SCOTT JACOBS

Kobe Bryant is a stone cold killer on a basketball court.  That much we know.  But like his Pre-Pau Gasol days, we also know that he can’t single handedly win games against the NBA’s elite without at least a little bit of help.  Last night Kobe played assassin at the TD Garden, but it wasn’t enough, as his supporting cast failed to show up in a pivotal series swinging loss to the suddenly surging Celtics.

Black Mamba did more than his fair share, lighting up Boston for 38 points– including an otherwordly 19 in the 3rd, but it barely put a dent in Boston’s lead, because the rest of his team was completely and utterly useless on this night.

The Lakers shot under 40%, a terrible time to have an off-shooting night, and missed 9 foul shots, an awful time to brick free points and it cost them dearly in the end, because their defense simply could not stop the ever-confident leprechauns from Beantown.

Boston shot nearly 57%, but it  was their overall team effort that shut the door on L.A.’s late attempt at a come from behind victory.  Four Celtics scored in double figures, paced by Paul Pierce who led the way with 27 as Boston inched closer to banner number 18.

But sealing the deal and winning another title in what seems like an endless series of parades for Boston, won’t be easy.  They’ll have to do it in L.A. where the Lakers have two home games left in their season– if they’re lucky that is.

To even get to a series deciding game 7 the Lakers will need to shore up their defense.  Boston simply outclassed them to every loose ball in the fourth quarter, including a series of big time rebounds– one which included Pierce ripping the ball from Bryant as Kobe steamrolled into the lane off of a missed Ron Artest foul shot.  Simply put, Boston wanted this one just a little more than L.A.  And that’s why the Celtics head back to L.A. as the first team in this exciting finals series to reel off two consecutive wins.

There were a few dynamite plays, but the one that truly epitomized this game came in the closing moments with the Celtics clinging to a 87-82 lead.

Garnet chucked the ball to a streaking Pierce who caught it in stride, but found himself running out of room on the sidelines.  With a split second decision to make and the game still in question, Pierce lobbed the ball to an open Rondo, who beautifully put it in the whole, cementing the victory.

The common theme to the game, and that play?  Teamwork.  Boston used it all night to their advantage.  L.A. was a one man show.

It’s no mistake that the Lakers are on the verge of elimination.

Simply put, they no longer look like the better team.

Photo: Getty

ShareThis

SCOTT JACOBS

Boston, party like its 1986!

The Celtics, led by absolutely startling defense, beautiful teamwork and ball work, didn’t want a game seven.

Then they came out and proved it, mutilating the Lakers like they were a bunch of lost teenagers running through the woods in a horror movie.

Paul Pierce, take your ring.

KG had everything money could buy, and now he’s a champion.

Ray Allen, your inconsistencies drove Boston fans batty, but you too are getting that once piece of jewelry all athletes crave.

A championship ring.

P.J. Brown, enjoy the party, as you ride out into the sunset.

James Posey, how’s it feel to be the newest Robert Horry? That’s two championships in three years.

Validation for a season that was so good it didn’t look real at times, as the Celts coasted to 66 wins.

But playoff struggles against the Hawks and Cavs kept the skeptics in full force, and the jury wouldn’t be out on this Beantown Trifecta until they got to the Finals.

Well, the ruling is in.

Champagne tastes o so sweet.

Boston is the best team in basketball.

Overwhelming the Lakers to the point of beyond recognition, Boston not only closed out the Purple and Gold. They disposed of them.

I didn’t see why so many guys were so high on the Fighting Shamrocks going into this classic tussle between two teams decorated with history. But, now I have to ask myself: How could I get the Lakers so wrong?

Outhustled, out-played, out-rebounded, out-shot. Every out, put in front of a meaningful statistical category the Lakers got creamed in. Half the game they looked lost. Half the game they looked stunned. The whole game the Lakers got outclassed.

With about six minutes left in the second the Lakers were within six, and then they just collapsed.

You know what, scratch that.

Boston showed up, and put a giant exclamation mark on this series.

