For the first time in the past four NBA playoffs, neither the Los Angeles Lakers nor the Boston Celtics will assume starring roles in either of the conference finals.

Let’s take a look at each team and its ability to move forward from here:

Boston Celtics

Surprisingly, Boston remains in fairly good shape to be a major part of the playoff picture next season. Many figured this to be their last good run at a title. And with the oncoming of younger, more confident teams (Miami, Chicago) that may be true, but there are still six additional spots that’ll be up for grabs in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta, who bowed out in their typical fashion last night against Chicago, will continue to be inconsistent and, to a certain degree, uncoachable. New York should improve its conference standing with a full year of its own ‘big three’ on the court, but will they really become elite? And who knows what will happen in Orlando. Will Superman still be in the building?

Regardless of the standing of its opponents, Boston may have already made its most significant off-season move. Immediately following his team’s loss to the Heat in Game 5, Boston head coach Doc Rivers asserted his commitment to return to his position next season. Today, Rivers and the organization agreed to a 5-year contract extension. It is clear that Rivers has an unbreakable bond with this Celtic team – it is visible when he talks about them. His loyalty will undoubtedly be matched by the team’s most influential players – Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo.

Can Rondo and the Celtics get healthy enough to make some noise in the East?

Granted, time is not on Boston’s side. Next year, the team will be a year older, and three of its best performers are comfortably into their 30′s. But, if management can reload the roster with some interior size (which cost them dearly in their series loss to Miami) and explosive bench talent, there’s no reason to think that the Celtics won’t find a way to have home court advantage in the opening round of the 2012 playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers

From a standpoint of roster potential, the sky is the limit for this team. Sure, they got waxed by the Mavericks. But however you slice it, the Lakers retain their daunting interior size, Lamar Odom coming off of the bench, and a fellow named Kobe Bryant.

However, Los Angeles has a tougher road ahead of it than does Boston.

Why?

Because they’ll be dealing with turnover in perhaps the most tumultuous position in the organization - the head coach. 

The current edition of the Lakers is one that has publicly confessed its tendency to become complacent.  Phil Jackson – generally noted as one of the game’s premiere motivators and a trailblazer when it comes to dealing with diverse personalities - was unable to minimize the supposed internal strife and keep them focuses on the task of three-peating.  The situation begs the question:

If Jackson – an 11-time NBA championship head coach – can’t command the team’s attention, who can?

Was their drama between their women that contirbuted to an embarrassing performance?

There are several candidates currently in the running for the position, including Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw, former Rockets coach Rick Adelman, former NBA sharpshooter Chuck Person and former Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy.  While some of the candidates on L.A.’s short list have better resumes than others, none of them have the authoritative presence that Jackson did.

The Lakers are a hotbed of drama, and the next coach will have to get a handle on the following:

• The rumors of relationship meddling that may have caused a perceived rift between Bryant and Gasol
• Andrew Bynum’s frustrated belief that he needs to be more of a central focus in the Los Angeles gameplan…and Kobe’s subsequent denial
• Ron Artest’s role with the team

And these are just the surface-scratching issues that the new head man will have to tackle immediately.  Who knows what else could develop with Jackson not around to babysit the huge egos on the team.

Fortunately for them, the Lakers still have one of the league’s most well-rounded rosters.  That alone will keep them relevant.  This is not a team that needs to be blown up.

It’s simply a ship that needs the right captain.

T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com.  All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this author