Lakers. Mission ThreePeat

Viva Los Lakers!

We are back! The time has come to officially start the journey for the pinnacle of the mountain named ThreePeat.

Three consecutive trips to championship rounds, two consecutive titles (The Repeat), and the Lakers couldn't be in better shape to be the team to beat this season, no matter who or what is happening in the East!

First things first - Phil Jackson expressed his willingness to coach the Lakers for one more season, before seeking retirement owing to his health. And he is on the lookout for his 4th Threepeat! There you go, a legend, isn't he?

As soon as the trade window opened, in came Steve Blake from the Clippers. A tall guard, good from range, capable of running plays, a good substitute for Jordan Farmar (NJ Nets, now), a good back up guard behind Fisher. He is a bit slower than Farmar, but makes up for his pace with better defense and lesser turnovers than Farmar. And from what I've seen thus far, "Blake's calling the play like he knows the Triangle inside out for years". Do I need to say more?

Also came in Matt Barnes, another nemesis of Kobe Bryant. After Raja Bell snubbed Lakers (and Kobe) with a chance to team up with Kobe, Lakers set their eyes on Matt Barnes, who has traveled with 7 teams in 7 season. Barnes has stalking defense, good role player, good from range (though he gets over confident on them), and good on boards, not to forget, athletic and dedicated. Barnes was in the Lakers radar ever since his match-up against Kobe, especially the one played in Amway Arena, Orlando. he actually texted Kobe to make sure he wanted him in his team, to which Kobe replied that he had no problem at all, and was looking forward to Barnes dressed in Purple and Gold. Barnes will be a good back up for Ron Artest. Last season, the SF spot, if not for Artest was filled by Kobe (4th quarters), or by Josh Powell and Adam Morrison (bench), both of whom have signed up with other teams since. So, Barnes continues to Defense that Artest had been doing on the floor after the substitution. Boy o Boy! D-fense it is!

Next new comer - Theo Ratliffe. A 15 year old veteran, will be mostly retiring with the Lakers, with the hope of a ring to his name, mostly this year. His main task will be to keep the defensive breath still going strong with his strong nature at the low post, to box out, to board and to block (most importantly, to block). He still seems very fit to play good minutes off the bench. In the absence of Bynum in the initial stages of the season, he might have to check in for a few extra minutes. In the pre-season, he sure has impressed. Much more experience (than Mbenga), and another coach for Andrew Bynum, who is likely to push for an all-star spot if he can be fit and in the same form as he started last season. The other coach, is, the legendary Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

What can be like a dream come true for kids? Get into the Lakers' roster, though they were 2nd round picks! Derek Character and Devin Ebanks are living their dream now, having been picked by the Lakers, in the 2nd round of 2010 Draft Picks. They played very well, and pleased the coaches in the Summer League (Vegas), though the Lakers lost all 5 games in it. And, they continued to do well off the bench with lungs full of energy and enthusiasm and confidence. And, finally, the two of them made it to the roster. Ebanks, in particular is playing very well and getting recognition for reasons more than one. His minutes off the bench in the pre-season have been very productive. He is fast, has a good range, but is not very consistent yet. He drives well to the basket, and has a nice clutch drive-in layup, and powerful dunks for the Lakers fans to enjoy (apart from, you know, Shannon Brown). He fills in at SF and is capable of keeping the defensive strength go on for a few more minutes when both Artest and Barnes want to spend some time chatting on the side-lines. Derek Character, a strong tall lad is beginning to be a better low-post player day by day. He is strong enough to press the defence, make quick spins and jump, make bank shots (a la Shaq, one handed) and is learning from the other big men in the team, including the coach, Phil Jackson.

