A question for Tear...

[Rtoups]

Boston or LA?

[']['ear]

Extremely close. I predicted Boston by a hair before the series, but they've lacked energy and just looked old after a long playoffs. The winner of game 3 after a 1-1 tie goes on to win 80+% of the time, so that favors the Lakers. However, Andrew Bynum's knee looks worse, and that radically alters LA's O and D. So if Bynum is hobbled, I think Boston wins game 5 in Boston and then steals one in LA. If Bynum is healthy, LA wins.

There is a 3 day layoff here, and that might favor Boston's old legs, which supports my "Boston wins game 5" hypothesis.

Another factor in play: Kobe has been playing like shit, in spite of the broadcasters who like to fellate him. But marketing doesn;t win championships. Boston is psyched that Kobe's been hoisted up bad perimeter shots every night. The degree of difficulty can be sick, and people are totally impressed, but from an opponent's point of view, you love Kobe shooting outside jumpers at 35%. He's deserted the triangle offense and gone into "hero mode," which always helps Lakers opponents. If he executes within the offense and Bynum is healthy, the Lakers are unbeatable.

Also, don't let the pundits fool you. Gasol is the Lakers' most valuable player (and IMO he should have been Finals MVP last year).

So I'm going to pick Boston by a hair, but I'm really not confident at all. I think it mostly hinges on Bynum's knee. One day setback, or major setback? Other wildcards: do Perkins or Wallace pick up that 7th technical and get a one day suspension?

Oh, and officiating: games 1-3 had 70% more fouls than the regular season matchups of these teams! Very weird for the playoffs. Last night was more typical for a Finals game. If physical games are allowed, that favors the Celtics, who are a tough defensive team. If games are called tight, it favors the Lakers, a non-physical finesse team.

I'm hoping for fewer fouls not because I favor the Celtics, but because I think it makes for better hoops. Games 1-3 were nigh on unwatchable because of the incessant stoppage. But I must say that this is one of the better Finals matchups in a long time.

[Rtoups]

Pretty amazing last game. I love Celtics-Lakers finals. I had the fortunate opportunity to see Game 7 live, in person at Staples Center. What an experience.

[Timbuk2]

Looks crowded. Tons of people. Musta been quite an atmosphere.

What's with the pic of the cops?

[Lor]

Looks crowded. Tons of people. Musta been quite an atmosphere.

On that note, what is the average capacity of a arena on game night?

[Rtoups]

The Lakers won the championships, so of course the city decides it needs to riot. That's why there were so many cops. People were throwing traffic signs and breaking windows, and after I left there were fires and vandalism of all sorts.

[']['ear]

Lots of people called it a bad game (low scoring), but I found it very suspenseful, with fantastic defense. The Celtics looked utterly gassed in the fourth quarter. I think if they'd had a single additional 3 day interval in this series, the Cs would have won it. Hell, if Ray Allen had more than a sinle good game, the Cs win. Probaly because he was playing D on Kobe. BTW, Gasol should have won Finals MVP (just like he should have last year).

Must've been fantastic to be there!

Edit: Average arena capacity is 20-25K. IIRC Staples Center is 20K.

[Dreadnaught]

I agree, actually having a low-scoring game was nice. I watched it last night and I never watch/care about basketball. But it was thrilling. Really looked like the Celtics had it going for them until the end.

[termite]

So they riot when you win? What exactly do they do when you lose? I'm guessing riot...

[Ominous Gamer]

So they riot when you win? What exactly do they do when you lose? I'm guessing riot...

Sorta like Soccer football across the pond

All those police for the last game, yet nothing for E3 and all its wares. Tell me again which game causes violence?

[termite]

Sorta like Soccer football across the pond

All those police for the last game, yet nothing for E3 and all its wares. Tell me again which game causes violence?

No argument from me on either count.

I just don't get the whole violence in celebrations - I can comprehend why a rabid supporter might break something in disgust at losing but to break shit after winning is just FUBAR.

I've been playing video games for 30 years and I see no evidence to suggest playing a video game makes you violent. I do however feel that a game which contains violence is a good safe outlet for venting aggression. After a bad day at work where I felt I could kill a few co-workers for being fucking useless dipshits I find it very therapeutic to go home and shoot a few hundred people in a virtual setting.

I've never killed anyone in real life, nor have I rioted after watching millionaire Ent's throwing balls around.

[']['ear]

I've never killed anyone in real life, nor have I rioted after watching millionaire Ent's throwing balls around.

Ents. I LOLed.

Imagined LeBron James saying "Barumhroombarumbar!" or something.

[oldmunchkin]

I don't get the whole "riot after the win" thing either, but I do know that Denver was insane after the Av's took the Stanley Cup and the Bronco's won both Superbowls. A friend of The Kid's was there after the first Superbowl win, and he came home beat to shit! Remember, he was a middle school kid at the time. Some grown man took it upon himself to smack P. around, bad. It was even shown on TV!

[oldmunchkin]

Tear, did you ever read my PM?

[Ominous Gamer]

[']['ear]

Yes.

Frackin Laker fans. No wonder I hate the Lakers!