It sucks now, but the Lakers have a window in the next 3-5 years to make multiple runs at titles if they can stay healthy.
[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
thank god the Celtics will win, can we shut up about the MJ/Kobe comparisons now.
though, the Celtics might have the biggest blow out in history, which the Bulls had verse the Jazz 96-54 IIRC[/quote]
There skill level is pretty much the same, supporting cast is what gives you championships not single play. Just give it time MJ had his first title at like 28, kobe was going for his fourth. I know they will be back with there young team, and if they get a healthy baynum should be favored next year.
This Celtics team is amazing, they have grown through this post season and played unstoppable in the finals. They are the best and I realize that now.
You can have the superstars, but without the right coach, it won’t translate into a title. Nice job, Doc.
This photo shows an image to be used on boxes of Wheaties cereal.
KG looks thankful. Glad he got a ring, but God it stings.
NBA FINALS GAME 6 RECAP:
- Celtics defeat 1) Lakers 132-91: Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen had 26 points each, Paul Pierce had 17 and 10 assists, and the Celtics win their first NBA Championship since 1986. Kobe Bryant had 22 points and Lamar Odom had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who did alot better than most people expected them to.
Stud of the Night: Ray Allen. He had 26 points, including 7-9 from behind the line, setting an NBA Finals record in the process for most three’s made in an NBA Finals series, and the Celtics are World Champs once again.
[quote]Xeneize wrote:
It sucks now, but the Lakers have a window in the next 3-5 years to make multiple runs at titles if they can stay healthy.[/quote]
The solution is in that picture.
Look REALLY close (and no, it’s not Kobe).
When the Celtics went up big in the second quarter, I had a feeling they were not going to lose the lead like the Lakers did in Games 3 and 4. They only got stronger as the game went on. When KG made that crazy shot at the end of the second quarter and got the And 1, I knew they were going to win. I even thought his half court heave at the end of the first half was going to go in.
The Celtics as a team were firing on all cylinders tonight. They were definitely amped up, ready to win a championship on their home floor. The Lakers looked like they gave up in the second half, and were just basically waiting for the game to be over. They have a great nucleus and will be back stronger next year.
Congrats to the Boston Celtics: 2008 NBA World Champions.
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Xeneize wrote:
It sucks now, but the Lakers have a window in the next 3-5 years to make multiple runs at titles if they can stay healthy.
The solution is in that picture.
Look REALLY close (and no, it’s not Kobe).[/quote]
That is indeed the key.
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
When the Celtics went up big in the second quarter, I had a feeling they were not going to lose the lead like the Lakers did in Games 3 and 4. They only got stronger as the game went on. When KG made that crazy shot at the end of the second quarter and got the And 1, I knew they were going to win. I even thought his half court heave at the end of the first half was going to go in.
The Celtics as a team were firing on all cylinders tonight. They were definitely amped up, ready to win a championship on their home floor. The Lakers looked like they gave up in the second half, and were just basically waiting for the game to be over. They have a great nucleus and will be back stronger next year.
Congrats to the Boston Celtics: 2008 NBA World Champions.[/quote]
That pretty much sums it up. Here’s the obligatory trophy shot.
Great to have you back Xeneize. How was your vacation?
And great pics as always.
And here is the finals MVP, Paul Pierce.
As much as I hate to see my team humiliated, least of all by Boston (ugh), the Celtics proved they were the best team in the NBA all season long and they deserve the trophy.
They overcame bumpy times and shaky outings in the playoffs and played brilliantly in the finals. Congrats to KG, Ray, PP and Doc Rivers, all likeable guys.
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Great to have you back Xeneize. How was your vacation?
And great pics as always.[/quote]
Vacation was great, thanks for asking. Traveled up and down the East Coast. Had a blast. Now I’m on the V-Diet. Ugh!
I want to go ahead now and thank TMoney for putting together and managing this thread. It’s been a hell of a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughts and comments.
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Xeneize wrote:
It sucks now, but the Lakers have a window in the next 3-5 years to make multiple runs at titles if they can stay healthy.
The solution is in that picture.
Look REALLY close (and no, it’s not Kobe).[/quote]
Yeah, let’s hope the youngster can pick up right where he left off with his shot blocking and solid double-double production.
Now LAL is already in luxury tax territory, but I’m really hoping that they bring in a tough, defensive-minded player with their mid-level exception. Someone like Artest or even Posey would be pretty sweet, but I don’t even know that it’s possible. Then again, I didn’t think getting Gasol (while keeping Bynum) was really possible either.
Anyway, great job with this thread to tmoney and Xene and all of you guys really. Looking fwd to seeing you guys back here next year.
Besides KG, of everyone who has won a title for Boston this season, I’m happiest for Ray Allen. He has been the go-to guy on the court pretty much his whole life (UConn, Milwaukee, Seattle, even at Lincoln High in Brooklyn in He Got Game lol), but he accepted the number three scoring role this year behind Pierce and Garnett.
His ability to check his ego for the good of the team was phenomenal, and it showed this year. As displayed, he can still score at will, and in my opinion, has THE best looking jump shot EVER. Still a phenomenal free throw shooter, still a great guy, I’m very happy he won a title.
Just like Finley deserved a title last year with the Spurs, Ray Allen deserved his title this year.
Well. That’s that. Tremendous performance by the Celtics, truly incredible basketball on all counts. Lakers showed a pulse near the beginning, but very quickly left that ball game. Next year I would not be at all surprised if Celtics and Lakers square off again.
[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
tGunslinger wrote:
Boston is better, but they’re not so much better that they can just show up and win easily.
you sure 'bout that ;)[/quote]
Oops! I blew that one, haha!
