I have never been punched in the face.
I would imagine that it feels somewhat similar to this.
I cannot quite breathe correctly; I am having a difficult time seeing straight and the only thing on my mind is revenge.
The Lakers fell down 2-0 in their series with the Boston Celtics Sunday evening after a dizzying rally that included an NBA Finals (written in cursive) record 7 three-pointers in the Fourth Quarter, yet they ultimately fell short, losing 108-102.
Luckily, falling behind 24 points to the Celtics barely fazed these resilient Lakers, whose 41-25 Fourth Quarter brought them to within 2, going into the final minute of play.
Unfortunately, the elements going against the Lakers, namely the Bill Simmons “Aberration Guy” of the century, Leon Powe and an inept officiating crew, prevailed.
All things aside, the Lakers find themselves in dire straits heading back to Los Angeles, with not only their Season on the line, but also their Championship aspirations hanging in the balance as well.
In early April, when it finally dawned on me that a Championship was well within reach this year, I decided that even if this years Lakers squad fell short of that Larry O’Brien Trophy, I would be okay, for they overachieved.
This team is ahead of schedule, I told myself.
Frankly, now that each one of the dudes proudly displays that same trophy on the right side of their jersey, falling short this year is not so cool with me. They are here. It seems as if they were destined to be here. This season has had so much magic surrounding it, It seems fitting for it to end with a ring and a parade.
It turns out the Celtics were not going to play patsy. It turns out that the NBA Finals (written in cursive) were not some coronation for these Lakers. If this year is destined to end with a Championship, it will truly take the will and execution of a Champion.
Those hopes are not yet dashed. They have not entirely disappeared. The picture is just a little murkier now. In Game 3, the Lakers have the opportunity to begin to restore clarity and lucidity to that dream; to undo the damage they did to themselves in Boston; to show that not only do they want this Championship, but that they need this Championship.
As I, and many others around this city have said: “Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night. Tonight’s the night!”
Television -
National: ABC (Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy & Mark Jackson)
Radio -
Los Angeles: AM570 KLAC (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
Boston: WRKO 680 AM (Sean Grande & Cedric Maxwell)
Injuries -
Lakers:
- Out: A. Bynum (Knee)
- Will Play: K. Bryant (Pinkie)
Storylines -
Hunger, Desire, other cliché sports motivators: This is it. Lose and the hole gets so deep, not even Paul Pierce’s leg falling off can save the Lakers. Kobe & Crew need to come out with guns blazing at Staples Center because if they don’t; there are going to be some verrrrrrry unhappy millionaires (not to mention incensed TLN writers).
Can The Lakers Buy A Foul?!: Leon Powe had three more free throw attempts than the entire Lakers team in Game 2. LEON POWE!!! That’s all that needs to be said about that. Ridiculous. You’re on notice, David Stern.
Varsity Challenge -
(Prize – an opportunity to kick the crap out of the Leprechaun on stilts seen before Celtic Home games)
Leon Powe’s 21 points off the bench in Game 2 was improbable and retarded. What other Celtic scrub had a similar performance in 1985?
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