Game Seven; the two most exciting words to a sports fan. Just hearing those words, you know this will be a game for the ages. After 104 games played in the 2009-2010 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers have the opportunity to make history tonight by adding to their resumes; that they were on a Lakers team that beat the Boston Celtics in a NBA Finals.
The 2009-2010 Lakers are ready and determined to win tonight. I have to use a boxing analogy; Game 6 has served as the stunning jab to get the Celtics’ attention because they seemed to forget who the defending world champions are, and game seven will provide the knockout punch. Laker legends have been forged and their names and numbers lifted to the rafters by accomplishing this task.
There is no question that this is the most important game of the year. The culmination of everything you’ve sweated, bled and worked your butt off for. Everyone knows what’s at stake. The Lakers are ready to rumble and seize the moment.
We are mere hours away from seeing the Lakers exorcise the demons of the past, exact some revenge while placing the final nail in the Celtics coffin, adding to their legacies and winning a championship in Los Angeles in front of the Lakers Nation.
This game is going to come down to who wants it more. A huge factor will be the Lakers defense, rebounding, energy, intensity, activity, executing on offense, and imposing their will on the team sporting green and white.
Kobe Bryant will not admit to this being a huge game for him and his legacy, but it is. The Black Mamba will be in attack mode to set the tone early by providing whatever the Lakers need to bring home a victory. He refuses to lose, he just needs someone to ride with him so the Lakers can have multiple players scoring in double digits.
Two of the Lakers three veteran forwards; Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom must have a major impact on the game. There is nothing in the rule book that says that all three can’t step up and get involved. The Lakers can always use a third scorer. The bench stepped up to the challenge in Game 6 and will have to do it again. It could be the difference between wearing a purple and gold jersey next season or playing elsewhere.
The Lakers have to be totally committed to playing tough physical in your face defense. They have to remain solid by defending the screen and roll action plays. They have to control the boards and everyone wearing a gold jersey has to get back in transition.
The loss of starting center Kendrick Perkins gives the Lakers a size advantage that must be exploited. The Lakers need to run their offense through Pau Gasol, he needs to win his match up with Garnett, who will be forced to play 40+ minutes. I applaud the effort of Andrew Bynum, he has been gutting it out all series and tonight provides the Lakers Nation another opportunity to thank him for his efforts.
I’m looking forward to seeing passion on every possession, the Staples Center crowd extremely loud, the Lakers winning a championship and this writer acquiring a Nike ‘Puppet Five Ring’ t-shirt.
The Purple and Gold don’t need of a motivational speech to get them fired up. The team is well-aware of the game plan and what every player’s role is. If I were coach Phil Jackson addressing the team in the locker room moments before the game, I would write one thing on the white board “131-92″ provide a look of sternness and walk out.
Go Lakers!
Tip-off: 6:00 PM PST
Television -
- Los Angeles: ABC
- Boston: ABC
Radio -
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
- Boston: 850 WEEI (Sean Grande & Cedric Maxwell)
Injuries -
Lakers:
- Shannon Brown (Sprained Right Thumb)
- Kobe Bryant (Avulsion Fracture, Right Index Finger)
- Andrew Bynum (Small Tear in the Meniscus of his Right Knee)
- Luke Walton (Pinched Nerve, Back)
Celtics:
- Kendrick Perkins (Torn Ligaments in his Right Knee) Out
- Marquis Daniels (Concussion) Listed as Day-to-Day
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