Per ESPN "experts" 

Is it L.A.'s turn again?

Yes, it is, according to about half of our panel of 25 ESPN writers, editors and contributors.

Just as they have been throughout most of NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers are a force again -- and now the preseason favorites to win NBA title No. 15.

Of course, that means 13 members of our panel predicted the Lakers will not win the 2008-09 NBA championship, and the top challenger in our voting will surprise some: the up-and-coming New Orleans Hornets, not the Boston Celtics.

These guys are some of the luckiest people on the planet.  I mean, they make dumb observations and get paid to spew their ignorance?  Where can I apply?

Aside from the pure nonsense that the Lakers will win it all this year and that their biggest challengers will be the frikkin' Hornets and not the Celtics, here's what they had to drivel about the Celtics' chances of repeating this year and my "humble" reaction to their, um, analysis.

The Celtics might win the 2008-09 NBA title if ...

• They continue to be the top defensive club in the league.

• Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo take their games to the next level.

• They can get strong contributions from the likes of Eddie House, Leon Powe, Glen Davis … and (yes) Darius Miles.

Not much to argue here.  But I think our success will depend the most on everyone's health again this year.  I don't expect all of our starters to play 82 games but if they're all healthy going into the playoffs, then you can expect the C's with championship experience under their belt to turn it up a notch and crush their opponents.  And because they stumbled in their early rounds and struggled last year, don't expect the same mental lapses that caused them to go 7 games against inferior competition this time around.  Also...

• Don't expect Ray Allen to go through his shooting slump again.  
  
• Don't expect KG to play passive.  
  
• Don't expect Rondo and Perk to show their inexperience.  
  
• Don't expect lack of chemistry.  
  
• Don't expect the bench to let up.  
  
• But do always expect Pierce to step up big when everything is on the line and close the deal.  
  

Yes.  The C's are dominant and will be for the next two years at least.

The Celtics might not win the 2008-09 NBA title if ...

• They can't find someone to make up for the loss of specialist James Posey.

• The big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen start showing their age.

I'll miss James Posey but I think our team's growth from their championship run will be more than enough to cover his absence from the team.  In fact, I'd argue that the C's will be better this year than last year because they know what it takes to win now.  Last year, Posey was the only player in our rotation that had a ring.  This year, everyone has one.  Doesn't that count for something?  And I'm tired of hearing how our Big 3 are all old and gray.  What are they smoking?  Michael Jordan dominated until he was 38 and would've probably won at least 2 more rings had he not retired for the second time after his sixth championship.  Granted, no one on our team equals His Airness, but we're talking about three superstars in their early 30s who all take great pride in their conditioning.  So I just don't get all these age concerns.

• The champs become complacent after winning their rings. The past six NBA champs each failed to defend their title.

Yeah.  Keep doubting this team.  We all know how that turned out last year.  And looks to me like the C's are right back to where they were last year.  Hmm...

[Green Bandwagon Note: This one gets a front page call up because of the link, quoted material, and the fact that any Leon Powe related material is awesome. Powe's effort has never been an issue. And he has performed when given time. The fact that he's in a contract year can't hurt. Although he's always played as if everyone else is trying to steal his money. Finally, it's good to read about summer workouts instead of summer celebrations. Well done.]

I couldn't stop smiling as I read this article.  Enjoy and fall in love with Leon again and again.

Leon on the Eastern Conference:

Powe knows firsthand the threat posed by the Cavs and Detroit Pistons, and he is keeping an eye on the newly revamped Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors.

"It's going to be harder for us to beat [the Raptors] because they've got some firepower now. If we aren't focused, we probably won't win that game," he said. "We've got to be extremely focused and ready to go to war. Especially with Elton Brand going to the Sixers. I thought the Sixers were pretty good. I don't know about everybody else but I thought they were really good. Now they've got Elton Brand so that makes them even stronger."

Leon on the loss of Poz and PJ:

"I was hoping we were going to bring him back," Powe said. "But Poz had to do what was best for himself and his family, and I understand that completely. What he did was he helped us get a ring and we all appreciate that. And he secured himself financially too."

But perhaps the loss that would affect Powe the most is that of P.J. Brown. Last season the 15-year veteran took then-sophomore Powe under his wing and guided him through the playoffs. Although Brown has not made an official announcement – and Powe would like to hold out hope of a return – all signs are pointing toward his retirement.

