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.
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