NBA Finals Prediction

It's been a long, entertaining season in the NBA, and it's finally time for the Big Finish. Commissioner David Stern must be ecstatic about the return of the Lakers/Celtics rivalry, and I'm sure he's expecting a viewing audience improvement over the conference finals. That said, let's get into the match-up itself: Kobe Bryant and his Lakers against the "Big Three" and the rest of the Celtics.

Throughout the year, I've felt the Lakers were going to win it all. Kobe was playing at (arguably) the highest level of his career, and head coach Phil Jackson had Los Angeles playing a beautiful style of team basketball. However, the Lakers haven't been as pretty to watch in the postseason. Sure they battled through the deeper Western Conference to get to the finals, but most of the credit has to go to Kobe. His supporting cast has failed to maintain its regular season efficiency.

Specifically, Pau Gasol hasn't been the No. 2 option that the rest of the media expected him to be, but I can say "I told you so." Don't get me wrong, Gasol is a nice player and I was actually very impressed with his defense against Tim Duncan last series, but Pau's not a true No. 2 scorer. He hasn't even been attempting his short-range, face-up jumper from the foul line, and his back-to-the-basket moves have been soft and ineffective. Virtually all of his buckets have resulted from Kobe dishes.

On the perimeter, Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar haven't had their usual consistency from beyond the arc. Fellow bench player Ronny Turiaf has failed to leave his mark on the postseason, as well.

On the other side of the court, the Celtics also know a few things about disappointing playoff performances -- enter Ray Allen. On the whole, Allen has been absolutely horrific in the postseason; however, and fortunately for Boston, he began to pick it up in the final few games of the Pistons series. The Celtics will need an effective Allen in this series, because if the Lakers' shooters manage to settle in, we know they can score in bunches.

In reference to defensive talent and awareness, the Celtics have a huge advantage. Without a shadow of a doubt, Kevin Garnett is the best defensive player on either team -- he's perhaps even the best defensive player in the entire NBA. Paul Pierce and James Posey have defended the perimeter well, and Rajon Rondo picks up his share of steals.

Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), Pierce, Posey, Allen and Rondo haven't had to deal with Kobe yet. Yes, as a unit, Boston was able to contain LeBron James in the Cavs series, but Kobe is a whole 'nother level. LeBron may be stronger and more explosive, but the threat of Kobe's outside shot is much greater than that of LeBron's.

Unless he's double-teamed from the opening tip to the final buzzer of the final game of the series, there is absolutely no way to stop Kobe Bryant. He can only beat himself.

I've had the past few days to ponder this series, and my gut keeps telling me the Celtics are gonna find a way to win. Maybe it's the homecourt advantage.

But every time I'm almost convinced to give the nod to Boston, I'm reminded of Kobe's repeated fourth quarter dominance. It's really very simple...if the Lakers can just keep it close for the first three quarters of these games, they have a distinct advantage in the fourth against the Celtics. Kobe gives them the advantage over everyone.

The final verdict? Lakers in six. You know I can't bet against my boy. If it does go to seven games, the Lakers will be in severe trouble in Boston, but I'm sticking to my guns -- there will be no game 7.