Bill Walton picks the Celts to win the title

In yesterday's interview with Mike Francesa on WFAN, Walton was asked his thoughts on this year's playoffs. His immediate response was "Lakers/Celtics finals" and then added, "I pick the Celtics to win the championship."

Francesa asked him if he thought Lebron was hurt.

"You can see it in his face but he scored 35 in the first game and they didn't say anything about it. But Cleveland doesn't play the team game necessary and that is not Lebron's fault. The Lakers play the prettiest game. Phil Jackson is absolutely remarkable. And Gasol's the best big man in the league. Tremendously skilled and a lot like David Robinson in terms of just that regal stature of kindness, humility and a special soul out there. Lamar Odom is tremendous. Bynum has got terrific hands. Derek Fisher is a champion player. And Kobe is one of the two best players in the game today and Lebron's the other one. There are no words to describe how great Kobe is as a basketball player.

"The Lakers have no worries in the West. Utah can't beat them. Phoenix looks to be the better team than San Antonio right now. They're faster, they're quicker, they're fresher and you've got Nash, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson and Amar'e Stoudemire. But you're talking now about going against a big, gigantic Laker team. And the Lakers have homecourt advantage and the Lakers have Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have the best coach, the best homecourt advantage, the best big man, they have the best franchise, the best management. They have everything going for them and the only team that can beat them this year is the Boston Celtics. The Lakers will have homecourt advantage against them this year but the Celtics have Rondo who is the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. They have the best coach in the Eastern Conference in Doc Rivers. They have the best homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference. They have more depth and frontline strength and they've got KG who's back to some level of productivity. You've got Paul Pierce who is a great one-on-one player who creates offense. You've got a phenomenal finisher in Ray Allen who's got that pretty stroke. You've got Big Baby Davis off the bench. This is a really good squad that COMPLETELY disregarded the regular season. They had health issues, yes. They had chemistry issues, yes. And those are the things that always kills a team. But when they came alive against Miami, even though it was not a fun team to watch during the regular season, right now they're playing terrific. And when they were pushed around at the end of game one in Cleveland it didn't look good when nobody responded. But when the big power guys from Cleveland came at 'em in game two then the Celtics stood really tall and responded.

"And I look for them to carry that out up in Boston this weekend and for the Celtics to go up three games to one. And finish it out in six games with the final game in Boston. And then beat Orlando even though Orlando will have homecourt advantage. But the Celtics just have too much.

"The Celtics have advantages in so many key areas. Point guard. This guy Rondo is fantastic. In a way, he's a lot like a combination of Dennis Johnson and Magic Johnson. Completely unique. And then you've got Doc Rivers who is tremendous and is a leader. And you've got KG who is so fierce and so smart. And with their depth you can go up against other teams that have some good players, but good players who don't play that team game, who don't play the mental game and have no chance at the championship level."

I loved Walton when he was with Portland. I adored him when he backed up Robert Parish in green. I want to have his baby now. He was a starter in Portland, a backup with the Celtics but went into the HOF as a Celtic and always talk up the Celts and refers to the Lakers as "the Fakers".

bob

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It must have been weird for a west coast guy to be a celt. I guess when you throw in Wooden though the guy understands tradition.

Jeb,

He lived in the people's republic of cambridge while here so he felt comfortable.

Bill sees himself as a Bruin and a Celtic. He understands tradition and the way the game should be played.

He was a great Celtic while he was here. He wore the green well. It was a great championship year, l986, they were so much fun to watch and he was absolutely one of the best passing centers I ever saw play the game. I met him once while he was here and he talked my ear off for fifteen minutes! I loved it!

I guess Bill was a better player than prognosticator. At least as far as us going up 3-1 this weekend.

His prediction of a Celtic championship this year is still in play but the road just got a bit rockier.

Think positive!!

rosie t

Pardon the language but fuckabuncha givin up. Terrible game and the doom and gloom crowd is going to be engaged but one win changes everything.

jeb

Wonder what Bill would have to say about "the worst playoff loss in Celtic franchise history."

I didn't see this one coming. Bill didn't either.

Someone send out a search party for Paul Pierce.

Lets see how they respond next game.

jeb

last I knew it takes 4 wins.
It's far from over.

beat

They better win, I am going tomorrow!!!!! Don't worry, I'll bring home a big
victory for all of you doubters and supporters!!!!

rosie t

Straighten em out. I rest easy knowing you will.

Rosalie and any other mothers on the board (not sure how that sounds).

Anyway, Happy Mother's Day in advance.

And, Rosalie, I hope you enjoy this next game as much as the last one you attended.

Sam