The summer was a time to rest for almost all the retained players - namely, Kobe, Fisher, Gasol, Artest. Bynum went to South Africa to watch the football/soccer world cup. Walton was nursing his back, and is now nursing his hamstring (but this is listed as a day-to-day.) Walton did play in the pre-season and has been fine. Brown had been on the rest too, I presume, didn't hear much about him in the off-season. Pau Gasol skipped the FIBA World Championships this summer, but played one on one games with his brother, Marc in their backyard in Spain. Marc did play in the World's. Speaking of the World's, Odom was one of the two veterans to accompany Team USA for the FIBA World Championships, in which Team USA emerged winners. Odom was steady in all games, and steadied the team too, which was full of youngsters to say the least. Odom had an all important double-double in the finals of the championships. Odom played center in all games. He is now in mid-season form, showing no signs of tight muscles, and has much more decision making skills now, is more respected, and is much wiser than his usually high basketball IQ.

All in all, things looking so very good for the ThreePeat! I just pray it does happen! Cometh October 26th! Let's win this!

Viva los LAKERS!

Thank you, NBA

Apart from the Lakers franchise team, there are a few other people whom I have to thank for this wonderful season!

 

1. KD - thank you for the mercurial rise in your performance, breaking up umpteen franchise records in an unbelieavable fashion. I became an instant fan of you before the end of November

 

2. OKC - thank you for showing what young blood can do... Russel and Thabo, apart from KD, will get the special mention. I'm pretty sad that you had to draw up the Lakers for the first round playoff matchup, but it has been a great season, nevertheless.

 

3. Blazers - hundreds of injuries, throwing the team out of balance, but still, you managed to pull victories after victories and showed why you are a great ball team... Roy, Alridge, Jamal, and also, Camby, Miller, thank you...

 

4. Amare in the desert - Thank you Suns, for holding on to Amare... he has been phenominal with Nash, and separating the two would've been a sin!

 

5. Hawks - Thank you, primarily for bashing the Celtics 4-0 in the regular season, but I was an instant fan oof the Hawks, that boasted of J-smoove, Bibby, Crawford, Horford and the accurate Joe Johnson! i hope you go further up the ladder in the playoffs

 

6. Celtics - thank you for your superb home record!!! :-P lol .. as a laker, LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVED IT :-)

 

7. Vinsanity - Thank you, for signing up with the perfect team to lend your brilliance to something brilliant :-)

 

8. Nets - Thank you, for bringing up so many surprises this season...the biggest of all on the unforgettable 27th of Feb, 2010...Lakers and Celtics fan would remember the day with different moods associated to it :-)

 

9. Heat -Thank you, for two of the best regular season matches against the Lakers, without which the season would've been lacking something big

 

10. Thank you, Derek Rose, Deron Williams, Rondo for taking the status of PG to a whole new level....

 

 

Special thanks to David Stern and all the franchise managers to sign in the superb (winning) set of rookies, primarily, Curry, Evans, Ty, Heavy-D, Omri and Thabeet! they have been phenominal... Special mention about the D-league call ups, and one name which i cannot forget for than one shot that he made, Sundiata Gaines. jerry, please keep him signed in for the years to come..

 

 

Well now, its time to Win or Go Home!

April 17th, let the playoffs begin!

 

 

Where will amazing happen this year? Repeat??? Hell yeah!

Who's hot, who's not?

Well... the NBA season is into its last phase when the teams sweat it out to claim a playoff berth, which if assured of, would like to move higher and higher up the ranks for the all important home advantage!

Its easier to eliminate many teams in the West and easier to see who is qualifying in the East.

The East

Cleveland is all so very likely to stay on top until they all forget to play ball. they have been shooting well from range, and then they have LeBron. Shaq's injury has forced them to call back Z from the Wizards... Hickson isn't bad filling in for the Big Witness though.

Magic seems to have gotten into the grove with players like Barnes, Jason, Pietrus finally contributing to the firepower led by Howard, Vince Carter and Lewis.

Celtics have been less than impressive this season, given their capabilities, and the recent additions of Nate and Mason (in addition to that of 'Sheed after last season). But, even if they enjoy the home advantage on paper, I don't see that helping them in any way. They've lost more home games this season than the last two regular seasons combined!

