The Lakers weren't ready to play the Celtics in last year's NBA Finals, but coach Phil Jackson believes his club is this time around.

"I felt they got there a year early as a team," Jackson said of last year's team.

"They didn't have as much experience together. We got there on our emotion and energy, and some things fell ahead of us."

Jackson didn't give much credit to the Celtics, instead blaming the Lakers lack of preparedness for the loss in last year's championship round.

"Really, this issue of being prepared and the preparedness of a team is always what your coaching is about," he said. "Most of the time you want to go to a game and anticipate what they've gone through in practice is what they're going to have to do in a game. But there's nothing like the game.

"I think that's the one thing we're trying accomplish. We felt like last year we weren't quite prepared for the type of game we were going to have to play against Boston. It has nothing to do with Boston as it has to do with the playoffs."

Via Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers

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