If Red Aurebach and Johnny Most got together up in basketball heaven, they could not have scripted an outcome more perfect than what happened in Game Six tonight—a 39-point (131-92) Boston Celtics victory to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers and capture the 17th championship in Celtics' history.
As Red said in 1984 after the Celtics beat the Lakers for the NBA Championship, "Well, here's your dynasty, right here."
On June 8, 1986, the Celtics won championship number 16. It was Boston’s 16th title out of a possible 40. Had you asked Boston fans on June 9, 1986, no one ever would have guessed that it would take 22 years before the Celtics would get title 17.
After the Celtics finished 24-58 a year ago and then came up with the fifth pick in the lottery, no one in Boston ever would have guessed that a year later they would be celebrating.
And, if you asked all of ESPN's so-called experts who would win the NBA Finals before the series started, only one (Tim Legler) would pick the Celtics.
All of those people, except for Legler, would be proven wrong. Tonight, with a perfect game, the Boston Celtics showed everyone what greatness is all about.
The Celtics all year had been about team. The Big Three received a great deal of attention, and rightfully so. This team, however, won 66 regular season games and 16 more in the post-season, many in blowout fashion, not because one player dominated, but because of the team concept.
In Game Six, Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 14 rebounds (his sixth double-double in six Finals' games), Ray Allen scored 26 points, including 7-9 from the three-point line, and Paul Pierce had 17 points and 10 assists.
The C's had 33 assists on 43 field goals, outrebounded the Lakers 48-29 (including 14-2 on the offensive glass), and had 18 steals.
Rajon Rondo, whom the Lakers had completely ignored the last three games, dominated both ends of the court. He had 21 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 6 steals.
James Posey had 11 points, Eddie House 9, Leon Powe 8, P.J. Brown 6.
And, Kendrick Perkins gave the team a huge lift. I thought he had no chance of playing after suffering a shoulder injury in Game Four. He only played 13 minutes, and had more fouls than rebounds. The mere fact he played, though, had to be a lift for the team tonight.
After losing Game Five, I was admittedly nervous. I thought the Celtics had a chance to close out the series, and let it get away from them.
Then today around 2:00 pm, I saw that Perk was going to play. As soon as I read that, I started to believe. I almost felt like Norman Dale when he heard Jimmy Chitwood say, "I play, coach stays. He goes, I go." Maybe it wasn't quite as dramatic, but I just knew it was going to take more than the Lakers had to beat the Celtics tonight.
Kobe may be the best player in the NBA, Phil Jackson may be the best coach, but the Celtics are the best team. Jackson may ultimately get his 10th ring, and break the tie with Red for most all-time. But, it wasn’t going to happen on the Celtics' watch.
7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
S M Napier about 1 year ago
AWESOME!!!!!!!! Glad for the Celts to get #17, happy for Ray, Paul & KG and glad Kobe lost again.
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Kevin Ryder about 1 year ago
Wish I could've watrched it with you as well Stew. The Celtics definitely made Hoiwe and Don proud tonight. I am sure Don lit a nice big cigar right around midnight in celebration, Red style. But we'll be able to celebrate this summer, and for years to come.
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Andrew Tonge about 1 year ago
Not a Celtic fan, but like KG, and Ray Allen. Pierce deserves it too. This outcome was pretty easy to see. Boston had the more pysical and longer athletes then L.A. Most foreign players shy away from the physical part of the game, which we saw in this series. It is not in their base nature to play that way. That is why Boston got beat up on the boards. They earned it, and deserve it. Good article.
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andy miller about 1 year ago
i wonder why stew did not send me any text messages during the game?
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Andy B about 1 year ago
Congrats to Celtics, no doubt they earned it.
However, almost the most embarassing display of sportsmanship I've even seen by a professional team in a long while. 3 mins to play and they are dumping Gatorade onto the parque floor... Come on, show the class you have until the buzzer , then celebrate.
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Frank Wrench about 1 year ago
I am a Laker fan, and it was a tough game to watch. But anyone who has any problem with how the Celtics played or how they celebrated is just being petty and stupid. When Pierce poured the gatorade on Rivers, that was a great moment - it showed an affection between a player and a coach who have been through a lot, who never thought they would be in that situation, and who have a genuine affection for one another.
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Alex McVeigh about 1 year ago
Yeah, I was rooting for the C's, but I thought it was kind of a dick move. Not that it was necessarily bas sportsmanship, but it still had to be cleaned up in a hurry, since there was still time on the clock. You can't wait 30 seconds?
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