NBA Notes - CELTICS SLAUGHTER LAKERS 131-92 FOR 17th NBA TITLE

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

The Celtic franchise's NBA record setting 17th NBA title and its first in 22 years since 1986 when Celtics GM Danny Ainge and the Lakers Luke Walton's father Bill were members of that team

Thursday June 19, 2008

GARNETT & CELTICS MADE BILL RUSSELL PROUD

The time clock ticked down to zero and the Celtics started to celebrate their 131-92 slaughter of their long time rival Lakers winning the NBA title in six games (4-2). At one point the Celtics led by 43 points 129-86 with 1:15 left to play in the game. The 39-point victory margin set an NBA Finals record. Ironically the previous record they broke was their own when the Celtics defeated the Lakers 129-96 in Game 5 of the 1965 NBA finals for a 33 point margin.

Three members of that 65 squad, Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Tom Heinshon were in attendance to witness their record being broken. The ecstatic Celtics celebrated by jumping around and hugging each other while in the background the resounding sound of the recording 'We Are The Champions" was echoing throughout the building.

Television reporters were scurrying on to the basketball court to obtain interviews with the star players who continued to celebrate winning the Celtic franchise's NBA record setting 17th NBA title and its first in 22 years since 1986 when Celtics GM Danny Ainge and the Lakers Luke Walton's father Bill were members of that team. Some more irony is that the Minnesota Timberwolves GM Ken McHale who signed Kevin Garnett out of high school to an NBA contract was also on the 86 team along with Larry Bird and Robert Parish.

There was chaos throughout the building when TV reporter Michele Tafoya grabbed Kevin Garnett who was too excited to speak after he scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. After yelling "Anything is possible," several times over the loud noise of the crowd he finally settled down enough to speak. He noted that he felt that he was on "Top of the world," from finally realizing his dream and being a member of his first NBA title winning team after 13 seasons in the league. In total Garnett played 1071 games during his NBA career including 73 playoff contests before finally reaching the promise land.

During the playoffs ESPN Asia televised an interview during the playoffs with Celtic legend Bill Russell who owns the title by the NBA as being the greatest NBA player ever. Russell won an NBA record 11 titles with the Celtics during the 50's and 60's including two as their player/coach. During the interview Russell told Garnett how proud he was of his play. He pointed out that Garnett's talents and efforts were deserving of him being on an NBA title team. He advised Garnett that he couldn't do it on his own and that he may have to carry some of his teammates with him to win the championship. He also said that if Garnett never won an NBA title that he would give Garnett one of his 11 championship rings.

After Garnett's interview with Tafoya he sought out Russell in the crowd. They embraced and Garnett said to Russell, "Did I do it for you? I got my own (ring), I got my own, I got my own! I hope we made you proud!"

There was no doubt that Garnett made the now 74 year-old Russell proud but he also made all who know him and the Celtics fans proud as well.

WHO'S THE LEAGUE MVP???

When Kobe Bryant won the league MVP Award we questioned the timing of the decision noting that it was too early. We felt that the award should go to the player who helped his team the most and not the highest scorer. We suggested that perhaps the Award should be given after the playoffs. It is our contention that though Bryant is a great player it is Garnett who helped his team the most as they went from worst to first in one year with Garnett on the squad. The 24 win to 66 win season is the greatest turnaround in NBA history. No… he didn't do it on his own but like Russell he was the cornerstone of the team.

With Boston winning the NBA title further reinforces our opinion. It's not to say take the MVP Award from Bryant but it is to say…. NBA.… THINK ABOUT IT…. YOUR TIMING OF DECIDING ON THE AWARD. In our opinion…. YOU GOT THIS ONE WRONG.

There is no doubt that Paul Pierce was deserving of the series MVP award. He went down hurt with a sprained right knee in Game 1, and returned to hit two 3's to inspire the Celtics to victory. His scoring is almost a given though he did have a poor game scoring only six points. It was his defense that stood out when he covered Kobe Bryant in a rotating system with other teammates. Coach Doc Rivers tactic of switching defenders on Bryant that resulted in Kobe scoring his points but in doing so he took a lot of shots and missed a lot. His shooting percentage was down against the Celtics. In the final game Bryant scored 22 points making only 7-of-22 shots.

During a post game press conference June 14th Rivers credited Pierce's defensive skills when a reporter pointed out that the Celtics were more effective when he put Pierce on Kobe.

Rivers replied, "I think he's guarded Kobe in the other games as well in stretches. The difference was he did it the entire second half. One guy will not guard Kobe Bryant. It's just its too hard. It's too much work, and it takes all the energy out of that one guy. We basically have used three guys. We're capable of using four with Tony Allen."

Rivers was then asked if Ray Allen had a different kind of leadership than Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce and how did that show itself? Rivers replied "I think each guy leads in their own separate way. They're all different. You know, it's a team full of guys that kind of lead on our team. I don't know if there's Kevin with his intensity and with his focus, you know, they're just all different in a lot of ways.

Ray's the talker of the group. He likes grabbing guys to the side and, you know, mentor. You can call him the mentor of the group with a lot of the young guys. He enjoys that role. He does it. The young guys actually listen sometimes, you know, and so he's been very good in that."

Those efforts could be the underlying cause of Rajon Rondo making a comeback after being criticized for not being more aggressive with his performance during the series. When it came down to crunch time and the final game Rondo scored 21 points dished out eight assists, swooped up seven rebounds and made six steals for his best game of the series.

The result being is that the Celtics won this title together with veterans blending with each other and leaving their egos at the door while helping build strength, character and confidence in the younger players. That chemistry and work ethic resulted in the Boston Celtics becoming the 2008 NBA champions.