Taking advantage of this stuation are the Hawks, which has looked very much improved over last season. Joe Johnson, Crawford, Horford, Smith filling in big numbers. But the problem is, their two biggest stars, Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby are now nursing injuries. Its upto the rest of the team to maintain the balance of the team's position on the charts.

Bucks and Bobcats have become the 'chasers' in the East. Both have been very good at home court and have constantly been a threat to the top four. Bobcats, for instance, won the regular season series over Cavs 3-1. Miami, Bobcats, Raptors and Bulls will have to fight for the last three spots in the East for the playoffs.

With around fourteen fames to go, CLE and ORL have clinched playoff births, while the pathetic Nets ( Celtics won't agree though :-P ) have been shown the doors for this season.

The West

Right on top of the table are the Lakers, who started good with most games played on home court. the 8 game road trip in January dented their speed. Their first ever 3-game losing streak, since aquiring Pau over two years ago, was handed to them by ORL, CHA and MIA in early March. This has now created doubts over the capabilities of the Lakers in crunch matches. But, they have revived since then, and Ron Artest, the only addition since last season (at the expense of Ariza) has doubled up his defensive game.

Nuggets and Mavs are a close 2nd and 3rd, with both the teams showing form and strength time and again, only to be humbled soon. Mavs' addition of Butler and Haywood seemed to have set their pace right with a huge 13 game streak (mostly over weak opponents). 13 was unlucky though... Nuggets have been tough to beat at their home court.

Jazz have shown the urgency to make it to the playoffs with a spree of victories, like in last season... Chips are down a bit of late though with the Jazz.

Now, the most improved team of the year, to me, are the OKC Thunders. Kevin Durant is giving LeBron a run for his money for the race to the MVP, though the humble kid will say LeBron or Dirk or Melo has a better go at it, the second best scorer in the league really carries the hopes of a new franchise city. ft. - russel Westbrook and Thabo Safalosha, this is one exciting team to watch in their 'debut' postseason (hopefully).

Suns, after somehow hanging on to Amare' Stoudemire, Suns are wanting to show a better playoff performance this time around. Which position they will end up at? Whom will they meet? Some questions will be answered only after all games are exhausted!

Spurs have a minute advantage over the Blazers at the seventh spot, but now face a HUGE tast over the next 7 games, where they take on some of the season's best sides at both home and road, involving two pairs of back-to-back games.

The real warriors of the season, the Blazers, battling through uncountable players gettinig injured, the biggest of all, Oden...things were looking gloomy for them. But the spirit shown by them and the ability of the last one from the Fab-Five dynasty, Juwan Howard to start as Center at times, the side has climber mountains to reach wherever they are now. Camby has now come in to boost the side's Playoff chances. If they face the Lakers, I bet, that will be SOME series!

Grizzlies, Rockets and Hornets are quite some distance away from a playoff berth, which is possible, on paper. All other sides in the West will not qualify to playoffs this season.

In a month's time, the reglar season would've ended and the playoff charts will be out...

What a season!

Why Kobe is greatness personified

Three big reasons :-

1. there existed a Kobe Bryant on the 4th of December, 2009 at the Staples Center, LA. (personal favorite, game-wise)

2. there existed a Kobe Bryant on the 16th of December, 2009 at the Bradley Arena, Milwaukee.

3. there existed a Kobe Bryant on the 1st of January, 2010 at the Staples Center, LA to wish all his fans a very happy New Year.

And two more :-

4. there existed a Kobe Bryant on the 31st of January, 2010 at the TD Banknorth Garrden, Boston(personal favourite, emotionally)

5. there existed a Kobe Bryant on the 23rd of February, 2010 at the Pyramid Arena, Memph

is.

#1. - 'That was so well defended by Miami, but that was just Greatness Personified' - Jeff van Gundy

#2. - 'we are all watching a champion prove himself'

#3. - 'The look on the coach's face tells you how good the shot was.'

#4. - 'He is a man for the big games, and he knows how it hurt him a couple of seasons ago'.

