Empty the Bench

Kobe Bryant Photo Credit: Jeff Lewis/Icon SM

The Starting Lineup Will…

Derek Fisher will play intelligent, disciplined defense on Rajon Rondo and the Celtics backup point guards. He will stay in front of Rondo and minimize his penetration and draw offensive fouls when Rondo gets flustered and tries to force the issue. On offense Fish will be a calming influence and a leader who will not let the magnitude of the games affect him at all, making the right decisions and keeping his teammates involved. He will also take ball-handling pressure off of Kobe during the games while protecting the basketball. And of course, in late-game situations Derek Fisher will not hesitate to step up and make the clutch shots that have defined his career.

At off-guard Kobe Bean Bryant will be the best offensive player on the floor every night. He’s going to toy with Celtics defenders, getting to the free throw line seemingly at will and putting both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in too much foul trouble to guard him consistently. The fouls will limit their minutes and force Doc Rivers to play James Posey far more than he would like to. And the foul trouble won’t end with Celtics swingmen, as their interior defenders will be forced to step in Kobe’s way just to limit easy baskets. When the Celtics try to simply contain Kobe by keeping him on the perimeter as they did with LeBron he will eat them alive with his long-range shooting. On the defensive end of the floor Kobe will continue to get into Ray Allen’s head, ruining his newfound confidence and taking him out of games for quarters at a time.

Small forward Vladimir Radmanovic’s outside shooting will be an asset, keeping the Celtics defense honest and not allowing them to double Kobe with any regularity. Rad Man won’t take a ton of shots, but he will knock down 45% of them and 40% of his three-point attempts just as he did in the regular season. When his shot isn’t there or isn’t falling, Radmanovic will recognize it and keep the ball swinging around the perimeter. And while Radmanovic won’t play strong defense, he will be serviceable enough to log over 20 minutes each game.

How the rest of the Lakers will contribute to a title after the jump…

On the offensive end Lamar Odom will adapt to his matchups and Boston’s defensive schemes, becoming a shooter, post player or passer as the situation dictates. Odom will provide whatever the Lakers need from him each night. He will draw the Boston big men outside when Kobe has the ball to clear space, and he will be crashing the glass and getting deep positioning when he doesn’t. Lamar will also keep the ball moving on offense, finding the the Lakers’ numerous open shooters.

On defense Odom will challenge Kevin Garnett, playing him long and tough. He will get into Garnett’s head with fast hands and fast feet and KG will be all too happy to give up th rock. But most importantly, Lamar Odom will be the second-leading rebounder in this series, crashing the boards with reckless abandon.

Down low, Pau Gasol will continue to run a picture perfect pick-and-roll game with Kobe Bryant. He’ll consistently glide to the hoop for easy lay-ins and dunks. That will allow Gasol to continue to shoot 50% from the field despite the fact that he’ll often be guarded by this season’s Defensive Player of the Year. Pau will also create his own offense in the post when the less experienced and less mobile Kendrick Perkins tries to play him in man defense, not hesitating to stick jumpers in Perk’s eye.

Playing in the biggest series of his career, Gasol will be an inspired rebounder, working his ass of on the glass and averaging double-digit rebounds to help negate Boston’s advantage there. On defense, he will simply keep Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins shooting jumpers. They may make their fair share, but they won’t be be layups and they won’t be outscoring Gasol and Odom.

Kevin Garnett and Derek Fisher Photo Credit: Icon SM

And Off the Bench…

The backup guards for Los Angeles will have Doc Rivers wishing he had hair to pull out. By hitting their open shots Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic will make it impossible to double Kobe. Farmar will be a capable ball-handler when Fisher is resting, and he’ll key fast breaks by vulturing passing lanes and making outlets to his teammates. Meanwhile, The Machine will become a local hero as he buries key shot after key shot in the midst of Lakers runs, shooting well over 40% from behind the arc.

Trevor Ariza, a forgotten man in these playoffs, will be a factor. His 6-8 frame and excellent all-around defense will be an invaluable asset alongside Kobe in handling Pierce and Allen. Ariza won’t play more than 15 minutes in any game, but while he’s on the floor he will be aggressive on both ends, forcing turnovers and throwing down crowd-pleasing dunks.

Up front Los Angeles will get a contribution from either Luke Walton or Ronny Turiaf each game. On some nights Walton will step up and hit his jumpers while making smart passes and scooping up some loose rebounds. And when Luke shrinks, Turiaf will be an energizer off the bench, coming in for limited minutes to block shots, get after loose balls, help on the glass and hit the few mid-range jumpers he takes.

And that’s why… The Los Angeles Lakers will win the NBA Finals in six games.