Under the Radar

The appeal of this series is obvious. It's Kobe versus Pierce, Gasol versus Garnett, and Lamar versus, well Lamar. It's the Laker offense, which will be humming, clashing with the Boston defense, which will be downright stalwart. It's Rondo and Perkins striking hard in the shadows and the Laker bench making its presence felt. It's our Stars versus their Stars and a mess of role players doing all the little things and a few that are big. We know what this looks like.

But what is really intriguing to me are the more underrated notions. Like the improving Laker defense battling the resurgent Celtic offense. Like Luke Walton meeting James Posey or Sasha Vujacic meeting Ray Allen or Ronny Turiaf meeting Leon Powe. I'm talking about Kevin Garnett posting up in the clutch and Pau Gasol showing grit in the paint. Because while there are many things both sides can count in this series, here is where it will be decided.

And finally, it's game time. Go Lakers.