The last time the Lakers and Celtics met in the NBA Finals — way back in 2008 — Andrew Bynum was sidelined with a knee injury that, in essence, killed L.A.’s title hopes.
Without the 7-foot center, the Lakers were dominated in the paint by Boston’s bigger, deeper frontcourt. In the Game 6 clincher, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins outscored Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Vladimir Radmanovic, 45-31, in Boston’s 131-92 rout.
That brings us to Thursday night, when the NBA dynasties meet again in the championship. The biggest difference between the 2010 Lakers and their predecessors is the starting lineup. In the ’08 finals, with Bynum out, L.A. started a frontcourt that only can be described as, well … soft. Gasol was at center, Odom played power and Radmanovic started at small forward.
That trio was out-produced by its Boston counterpart in five of six games. This year? Well, lets just say it won’t be as easy — even though Bynum’s bum right knee will limit his minutes. Gasol, Bynum and lockdown defender Ron Artest provide much more grit than the Gasol-Odom-Radmanovic line, especially with Gasol back at forward, where he’s much more comfortable.
Meanwhile, Odom now comes off the bench as a super-sub, giving L.A. a little more depth than it had in 2008. It might not be enough to give the Lakers a frontcourt edge, but it certainly balances things out entering Game 1.
