"The Lakers are the better team . . ."

[wdleehi]

Well, I asked my question.  Let see if he answers. 



edit: He did.  

[Analyst]

Are the Lakers really that much better with Gasol then Bynum?

Here is some fodder for the Laker fans to think about. The Lakers had an average October. November 4th Bynum missed a game against Minnesota. He returned the next game. The Lakers then went on a 15-3 tear losing squeekers at Golden State and Cleveland. Their other loss was a 19 point home loss to...you guessed it...the Celtics.

The C's went 12-5 against the top 7 offensive teams in the NBA.
The Lakers went 11-10 against the 7 top defensive teams.
The Lakers racked up most of the playoff offensive stats against Denver. The "offensively challenged Celtics" averaged 118.5 ppg against Denver.

Nobody should be surprised at how long the Celtics series went against Detroit and Cleveland. These were teams that gave the C's fits all year. The Celitcs however swept the season series against the Spurs. (including during a Texas road trip where the beat Dallas and them pummelled the unstopable Rockets)

When The C's Score 100 points in the playoffs they are 3-1.
When The Lakers Score less than 100: 2-3.


Who really has the Advantage. The Celtics "D" or the Lakers "O". Pregame stats would say advantage Celtics.

[seccom]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

[P2]

Wow, Spears answered another question of mine.

[wdleehi]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

Look at the games they played.  Celtics had no problems scoring points.  Even when Rondo was out (which usually means a more basic offense that doesn't score as much) 

Lakers offense is much better, but is the defense improved enough to hold the Celtics in check?  No team is going to win a series against the Celtics if the Celtics keep scoring in the 110 range.

[crownsy]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

no they aren't you tried this yesterday and roy shot you down. The lakers are better defenisvly than most boston fans want to admit, i''ll grant you, but you played one team that quit on itself after 2 games and didn't want to play anymore (denver) and one of the lowest scoring teams in the playoffs (spurs) thats what pumps up your point diffrential, every other stat we were still clearly better.

in fact, espn, who is picking the lakers nearly 100% down the line, did a story on this yesterday, you were 5th in the playoffs overall for defense (which is still very good, not a knock, just pointing it out) when you combine all catagories.

picking out thsi one stat you want to cling to doesn't prove they are the better defenisive team.

[seccom]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

no they aren't you tried this yesterday and roy shot you down. The lakers are better defenisvly than most boston fans want to admit, i''ll grant you, but you played one team that quit on itself after 2 games and didn't want to play anymore (denver) and one of the lowest scoring teams in the playoffs (spurs) thats what pumps up your point diffrential, every other stat we were still clearly better.

in fact, espn, who is picking the lakers nearly 100% down the line, did a story on this yesterday, you were 5th in the playoffs overall for defense (which is still very good, not a knock, just pointing it out) when you combine all catagories.

picking out thsi one stat you want to cling to doesn't prove they are the better defenisive team.

Roy, can you comment on what I am saying? It seems most of them don't really understand what point different is?

[BballTim]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

  If you check out the offensive and defensive efficiencies on Hollinger's team stats, the Lakers offense is 109, their defense is 103.1 for a difference of 5.9. The Celts offense is 105.2 and their defense is 99.4 for a difference of 5.8. You also have to consider that the Lakers scored 115 a game vs Denver, 110 a game vs Utah and about 94 a game vs San Antonio (barely more than NO scored gainst the Spurs).

[seccom]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

  If you check out the offensive and defensive efficiencies on Hollinger's team stats, the Lakers offense is 109, their defense is 103.1 for a difference of 5.9. The Celts offense is 105.2 and their defense is 99.4 for a difference of 5.8. You also have to consider that the Lakers scored 115 a game vs Denver, 110 a game vs Utah and about 94 a game vs San Antonio (barely more than NO scored gainst the Spurs).

Agree with your are saying. However, you should read the first quote from P2, which he say "the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger".

It is clearly not the case, in absolutely term or in efficiencies.

[CT34]

Everyone outside of the fans and local media here in Boston, is picking the Lakers in 5 or 6 games.  Everyone is pointing to the Lakers great offense and the greatness of Mr. Kobe "black Mamba" Bryant as the reason why they are picking the Lakers.  They also say the Lakers have the better coach and better bench.  They are talking about the Celtics going to the full 7 games vs. the Hawks and Cavs. Their reasoning is if the Celtics can't put a team away like the Hawks in 5 games with no superstar how can they beat the Lakers who has the game best player? These are the same group of people who said the Piston will beat the Celtics.

Now I'm here to give you 5 reasons why they are wrong.

1) Everyone always say Defense win championship. Out of the two teams who plays the better defense? No question it the Celtics. They've been one of the top 3 team in defense all season long. It's the reason why they will win this series.

2) Aren’t these the same guys who pick the Suns to beat the Spurs over the last 3 or 4 season?  Was it not Suns with the great offense losing to the Spurs who had the great defense?  Was it not the Suns who had the league MVP going up against the Spurs big 3?  Now did that turn out?

3) Kobe Bryant is Jordan? Heck NO!  Kobe is a great player and one heck of a talent.  But anyone of the Jordan Bulls was better then this year Lakers.  People forget that those Bulls team won with Defense.  They had 3 (Jordan, Pippen and Rodman) of the top 15 all-time great defensive player to ever play the game on those teams. Last I look the Lakers aren't even a very good defensive team.

