Extra Innings

Congrats to the Boston Celtics for their Finals victory. It was definitely well deserved as the effort they put in was much better than the pitiful Lakers. A couple of thoughts on the series.

The series was lost from the moment the Zen Master decided that Vlad could guard Pierce. Seriously? Just by putting him on Pierce stressed the Lakers’ defense and pretty much made everyone play looking out the corner of their eye expecting Pierce to blow by Vlad. The matchup broke the Lakers’ D before any D could be played. I know I don’t have 9 championship rings, but I would have interchanged Kobe and Odom on Pierce. To me, star players have to step up and play defense in the Finals, not rely on lame-o Vlad.

The series was also lost the moment James Posey stepped on the court. The guy reminds me of Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry. He plays solid defense and hits threes with impeccable timing. I wouldn’t be surprised if Posey ends up with 4+ championship rings playing off the bench.

And finally, the series was lost from the moment the Big 3 were formed. One of my pet peeves about watching the NBA is that superstars and established veterans always get the benefit of the calls. Not only were the Celtics more talented, more experienced, but they also had the advantage of the refs on their side. The series was pretty much a loss cause for the Lakers. Does that mean the NBA is rigged? Not likely. I believe that it is just simply human nature and relationship that the refs favor the veterans and the star players while ignoring or being skeptical of lesser known players. But from what I’ve seen in the NBA, it leads to very little possibility of upsets occuring. The best team will always win in basketball. This leaves no room for any Red Sox comebacks from 3-0 series deficits and any New York Giant upsets. To me, the NBA is fun, but is not where “amazing happens.”

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