Before Game 6, there were some who thought that the Lakers were the better team in this series. Any doubt of who should be crowned the champion was erased last night. After a relatively rocky first quarter in which Kobe Bryant hit a couple of jumpers early on, Boston completely dominated the rest of the way. They led by 23 at halftime and ended the game with a 39-point advantage, the largest margin of victory in a Finals clinching game.
Paul Pierce did not play well, but the other two stars stepped up. Kevin Garnett, who has gotten criticism over his career from the media, players, and even his own coaching staff, had 10 of his 26 points in the first quarter. He was aggressive throughout the game, always having a foot in the paint when he set up. Once KG was able to establish a rhythm, those 17-foot jumpers came as second nature to the Big Ticket. He finally has a ring, after years of being an underachiever.
Ray Allen had an incredible game. Throughout the series, he played consistently and at the top of his game. After getting off to a hot start early on, Ray Allen was hit by Lamar Odom at the basket. Allen had to leave the game with about five minutes to go in the first quarter. He did not come back until midway through the second quarter. It didn't matter.
Ray Allen was seven-of-nine from three-point range, setting an NBA Finals record. He finished with 26 points. However, what was more shocking was the Lakers defense on Allen. Sasha Vujacic did not know how to get around a screen. Derek Fisher, a veteran, seemed clueless as well. Virtually every triple that Allen attempted was wide open. That is inexcusable. This is one of the greatest three-point shooters in the game. Any time you allow 131 points, your defense is horrible. But last night, it was atrocious.
When the confetti hit the floor, it was Paul "The Truth" Pierce who received the honor of the Finals MVP. Despite his sub-par game last night, Pierce was the best player for the Celtics. Very seldom does one see a basketball player go from really good to great in his or her 10th season. It appeared as though he bloomed and then bloomed again. The way he played throughout these playoffs was at an unmatched level. He stuck with the Boston Celtics through thick and thin, and fully deserves the ring he will receive in a few months.
It essentially came down to the fact that the Celtics had the audacity to fight back, even when they were down. They contested every single game. I know this series went to six games, but the Celtics could have gone 6-0 in these Finals. They simply out-worked the L.A. Lakers on both ends of the court. They found a way to stop Kobe, exploited mis-matches on offense, and controlled the boards the entire series. They deserve it.
The Los Angeles Lakers still have holes to fill. They have a great coach and the best player on the planet, Kobe Bryant. Andrew Bynum's return will help defense in the paint. They need to get some better defensive options around the perimeter to defend the elite players of the game. They have some good players. But it is nearly certain that some of the Lakers won't be wearing purple-and-gold next season.
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