I’m with tmoney in that I’m really happiest for Ray Allen. He was the “forgotten” member of the Big 3 all season long, he sacrificed a great deal for the team, he was criticized heavily during his dry stretch in the playoffs and never said a word about how his son’s illness was affecting his play (I read today that his youngest son was diagnosed with diabetes), and then quietly neutralized Kobe with both his offense and, stunningly, his defense. Nearly everybody expected Kobe to abuse Allen for a lot more than the measly +6 PPG margin the Lakers got from the SG position.
And during the post-game celebration, Allen, of course, stood aside and let Pierce and Garnett have most of the limelight. It was Allen who mentioned the “Big 15” when asked about the driving force behind the championship.
Allen was the first guy brought in when this team was put together last summer, and I distinctly recall thinking about what a mistake that was. Like a lot of others, I didn’t really get excited until Garnett was on board (and I’m embarrassed to remember that I wasn’t all that thrilled even then). I will gladly eat my crow on that one.
But I see now that KG wouldn’t have happened if Allen didn’t take the plunge and head to a 24 win team while nearing the twilight of his career. The championship wouldn’t have happened if Allen wasn’t there to be the quiet foil to KG’s and Pierce’s emotional intensity.
Guys like Ray Allen are my idea of true professionals, and he and James Posey became my favorite Celtics over the course of this wonderful season. And of course, he did it quietly.
While I’m absolutely thrilled at having one of my major sports teams win a championship for the first time since OU’s football title in 2000 (and only the 2nd time since the 49’ers '94 Super Bowl), I’m a little sad that this ride has finally come to an end.
Even if Boston goes on to repeat or even three-peat, it won’t be the same as the first title. From the thrill of their dominance during the regular season, to the anxiety of the early rounds of the playoffs, to feeling the hope that the C’s might actually go the distance grow into certainty during the Finals, this season has just been a blast. It’s been a real dream season that I couldn’t have even imagined following the years leading up to 2007’s 24-58 train-wreck.
It’s been a pleasure sharing the last turns of the road with you all in this thread. I’d like to thank everybody for contributing to this thread and keeping the banter mostly polite and above the belt. Hopefully I didn’t grate on any of you too badly either.
I suppose it’s only fitting that Boston’s 2009 season will revolve around one theme: DEFENSE!
what’s this say about the East? All year everybody raved about how great the west was, and how horrible the east is. If I remember correctly, the east coast times at least made every series interesting.
[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
jehovasfitness wrote:
tGunslinger wrote:
Boston is better, but they’re not so much better that they can just show up and win easily.
you sure 'bout that 
Oops! I blew that one, haha!
I’m with tmoney in that I’m really happiest for Ray Allen. He was the “forgotten” member of the Big 3 all season long, he sacrificed a great deal for the team, he was criticized heavily during his dry stretch in the playoffs and never said a word about how his son’s illness was affecting his play (I read today that his youngest son was diagnosed with diabetes), and then quietly neutralized Kobe with both his offense and, stunningly, his defense. Nearly everybody expected Kobe to abuse Allen for a lot more than the measly +6 PPG margin the Lakers got from the SG position.
And during the post-game celebration, Allen, of course, stood aside and let Pierce and Garnett have most of the limelight. It was Allen who mentioned the “Big 15” when asked about the driving force behind the championship.
Allen was the first guy brought in when this team was put together last summer, and I distinctly recall thinking about what a mistake that was. Like a lot of others, I didn’t really get excited until Garnett was on board (and I’m embarrassed to remember that I wasn’t all that thrilled even then). I will gladly eat my crow on that one.
But I see now that KG wouldn’t have happened if Allen didn’t take the plunge and head to a 24 win team while nearing the twilight of his career. The championship wouldn’t have happened if Allen wasn’t there to be the quiet foil to KG’s and Pierce’s emotional intensity.
Guys like Ray Allen are my idea of true professionals, and he and James Posey became my favorite Celtics over the course of this wonderful season. And of course, he did it quietly.
While I’m absolutely thrilled at having one of my major sports teams win a championship for the first time since OU’s football title in 2000 (and only the 2nd time since the 49’ers '94 Super Bowl), I’m a little sad that this ride has finally come to an end.
Even if Boston goes on to repeat or even three-peat, it won’t be the same as the first title. From the thrill of their dominance during the regular season, to the anxiety of the early rounds of the playoffs, to feeling the hope that the C’s might actually go the distance grow into certainty during the Finals, this season has just been a blast. It’s been a real dream season that I couldn’t have even imagined following the years leading up to 2007’s 24-58 train-wreck.
It’s been a pleasure sharing the last turns of the road with you all in this thread. I’d like to thank everybody for contributing to this thread and keeping the banter mostly polite and above the belt. Hopefully I didn’t grate on any of you too badly either.
I suppose it’s only fitting that Boston’s 2009 season will revolve around one theme: DEFENSE![/quote]
Well said. As you know, I’m an OU fan as well, and also a 49ers fan. I don’t really have a favorite NBA team, I just love watching the NBA as a whole.
And you’re right, the first title is always special, no matter how many more you win after that. I’m sure Bill Russell appreciated his first title more than the others.
[quote]Airtruth wrote:
what’s this say about the East? All year everybody raved about how great the west was, and how horrible the east is. If I remember correctly, the east coast times at least made every series interesting.
[/quote]
HAHAHAHA good call Airtruth. Everyone did say the East was weak, and while the West basically shot each other down, the Celtics, although not an easy road either with their first two series going to seven games, emerged victorious this year.