Boston Three Party

Sorry! Couldn't resist the pun. Game 6 was indeed a party where the Lakers where invited to be humiliated.

• Ray Allen came out smoking and ended up shooting 7/9 from three points tying a single game record and 22 for the series, setting an NBA Finals record.
  
• Kevin Garnett was scoring at will, rebounding left and right, finishing the series with a double double, 18ppg, and 13rpg.
  
• Paul Pierce was all hearts, leading all Celtics with close to 22 ppg and 6 apg.

And Rajon Rondo, the difference maker scoring a total of 21 pts, 7 rebs, 8 assists, and a whooping 6 steals to match Kobe's 6 TO's (making a Finals record himself).

If you saw the Celt's Games 4 comeback and then adding my theory to the equation, it was clear that Boston would walk away the Champs after Game 6 (though I never would've believed that it would happen the way it did). What was difficult, at least for me though, is to pick who should win Finals MVP.

I know Paul Pierce deserved it, but so did KG and Allen. A lot of different players stepped up in crucial parts of the series. Clearly this is a team in the very essence of the word, very much unlike Kobe and the Lakers. So while I wanted Ray Allen to win Finals MVP (because I think he was the most consistent among the 3 during the entire series) and though I agree that Paul Pierce was the heart of this team (KG too arguably), I think the real Finals MVP for the Celtics is Kobe Bryant.

Yep, it's our season MVP, Kobe! He only scored almost 26ppg, down from 33 against the Suns and the Jazz, and 29 against the Spurs, and shot a poor 40% from the field. He takes a third of all their shots, and produces only a quarter of the team's scoring output. Yep, he messed up their offense pretty bad, and that's a problem when you're team is only known for your offense. So one could reasonably say that he won the Celtics their championship.

Anyhow, I think this is a fitting ending for their storybook season down to a fairy tale finish. They started and ended the season strong with a 66-16 W-L record. From the kid who didn't even get in the line to be picked for the post-season extravaganza last year to the Belle of the Ball this year. This Boston trio is as good as any they ever had. And they have now crossed the line, leaving NBA greats like Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone and Reggie Miller, achieving their first championship title together. At the expense of their age-old rival too, the LA Lakers.

Congratulations to the Boston Celtics, NBA Champions 2008!
NBA... where amazing happens.

A Boston Big 3 Meeting in LA just before giving LA Game 5, series still in favor of Boston at 3-2

Before the start of Game 5
After watching the video above where a man wearing a Celtic jersey in a public viewing of Game 2 at the Staples Center almost got himself killed...

Kevin: "Hey guys I just saw a vid on youtube... I'm not sure I feel like getting lynched in LA tonight."
Ray: "Same here this being my first time winning a championship and all."
Paul: "Hmm... Ok leave it to me. We're never going to win if I hog the ball."
Kevin: "Be sure to spread the ball a bit though ok? We don't want to be too obvious."


At half-time
P: "Good job Ray, we sure showed them who's boss. Nows the time to start missing those shots though. We just want to scare 'em, not beat them."
R: "Sure thing Cap!"
P: "And yo KG! Start rebounding some or it's gonna be telling."
R: "And while you're at it, ease up the D on Pau, I mean it's cool if you foul out and all, but Kobe might just decide to lose this game all by himself."


After the game
K: "Tremendous effort you guys... now that's what I call team work!"
R: "I'm splitting, don't want to have to lie to those reporters."
P: "See you back at the Garden. And dream me up some gold!"

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Now we're going back to Boston to end Kobe's dream of ever coming close to his Airness. Boston 92, LA 87. Unless Joey Crawford decides he has beef with KG or if Bennett Salvatore's cosa nostra are closet Kobe fans. Yes, these 2 great referees will be officiating the game along with Eddie Rush.

Boston takes Game 4 for a commanding 3-1 series lead

Wow! I'm 4 out of 4 on my predictions on who's going to win! Ok, so I'm unable to guess the final score, or even get to within +/- 5 of it, but who cares? I'm winning a burger (c/o JC if you must know)! Was I ever the pessimist about Rondo's injury... who would've thought that House and Posey would combine for 6/12 from the three point territory? They combined for a 29 points almost tying the output of Lakers' backcourt and shooting close to 50% doing it.

Way to go Kobe, you sure can light it up anytime. Kudos to KG and Paul Pierce who finally took it closer to the hole this game, shooting 50% and 46% from the field respectively. And Allen has been the stable one all series, I guess now is time enough to be making up for his lousy performance against the Cavs and the Hawks.

I predict a Lakers win tomorrow, if only to give the Celtics a chance to have a big celebration at the Garden. Way to go Boston! We're taking home another one baby!

Quotable quotes from Chino Trinidad in the RPN 9 coverage of the Game 4 (c/o JC):
"Garnett's open shot was challenged" <- now that's really stupid, then, after Pierce made a layup, he shouts "he got the free throw! or rather, two shots. ...two points".

