Lakers 83, Celtics 79 (Lakers win series & championship 4-3)

Call it an ugly game, call it a sloppy game, call it whatever you want – I call it a classic.

The Los Angeles Lakers were able to overcome a fourth quarter deficit while trailing for most of the game to pick up the 2010 NBA championship, the 16^th title in franchise history, with an 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics. The Lakers did exactly what Phil Jackson said was supposed to happen after Game 5 – they went home and won their two home games – now they’re champions. There are so many things to discuss about this game; I really don’t know where to start!

Pause for a second. You hear the Lakers won a Game 7 for the NBA title. Who do you think carried them to victory? You’d probably guess Kobe Bryant, right? What about Pau Gasol? Try Ron Artest – WHAT!

Artest had the game of his life. Granted, he almost did exactly what I said he shouldn’t do, which was shoot too much when his shot was obviously not on, but Artest truly stepped up to grab his first NBA championship. In the first half, the Lakers only scored 34 points. Well, Artest had 12 of those. Then, with just over a minute left in the game and the Celtics coming off a big three point bucket, Artest nails a 30 footer to save the Lakers. I don’t think Trevor Ariza would have been able to pull off the same. After the game he was so happy and overwhelmed with joy, he actually hugged the interviewer. It was a site to see for a guy who has been a roller coaster ride his whole career. I never thought I’d say I’m happy for Ron Artest, but I am.

What about Kobe and Pau though? I was watching this game with G and The Basher and we are sold that they are a perfect fit for each other from a guard-forward perspective. But in Game 7, they had one of the worst combined first halfs I’ve ever seen. Neither were taking good shots (not that they were getting good looks) and it showed as the Lakers scored only 14 first quarter points. They were down 23-14 after one, and down six at the half. Things weren’t looking too good in Laker Land.

Kobe did pick it up though with some big buckets. However, it’s hard to sugar coat a 6-24 shooting night. I know the Kobe haters want to say something like he isn’t the best player and he’s lucky and this and that. But you know what, Kobe is the best player in the game, and as the game went on, he knew he had to pass the ball. He did that and he managed the clock very well. Now he has five championships. He has passed Shaq and he is one behind Jordan. That’s pretty serious, luck or no luck. On top of that, he picked up the Finals MVP honors. This was a no-brainer, as there were even thoughts of him winning it if the Lakers had lost. He has a killer instinct and a passion like no one else in the game.

Pau Gasol almost blew the game for the Lakers by missing soooo many free throws. But he redeemed himself by hitting a pair with a couple minutes left. Then again, a 19 point and 18 rebound night is pretty good and doesn’t deserve down play. Derek Fisher also hit a big three pointer half way through the fourth after coming out of the locker room with a leg injury. But the biggest free throws of the night came from Sasha Vujacic. Yes, Sasha Vujacic. Fouled with only a handful of seconds left in the game, Vujacic calmly went to the line and sank the two biggest foul shots of his life. The Laker lead went back to four, and the game was in tight grasp of the now back-to-back champs!

As for the Celtics, I know I don’t have to tell this to any Celtics fans, but they should be ashamed of themselves. They had the Lakers on the ropes (in LA, mind you) from the start of the game and through the third quarter. They played great defense in the first half and made the Lakers play from behind from the start. But then they just kept missing shot after shot after shot. It was ugly. The way they lost this game is something that will haunt Celtics fans for years. Boston has now lost its first Game 7 in their NBA Finals history.

It’s been one heck of a season for the Lakers. They started off so great with all of those home games to start the season, then slowed down as the road trips piled up. Going into the playoffs, they had the best player in the game along with the best big man scorer in the game. This was the formula for success as they overcame the Thunder, swept the Jazz, set down the Suns, and now toppled the Celtics. This team could be in the early stages of a dynasty. I know none of these players want to leave this team, especially not Adam Morrison.

I know I didn’t cover everything from this jam packed game, so I apologize. I’m just so dang happy the Celtics did not win and Kobe proved that he the best in the game.

-Shooter