Tonight was a weird night for me. I had to attend my aunt's graduation ceremony, then the fam and I had to go to dinner at Friday's. While I'm eating, the Lakers/Celtics game begins, and I struggle to watch from afar. Also struggling, out of the corner of my eye, were the Celts, who trailed by 21 after one period. I told my grandmother (who celebrated her 70th birthday today) that "L.A. was opening a can of whup### on the Celtics (her pick to win the series)".
After stuffing my face, I return home, and low and behold, the Celtics start to come back. I watch the rest of the third quarter, and they cut the Laker lead to 2. I thought "This isn't good for the Lakers!". It proved not to be, as Boston won the game 97-91 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. After such an impressive victory, the inevitable question is "Did Boston win it, or did L.A. lose it?". Let's examine that.
The Celtics really won this game. L.A. shot over 50% in the 1st half (don't have the exact figure) but ended up shooting just under 42% for the game. They scored a grand total of 33 points (15 in the 3rd and 18 in the 4th) the entire second half; they scored 35 in THE FIRST QUARTER! Kobe Bryanty didn't play like the MVP with a pitiful 6-19 'performance' for the game, and the bench did nothing, as Sasha Vujacic shot 1-9 and had only 3 points, and the bench as a whole had just 15 points. Many signs to point to for 'choke'.
On the other hand, the Lakers built an 18 point halftime lead (after leading by as many as 24) without Kobe hitting a FG, and with Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol finally making an impact. The Lakers scored 58 1st half points, and as late as the middle of the 3rd, led by 20. I give the Celtics tons of credit for not quitting; it would have been easy to say "Forget tonight, let's focus on game 5". Instead, they fought hard, and their bench was solid, led by James Posey (18 points) and Eddie House (11). The Big 3 made shots when they had to, and unlike game 3, Doc Rivers adjusted and put shooters on the floor, and voila, they won. They also made Odom and Gasol revert to form in the second half, continuing to exploit what has become an obvious Laker weakness; no tough interior D (where have you gone, Andrew Bynum?).
So, was it a choke or a comeback? I'll say it's both; to have a great comeback, the other team must accomodate you. The Celtics deserve all the credit in the world; they won, and now stand just one win away from their 17th NBA title. But the Lakers also deserve blame for Kobe not showing up (he really has no-showed in all three Laker losses) and for the rest of the team being softer than pillow feathers. I now regret my pick of Lakers in 6 because I just didn't realize how soft physically and mentally these guys are. And now you expect them to beat Boston three straight (twice at the new Garden)? Hell no, that's not happening! So, Celtic fans, I'm sorry. And, even though it might not be Sunday, I'll say it now; congratulations on another NBA title! And may the Laker trade rumors begin in earnest after this series!
Comeback and Choke are all based on perspective.
Since the Celtics choked in allowing L.A. back in game 3, then the Lakers choked tonight.
Remember, in Game 3 the Lakers came back with threes and Game 4 had timely Celtic threes, too.
Let's check the obits on Saturday. A few Lakers fans will have slashed their wrists.
With all the referee troubles swirling, it wouldn't surprise me if L.A. lucked out and won game 5. But there's no way they'll get six and seven at Boston, even if the NBA lets Donaghy referee both games! This loss is as devestating of one as the Lakers can have, and you know they'll remember it for the rest of this series. In a negative way, mind you.
Last edited by DownsA529 on June 13th at 12:28 AM.
Is it just me or are the Laker homers dead from suicide or already in bed.
The group of haters that makes all Laker fans look bad has already gone to bed or been grounded.
I think everyone is starting to notice that maybe Phil Jackson isn't a great coach, but a coach who had great players. Doc Rivers is definitely outcoaching Phil.
wilsonruffnecks, the Celtics are not the most disliked team in the NBA. That title has to go to LA. I think LA fans are pretty well insulated from what the rest of the country thinks about them because of the fawning of the press. They believe their own press clippings. The Lakers are not the beloved team they like to think.
Part of it is their success which is much more recent than the Celtics. But a big part is the arrogance and sense of entitlement of so many of their fans.
I am David Downs, and I'm a sports nut who loves basketball and football and am open to good discussion about any sports subject. I am a Detroit sports fan, but I not a homer. Expect frequent vents on subjects that irritate me, and also expect the utmost respect for anybody's opinion, even if they disagree with me. Because, after all, that's what these blogs are all about, aren't they?
