Congratulations to the Boston Celtics on winning their 17th NBA title, their first since 1986. They came to play; they out-everything the Lakers in every aspect of this series to completely dominate them from the tip of Game 1 to the final buzzer of Game 6. They were simply outmatched, outplayed and out-coached. But that doesn't excuse them from their efforts in this game. Final score in Game 6: 131-92. Inglewood High's very own Paul Pierce named series MVP.
I've already expressed my feelings on the Lakers efforts tonight so I'm going to steer away from that for now. I will say this though: Kevin Garnett absolutely makes me sick. He laid an unnecessary hard foul on Lamar Odom up by 30-something points late in the 4th quarter and then stuck his tongue out as if to show up Odom and the Lakers. Totally and completely classless. And Kudos to Kobe and the rest of the Lakers for not running off the court after the game ended without shaking hands and congratulating the Celtics. Allen Iverson did that after the Lakers beat the 76ers in 2001 and Derek Fisher had to go chase him in the tunnel. I think the Lakers showed a lot of class by congratulating the Celtics on their win tonight. They know the Celtics earned it, and after tonight's game, there really was no question who the better team really was.
But the Lakers really don't have anything to be ashamed of. They were simply outmatch, outplayed and outcoached in the Finals. But that doesn't excuse them from their efforts in this game.
It has been a fun and unexpected season, though. I don't think anyone thought the Lakers would be here in a Game 6 of the Finals. Not after the turmoil surrounding Kobe last summer, with his trade demands through the media. But, Kobe made a commitment to the Lakers regardless. They won a few games early, built their confidence, and as the season went on, they got more confident in themselves. Kobe began to trust his teammates as guys like Farmar, Sasha and Bynum got better each day as Kobe got them more and more involved. Even after Andrew Bynum, an important piece of the team, had that season-ending knee injury, they continued to find ways to win games. Then came the big trade for Pau Gasol, and they took off! They carried that all the way to the number one seed in a very tough and competitive western conference, and then cruised through the first three rounds of the playoffs, with Kobe winning his first MVP award along the way.
The Lakers will be back next season; you can bet on that. And they should be favorites to win the West again. Bynum is expected back for training camp from his knee injury, and it will be interesting to see how the Lakers make this all work. Remember, Gasol came to the Lakers after Bynum got hurt, so they never got a chance to play together at all this season. But the core of the team is all expected back. Kobe has at least one more season left on his guaranteed contract, but he's already said he will finish his career as a Laker despite all that happened last summer. Odom and Gasol are signed, as is Derek Fisher. And most importantly, all the key role players should be back: Sasha, Farmar, Luke, Turiaf and Radmanovic.
So, all that said, it's been an interesting, yet fun and wild season, with an unexpected finish, but they will be back. And I'm guaranteeing a title next season now... if everyone is healthy!
I've already expressed my feelings on the Lakers efforts tonight so I'm going to steer away from that for now. I will say this though: Kevin Garnett absolutely makes me sick. He laid an unnecessary hard foul on Lamar Odom up by 30-something points late in the 4th quarter and then stuck his tongue out as if to show up Odom and the Lakers. Totally and completely classless. And Kudos to Kobe and the rest of the Lakers for not running off the court after the game ended without shaking hands and congratulating the Celtics. Allen Iverson did that after the Lakers beat the 76ers in 2001 and Derek Fisher had to go chase him in the tunnel. I think the Lakers showed a lot of class by congratulating the Celtics on their win tonight. They know the Celtics earned it, and after tonight's game, there really was no question who the better team really was.
But the Lakers really don't have anything to be ashamed of. They were simply outmatch, outplayed and outcoached in the Finals. But that doesn't excuse them from their efforts in this game.
It has been a fun and unexpected season, though. I don't think anyone thought the Lakers would be here in a Game 6 of the Finals. Not after the turmoil surrounding Kobe last summer, with his trade demands through the media. But, Kobe made a commitment to the Lakers regardless. They won a few games early, built their confidence, and as the season went on, they got more confident in themselves. Kobe began to trust his teammates as guys like Farmar, Sasha and Bynum got better each day as Kobe got them more and more involved. Even after Andrew Bynum, an important piece of the team, had that season-ending knee injury, they continued to find ways to win games. Then came the big trade for Pau Gasol, and they took off! They carried that all the way to the number one seed in a very tough and competitive western conference, and then cruised through the first three rounds of the playoffs, with Kobe winning his first MVP award along the way.
The Lakers will be back next season; you can bet on that. And they should be favorites to win the West again. Bynum is expected back for training camp from his knee injury, and it will be interesting to see how the Lakers make this all work. Remember, Gasol came to the Lakers after Bynum got hurt, so they never got a chance to play together at all this season. But the core of the team is all expected back. Kobe has at least one more season left on his guaranteed contract, but he's already said he will finish his career as a Laker despite all that happened last summer. Odom and Gasol are signed, as is Derek Fisher. And most importantly, all the key role players should be back: Sasha, Farmar, Luke, Turiaf and Radmanovic.
So, all that said, it's been an interesting, yet fun and wild season, with an unexpected finish, but they will be back. And I'm guaranteeing a title next season now... if everyone is healthy!
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