As someone who grew up worshipping Larry Bird and the ’80s Celtics, the NBA Finals bring back some of the only good memories from my childhood. Am I as passionate now as I was then? You would think I’d have a better appreciation of a winning Celtics team, since it has been so long. But as you’ll see from my Finals Preview, I haven’t really grown up gracefully.
ROTOWHINE.COM CELTICS-LAKERS PREVIEW
Point guard - Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher
I told myself before the draft that I wouldn’t take a pitcher before the eighth round. But when Erik Bedard was available in the fourth - the Erik Bedard who was 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 221 Ks in 182 innings for Baltimore in 2007 - I melted like a teen with a crush and took him. Naturally, he has been a disaster this year, trading good outings for awful ones and averaging less than a K per inning in a much better pitcher’s ballpark. Another career ruined.
Advantage: Even.
Shooting guard - Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant
I finally put Joe Crede in my lineup this week and benched Travis Hafner, so naturally I was excited on Wednesday when Crede homered and drove in two. In true fashion for one of my guys, he also hurt his wrist in the same game and is now day-to-day. Seriously? I’m running out of waiver pickups I can make this year.
Advantage: Bryant
Small forward - Paul Pierce vs. Vladimir Radmanovic
Speaking of Travis Hafner, my breakfast is slowly digesting in reverse as I look at his name on my computer screen. There’s no doubt he’ll be available in the 19th round next year and I’ll end up taking him again.
Advantage: Pierce
Power forward - Kevin Garnett vs. Lamar Odom
Things like “Oliver Perez giving up six runs while recording only one out at San Francisco” just don’t happen to anyone but me. I don’t think anyone in my league noticed. Hell, most of them haven’t noticed that the season started, and they are cruising along without a care in the world.
Advantage: Garnett
Center - Kendrick Perkins vs. Pau Gasol
I think I’m living in an alternate universe as it is. No one has offered me a trade this year and no one has gotten back to me on a trade offer. Do I exist? If Freddy Sanchez goes 0-for-5 and nobody notices it but me, does it mean I shouldn’t lie in the fetal position weeping?
Advantage: Gasol
The Benches - James Posey, Eddie House, P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, Scot Pollard vs. Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Coby Karl
Bill Hall is demanding a trade from the Brewers, and he even called me yesterday demanding that I drop him. Why haven’t I yet? Probably because I actually had a half dozen guys worse than him so far this year. Hang in there, Bill.
Advantage: Lakers
The Coaches - Doc Rivers vs. Phil Jackson
Miguel Cabrera is now batting sixth in the Detroit order. His descent into the dark-side will be complete by August, when he has 13 homers and 57 RBI, is hitting .257 and will have murdered six younglings.
Advantage: Jackson
Who’s ready for the Finals?!?!?!?
