With a post title like that, you probably think I'm going to go back on my "just another regular season game" thing from the preview of the Lakers/Celts tilt, now that Boston won 109-96. I just thought it would be fun to do a quick run down of what the local sports media is saying (as they overhyped the game in the first place) on the day after the big C's victory.
The game had a bit of everything. A well running Celtics offense, some solid defense, KG getting somehow bloody even though I couldn't see how Pau Gasol hurt him despite watching it a billion times on the DVR, and a Kobe-being-Kobe kind of performance for the Purple & Gold. The second half, though, was really something special. After trailing 50-54 at the break, the Celtics went nuts. A 27-18 third was followed by an even better 32-24 fourth that sealed the deal. The Staples Center crowd was deflated, and you could literally see people changing their allegiance to the Clippers (literally, like they went and bought Clip jerseys, and were changing in their seats).
In the end, the stats tell a story of total domination.
60.3% shooting for the C's.
44.4% shooting for the L's.
53% shooting from three for the C's.
44.4% shooting from three for the L's.
43 rebounds for the C's.
30 rebounds for the L's.
34 assists for the C's.
10 assists for the L's.
Rajon Rondo (10 points and 16 assists) and Kevin Garnett (18 points and 13 rebounds) cooked up some double-doubles animal style, Pierce led the way with 32, Ray Ray got 21, and Big Baby and the bench added 28. It was awesome.
But, like I said, it's just one regular season game. We shouldn't get that crazy about it. The local media in LA, however, is going very crazy.
Reaction 1- Phil has given up:
After the game, Phil Jackson made some comments that don't sit well with the media, or the fans. "Is it the playoffs yet? No. We're still playing regular season games. We'll get there in time." I would hate this reaction from my coach. One thing people hate about basketball (all kinds) is that the regular season has almost become irrelevant, as we all wait for the playoffs. While I kind of agree with Phil, you just can't say that as a coach. The whole "it's just one game," thing could fly, but not this.
Reaction 2- Kobe sucks:
I can't remember a figure in the LA sports scene that gets turned on as fast as Kobe (Manny Ramirez would be the complete antithesis of this). When they're winning, fans kiss Kobe's butt all day long. It doesn't matter if he shoots 10% from the field, so long as they win. But when they lose, and Kobe puts up a line like 41 points and 0 assists, he becomes a villain in this town. What is he supposed to do? Should he give the shots to Fisher (5 points), Walton (1 point), or Blake (4 points)? You can't have both worlds, Laker fans. Either you take Kobe, and accept the fact that he's a ball hog who gets it done more often than not, or you take a team of unselfish distributors, finish 6th and never make it out of the second round.
Reaction 3- Jerry West was right:
For some reason, Jerry West made big news when he said that the Lakers were too old and can't play defense, last week. This Celtics victory sure made everyone reflect even more on his words. Everyone from ESPN to the local fools at KLAC said, "I guess Jerry West is right, this team is awful." This loss seems to have put the Lakers into a spiral. They can't beat good teams! They've given up on defense and the regular season as a whole! They're horrible! All these Laker fans need to calm down. You guys are 33-15 and 2nd in the West (although 7 games back of the Spurs). Sure, you're no Celtics, but you're alright.
So there you have it. Proof that the media has to make a story, the fans have to complain. In Bean Town, we're taking this win pretty well. It's nice to get a small (very small) little bit of revenge for Game 7 last year, but a regular season win doesn't hang another banner in the rafters.
At 36-11, and with a 3 game lead on the Bulls and the "Heat-gles" (I love these band references, and I don't think I'll ever stop), the Green Army have already moved on, and we're looking toward tomorrow night's game in Sacramento. The Lakers better move on as well, or else Houston could surprise them (no they can't).
26 days until Celtics/Clippers.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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