Rivalry Revival

The wait is over. The revival of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry has finally started with game one in Beantown. (I predicted this matchup ever since Gasol came to Lakers in midseason) Unfortunately, the Lakers (who I support) went on to lose the game. What’s even more unfortunate is that league MVP Kobe Bryant, who I thought would make the difference, struggled. While part of it was due to the Celtics’ defense, Kobe seemed exhausted, especially in the final quarter – the part of the game that he usually dominates. His shot wasn’t there, and he never got his offense going. In fact, he didn’t have a layup (he had one dunk but it was an open court fast break play). Moreover, he was kinda forcing up some shots, especially in the 4^th quarter. Before the series started, I though that the Lakers would ultimately win because they had the NBA’s best closer and clutch performer in Kobe Bryant. Somehow though, he didn’t live up to this in game one.

Kevin Garnett, on the other had, performed like an MVP. He was all over the floor. He was not very efficient on offense, but he contributed in a lot of other ways. The biggest play of the game, aside from the back-to-back threes by Paul Pierce in the second half, was KG, against the odds, saving the ball at the half court line, which led to a Sam Cassell field goal. That play, to me, summed up the game. The Celtics were the hungrier and more determined team. Interestingly, the Lakers crumbled in the fourth quarter, which was rare for a Phil Jackson coached team.

The biggest x-factor was 38-year old PJ Brown, who worked tirelessly in the paint. He, along with fellow 38-year old Cassell, stabilized the inexperienced Celtics.

Going back to the series itself, NBA fans have been waiting for years to see these two teams play again. I was too young to have seen and remembered their last finals meeting in 1987, but I was able to watch their classic games on DVD.

I dunno if it was just me, but seeing both teams on the parquet floor in Boston gave me goose bumps as I remembered the Bird-Magic rivalry of the 80s. There are similarities: Boston has another “big three” – Garnett, Pierce, and Ray Allen instead of Bird, McHale and Parish; Lakers has their own Magic in Kobe, who has his own “flair” to the game; the Celtics are more defense minded and physical, while LA was more offensive minded. There are a lot of storylines too, aside from renewing the rivalry among the two winnigest teams in NBA history: if the Lakers win, Jackson would surpass Celtics legend Red Auerbach as the coach with the most NBA championship rings (both have 9 as of now); Pierce (who once admitted hating the Celtics as a kid) growing up as a Laker fan (in fact many of the players participating in this series have grown up watching the Lakers and Celtics); Luke Walton’s dad once played for the Celtics. I’m pretty sure David Stern’s quite happy seeing these two teams meet again – the teams who also met in the Finals (with the Lakers winning) when Stern entered the league back in the 84-85 season. Interestingly, the Finals MVP was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was 38 years old at the time. I guess it is not surprising then that Brown and Cassell are still able to contribute.

These things alone would make the Finals worth watching. Personally, I feel this is the best Finals match-up in years. And this year’s version, to me, is even better than those of the past. Don’t get me wrong, the 1980s rivalry was a classic. But today’s game is even more fun to watch: No short shorts. The athleticism of Kobe and KG, which was rare in the 1980s. And of course, today’s technology: high definition, different camera angles, super slow motion, the internet (which builds up the hype even more, moreover, liveblogging makes the games more fun).

The series has just started, and it will be a long and interesting one. Kobe will definitely play better – he has to. But right now, all I could say is this: the winners are the fans, me included!

Let the games begin!

This week is the start of two major sports events (at least for me) - the NBA 2007-08 Season and the World Pool Championship.

NBA

The most obvious change in the NBA for this season is the Boston Celtics, after acquiring all-stars Kevin Garnett (from the T'wolves) and Ray Allen (from the Sonics) in the off-season. This would give the Celtics the NBA's best trio - Garnett, Allen, and Paul Pierce. Even better than the defending champs San Antonio Spurs' trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. It is therefore clear that the Celtics will be one of the contending teams this season. The only question is how the big three would jell and what their supporting cast would look like (I still expect more acquisitions before the season is over). The good thing about them is that they're all professionals and first-class individuals in the mold of Duncan. It is for this reason that I believe they would be a force in the Eastern Conference, even surpassing Detroit Pistons (which will be as consistent as last year) as the East's best team. Considering the quality and competition among the Western conference teams, it would be no surprise if the Celtics ended up with the league's best regular season record.

