was not only the greatest point guard ever to step on a floor, his incredible size (6'9) enabled uncanny versatility. His 42 point, 15 rebound performance in the '80 Finals while filling in for an injured Kareem at center serves as undisputed proof. Magic is LA's equivalent of Bill Russell in that he was the face of the franchise's dominant era (Showtime).
6th Men-James Worthy, Shaq-Big Game James would combine with the Big Aristotle to spark a dominant group of fresh legs off the bench. Worthy was the best 3rd wheel in NBA history as he starred for "Showtime" back in the '80's, routinely turning in clutch performances. In his prime, Shaq was the most physically dominating player since Wilt Chamberlain.
Coaches-Pat Reilly, Phil Jackson-Fire meets ice in this incredible coaching duo. Reilly would serve as the slick, thingyy, public voice who consistently connects with his players through fiery demands and motivation while Jackson would be the X's and O's, calm behind the storm, Zen-Master of getting stars to play together. You'd can find a better pairing of coaches.
Boston Celtics
C-Bill Russell-The greatest winner in sports history. Dominated games with defense and rebounding. Dominated an era with defense and rebounding.
PF-Larry Bird-The "hick from French Lick" stands just below Russell in the annals of Celtic legends. Possessing the best jump shot in history, Bird dominated a fast, athletic man's game without being fast or athletic.
SF-Paul Pierce-With Pierce at small forward, he would match up with Kobe. Ironically, that is the only matchup on this list that we will ever see again. Like Kobe, Pierce has carried his team to the Finals by dveloping into the necessary closer that Kevin Garnett isn't.
SG-John Havlicek-When God envisioned a Celtics guard, he came up with John Havlicek. The gritty, do-it all Havlicek put new context on the cliche "go hard or go home." His tough as nails demeanor combined with a cold as ice mental make-up to to make Havlicek one of the game's all-time clutch players. Sixers fans still have nightmares of "Havlicek stole the ball!!!!!!"
PG-Bob Cousy-The man who invented the behind the back pass was ahead of his time both on and off the court. Along with being the first player ever to earn a shoe contract (Converse), Cousy was the maestro of the Celtics incredible eight consecutive championships from 1959-1966.
6th Men-Kevin McHale, JoJo White-McHale was Bird's version of Scottie Pippen. White was the leader of the two-time champion that fell between the Russell and Bird eras.
Coach-Red Aeurbach-Victory cigars, nine championships as a coach, seven more as a GM, Aeurbach defines the Boston Celtics franchise. All the mystique stems from the man who created the inaugural basketball dynasty from his own gentetic makeup. Paul Pierce explaining his rimmed in, game-icing free throw in Game 7 against Cleveland sums it up "No question, it was the ghost of Red Aeurbach."
So who would win? In a series with a dream matchup at every position, LA's athleticism meets Boston's grit. Kareem's sky-hook meets Russell's defensive prowess. Magic's showtime meets Cousy's pre-historic build-up to Showtime. If Havlicek "steals the ball", Jerry West will nail a full-court prayer (circa 1970 Finals). In a series of clutch performers, one guy needs to seperate himself to a Jordanesque level. Fortunately for LA, Kobe is the second coming of "his airness." His maniacal drive to win would combine with the strength and ability of being the most gifted player on any floor (unless Jordan is his opponent, that would be the ultimate game of one on one, but it's another story for another time) to carry the day for the boys from LA. Kobe is the difference. Lakers in seven, and that's a double edged sword.