4) I'm not going to sit here and say Doc Rivers is better then Phil Jackson.  I'm not going to say that.  But what I will say is this. Out of the 9 times that a Phil Jackson has coach a team to a championship, he's team had the better players.  The team with the better players wins not the team with the better coach.  I say great players make coaches look great.  In this series the play of KG, Pierce and Ray Allen will make Doc Rivers look great.

5) Lakers bench vs. the Celtics bench.  I'll take Sam Cassell (2 rings), James Posey (1 ring), PJ Brown’s (500 hundred give or take a hundred play-off games played) vs. son of Bill, and some guys name Sasha, Ronny and Farmar. 

[crownsy]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

no they aren't you tried this yesterday and roy shot you down. The lakers are better defenisvly than most boston fans want to admit, i''ll grant you, but you played one team that quit on itself after 2 games and didn't want to play anymore (denver) and one of the lowest scoring teams in the playoffs (spurs) thats what pumps up your point diffrential, every other stat we were still clearly better.

in fact, espn, who is picking the lakers nearly 100% down the line, did a story on this yesterday, you were 5th in the playoffs overall for defense (which is still very good, not a knock, just pointing it out) when you combine all catagories.

picking out thsi one stat you want to cling to doesn't prove they are the better defenisive team.

Roy, can you comment on what I am saying? It seems most of them don't really understand what point different is?

we understand what point diff. is. what you dont understand, and was brought up yesterday, is that its not the end all and be all of defensive stats.

[seccom]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

no they aren't you tried this yesterday and roy shot you down. The lakers are better defenisvly than most boston fans want to admit, i''ll grant you, but you played one team that quit on itself after 2 games and didn't want to play anymore (denver) and one of the lowest scoring teams in the playoffs (spurs) thats what pumps up your point diffrential, every other stat we were still clearly better.

in fact, espn, who is picking the lakers nearly 100% down the line, did a story on this yesterday, you were 5th in the playoffs overall for defense (which is still very good, not a knock, just pointing it out) when you combine all catagories.

picking out thsi one stat you want to cling to doesn't prove they are the better defenisive team.

Roy, can you comment on what I am saying? It seems most of them don't really understand what point different is?

we understand what point diff. is. what you dont understand, and was brought up yesterday, is that its not the end all and be all of defensive stats.

I am not saying it is. However, I am responsing to P2's statement. Is P2 statement correct or not?

[wdleehi]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

I am not saying it is. However, I am responsing to P2's statement. Is P2 statement correct or not?

It is correct. 

The lakers defense allowed the Celtics to put up 110 and 107.  Even with Gasol, I can only see the Lakers offense improving by 10 points at the most (and that is generous against the Celtics defense)

That still leaves a 10 point swing the Lakers defense has to make up.

[Analyst]

The C's went 12-5 against the top 7 offensive teams in the NBA.
The Lakers went 11-10 against the 7 top defensive teams.
The Lakers racked up most of the playoff offensive stats against Denver. The "offensively challenged Celtics" averaged 118.5 ppg against Denver.

When The C's Score 100 points in the playoffs they are 3-1.
When The Lakers Score less than 100: 2-3.

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

Actually, your statement is only true for the regular season, but not the playoff:

In the regular season, Celtics score 100.5 and opponent score 90.3. 100.5-90.3 = 10.2 points different.
In the playoff, Celtics score 91.6 and opponent score 87.3. 91.6-87.3 = 4.3 points different.

On the other hand, Lakers:

In the regular season, Lakers score 108.6 and opponent score 101.3. 108.6-101.3 = 7.3 points different.
In the playoff, Lakers score 105.9 and opponent score 99.5. 105.9-99.5 = 6.4 points different.

So stat wise, Celtics is a better team in the regular season and the Lakers is a better team in the playoff.

no they aren't you tried this yesterday and roy shot you down. The lakers are better defenisvly than most boston fans want to admit, i''ll grant you, but you played one team that quit on itself after 2 games and didn't want to play anymore (denver) and one of the lowest scoring teams in the playoffs (spurs) thats what pumps up your point diffrential, every other stat we were still clearly better.

in fact, espn, who is picking the lakers nearly 100% down the line, did a story on this yesterday, you were 5th in the playoffs overall for defense (which is still very good, not a knock, just pointing it out) when you combine all catagories.

picking out thsi one stat you want to cling to doesn't prove they are the better defenisive team.

Roy, can you comment on what I am saying? It seems most of them don't really understand what point different is?

The Celtics were no slouches on offence either this year or even in the playoffs (considering who they played). Would the Lakers have beaten the Pistons or the Cavs? The C's would have dominated San Antonio. The Celtics problem of late has been playing down to the level of the opposition...but they still come out on top. Hopefully that killer instinct is back otherwise it will Celtics in 7 instead of Celtics in 4. (I really don't see LA matching up well against a Celtics team running on all cylinders. All LA can hope for is a subpar performance by the entire team.-It won't happen)

[seccom]

Everybody is talking about #1 offense vs. #1 defense, and almost everybody picks offense (Lakers). But what everybody forgets about, is that the difference between the Lakers' defense and C's offense is much bigger, which should favor the C's.

I am not saying it is. However, I am responsing to P2's statement. Is P2 statement correct or not?

It is correct. 

The lakers defense allowed the Celtics to put up 110 and 107.  Even with Gasol, I can only see the Lakers offense improving by 10 points at the most (and that is generous against the Celtics defense)

That still leaves a 10 point swing the Lakers defense has to make up.

It is only correct for the regular season with I admit. The first final game have not played yet. I will not argue with you about the future.