HoopWatch

I always knew the Lakers would loose this season. They have not been fully tested until the Finals. They swept Denver, won against Utah in just six games, dominant in two wins, had it easy and some luck went their way against San Antonio. The law of averages caught up with them. For most NBA champions, there would be a defining moment and a true test to their mettle.

There would come a series or a game that would make or break their character, their desire, their hunger and their will to win. Unfortunately for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, that ultimate test was the NBA Finals! And it they groped for form. No! Wait, they tried to grope for form, which they never did, for what they did was to blame each other for their demise. Some attribute it to not having Andrew Bynum, a legitimate post-presence and shot-blocker. Some blame softies Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. They were both outplayed and out-hustled by the Boston bigs.

And some judge Bryant as no-Michael Jordan, and will never be. A leader who failed to raise the bar, and lead his team to win. He bogged down, he faded. When the Lakers needed him the most, he was not there to show. And he constantly yelled at his teammates, a kind of motivation that may not apply to a young and inexperienced team. He should have scored more when he had to, break down the defense as he should, and provide the energy and inspiration so that his teammates will follow suit. When needed, Jordan would put up 45 or even 63 points to flame that desire in his teammates. Kobe never had any 40-point game. Hell, he did not even reach 35. He failed to show the way when it mattered most.

The real champions have no excuses. Jordan had none. He blamed no one but himself when they lost to Orlando in 1995. But he came back stronger than ever. He used all summer to train and rejuvenate his game. We never heard that Toni Kukoc or Scottie Pippen did not show up. He led and inspired. That’s why since he went to the NBA Finals, he gave it his all. He treated it like there was no tomorrow. He had no dominant or All-Star big man to rely on. He relied on himself and his teammates no matter what their games are. And when he lost some games, he had himself to blame. I’ll never forget how he willed himself to win that crucial Game Five against Utah in 1997. It did not matter to him that he was ill and was hampered by a stomach virus. He rose up to the occasion! He scored 38, including that clutch three.

Kobe should do that. He should instill within him that flame and drive to win, and should show up when it matters, when every chip is falling down, and when his teammates cowardly ducked behind him. He should take that responsibility to wipe that fear and cowardice. He should lead by example. He should start now! Start as early as now to train again and make his game better, and study why he faded against Boston.

Anyway, going back to my premise, Boston had that defining moment in the first two rounds. They were in trouble against Atlanta and Cleveland. They lost all their road games, and had to rely on their home floor to win. They had shaky moments, but Paul Pierce did a great job in inspiring and leading his team. Sure he had Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to help him. But both still struggled at times, especially Allen. But Pierce did was to feed off from its hunger, and fought back. They hurdled all obstacles and silenced the nay-sayers. A lot had doubts, but they never doubted themselves.

And when the chips were falling, their leader, Pierce was there to pick up the pieces. Pierce was there to score 36 a game after they lost at home against Detroit. Pierce was there and emotionally triumphed in using that hunger to make his teammates hustle. Pierce was there to elevate the Celtics game. And everyone thereafter followed him. Allen regained his deadly touch, Eddie House and James Posey were diving for loose balls, Kendrick Perkins and PJ Brown were rebounding. Leon Powe started driving to the basket uncontested. Yes, Pierce started it all! When that ultimate test challenged Boston most especially in the first two rounds and loosing the home-court advantage against Detroit, Pierce was there.

They never had it easy in the play-offs except the Finals. They were challenged all throughout the lesser talented Eastern Conference. And when the time came when they had to engage the best of the ever-competitive West, they were battle-tested. They were ready! And that is why, they deserve to be crowned as NBA Champions! (photos courtesy of yahoo nba)