This has nothing to do with startups or marketing. This is about the greatest sports dynasty in the modern era of pro sports. Yes, I'm entirely biased and darn proud of it. This is about the Los Angeles Lakers. Now that I think about it, no sports team has ever been marketed better than the Lakers. Ha!
Later tonight, the 2008 NBA Finals kicks off in Boston. My beloved Lakers are going to be playing the Celtics in enemy territory (6pm Pacific Daylight Time on ABC).
There are many rivalries in sports. UNC vs. Duke. Cal vs. Stanford. Michigan vs. Ohio State. Dodgers vs. Giants. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Cowboys vs. Redskins. Arsenal vs. Manchester United. Ali vs. Frazier. McEnroe vs. Connors. Tiger Woods vs. Tiger Woods. Nothing beats Lakers vs. Celtics. Nothing.
I grew up rooting for the Lakers since 1979. The '80s were the best years to be a Lakers fan. The names bring chills even after 28 years ... Magic, Kareem, Coop-a-loop, Worthy, A.C., Rambis, Kupchak, Byron Scott, McGee, Pat Riley, etc. Eight players from those Lakers and Celtics teams are now in the basketball Hall of Fame. There's a video compilation of Magic Johnson's greatest plays on YouTube.
This year's Lakers remind me a lot of the 1986/87 Lakers team. Best player. Best coach. Best team. The '87 Champions averaged almost 10 points per game more than their opponents in the regular season. This year's Lakers averaged almost 8 PPG more than their opponents. We had six players who averaged double digit points per game back then. This year, we also have five players who averaged double digits in points scored. We actually have a weaker offensive bench but a more balanced bench.
We had a roster of 7 players who played more than 1,000 minutes. We have a 9-deep rotation this season using that baseline but it's really 10 since you have to count Pau Gasol (915 minutes) since he's a starter. Fisher played 956 minutes, also. Point is ... we have a deep, productive bench. Kareem, Worthy, and Magic led that team. Kobe, Gasol, and Odom/Fisher lead this one. Maurice Lucas and Kurt Rambis - both role players - did the dirty work on the boards for the '87 championship team. Gasol and Odom each average more rebounds.
The 1986/87 Celtics team were much better than this year's Celtics. Both teams had an 8-man rotation but you can't even compare the two teams. Bird, McHale, Parish, DJ, and toss in Ainge. You can't possibly think Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are up to par against THAT team. The one thing this year's Celtics have going for them is a better bench than the '87 team. But, I believe that the bench factor is a non-factor. Remember that the '87 Celtics' 8-man rotation was a set rotation run by a proven championship coach in KC Jones. This year's 8-man rotation is merely a statistical reality. Does anyone remember Doc Rivers' inability to commit to either an 8-man or 9-man payoff rotation then exclaiming that he would "coach by feel?" It's a great way to zap consistency of bench play by making sure you force players to look over their shoulders and not know what to expect.
The only thing Celtics have going for them is the "Big Three" of Garnett-Pierce-Allen. Allen's jumper has gone MIA in the last series against the Pistons. Garnett passes off shots he should be taking. He's gun shy. To his credit, Pierce has been terrific. But, Kobe vs. Pierce? I'll take Kobe with extra jumpers and dunks on the side please. Thank you.
One last thing ... the last time the Lakers got this much rest before the Finals, they disposed of the Pistons in six games.
My prediction: Lakers take the trophy in 6 games. My heart tells me that the Lakers will take it in 5 games but my brain tells me that the NBA will find a way to "make" the Series go at least 6 games. There's too much ad revenue and good PR for the NBA at stake following the referee scandal. Call me a conspiracy theorist when it comes to pro sports but admit that I called this one right.
GO LAKERS!!!
By the way, Raj grew up in San Diego. So, he would've been rooting for the San Diego Clippers - a team so bad that it moved to Los Angeles and played in the Lakers' home gym. Thus, I think he will be rooting for the Lakers, as well.
- John
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