#5. - Kobe returns to action to burn the Grizzles.

For beauty's sake -

March 5th, 2010, Time Warner Arena, Charlotte - 'HE displayed pure magic! Reminds us 

of the Kobe we saw over Battier and Yao last May. (Love you, Kevin Harlan, for that great work in the commentary box that evening :-) )

November 22nd, 2009, The Staple Center, LA - 'Give me a break! Welcome to the circus' - behind the board basket of highest precision, best one of the season.

L.A. (Lakers) - Where amazing Happened. Viva la LAKERS

Seven years, since any reward, one hard year since the loss to the rivals Celtics, with stern determination and hunger and frustration, the Lakers had a point or two or three of many more to prove this season, and what a way to prove it!

NBA CHAMPIONS 2009 IS HEADING TO THE SHELVES OF L.A. LAKERS IN THE STAPLES CENTRE. CLIPPERS CAN GLANCE AT IT, JUST GLANCE. ITS OURS AGAIN.

MVP IS....... KOBEEEEEEEEEE BRYANNNNNNNNT. HE WANTED IT, HE WANTED IT, HE WANTED IT... HE GOT IT. HE SURE DID GET IT.

Man, never gets so emotional.

First Championship in seven years. The years included the exit of perennial all-star Shaq, Lakers not making to playoffs and Kobe getting fussed up with his stay with the Lakers. But then, the team was threaded together by Coach Phil and Kobe. Fish came in, Odom joined us, Farmar and Ariza both UCLA, had a happy get-together again, Bynum was drafted, legendary Bill Walton's son, Luke joined hands with lakers. Gasol was the big catch. To fill Shaq's shoes is not easy, for him to have fitted very well into the side is very very very commendable.

2008-2009

Lakers had fire in their eyes... They had a great run in the regular season and finished on top by a country mile over the rest in the western conference. This included victories over Celtics at both Staples and the big Christmas present - VICTORY OVER CELTICS @ BOSTON. Whatta treat. Lakers were the first team to break the unbelieavable home record of the Cavs. Cavs missed Bulls' record of 40-1 at home when they lost their last home game to the Hawks :( . Lebron was the best in the regular season and was awarded the MVP of regular season. Congrats, King.

Now, the playoffs...

Lakers had to face Utah first up. With just a little hiccup in a loss, lakers mopped them up to set a clash with the Houston Rockets. Tough on paper, but there were tougher things to come.

Rockets pushed, pushed hard, pushed harder... They lost Yao and T-mac to injuries, but still kept their hopes of reaching the conf finals, but after both teams losing a home game each, Lakers went on to win the game 7 at home.

Next, what was supposed to be Lakers' biggest test - the Nuggets, was cooking up well. Elsewhere, Celtics found it tough to contain the Magic without the services of the star forward - KG. Magic to meet the Cavs. Mouth watering ppl, mouth watering.

First two games in either conference finals were closer than close can ever be. Cle and Lal lost a home game. Next up, lakers found form to win one at Denver and then Den pulled one back to tie it up at 2-2. This match had many other problems before it could be staged, that was some fight with the WWE to claim the Pepsi arena for the rare 'NBA Conf finals at Pepsi Arena'. NBA won, game was on. Moving on... Lakers held their nerves to go on to take the lead and make a trip to the Pepsi Centre again for game six. Beat 'em. Thats it. Finished off the nuggets in style and Lakers are yet again the Western Conference Champs. When you beat a team consisting of Mello, Billups, Kenyon Martins, JR Smith, in-form Andersen and their up and coming bench, you should back yourself to go on and win the championship.

The Magic had some heartbreakind defeats in the hands of the king's Cavs, including a buzzer beater three by Lebron himself over Hedo Torgoklu to seal victory from behind; but the Magic were too hot to handle for the Cavs, who once again lost in the conference finals.

Magis vs Lakers. Superman vs Mamba. It all came down to this

Game one - Lakers, at home, just wrote the Magic off with a splendid 100-75 crushing victory and it was becoming a big momentum building game.

