Can LeBron James really be the next Michael Jordan?

That is probably the question Cavaliers fans are asking themselves prior to the best-of-seven second round series between the Celtics and the Cavaliers in the 2008 NBA playoffs. It will all start on Tuesday night in Boston as LeBron James resume his quest to be the next face of basketball and just like Michael Jordan, he’ll be facing a tough Boston Celtics team in the playoffs.

Last year, James already began phase one of his transition, eliminating a bruising Detroit Pistons squad from the postseason. However, it should be tougher for No.23 this time around because the Boston Celtics team he’ll be facing has virtually been dominating everybody all year.

Sure, LeBron James, along with the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers, had more time to prepare for this second round war after it took the Celtics seven games to get rid of the young kids from the ATL. But the fact of the matter is, those kids from the ATL woke up the Celtics in their first round series and after watching those guys bitch-slap the Hawks, Game 7, in Boston, this is probably the WRONG TIME to face this team in the playoffs.

Yup, it gets worse for LeBron James too.

Celtics star Paul Pierce, takes it personal every single time he sees LeBron James across the floor. Pierce believes LeBron is his equal and would stop at nothing in outplaying the rising superstar from Cleveland. Luckily for Pierce, he’ll have help against LeBron James when the series starts on Tuesday.

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

‘’Paul had to take more on himself before, because there wasn’t anyone else, especially last year,'’ Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said. ‘’I think that’s in the past, where Paul thinks he has to do it by himself. Paul has done a great job this year trusting his teammates.'’

With guys like Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen playing with him, why would Pierce think otherwise?

Who will win the NBA title in the 2007-08 NBA basketball season? AcesAce Sportsbook has the odds.

San Antonio Spurs EVEN +350

Cleveland Cavaliers EVEN +1,300

Boston Celtics EVEN +450

Detroit Pistons EVEN +1,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

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