A Five-Step Program For Victory

By Brendon Rosenau
Love of Sports Correspondent

The NBA Finals is two games old.

It’s always said that a series doesn’t start until the home team loses, but this is the Finals, and I have five helpful hints for each team. I know Phil and Doc are regular readers of this site, so expect to see the following theories put into play over the next week.

Five Things the Lakers Have to Do to Stay Alive

1. Shut Up and Play

The first thing the Lakers need to is focus on the game. Phil Jackson’s never been the most diplomatic speaker in postgame press conferences, but he should be embarrassed of his remarks after Game 2. The Zen Master has chided officials in the past, and has usually benefited from it, and taken pot shots at opposing players or fans. I can see where he’s coming from after Game 2. A 38-10 free throw shooting edge for the hometown is not cool. But on the heels of his cheap shot at Paul Pierce following Game 1, the comment came off as desperate and frankly that of a losing team. And Jackson wasn’t the only one complaining. Both Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic commented on the fact that the Lakers got hit, but the whistles where silent. Sorry boys, but the Lakers aren’t getting jobbed out of a title.

How about Game 1? After Pierce went down, the Celtics went on a 6-0 run with Pierce out of the game. If you can’t stick to what is happening on the court you aren’t going to win in the Finals.

Kobe, among others, spent considerable time in Game 2 jawing at the officials while the Celtics where speeding down the court converting easy buckets. He got hit with a T early and was fortunate he was not ejected from the game. The Lakers are on the big stage for a reason. Now that they’re home and in front of a friendly crowd it’s time to tighten up the high tops, strap on a pair and play the damn game.

2. MVP, MVP, MVP

There’s a reason Kobe won the MVP. He’s the best player in the game. Therefore, someone needs to explain what happened in the last 14 seconds. Bryant inbounded the ball, then could only watch as Vujacic had his shot deflected by Pierce. Was it Bryant’s fault for not getting open or was it his teammates for not getting him the ball? The answer is irrelevant. In that situation, Kobe should - scratch that - NEEDS to have the ball. This isn’t a February game in Milwaukee. This is the NBA Finals! This is where the best of the best perform. This is Bryant’s comfort zone.

The Celtics have played great defense, and great is not an overstatement. Bryant’s stated in the past that he can get his at any point, and now it’s time to show his cards. Basketball is a team game, but the Lakers can’t win unless Bryant’s taking control. He needs to be more aggressive and force the action. He took only four shots in the paint in Game 2 and just two in the first game. A driving Kobe means more trips to the free throw line (13-of-13 thus far) and more opportunities for his teammates.

3. Hit Somebody

I’m not talking Kevin McHale or Kurt Rambis style here, but how many times are the Celtics going to take uncontested shots? Yes, the Celtics got to the line at will, but the majority of those fouls where the result of poor defense. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol have been non-existent on defense. Rajon Rondo’s made Derek Fisher look like he’s 50, and I won’t even mention what Pierce has done.

We all know the Lakers are a finesse team, especially the starting five, but a title can’t be won with perimeter jump shots and defense that would make the Golden State Warriors blush. And for the love of Pat Riley, if you’re going to foul make sure you don’t give up a field goal as well. Give Rondo a nudge when he drives the baseline. Put a body on Leon Powe. Next time Pierce wheels his way inside the paint, put him on his behind. If you’re being called for five and dimers, make them count.

4. Run Baby Run

The Lakers had the best offense in the NBA this year, but it wasn’t until the final seven minutes of Game 2 that we finally saw how good they can be. You have to give credit to the Celtics defense, but the Lakers, for the first seven quarters of this series, have looked out of synch. It’ll be interesting to see if the Lakers offense that went on a 31-9 in the fourth will come out to play, or will we see the stagnant unit that had just 39 points in the second and third quarter? The Lakers are most comfortable when they can run their triangle offense, but they need to open up the game first. Once the Celtics offense gets set, the Lakers have struggled to put the ball in.

5. Urgency

The fact of the matter is the Lakers need to win tonight. Before their desperate run in Game 2, they’d looked like a team going through the motions. They didn’t foul with under a minute to play in Game 1, despite the fact they where only down eight. You’d expect a team with veterans like Fisher and Bryant would pick up the pace, especially one the road, but that hasn’t been the case. Bryant said he implored his team to step up their game, but by then the Lakers where down by 24.

The Lakers need to come out tonight ready to play from the tip. They need to be aggressive. They need to show the Celtics that if they’re going to the basket then they’re going to have to pick themselves up off the floor. If they do this, the series should be 2-1. If not, then they may not leave L.A. again this year.