Game two - Lakers found it difficult to handle the up and rising Magic, with their big 3 point shooting force, bolstered by the return of Jameer Nelson after 4 month layoff. Courtney Lee missed an alley oop with .6 sec left in the match that could've sealed game 2. Game goes into over-time and the Lakers get past the magic. 2-0 to Lakers and now a three game trip to Orlando.

Game three - Magic fans crying for a victory. How did they respond? With a record shooting percentage. 62.5% from the field is no joke! But still, they allowed the lakers to stay in the match. But the lakers kept missing their free throws. Kobe missed five. Ever heard oh him missing five, thirteen years down in his career? That was the pressurre the Orlando crowd had built on the Lakers. Nelson, Lewis, Alston (man, he was the X factor). So, the FT cost the lakers? Did the last turnover by Kobe cost the game? We do not know, but the lakers tried their best, and it was a loss, that happens to any team. But, the big tag to this game - Magic's first ever victory in a finals series. They were swept in their only other finals.

Game four - Looking for a second victory, the Magic pressed hard, matched and bettered the Lakers offencively and defensively. A close game till the end. Magic had a twelve point lead at half time, but then, Ariza sprang to life and put in 13 and Magic ended up scoring just 14 in the quarter, and Lakers led after 3rd Q. towards the end of the game, with 11 seconds left, Magic up by three, Kobe fouls D12. And would you believe it? Dwight Howard, the superman missed the two most important free throws of his life that will haunt him for a few years now, till he wins a championship for himself. Even one bucket would've made it a two possession play for the lakers. But then came the time out and the back court wide open inbound. Magic concentrated on Kobe, but then was our veteran hero- Derek Fisher, who was quite open and made one of those biggest threes of his career over the not-even-troubling Nelson. GAME TIED, 4.6 TO GO. Is this Stan van Gundy's biggest mistake in life? His brother Jeff feels a bit like that... the last shot was taken by Mickael Pietrus, not Hedo!!! Rashard lewis was invisible this game. Superman did all he could, 21 rebounds, 16 points, 9 blocks...never seen before sort of record performance in a finals. but he needed mopre support... None of which came in the overtime as Lakers ran away with the game when the Big Fish made another great three. He showed absolutely no emotion, it was his job, he did it... Kobe trusted him, Phil knew he had it in him, and he didn't dissappoint. 3-1, chance to win it in Orlando itself.

Game five - People from 216+ countries clung to their tv sets, getting up early, putting off sleep, skipping meals, this had to be the moment - either lakers end their biggest hunger drive here, or orlando make one last attempt to rise to the occasion. The answer? Read on...

Orlando with the early run and 9 point lead, with all the frontline players pouring in, AND all of them having atleast an assist. Lakers collected themselves in the second quarter and the third to go on a bucket spree and romp ahead of the Magic, who had absolutely no answer the offence of kobe, gasol, odom, ariza and fisher.

The victory was nearing...

The threes by the Magic were of pointless importance now that the Lakers had a comfortable 16 point lead in the dying minutes...

SVG still had plans, while Phil had some plans for the celebration on the other side of the court.

Clock expired and there it was....

Ladies and Gentlemen, The winners - Los Angeles Lakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One year of hard fought training, winning big matches, matching everyone eye to eye, making the big shots.

KOBE - The Finals MVP, for obvios reasons. 32+ ppg, 7+ rpg, 6+ apg this post-season, but he was more than that... he injured that fingure on his right hand and refused attention to it, saying, 'i want to feel the pain'. hunger unlimited. hunger satisfied

FISHER - the man for the big occasion. Lakers owe the championship to this little big man from Little Rock. Who knows what would've happened if not for those two series turning threes

GASOL - No game goes down without the mention of big Pow. Offence and defence, he was charged up. He wanted it more than anyone, he wanted the trophy. He blocked, he sank them, he dunked them, he caught up the rebounds, he was the big man in both halves of the court.

