Celtics-Lakers: Celtics use a silver and black foundation to win no. 17

Yet, that is the direction in which most analysts said the NBA would head. A Celtics win means that for another season defense trumps offense.

Just as the Spurs did, the Celtics won with an exceptional combination of style and substance - because they are the same thing.

It takes a true trio to make a "Big Three."

Until the Celtics clinched a title in a 39-point rout, the NBA's only Big Three resided in San Antonio—Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

This trio won three titles together by playing on both ends of the floor. Any of the three could lead the team in scoring, spark a game-changing run or force a key turnover.

Then in Rome, the Celtics' trio decided to tell the world what it did not know. Paul Pierce as a great defender or outplaying Kobe Bryant? Ray Allen guarding Bryant one-on-one for stretches in the Finals?

Garnett, Pierce and Allen can now call themselves whatever they like. They have not transcended Bird, McHale and Parish with only one trophy but they have joined them.

I knew the three All-Stars would mesh offensively but I questioned the team's ability to score enough points and Allen and Pierce's defense. I will question them no more.

The probable truth is that Pierce has defended like this his entire career, as has Allen. It took a pairing with Kevin Garnett to see what was there all along.

Bynum will improve an inconsistent front line when he returns next year. The Lakers will not win a trophy with Space Cadet, not Scottie Pippen and Gasol taking what Phil Jackson calls "weenie" shots.

The Finals MVP gets the trophy he deserves: underrating Pierce

I did not know Paul Pierce was this good. 25 points on a bad team good? Sure. But, 38 points in game five of the NBA Finals good? No way.

Prior to this postseason, when I compiled mental lists of the game's elite players, Pierce was an afterthought. His play ensured he will no longer suffer omissions from such lists.

He shot poorly in the decisive game (He did rack up 10 assists) but he played so well in the previous five contests that it did not matter.

Bryant threw one of the ugliest temper tantrums in sports history last summer, demanding a trade and slamming his under productive teammates. The Phoenix Suns eliminated his team in the first round for a second consecutive season but he already wore three championship rings. He was only a few years removed from his fourth Finals appearance.

Pierce's team did not make the playoffs and sputtered to a miserable 24-58 record. Where was Pierce demanding a trade and publicly calling out Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Kendrick Perkins for sucking up the season?

He kept his frustrations private, as Bryant should have, and then Ainge gifted him Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Pierce did not disappoint his crafty general manager and brought banner no. 17 to the luckiest sports city in America right now.

Rivalries do die: different Celtics, different Lakers

When David Stern knew that this match up would see fruition, one that seemed so improbable a year ago, he likely saw visions of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The two former rivals even taped a commercial together declaring that "rivalries never die. They live on."

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