Five Things the Celtics Must Do to Close out the Series

1. Do Not Let Up

The Celtics nearly choked away Game 2. Thankfully for them, they didn’t. And in the process, they learned a valuable lesson ... Keep your foot on the gas. The Celtics were wiping the floor with the Lakers, much to the delight of their fans. However, just like they did against Detroit in Game 5, they let their opponent off the mat. The good news is they won and they can look at the fact that, for three quarters, the Lakers didn’t belong on the same court as the C’s.

The Celtics realized their mistake, and now it is time to correct it. On the road they simply can not fall into the trap of complacency. They must continue to attack the basket. If Rondo’s making highlight reel passes bring in Sam Cassell. The veterans on the team have to realize how fragile the opportunity they hold in their hands is. There’s no reason to come back to Boston. Finish the job and do it quick.

2. Bang, Bang, Bang

Why have the Celtics won the first two games? Because they’ve been the more physical of the two teams. Kevin Garnett has 27 boards in the first two games. They held a 46-33 edge on the boards in Game 1. P.J. Brown manhandled Lamar Odom in the last game. Leon Powe overmatched Ronnie Turiaf and company, and even Rondo got into the act with six boards in Game 2.

Offensively, the Celtics haven’t been afraid to draw contact. Their first instinct on offense is to drive. One result’s been their huge advantage in free throws. You don’t get to the line 38 times by shooting 18-foot jumpers. The penetration’s also opened looks for Ray Allen, whose shooting touch looks just fine. The Lakers are no way near as physical as Detroit or Cleveland. The more the Celtics throw their muscle around the court, the bigger their advantage. The Lakers don’t have the desire to engage in a 48-minute pound-a-thon.

3. The Truth Shall Set You Free

Forget about the injury. Paul Pierce has been the best player on the court in these Finals. In fact, since his epic Game 7 performance against the Cavs, Pierce has been the best player in the playoffs. What else can you say about a guy who’s made 16-of-26 shots and connected on all but one of his eight three-point attempts? In Game 2, he also handed out eight assists and made came up with a block in the final seconds.

He’s the Celtics’ top option on offense and has run through any defender the Lakers have thrown at him. Vladimir Radmanovic couldn’t cover him with an 80-foot blanket, and Bryant’s looked nothing like an NBA Second-Team All-Defense member while guarding him.

There’s no question Pierce is the inspirational leader of the team. Garnett supplies the intensity, but it was Pierce who had the crowd in a frenzy in Game 1. It was Pierce who had Garnett pumping his fist when he returned from his injury. It’ll be Pierce who’ll be the Finals MVP and lead the Celtics to a title. Pierce has elevated himself into the top tier of the NBA elite. With two more wins, he’ll put himself into the top tier of Celtics.

4. Do Not Panic

Chances are the Lakers will win Game 3. If that happens, it’s crucial the Celtics don’t panic. The Lakers are too good a team to be swept and should get a shot in the arm from some home cooking. Worse case scenario here is the Lakers pick up all three at home. That would put the Celtics in a unique situation, trailing in a series, but with two home games left to go. They haven’t had that deer in the headlights look yet, and it’s hard to imagine guys like Pierce, Allen or Garnett succumbing to pressure. However, this is championship pressure, a height none of them have climbed to. If the Celtics stay with their game plan and trust each other, they’ll be fine. When they’ve gotten away from that, they’ve lost. With the 2-0 edge, they’re ahead of the game. Play the right way and raise the trophy.

5. Defense Wins Championships

It’s a cliché, but it’s true. The Celtics were the best defensive team in the regular season, and they’re two wins away from a title. In Game 1, they held the Lakers 18 points below their regular season average. They were on their way to doing the same in Game 2 before the fourth quarter explosion. They’ve contained Kobe Bryant better than anyone else in years. They have forced 21 turnovers in two games and have won the battle on the boards. If they continue to do this, they’ll win the series. You can look at the offensive numbers, Rondo’s 16 assists and Pierce’s lights out shooting, but it’s all a result of the defense. While most plays use their offense to support their D, the Celtics play defense to ignite their offense.

They’ve shutdown the paint with Garnett and Perkins. Allen’s followed Kobe to the mens room. James Posey has come off the bench with fresh legs to give Bryant more problems. They’ve closed on the Lakers’ three-point shooters and haven’t let anyone on L.A. get into a comfortable rhythm. Defense takes effort, it takes dedication and it takes heart. Look at the Celtics roster and that‘s what you’ll find on each and every player. That’s why they’re leading the series and that is why, if they follow these five steps, they’ll be the NBA champions.