Finals MVP: Vujacic or Powe?

Game 2 Stats for Leon Powe: 21 pts, 6-7 FG, 9-13 FT, 2 Reb
Game 3 Stats for Sasha Vujacic: 20 pts, 7-10 FG, 3-4 FT, 3 3PT, 4 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Blk

The NBA Finals are a big stage for players to make a name for themselves. Leon Powe made a splash in Game 2 and Sasha Vujacic matched that effort in Game 3. Both are young players who have shown moments of strong play and their efforts in the finals came at the right time. But let's be clear about one thing: there is a reason both players come off the bench and play the minutes that they do. Both Doc Rivers and Phil Jackson know that the type of production from Powe and Vujacic that we saw doesn't come every night.

To further emphasize the point, Leon Powe followed up his big night with an 0-3, 2 Reb, 1 TO, 1 Pt night in about half the minutes he played in Game 2. The message here is that role players are a big part of what happens in a game but it is much easier for those players to have big games at home. Take a look at Rajon Rondo. Rondo has been very effective at the point for the Celtics at home. After combining for 23 Ast and 4 TO at home, he went for 4 Ast, 2 TO in Game 3 before spraining his ankle. Rondo's production has been vastly different on the road versus in the Garden. Yesterday, Kobe came out aggressive and made it easier for Vujacic to get open shots. In Game 2, Rondo and Pierce set up several easy dunks and layups for Powe.

The storyline for the Finals so far has been KG's good defense negating his poor shooting, and the play of Pierce and Allen vs Bryant. If the Lakers win Game 4, their role players will certainly contribute, but the tone is set by the best player. I think Boston wins the series because KG is neutralizing Gasol and Odom while Kobe cannot guard both Pierce and Allen. Which brings me to my next point, Pau Gasol is overrated as an "all star" in the league. He has limited post moves and he doesn't rebound or box out well. Tim Duncan put up HUGE numbers against the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, even in defeat. KG provides just as many problems on the offense and defense. With Gasol struggling and Odom in foul trouble and Vladimir Radmonovic doing absolutely nothing useful on the court, the Lakers are forced to play Turiaf and Walton for more and more minutes. The Lakers are not a championship quality team when those guys play extended minutes.

Let me also not forget to give props to Jeff Van Gundy for two things he said in the broadcasts of Games 2 and 3. First, when Mark Jackson compared Leon Powe to Dr. J, Van Gundy blasted him and apologized profusely to Dr. J for one of the most riduclous statements made on the air. And secondly, last night during Game 3, Van Gundy made the sharp observation that "Powe can only hurt you if he outworks you." The fact of the series has been that the big players have made the biggest impact. Kobe was held in check in Games 1 and 2 and outdueled Ray Allen in Game 3 while Pierce and Garnett struggled. Gasol and Odom have been ineffective throughout most of the series.

One disclaimer about my prediction: when Kobe is involved, he always has a chance to win. When I say that the Celtics are more talented, I mean that KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, James Posey, Rajon Rondo are more talented - combined - than Kobe. But Kobe is still Kobe.