The Los Angeles Lakers lost the opening game of the Finals Thursday night to a feisty Boston squad. It was back and forth most of the game, but the Celtics held off the Lakers long enough, and took Game 1 with a final of 98-88.
It was a game full of showtime fanfare and top-notch dramatics, but ultimately, the cookie didn’t crumble Los Angeles’ way.
The Lakers played their best ball toward the end of the first half and at the start of the third quarter, but Paul Pierce’s miraculous return from a seemingly career-ending knee injury rejuvenated the Celtics, and propelled them to the finish line.
On Kobe’s last real play of the game, he dribbled hard toward the baseline, pulled up, faded away, and splashed a 17-footer. Trying to guard him during the effort was Paul Pierce, who failed, and then fell to the floor holding his knee. Amidst his squealing and whimpering, he was quoted as saying, “Kobe’s moves are too much for my old knees. I got served.” He was then carried off the court by his teammates, in the tradition of Lt. Dan being saved by Forrest Gump, and taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. People, the scene was serious and the mood was tense.
But you’ll never guess what happened next…
As Lazarus returned from the dead a long time ago, so too did Paul Pierce Thursday night. Two minutes after needing a fireman’s carry and a wheelchair, Pierce comes a joggin’ out of the locker room to the sound of Boston fans going wild. I’m not joking when I say this, it was a scene from WWF Smack Down.
“OMG, I’m so hurt that I need medical attention! Oh, wait. My love for Boston fans has healed me. Lady Elizabeth, stay in my corner forever.”
Okay, so if that wasn’t bad enough, that entire scene played itself out again about 2 minutes later. This time it was a gentleman named “Kendrick Perkins.” Apparently he plays basketball too.
The injuries made the Celtics a better team. They shot better, jumped higher, and ran faster. “Funky Butt Lovin!” I thought that only happened in family friendly Disney movies about sports. In Game 2, watch for Boston running a play called, “The Flying V”
For all that can be said about Boston and their shenanigans, this was their game. They played well, and the Lakers didn’t come through and steal it when Boston was vulnerable.
With that said, I still think the Lakers played a great game. They let Kobe handle the ball when it was necessary (85% of the time); Phil Jackson always made sure there was adequate personnel on the floor; they didn’t wuss out and cry; and they created all the opportunities they needed. Game 2 will be a lot better, and the Lakers will expose and exploit the weaknesses apparent in the Celtics’ game. Boston only went on runs when the Lakers were playing poorly and choosing bad shots to take. The Lakers went on runs when they felt like it, regardless of how well Boston was playing. The Lakers also forced the Celtics to a couple shot-clock violations, and had 5 fewer turnovers. What I’m saying is that the Lakers can beat the Celtics, while the Celtics can only help the Lakers beat themselves.
With that said, I look forward to Game 2.
Lakers in 5.
It was a game full of showtime fanfare and top-notch dramatics, but ultimately, the cookie didn’t crumble Los Angeles’ way.
The Lakers played their best ball toward the end of the first half and at the start of the third quarter, but Paul Pierce’s miraculous return from a seemingly career-ending knee injury rejuvenated the Celtics, and propelled them to the finish line.
On Kobe’s last real play of the game, he dribbled hard toward the baseline, pulled up, faded away, and splashed a 17-footer. Trying to guard him during the effort was Paul Pierce, who failed, and then fell to the floor holding his knee. Amidst his squealing and whimpering, he was quoted as saying, “Kobe’s moves are too much for my old knees. I got served.” He was then carried off the court by his teammates, in the tradition of Lt. Dan being saved by Forrest Gump, and taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. People, the scene was serious and the mood was tense.
But you’ll never guess what happened next…
As Lazarus returned from the dead a long time ago, so too did Paul Pierce Thursday night. Two minutes after needing a fireman’s carry and a wheelchair, Pierce comes a joggin’ out of the locker room to the sound of Boston fans going wild. I’m not joking when I say this, it was a scene from WWF Smack Down.
“OMG, I’m so hurt that I need medical attention! Oh, wait. My love for Boston fans has healed me. Lady Elizabeth, stay in my corner forever.”
Okay, so if that wasn’t bad enough, that entire scene played itself out again about 2 minutes later. This time it was a gentleman named “Kendrick Perkins.” Apparently he plays basketball too.
The injuries made the Celtics a better team. They shot better, jumped higher, and ran faster. “Funky Butt Lovin!” I thought that only happened in family friendly Disney movies about sports. In Game 2, watch for Boston running a play called, “The Flying V”
For all that can be said about Boston and their shenanigans, this was their game. They played well, and the Lakers didn’t come through and steal it when Boston was vulnerable.
With that said, I still think the Lakers played a great game. They let Kobe handle the ball when it was necessary (85% of the time); Phil Jackson always made sure there was adequate personnel on the floor; they didn’t wuss out and cry; and they created all the opportunities they needed. Game 2 will be a lot better, and the Lakers will expose and exploit the weaknesses apparent in the Celtics’ game. Boston only went on runs when the Lakers were playing poorly and choosing bad shots to take. The Lakers went on runs when they felt like it, regardless of how well Boston was playing. The Lakers also forced the Celtics to a couple shot-clock violations, and had 5 fewer turnovers. What I’m saying is that the Lakers can beat the Celtics, while the Celtics can only help the Lakers beat themselves.
With that said, I look forward to Game 2.
Lakers in 5.
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