Boston will get another championship to go with the Patriots decade of dominance and the Red Sox un-jinxing the curse. But this has to go down as one of the sweetest. From second worst to the absolute best.

No ifs ands or buts about it.

No Kobe’s or MVP’s or road woes left in their way.

Like the Celtics fans chanted as Boston barreled its way towards a ring, “Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye.”

And here’s a new tune for Celtics fans.

Queen’s “We are the Champions.”

Boston’s Big Three (Yes, you can call them that now, they’ve officially earned it), checked out with four minutes to go to a rousing ovation that sent a chill down my spine. Together.

The same way Boston has turned this thing around. From NBA doormat to NBA Champion.

Kobe Bryant had a miserable game, and if the comparisons to Michael Jordan were fading as the series progressed, consider them dead now. Jordan never watched his team fail like this in the Finals. Kobe saw what it’s like to get clobbered with Shaq (Detroit 2004), and now he knows what it’s like when the shoulders that carry your team, collapse on top of yourself.

Boston’s physical, relentless pursuit of the ball flustered the usually calm Kobe, who not only laid an egg in this series, but his teammates did too. Pau Gasol was awful at times, so bad at one point that my dad exclaimed, “somewhere in Memphis they’re not so upset right now.”

And Lamar Odom may be a matchup nightmare. But he’s also an inconsistent enigma from game to game. And that was one of the many reasons the Lakers lost.

Boston’s BIG THREE, was better, wiser, smarter, faster then LA’s invisible three.

And so, as Paul Pierce smiled his great big smile, and the cameras focused on the rafters, filled with title lore, one thing was clear.

There’s no longer the question of who the best team in basketball is.

That’s the Celtics.

I do have one question though.

When do we start asking the question if they’re going to repeat?

In 29 NBA cities, they’re GREEN with envy.

Fakers 92. Celtics 131

“Anything’s possible,” KG screamed as Michelle Tafoya interviewed him after the game.

No disagreements here.

And I have never seen so many people on a court then after The Celtics cinched their 17^th ring. That was an unbelievable scene.

This was an unbelievable performance.

Boston, does this ever get old?

ShareThis

SCOTT JACOBS

“The buzzer couldn’t come any sooner,” said an elated Paul Pierce. “We finally made it.”

“We’re in the Finals!” he screamed, smiling like a 10 year old.

Go ahead Paul. Scream and holler all you want. What seemed unthinkable just a mere year ago is now reality. The Boston Celtics, Eastern Conference Champions? Last May that would have came across as a cruel joke, on par with Billy Buckner chants, but now, well let’s just say it’s the truth.

Celtics players huddled around the East finals trophy, chanting, “beat LA.”

It must be something in the water in Boston. All Bostonian teams do, make it to championships!

The Celtics are just the latest Beantown staple to join the ridiculous title tea party, schmoozing next to the Patriots and the Red Sox.

Celtics-Lakers and no, it’s not 1987. It’s 2008, and you’re not going to wake up and see San Antonio and Detroit vie for the snoozer championship.

“We don’t want the silver ball, we want the gold ball,” said Celts coach Doc Rivers.

In 2007 the Celtics walked off the court in their final regular season game, with the worst record in the East, and the second worst in the league. They were among the top two… in uh losing accomplishments. Now, they’re going to the Finals.

“It’s going to be a spectacular series,” said Jeff Van Gundy.

The Lakers have been there 29 times, the Celtics 20. The Lakers have won it 14 times, the Celtics 16.

Prepare to add another chapter to the history book, and leave space on the Nielsen ratings for some out of this world TV ratings.

Like em or hate em, you’ll be watching.

And you can’t use the excuse that this series lacks star power. This series is loaded with so much star power, it’s blinding.

It’s an incredible turnaround for both teams. Kobe wanted to be traded last off-season. Paul Pierce thought he would get dealt. Now, a year later, the two superstars will face off for an expensive diamond encrusted ring they can fit on their finger.

How?

Um, like the bumper sticker says, “Garnett happens.”

The NBA where “how the F*** did that happen” happens.

Who would have thunk it?

Nostradamus you there?

ShareThis