Lakers still figuring out their matchups

Fisher will guard Rondo and Bryant will be on Allen, but the frontcourt matchups may take some maneuvering.

L.A. Times: The tradition has been well-documented, from Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, but who’s going to guard whom in the latest version of Lakers vs. Celtics?

The teams start the NBA Finals on Thursday, but there was still a bit of uncertainty, perhaps even coyness, on the Lakers’ behalf as far as matchups.

Derek Fisher will guard second-year point guard Rajon Rondo and Kobe Bryant will start out on Ray Allen, but the frontcourt is somewhat unsettled.

Lamar Odom said he expected to match up against physical Boston center Kendrick Perkins, who outweighs Odom by 34 pounds.

“I’ll try to meet him as far out on the court as possible,” Odom said. “I’ll have my hands out, be like an offensive lineman coming right off the line and jam him early. I guess I’ll be Orlando Pace out there.”

Pau Gasol probably will start out on Kevin Garnett, and Vladimir Radmanovic probably will draw Paul Pierce, though this is the type of series where defense-minded forward Trevor Ariza could get more playing time, presumably against Pierce.

With two more days of practice before Game 1, the Lakers aren’t being overly committal at this point.

Continue reading ‘Lakers still figuring out their matchups’