We're Talking Lakers and Celtics ... Again!

so ... the Lakers and Celtics play tonight.  


guess what ....


NOBODY CARES!!!


in the few years since they last met in the finals, both clubs have had their share bad off-seasons and trades that didn't turn-out-to-be.  these 2 elite clubs .... the 2 GREATEST franchises in NBA history ... have been shelved as teams of the past while the younger generation of superstar players and teams come in and dominate scoreboards and headlines across the NBA.


the question "Who's gonna win tonight?" is not as interesting as it was a few short years ago when both teams were expected to win their respective conferences.  so instead of asking "Who's gonna win tonight?", I'm gonna take a page from ESPN First Take and ask the question they asked on their show.  


Who has a better shot at making the Finals: Lakers or Celtics?


I asked Buddha (an avid Celtics fan and future post writer here on Dalai Lama for 3!!!) this very question an this was our exchange:


Buddha:  That's a difficult question. Celtics are getting healthy and playing well but they haven't beat anyone with a winning record yet. Lakers are v not as deep without Odom & Kobe is playing at a high level & Bynum is playing well too, but bench is still weak. They way they're playing now I'd say the Celtics but there are still a lot of ifs.
Me: I would say the Lakers have a better chance (but not by much) because of the conference they play in. I think the C's will have a harder time beating the Heat and the Bulls in a 7 game series than the Lakers will have beating the Thunder, the Mavs, the Spurs, the Clips or the Grizzlies. I'd say Lakers but just barely.
Buddha:  But the biggest if is if other teams can knock out both The Heat and The Bulls. So the Lakers have the path of least resistance especially since Memphis doesn't have Zach Randolph & Thunder still have a lot of growth to go through with end of game management specifically in regards to Westbrook. Trailblazers are streaky and Spurs are still dangerous. Clippers will go far but I don't think they can make the Finals without Chauncey.
Me: I concur.

What do you think?