"[Before I came back to Boston] I told him to come back," Powe said with an innocent smile. "I said, 'Ok, you can come back in the second round of the playoffs.' He said, 'Nah big fella, I'm going to leave it up to you guys.'"

So I guess PJ's not coming back?

Expect new & improved Leon!

"I'm going to be ready and I'm not going to creep up on anybody," he said. "But, I'm going to have more stuff in my package. I'm already physical and that's where I want to stay at. But I also was putting a jumper in, I was putting off the dribble stuff in. So if you're going to guard me, you're going to have to guard me because I've been working real hard and I'm going to continue to work so I'll be ready for next season."

This season, I want to hear Tommy say, "I! LOVE! LEON!!!"

I love this signing.  

The Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent forward Darius Miles to a non-guaranteed contract.

If he can stay healthy, he'll be a better fit for this team than Corey Maggette would've been.  This is a low risk, high reward move by Danny.  There's not a lot to dislike about this move other than maybe what this could mean for Bill Walker's future in Boston.  But other than that, I love it!

Miles said he is excited for the opportunity to play with the defending champions.

“I’ve watched the Boston Celtics play a lot last year and loved what I saw in their teamwork and chemistry on the court and it’s the team that I want to try to resume my career with.” Miles said in a press release. “I am excited about having an opportunity to play on a team that I feel my personality fits with and a team that can have great success on the court.”

I love Paul Pierce.  I really do.  I have loved him ever since we drafted him out of Kansas and through thick and thin, I stood, stand and will continue to stand by this man.  But the way he played in Game 3 has me worried.  I know it's just one game, but...Hey!  It's the Finals!  Therefore, I am hypersensitive and completely insane.

Continue reading this post »

All year long and until now, the Celtics needed that extra little something to go out and get a win.  Whether they were avenging an earlier loss to a particular team or trying to halt a 2-game losing streak or to prove to the naysayers that three All Stars can sacrifice and make it work all season long, the Celtics needed that extra little something to play in another gear.  When questioned, they answered.  Out West and through Texas.   When they had something to prove or a statement to make, they came through.

So, here's a little extra incentive for the Celtics to go out and get Game 3: They are 8-0 at home this Postseason.  The Lakers are undefeated at home.  

The Celtics need to break them on their own turf.  That's their final test.

[Green Bandwagon Note: I promoted this to the front page because I think reader Georgia makes some great points. I actually think LeBron is a tough match up because a lot of Pierce's offense starts with him putting the ball on the floor and heading to the hoop. And LeBron is so big and fast that he can make that difficult. And I'd love to see Pierce drop 30+ as long as he does it with the efficiency he's shown at points throughout the season. Still great FanPost.]

Paul Pierce needs to step up and go for 30 or 40 tonight.  I know they all talk about "Ubuntu," but tonight is the night when Pierce has to tell his teammates, "Get on my back.  I'm going to carry you guys."

He can do it because there's no one on the Cleveland's roster that can guard him.  Not even close.  Once Pierce gets his mid-range game going, there's no way LeBron or anyone else can keep him from driving.  And once Pierce starts driving, they'll back off or get in foul trouble.  And once they back off, Pierce will drill the 3.  And once his 3s start falling, it's over.  Just like that, Pierce can put this team on his back and carry them to perhaps the most important victory of the series.  He has done it many, many times before.  He now has to do it again.  He has to.

Pierce has always been a big game player.  In his first ever playoff game, Pierce came out and gunned down the Iverson-led Sixers that went to the Finals the year before.  He then dropped his playoff career high 46 points in the elimination game.  And who can forget "The Comeback" or the dagger he drilled in Al Harrington's face a year later?  Even when he had his meltdown against Indiana a few years ago, Pierce was still our most potent threat and delivered at least in numbers.  So it's puzzling, troubling and alarming when I watch Paul Pierce, with Wally Szczerbiak in his face, keeps passing the ball to Kendrick Perkins in the post being guarded by 7'3" Z Ilgauskas.

Paul Pierce needs to step up.  He needs to demand the ball and abuse their defense like he knows how.  No more mediocre offensive numbers from Paul.  I am demanding greatness from a player who considers himself great.  So, let's see it, Paul Pierce.  It's your time.