Posted on 06/12/2008 10:21:02 PM PDT by Libertarian444
LOS ANGELES – After 72 hours of having the game’s showcase event consumed by talk of conspiracy, the Lakers brought another ugly word to the NBA Finals.
Collapse.
As Kobe Bryant and his LA teammates watched helplessly, the Celtics came from 20 points down in the third quarter to take an improbable, amazing 97-91 win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night at the Staples Center.
Boston leads 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Sunday night as the Celtics will have a chance to win the 17th championship in franchise history. For the Lakers, the task is now daunting. No team has ever rallied from a 3-1 hole to win in the Finals.
I can’t begin to express how happy I am about what this really represents...the end of basketball season!
Funny, I was thinking that last night's comeback/choke ranks up there with the '04 LCS. I was waiting to see if they showed Nicholson's face at the end of the game, but maybe the Joker beat feet to avoid the anguish.
I'm now REALLY annoyed that the Pats secondary choked in the last minute of SB 42. Had they played to normal, Boston could be staring at an unprecented Triple Crown in a week or so.
With any luck, in November the press will make it 2 for 2 in early predictions!
Let’s not forget about Game 2 when the Lakers managed to close a 23 point lead down to 2 in the last minute or so. They hit 3 pointer after 3 pointer to do it which is why they also didn’t get to the foul line as much.
That’s two games with huge late comebacks.
I think the Celtics are a better roster than the Lakers but not by much and they have been known to take games off or go into funks. Neither of these teams would beat the mid-80s versions of one another either.
That game had to be fixed. We all know how great Kobe is, supposed heir to MJ, how can he throw down a lackluster 17 points in such a big game? MJ would’ve never let something like that happen. Wonder how much the payoff was?
The Democrats are still claiming that the Lakers routed the Celtics.
I almost turned it off when they were down 20 in the 3rd. I was FReeping at the same time on my laptop (so, what else is new?), and was sorely tempted to shut it down. I’m very glad I didn’t - it was the greatest comeback I’ve seen in a long time.
Anyway it looks good one way or the other. Danny Ainge learned at the feet of the master. There should be some good years ahead. Life is good.
I know: these 9pm games are a killer. By 11:00 I was on my second cigar of the evening, and last night I enjoyed the thought that somewhere, ol’ Red was having one, too.
I just posted on my Facebook page, Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for defeating the Scarecrow, the Lion, and the Tin Men in the NBA Finals.
I also said that now that the whole world knows how weak Pau GaSoft is, when the USA plays Spain in the Olympics this summer, that our team goes right at him and fouls him out in two minutes.
Unbelievable team D. Great team. Overwhelming, at least tonight and a good competitive team for a few years to come.
What an awesome game tonight - one of the greatest defensive performances I’ve seen in the Finals! The Celtics are World Champions again!!!!
I am just overwhelmed - I thought this would be a close game, and to see such an unbelievable blowout - wow! It almost makes it worth the 17 year wait!!!
I’m going to try and send the following letter to the L.A. Times editor:
When the Lakers won Game 5 in Los Angeles to avoid elimination, the Lakers fans said, “Not in Our House!”
When the Lakers coughed up a 24 point first half lead, an 18 point halftime lead, and a 20 point third quarter lead, I said to the Lakers about the possibility of my watching the rest of the series: “Not in My House.”
Make that a 21-year wait for Banner 17, but you get the idea!
True...though, and taking nothing away from this Celtic team, the Lakers play about the same amount of defense as a dead man does...and the dead man has a good excuse for it.
If only the Achers could hold leads like they'll hold their next paycheck...but then again, as an objective fan, I could also say that the Lakers didn't lose their leads. The Celtics TOOK them. The Celtics stole L.A.'s cojones...and took them down for an uncontested layup.
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