The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to clinch their second consecutive NBA Title. It's not nearly as bad of a feeling as I had when the Yankees beat the Fightin' Phils in the World Series last year but it still really sucks. I hate the Lakers, I hate how arrogant Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher are (I very possibly could be leaving out more in this category) and I hate that Ron Artest was the one that made such a huge three late in the game. Seriously, you almost have to live with that if you're the Celtics because he isn't a great outside shooter. It just tears your guts out.
The Celtics had a 13 point lead on the road and had plenty of chances to win this one. I don't like blaming losses on officiating, but there were plenty of bad calls down the stretch that favored the home team, the two most notable ones coming when Pau Gasol's shot had already been rebounded and the Celtics were whistled for inexcusably late foul call and the no-call in the last two minutes when Gasol shoved Rajon Rondo to the ground in pursuit of an offensive rebound and the Lakers clinging to a 3 point lead. I read the lips of Celtics coach Doc Rivers on the sideline and he said "That's terrible." And I agree with him. Very pivotal moment considering Boston could have had the ball with a chance to tie and instead it was the Lakers headed to the line shortly after to extend it to a two possession game. I felt like the officiating definitely helped propel the Lakers to victory, but that's what you have to expect when you play against them in the Staples Center, particularly in the playoffs. It seemed like pretty much all of the Laker points down the stretch were on free throws. Yes, some were actually fouls, but I still feel like the calls were unbalanced.
All this being said, the Celtics had chances to win and probably are kicking themselves right now. And the Lakers are a really good team and did capitalize on the breaks they received. They won under the circumstances, the Celtics lost. I think the Celtics did benefit from some calls in Boston, so that's just the way it goes sometimes. It's part of the game, whether we like it or not (and even though David Stern still stubbornly denies that it affects outcomes of games) and so credit the Lakers for winning. They earned the title, they're a really talented team that plays well at home and like any championship team, is capable of capitalizing on breaks that come their way.
On the bright side for me today, the University of Utah did officially join the Pac-10. Man, it just feels good to be a part of such a big-time conference. And coming up later this morning is the World Cup on ESPN with the United States taking on Slovenia in a crucial match-up in Group Play. It's pretty much got to be viewed as a must win game for the Americans. Coverage starts at 7:30 a.m. MT. I'll definitely be watching. Hopefully our national soccer team can give me another thing to feel good about.
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Too bad those arrogant Lakers won. I'm not sure there's anyone on that team, coach or otherwise, who I like. In a world of self-absorbed millionaire professional athletes, the Lakers set the standard for smugness and self importance.
ReplyDeleteArrogant Lakers. That's an understatement. Or may it's just redundant.
ReplyDeleteThe Lakers do set the standard for all that is wrong with professional sports and athletes, there is no question about that. And yes, arrogant and Lakers are synonymous so that definitely is redundant. It's just remarkable how those guys can have so little class, even with Bryant saying he now has one more ring than Shaquille O'Neal, it just shows that he holds grudges and is spiteful (and at best for him shows he was willing to stoop down to O'Neal's level).
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