Celtics vs. Lakers 2010: Ron Artest Saves the Day, L.A. Repeats as NBA Champs
The Most Valuable Player Award trophy for the NBA Finals belongs to Kobe Bryant. He clearly was the best player of the entire series and no one was as consistent as Bryant.
However, Kobe Bryant didn’t win the Finals MVP Award on the basis of his performance in Game Seven.
A quick look at the box score would be deceiving, as Bryant scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Kobe had moments where he played well, but even his most ardent supporters would have to concede that his shot selection in the first half was horrendous.
Kobe took 24 shots on his way to shooting only 25 percent from the floor. Bryant, normally an 80 percent or better free throw shooter, struggled from the free throw line, going 11 for 15.
Bryant acknowledged that he did not play well in accepting the MVP trophy, stating that he was pressing and that he was glad that his teammates were there for him, especially the “Spaniard” Pau Gasol.
Gasol played well, really well. Gasol took advantage of the injury to Boston Celtic center Kendrick Perkins; Gasol had 19 points and 18 rebounds. The most impressive statistic for Gasol was his nine offensive rebounds.
While the end destination is not yet guaranteed, Gasol’s performance has likely taken him one step closer to induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Los Angeles Lakers player, however, that saved the day was not Gasol. The player that saved the day was Ron Artest.
Artest came to the Lakers to provide toughness and be the team’s defensive stopper. Artest lived up to his end of the bargain.
Artest is a “bad man” who is incredibly strong. Artest ripped the ball out of the hands of the Celtics as if they were little children.
On a couple of occasions, Paul Pierce made the mistake of allowing Artest to get underneath the basket before beginning to box him out. Big mistake, Artest grabbed and put back a couple of easy baskets to keep the Lakers close in the first half.
Pierce attempted to get into the head of Artest early in the first half. After fouling Artest, Pierce got physical with Artest by putting his forearm under Ron’s throat and getting his arms tangled with Artest.
Ron didn’t rise to the bait, but he also didn’t back down.
Artest slowly untangled himself from Pierce and then returned the favor by “adjusting” Paul’s headband so that it was over Pierce’s eyes.
Once untangled, Pierce and Artest—according to the unwritten rules within the league—had to stare at one another. When Celtic players pushed Artest to create some space between the players, Artest became an immovable object and stood his ground.
The message, while subtle, was nice and clear. The Staples Center is my house and Ron Artest will not allow the Lakers to be bullied at home.
Anytime that Artest had to guard Pierce in isolation, Ron was more than up to the challenge. Pierce could not go by Artest and he could not create enough separation from Artest to hit his jump shot.
The Celtics finally stopped isolating Pierce and decided to run pick and roll plays for him to give him some open looks at the basket. Pierce did end up scoring 18 points in the game, but every point that Pierce scored was hard fought and took its toll on him.
Artest was also very active playing help side defense by stepping into the passing lanes of the Celtics. Ron led all players in the game with five steals, a couple of the steals led directly to points off of the turnover.
Despite the numerous great defensive plays, Artest will likely be remembered for the three-point shot he made with only one minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
Kobe, who was being double-teamed, passed to a wide open Artest. Without hesitation, Artest shot the three-point shot and it found the bottom of the net.
As he ran down the court, Artest blew a kiss to the heavens above. The Lakers lead was six points and the game was firmly in the control of Los Angeles.
After the game, Artest’s post-game interview made for interesting television. "Well, first of all I want to thank everybody in my hood and I definitely want to thank my doctors...my psychiatrist, she really helped me relax a lot."
Artest is undoubtedly a special player and now he is the proud owner of a NBA Championship ring.
Artest may have also found a home in Los Angeles with his celebratory kiss to the sky. In how many cities would a player feel free and unabashed about thanking their psychiatrist in prime time?
Maybe Artest felt free to make the comment because he is not like any other player in the league; of course, few players in the league have what it takes to become the hero of Game Seven in the NBA Finals.
