Sports Thread for Christmas 2008: The Overhyped Ness Will Soon End

(Photo from nba.com)Garnett and Bryant will face off again in today's marquee matchup

Well, at least it isn't at the level of the Shaq-Kobe Christmases of the past, is it?

Nevertheless, ESPN has been hell bent on marketing this game, and rightfully so, they should.

Of course, the Celtics have separated themselves from the other big three in the last few weeks (though you maybe are inclined to make that "Big 3" a "Big 4" with how the Orlando Magic have been playing of late). Hell, they have even distinguished themselves from any other team in history by having the best record in the league after 29 games. And a key reason for this tremendous start is the continued growth of Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins.

It absolutely amazes me how people don't back off of Rondo all the time. He hasn't proven to be a consistent threat on the perimeter, yet teams still take the chance of guarding him close, leading to the former Kentucky guard to blow right by and cause undo havoc. Add to the fact that he is one of the better rebounding guards in the

And Perkins has gotten so competent on the offense end that Doc Rivers has decided to give him isolation set plays. This is Kendrick Perkins we are talking about here.
Kendrick Perkins and "isolation plays" in the same sentence from last year would have been about Perkins guarding someone.

Two years ago, it seemed like Perkins would be another guy added to the list of "Straight out of high school" busts. He had no dexterity whatsoever, and was for all intensive purposes, a certified bum. Now, he has almost averaged a double double thus far (9.1 ppg, 8.6. rpg) while still being a strong defensive presence like he was last season.

Just as crucial to the Celtics even being better than they were last year (and any team in history at this point), is how Tony Allen has made the loss of James Posey this offseason seem stunningly irrelevant. Of course, playoff time will be the true determination of whether the two time Finals winner's absence will be felt or not. But so far, Allen, who has recovered from that terrible ACL injury that he had two seasons, has fill in marvelously as the six man off the bench in replacement of Posey. Add in contributions from Tony House and the big two downlow of Leon Powe and Glen Davis and you see why the Celtics looked poised to possibly have the best record in NBA regular season history.

On the other side, the Lakers scored back to back wins against Memphis and the currently offensively challenged New Orleans Hornets (who suffered another ugly loss today to the Magic)to combat being swept in the Florida double last week (Miami and, of course, those Magic guys again). Of course, without Jordan Farmer now, it puts more of an earnest on the starting five to be dominant when they are on the court. Of course, with Andrew Bynum in the lineup, it gives the Lakers the chance to not get bullied around like they were by their rivals in last season's finals.

That physical presence in the paint (and really, across the court) is why the title went back into the hands of the Boston franchise for the first time in two decades. Bynum's presence is integral today, and both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom must facilitate him. Their shrinking performances in last season's finals will not suffice, even if Kobe Bryant goes off for 40 points.

And I think with the Celtics 19 game winning streak on the line today, in a game where their physical toughness against the Celtics will be heavily questioned, on this day, I think both Odom and Gasol will be up to the task. More of a statement game for them than the Celtics, I see the Lakers getting a bleated gift from Santa today.