ARIZA - How this man improved from a not more than a bencher to a regular starter is a fairy tale story. great on the offense, shooting the big threem in with the attractive dunks, big rebounds, just the man Kobe would want on his side to assist him with the gaurd role. The big X factor this season for the Lakers.

ODOM - Candyman to the rescue. Bynum gets into the early foul trouble and Phil looks at this man and says show us what you got. This forward showed up why he is so much sought after with his big blocks and plays, and came up to surprise the defence with some HUGE threes in the playoffs.

BYNUM - young but determined, brings in the huge plays, send in the big dunks. Was a big part in keeping the big centres of the opponents down and quite.

WALTON - a complete player. whenever the chips are dow, he is ready to step up to the occasion.

FARMAR - the little fisher. amazing player with his amazing plays always kept the lakers up there on the charts.

This title is the best one the lakers have won in this decade, in this post-Shaq era...

This will be remembered for long, by all.

Thanks you lakers for this prize. We fans are always on your side, high or low...

Viva la LAKERS

NBA, regular season

Lakers on top of the Western by a mile's distance over spurs.

Cleveland and Celtics are very close atop the Western.

West won All Stars (Phoenix) in style and Nate Robinson, won the Slam Dunk Contest!!! Surprised? Yes? NO? I wanna see the expression on your face after the little fella dunked over 'superman' MAGICian Dwight Howard!!!!

All and more on NBA's website... Too many games, so too difficult toupdate you all on the day to day happenings.

Some other notable news -

CLE are on their way to the best regular season finish record at home. They are currently 27-1 at home. Their 24 or so streak at Quicken's Arena was broken by the Lakers.

Bynum, Garnett, Stoudemire are injured presently. Stoudemire, till the end of the season.

Wade is the top scorer by far, followed by Le Bron. And, the best voted All-Star, Dwight Howard has been the best with rebounding...

Utah Jazz has had this sudden sprng in form, winning 11 of their last 12 games since Feb- 1st. This has boosted them to the 6th spot.

With Amare missing, Sun will have a tough time. They are 9th and need to put in some effort to reach the zone in which the Mavs, Hornets, Jazz and Blazers are fighting a close battle.

Close season this is gonna be for sure...

BOSTON CELTICS – WHERE AMAZING HAPPENED!!!

June 17 + Celtics’ 17 = Paul Pierce 34

The line says it all. On June 17th 2008, Boston Celtics took revenge against their archrivals, Los Angeles Lakers, to clinch their 17th title, their first since 1986, with excellent contribution from their captain, and the MVP of the finals, Paul Pierce (jersey 34)!!!

And, what a final it was! Stamping authority at home, the Celtics defeated the Lakers with a record margin for a decider, 131-92!!! The trinity of Pierce, Allen and Kevin Garnett, a.k.a. The Big 3, were on target together in this game. The Lakers were left rattled. Kobe’s little contribution and the odd 3 pointers shot in the final minutes by Lakers made no difference to the result of the game, as they gave away too many turnovers and had less assists. Rajon Rondo of Celtics had 6 steals in what turned out to be a good game for him. KG, top scored for the Celtics and also had a few assists to his name, to earn him the Player of the Match title. Lakers were drowned by the performances by Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen in the second half, with allen and Pierce contributing about 10 three pointers in that period alone. House from downtown, puts a few in!!! The Lakers’ defense just didn’t seem to exist, so pathetic, that coach, Phil Jackson had to express his anger in a very angry manner, by his standards. He said to the team at half time to not give the title away meekly, but what followed was like a practice for victory lap for the Celtics.

The Celtics defense was ecstatic. Players from the bench were good at defending the Lakers too. Kobe was well marked by Pierce and at times by Rondo, making him crave for space.

The arena went emotional as the shot clock had no more to show. It had taken them years to get this title, so many years of good performances went in vain. Then came in some prosperous sign ins. They started their season on top of the table in Eastern Conference, and never did they let it slip. They lost only 5 games at home in the regular season, and just one in the post season playoffs and finals. The championship title seemed to be heading their way all along. The “loudest arena” couldn’t have been any louder!