Aside from the Celtics and the Pistons, the other teams to look out for are the defending East champs Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic. Cavs superstar Lebron James will continue to improve. He will be an MVP candidate and will continue to carry his team. However, a repeat of last year's finals appearance is highly unlikely. Even reaching the East finals is difficult, as they have to hurdle both the Celtics and Pistons.

For the Magic, a new coach in Stan Van Gundy will help them to become one of the East's elite teams. I believe they are the East's dark horse. I expect Hedo Turkoglu to improve tremendously (probably this year's most improved player). Adding versatile forward Rashard Lewis to the mix would only do wonders to Dwight Howard (another MVP candidate), who would be the undisputed East's best big man.

The West is a different story. Practically every team, with the exception of Seattle and Memphis, could make it to the playoffs. Moreover, there are around 9 teams (yup, even one more than the number of teams that would qualify for the playoffs) which could be number 1 -- the Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets.

The biggest surprise to me would be the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets. I believe Houston will be great this year, after hiring former Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman and acquiring Argentine Luis Scola. I think Adelman is the perfect coach for the Rockets. I hope he would implement the system which made the Kings one of the best teams in the west for several years. Yao Ming has big-man passing skills similar to the Kings' Vlade Divac. Scola, I presume, would be, like most foreign stars, would be fundamentally sound and an effective scorer and passer from the post. Shane Battier, the ultimate role player, will continue to hit threes and play terrific defense. And of course, there's Tracy McGrady, who could take over any game. The fate of this team would eventually depend on the health of both Yao and McGrady. If this dynamic duo could go healthy the whole season, then I'm pretty sure they'd sit atop the West.

The New Orleans Hornets will be the most improved team in the West. They almost made it to the playoffs last year. This year will even be better for them. Sensational point guard Chris Paul will have MVP-type numbers. He would be what Steve Nash is to the Phoenix Suns. David West will also improve, probably enough to make the West All-star team (considering the fact that the game will be played in New Orleans). Tyson Chandler will be a Marcus Camby type of presence in the paint. Peja Stojakovic, if healthy, is still one of the league's best shooters. The addition of Morris Petersen would give some veteran leadership to the team. Finally, I believe coach Byron Scott is perfect for a team with a great point guard like Chris Paul, just like what happened in New Jersey with Jason Kidd a few years ago.

Overall, it's still a toss-up who will come on top in the West. Nevertheless, I believe it will be between the Spurs and the Suns.

World Pool Championship

Once again, the most prestigious international 9-ball event will be held here in the Philippines. While many Filipino pool players, especially the lesser-established ones, will benefit due to the location, the opportunity of more qualifying tournaments, and of course the comforts of being home, playing before your kabababayans also has its own disadvantage. Clearly, the most obvious one is the pressure. Every Filipino expects their Pinoy pool idols to win. While the latter have all the skills and talent to be crowned champion, dealing with pressure not only within oneself but also from the local fans is a different story. Even legends like Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante admit that they feel the pressure playing in the Philippines. If these two world-beaters are human after all when it comes to dealing with pressure, how much more would it affect the lesser-known players such as the likes of Ramil Gallego, Roberto Gomez, and Joven Bustamante.

Last year, our very own Ronnie Alcano was fortunate to win the event. Though Alcano was already an accomplished pool player in the US pool circles, there were many Filipinos who did not know much about him - until he won, of course. He showed great composure in sticking to his gameplan - executing the "soft break" to perfection. Not only was he extremely talented, but he was also cool under pressure.

This year, I'm hoping another Filipino will win the event. I wish Django would win it (he was soooo close in 2002) coz I believe that's what is missing in his resume. However, I also believe many other Filipinos like Dennis Orcullo and Marlon Manalo would do well. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if an unknown Filipino would win it all. Again, the only problem I could foresee is how they would handle the pressure.