Starters
PG: Derek Fisher PPG 10.0 RPG 2.50 APG 2.2 EFF + 12.40 PER 13.82
6'1", 205 lbs, 33 years old
Fisher can play either guard spot but is more comfortable at the point. He doesn't look to penetrate often, usually going left when he does take it to the rim, and instead prefers to shoot jumpers that more often than not go in. Healso likes to pull up and take jumpers in transition as well. Fisher is very strong, so although he doesn't finish well, he does manage to get himself to the line alot and is not afraid to flop to draw the foul. He uses that strength on defense, making it difficult to post up against him. He's a dogged defender, though he has slowed down quite a bit. Rondo should be able to use his speed against Fisher and get past him easily.
SG: Kobe Bryant PPG 31.9 RPG 6.10 APG 5.8 EFF + 29.73 PER 24.31
6'6", 220 lbs, 29 years old
Bryant is one of the best scorers in the game. He can go in either direction and then pull up for the jumper or drive all the way to the hoop. He is very good at pulling up from distance off the dribble and shoots 36% from beyond the arc. Bryant is great at attacking off the dribble. He's also great at getting defenders in the air with head fakes and then jumping in for the foul, and he shoots 84% from the line. Bryant likes to hot dog and sometimes he seems to attempt the most difficult shot possible rather than just laying it in. This could backfire on him if the Celtics play tough team defense. Kobe is a good defender, he moves well laterally and has the length and leaping ability to bother anyone's shot. Kobe and Ray Allen have bad blood between them going back to 2004 when Ray made some comments about Kobe after Shaq was traded. It will be interesting to see how this matchup plays out. We will probably see Pierce and/or Posey on Kobe at times as well.
SF: Vladimir Radmanovic PPG 8.3 RPG 3.40 APG 1.5 EFF + 8.73 PER 12.69
6'10", 234 lbs, 27 years old
Radmanovic spreads the floor with his long-range shooting. He's a 37.8 percent career 3-point shooter, and he's quick enough get past his defender to get open. he's not a very good ballhandler and has no post game, so even though he is 6-10 he rarely scores around the basket. Radmanovic is fairly quick, but he's a soft defender who can often be beat by his man. He is easily overpowered underneath by stronger forwards and so is not a good rebounder. His often loses focus in a game and often makes plays that leave you scratching your head. This will be the Celtics biggest matchup advantage.
PF: Lamar Odom PPG 14.7 RPG 10.30 APG 2.9 EFF + 20.40 PER 16.93
6'10", 230 lbs 28 years old
Odom is a great ball handler for his size. He is at his best when he can go one on one against bigger forwards at the top of the key and set up teammates with his drives. Odom sees the floor very well and his driving ability helps him get to the line often. He's excellent at going coast-to-coast after rebounds, too. Odom is a solid defender and a good rebounder, averaging 10.6 a game. He's also a good team defender whose length and lateral quickness make him especially effective in zones. He's not a shot-blocker, though, and bigger forwards can overpower him on the blocks.
C: Pau Gasol PPG 17.7 RPG 8.90 APG 4.2 EFF + 24.07 PER 21.68
7'0", 260 lbs, 27 years old
Gasol is incredibly quick for a 7-footer, plus he's skilled enough to put it on the floor and go past opponents or shoot a hook shot over them. He's also a great passer to beat double-teams. Both his assist and turnover ratios were in the top 15 at his position. Gasol can shoot the midrange jumper with accuracy and combined with the right-handed drive and baseline spin they make him difficult to defend. Gasol is considered soft on defense and so the Celtics should look to go at him inside.
Bench Players:
Sasha Vujacic 8.8 ppg, 1 apg
Vujacic is 6-7 but handles the ball well enough to play the point. He's also a good long-range shooter and free-throw shooter, but is incapable of creating shots off the dribble. Vujacic plays with intensity on defense, but can overdo it and has a tendency to pick up a lot of fouls.
Jordan Farmar 9.1 ppg, 2.7 apg
Farmar is a true point guard and has good court vision. He plays unselfishly and has good leaping skills. He is quick, but doesn't take advantage of it enough. He is an average defender.
Luke Walton 7.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Walton's passing long-range shooting ability make him a threat on offense. He has the size and strength to score on the blocks, and he can finish plays when guards set him up near the rim. He is not good at creating one-on-one, however. Defensively, Walton is a good, active help defender who can play both forward positions although quick wings can get past him while bigger power forwards shoot right over him. Walton holds his own on the boards, though, and rarely fouls.
Rony Turiaf 6.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Turiaf is a high energy player and brings a burst of energy off the bench. On the plus side, his energy is a big help at the defensive end and he's almost always in the mix even when his man is on the weak side. His energy also helps him compete on the boards despite being short for a center and just an average leaper. On the minus side, his energy often makes him very foul prone.
Trevor Ariza 5.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Ariza is very athletic. He's a devastating finisher in transition, and his hops make him a very good rebounder. He's also quick and a very good defender. Offensively, his quickness translates into penetration skills and he is able to get to the basket. He isn't a very good ball handler and his jumper isn't very good. He has been on the injured list with a fractured foot and so hasn't played in the previous series, but he was activated for the Lakers last game although he didn't play.
DJ Mbenga 2 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Has good size and is strong. Runs the floor well and is a good shot blocker. He isn't a threat on the offensive end, however. Has only averaged 4.4 mpg in the playoffs.
Chris Mihm 3.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Mihm is a former Celtic. He is another 7 footer and can give them more length on defense and has a good midrange game. He hasn't played so far in the playoffs, though.
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