Best series of the playoffs

Let's get predictions out of the way right up top:  Cavs in 6.  Make no mistake, Lebron James will win this one by himself.  At one time or another Z, Wally, Delonte and Boobie will get theirs, but even that will come in spurts and only as the King distracts the crowd by lifting the world off his shoulders and spinning it on his finger like Meadowlark Lemon.

Unfortunately, it won't be easy.  The Celtics defense will keep the Cavs' second options from showing any consistency, meaning the Checkers match between Doc Rivers and Mike Brown will determine who gets kinged in the end.

My money is on Lebron tossing all the game planning aside, like usual, and destroying everybody the Celtics throw at him.  But since no matter what the box score shows, there are 5 on the floor at all times, let's check out how the teams measure up.

Cavs			Celtics
	One game he's on fire, the next he's invisible.  Either way, he's a guaranteed 3+ turnovers, especially against a pressure defense.	PG	Rondo has been surprisingly consistent all year and into the playoffs, putting up a better than 7:1 assist to turnover ratio against the Hawks		Isn't the veteran supposed to the consistent one?  Shockingly, Rondo even rebounds better. Advantage Celtics
	Unlike with Caron Butler, Wally can take it easy on the defensive end this series.  Sure, he'll need to fight through a lot of screens, but it's not like the Celtics have anybody who could break his ankles.	SG	In substantial minutes, Allen is averaging 16, 3 and 3 on subpar shooting this post-season.  The Celtics really don't lose much but the right to say "3 All-Stars!" when he sites		If Wally was black, America would adore him the way they do Jesus. Advantage Celtics
	The one man the Celtics really have no answer for.  None of their centers are comfortable far from the rim and Garnett is overwhelmed by his height.  Wait, don't Wally and Z give us 3 All-Stars as well?	C	If Kendrick gets hungry, Dwayne Jones has been instructed to throw himself at the big fella, to keep him from eating any real Cavs.  Seriously, Perkins just fills space.  He'll have to do more to stay on the floor against Ilgauskas		You can't call Z-illa the X-factor, since he's ALWAYS there for us. Advantage Cavs
	4 All-Stars!  Our lineup PWNS the Celtics!  We even have have more jewelry thanks to Big Ben.	PF	Somebody get KG a hot dog.  Let's see if some good Cleveland cooking can put his blood pressure over the top.  Since he'll just patrol the lane while "guarding" Wallace, don't expect Wally or Boobie to drive much.		Wallace should be able to neutralize Garnett's offense.  Hopefully he can limit KG's boards, too. Advantage Celtics
	89 games in, having tasted the Finals, Lebron knows there is no time to let up.  If the Hawks could get to the line 47 times in a game, Bron should get to the line 48.	SF	I'm not going to say anything mean because I live WAY too close to Inglewood Blood territory.  I'll just say he's not very good unless he's hot from outside, and I'm happy to let him fire away.		Will these two guard one another?  Neither side seems to have much choice. Advantage Cavs
	We've seen glimpses of the idea that when something works, abuse it until they adjust.  I can't imagine Mike Brown's play calling is as bad as it seems, so I'll say his biggest burden is to get the 5 guys on the floor to act on what he suggests.	Coach	So Doc Rivers was roundly considered the worst coach in the league, then he gets 3 old men and all their followers, brings in a guy considered a defensive genius, and suddenly he's good?  I don't think KG is the only one to blame for the Celtics poor performance in close games.		Wow.  This one is going to be tough to type. Advantage Cavs?
	Boobie.  Joe Smith.  Anderson Varejao.  Sasha?  The difference between Cav #2 and Cav #9 really isn't much.  In a knock-down-drag-out series, with foul trouble on the horizon and a hot hand vital, our depth means we can stay fresh and active and find what what works.	Bench	James Posey.  Sam Cassell.  Leon Powe.  PJ Brown.  Knowing Doc Rivers, we'll actually see a lot of Eddie House, Tony Allen and Glen Davis.  Either way, nobody who worries me too much.  I can live with Cassell firing away.  Posey's length won't actually bother Lebron.  Leon Powe has killed us before, though.		Look back over those names again.  Even if you hate the Cavs, you can't possibly argue that the Celts bench compares. Advantage Cavs

So what happens when you add it all up? Who the hell knows. It really will be a battle of wills. The willingness for Lebron to keep banging. The willingness of Mike Brown to take chances offensively. Our willingness to have anybody but Lebron bring the ball up into the inevitable midcourt trap. (I'm not too willing on that one. Boobie and Delonte are scary under pressure.)  No one game lead either way will make or break this series until that one game makes it 4-3.  We'll probably see a number of faces and heroes for each side.  Anybody who is willing to guarantee victory is nuts.  But I will guarantee an entertaining series.

Go Cavs!