Most observers would give the Lakers the coaching edge, too. Laker coach Phil Jackson, a North Dakota native, has won nine world titles while Boston’s Doc Rivers is in his first finals as a coach. Jackson can break the league record for most titles by winning a 10th this spring. Who is he currently tied with? Celtics legend Red Auerbach, of course. With this Laker dream script it couldn’t be anyone other than a guy who bled Celtics green and white.
In the unpredictable world of the NBA, the Celtics could win the series and put a few tears on the script. Locally that might please some fans who root for former Timberwolves Garnett and Sam Cassell, now 38 and perhaps in his last playoff series. Interestingly, though, everyone I talk to is rooting against Garnett.
If Bryant or Gasol get hurt, the script looks like it will have an unhappy ending. If the Lakers play poorly and the Celtics play like they’re inspired by the ghost of Auerbach, look for a 17th banner in Boston.
And then, too, there are the game officials. Just last week Brent Barry of San Antonio drew collision contact from Laker Derek Fisher on a last second desperation shot. Barry could have gone to the free throw line, made three free throws and won the game for the Spurs while tying the Western Conference finals at 2-2. No foul was called but late in the week the league office admitted that Barry should have shot those free throws.
In the 2006 NBA finals the officials sent Miami guard Dwayne Wade to the free line adnausem. Wade was seemingly off-limits to contact from defensive players. The result was a steady parade of Wade to the free throw line. The officiating turned around a series where Miami trailed 2-0 in games against Dallas and then “free throwed” back to win in six.
The Minneapolis-Los Angeles Lakers aren’t looking for any surprises in their script.