Some record breaking highlights from The Finals :-

Paul Pierce played more than 60 playoff games with Celtics before getting his maiden title, most by any player.

It was Celtics’ coach, Doc River’s first championship title in 6 seasons of coaching, 2nd year with Celtics. This prevented Phil from becoming the sole most successful coach in NBA, but he has to be satisfied to share the record with Celtics’ legendary coach, Red.

Ray Allen had 22 three-point FGs, most in the Finals history.

The 39 points margin was the highest in a decider at the NBA Finals.

18 steals in the game in favour of the Celtics is now the new record, overtaking Hornet’s 17 set way back in ’75.
Photos : NBA

NBA 2007-2008 Finals

This time, in the finals, Celtics face off against Lakers. Till now, 4 games have been played and Celtics are reigning supreme, the form they have been carrying from the regular season is seen here.

Game 1, Boston
Celtics romped home a 10 point victory with Lakers’ worst score in their Finals’ history. The Big 3 fired for the Celtics, and Kobe was looking for support and Lakers in all, had a very poor FG percentage and gave away too many fouls when it mattered the most. 3rd quarter rampage was Celtics’ point of authority.

Game 2, Boston
Celtics edged out Lakers in a close, 100+ points game. Celtics averted a LA surge in the 4th quarter to hold on to their lead. Again, Kobe was quiet, Gasol not at his best. Interesting point was when Perkins injured his team-mate, Pierce early in 2nd half and when he returned; he stole the show with 15 flawless points in 3rd quarter to push Lakers out of the game. Powe was the surprise package with 21 points in 15 minutes! Wow! What was he eating in the bench. The loudest arena of NBA became louder! Now, the Finals’ moves to LA for the next three games.

Game 3, Los Angeles
Finally, something came the Lakers’ way. Lakers tasted victory in sweet fashion, smoothly riding to victory on Kobe, Vujacic, Fisher and Gasol’s combined efforts. They were lacking Odom’s contribution, who had committed too many fouls too early in the 3 finals yet. The Celtics Big3 were not firing at all, and it was down to Rajon Rondo to bring the Celtics some pleasure.

Game 4, Los Angeles
As a Lakers fan, I was shocked to see that the LAL surrendered to the visitors so meekly, one may just wonder how they entered the Finals! The Lakers had 21 point first quarter lead, and also a 24 point lead in the 2nd quarter. But the result – Celtics win by 5 in what seemed like a meteorical surge in scoring after the 1st quarter. Celtics had their lead for the first time in the game when only 4 minutes were left in the game, and they didn’t let it go. Pierce and Posey played excellent part in Celtics’ chase to cut down the lead. Odom struck form early into the game, but after 1st half, Lakers seemed to have relaxed just a bit too much.

Lakers seem to have surrendered the title to the Celtics in the game’s biggest rivalry, last seen with Lakers beating the Celtics twice in ’85 and ’87. Before that, it was Celtics conquering the Lakers, not once, not twice, but 8 times!!!

So, now, game 5 will tell if Lakers can show something better to stop Celtics in the 2nd half, and if Kobe magic can be seen again in 4th quarter.

Game 5, Los Angeles
Lakers pull one back to make it 3-2. Kobe made a decent scoring, but more contributions came from Odom, Gasol and Fisher. The Celtics were resurgent once again and almost had a runaway in the 2nd half, but, Lakers finally pulled their defense up to hold on to their lead which they lost once. The Celtics had foul-trouble with KG, Pierce and Posey having committed 5 fouls each with more than 3 minutes to go in the game. They played safe but, couldn’t seal the season at the Staples Centre. Ray Allen, Posey and Pierce were in a good scoring flow in the 2nd half. Kobe was good in 1st quarter, with 4 3pts.
History has it that no team has won trailing 1-3. We now move to Boston to see if history remains unaltered or not!