By Chris Willett
Have you seen a more beautifully executed
game as tonight’s game 6 in Boston?
Granted, I expected the Celtics to come out and end the series here in Boston, but honestly, I expected
a little tougher effort from the Lakers. Wait, I meant a lot more effort.
Midway through the 3rd quarter and you can clearly see this game is
over. Yet, the Celtics continued to play as if they feared a possible revival
by the Lakers. However, this revival never came. Final score Boston 131 and LA 92. The Celtics won by
dealing out a scoring difference of 39 points
which is only 3 points from the greatest in NBA finals history. This is a very
fitting end for the team who performed one of the greatest comebacks in NBA
Finals history in game 4 and had the greatest single season turn around in NBA
history.
Pierce, K.G., Rondo, Allen, Perkins, and even
the rookie Davis came out and showed what a true championship team looks like. Personally
I am a Spurs fan, however, the Celtics with their never quit attitude and
outstanding defense, have made these finals one of the best I have ever
watched. Doc Rivers is consistently pushing the team mentality and his players
have completely bought into his system.
So, what about Kobe and the Lakers? Despite having won the
NBA’s MVP of the year award, Kobe at times in this series appeared more interested in what shots he could make
than whether his taking the shot will help motivate his team to play harder. There
are times in a game when a player can revive his teammates by playing hard and
making shot after shot. Yet sometimes, you will need to pass the ball off to
your team to encourage them to get involved. In tonight’s game Kobe needed to be the former. However, midway
through the 3rd quarter Kobe,
as well as the rest of the Lakers, appeared to be resigned to defeat. Perhaps
during the half they should have watched tape of game 4 to see that you can
always come back with enough effort. The game is never over until the final
buzzer sounds, yet, when you let your mind begin to believe you’ve been beat
then the game is over early for you. This is what ultimately finished the game
and the series for the Lakers.
So we look to next year. My team
the San Antonio Spurs, will look to strengthen their roster and quite possibly
replace some of their older players, namely, Finley, Horry and Thomas. The
Celtics have a great team and after this Finals performance, they have shown
they have a team that demands all other teams take note. In fact with the
development of their team mentality and now with the confidence of a championship,
they are a strong contender for a return to the finals next year. As for the
Lakers, I would look for the possibility of Kobe’s return as a Laker as questionable. He
carried the Lakers to the finals but no man can win on his own. It takes a team
and this is where the Lakers will need help. They will most likely see a shake
up in their roster as they look to build with not only experience but also mental
toughness. Had the Lakers been mentally stronger, this series may have had a
different outcome.
Now we must say goodbye to the NBA season for this year but we give a well deserved and standing O to the newest NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics. You guys showed us how a championship team looks, acts and carriers itself no matter the challenge before them. Congratulations, you deserve it. Now get ready for next year.