Lakers take Game 3, series now at 2-1

Lamar was Lame yet again, but the Celtics still lost. Apparently, only 1 of the Big 3 flew in to LA. Yes, I put the blame on this one squarely on KG and Paul Pierce's collective shoulders.

They fell in love with their non-existent jumpers in this game. Paul Pierce only made 1 of his 10 jumpers, no dunks and only 4 layups. And KG only shot 4 of 15! He actually made 2 dunks and yet he kept settling for those jump shots. The result? Only one trip to the FT line. He lack the aggressiveness they needed, and they lost.

And no, this was not a good defensive game no matter what the scoreboard tells you. It was a lousy offensive effort from both teams. They should be ashamed of themselves, this is the Finals after all.

Celtics in Game 4 if Rondo isn't seriously injured, if he is, I might as well concede my burger. Eddie House seems to enjoy shooting just a tad too much.

Boston def. LA 108-102 to take a 2-0 series lead

Ok, so my final score prediction was way off, but seriously Leon Powe with 21 points in 14-something minutes? Who could've predicted that?! Not the Lakers that's for sure. I'm glad Powe the Show (as he was known back when he played at the AAU Ball) got more minutes for this game, and that he showed Doc that he deserves it. I like this guy because he's a hard worker. I read a True Hoop article quoting Powe as saying, "If I don't play hard, it's food that's not going on the table for my family." Too bad he's an undersized PF at 6'8.

I can't really provide much insight for this game since I wasn't able to watch it. Certain congratulations are in order though: Paul Pierce coming out strong and delivering. Leon Powe of course, the unknown that rock the Black Mamba's perfect Hollywood-style comeback (ok, what did I just say there huh?), Ray Allen shooting well, and my boy Rondo! Way to go leading the floor... 16 whooping assists! He sure is blossoming into the floor leader that the Suns wish they kept.

I'm glad Paul Pierce's knee is ok, and that he's shooting better than Ray Allen at this point. 4 out of 4 from the 3! And Ray Allen's not shooting bad too! I'm glad that KG got 17 points and 14 rebs, if only KG can go to the basket more instead of shooting those jumpers, he'd get a higher fg%. And I hope the Celts do a better defensive job the next game--giving up 41 points in the 4th quarter is not good defense. Theirs just looked good because Lakers defense was so bad, Phil Jackson had to make a bad pun, "Our defense was so at ease it was a disease." But a win is a win.

As for my Game 3, though I want the Celtics to win, I expect Kobe to give his team a good talking to. So as much as I would hate to do this, I predict a Lakers win, 120 to 102. Unless Lamar the Lame messes up again. Help me cheer for the Celtics as they try for three at the Staples Center, Tuesday, 8:30pm E.T. (8:30am, Philippine Time @ RPN 9)

Game 2: LA Lakers @ the Boston Garden

As exciting as Game 1 was, I'm looking forward to Game 2 even more. Now the Lakers will try to steal one in the Boston's home court so they'd have an apportunity to close it in 5 games at home. We'll see if Jackson can adjust their attack.

We'll also get to find out how serious Pierce's injury is, or if Ray Allen's new defensive prowess (against Kobe no less) would hold out. I'm hoping KG will be more aggressive inside, and that Leon Powe will get more minutes.

I predict another Boston win, inasmuch as the Lakers are a good road team(27-14 during the regular season, and 4-4 this playoffs, one of each are to the Celts), the Celtics are even better at home (35-6 during the regular season, and 12-1 this playoffs, none of which are to the Lakers). The final score would probably be a little closer this time, maybe 95-91, especially with Boston wanting to slow it down even more.

We'll see if I'm right. Game 2 at the Boston Garden, June 8, Sunday 8:30pm E.T. You can also watch it live at RPN 9, on June 9 (yay holiday!), Monday @8:30am, Philippine Time.

NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics

It took 21 years in the making, but finally, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics are facing each other once again in the NBA Finals.

The Lakers

For all the Kobe-hating I've done this year, you just have to admire his talent. And even though I didn't want the Lakers in the Finals this year, I expected nothing less from the MVP. With Pau Gasol taking care of the paint and some of the scoring load, Derrick Fisher providing veteran leadership on court, Kobe is free to do what he does best--scare his opponents into submission. What else is different this year? I think this year Kobe learned leadership.

The Celtics
On the other hand, leadership is something Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have shown for most of their career. It's too bad they didn't have much of a team to lead before. It's different this year, with the Big 3, Rajon Rondo, a ragtag bench of veterans and newbies with the heart of champions, the might just go all the way.

The 2008 NBA Championship

So who takes the golden ball this year? I predict Celtics in 7 games. I'm rooting for KG, Ray ray and Paul Pierce's first of potentially 3 rings. You don't agree? It doesn't matter, on June 5, the age old rivalry is renewed. No matter who wins, we win.