A classic coaches scream in basketball is the guy about to launch an ill advised 3 pointer from the parking lot. No! No! Then of course the shot catches all net and the coach yells YES! In the final minute last night, LA's Ron Artest took a horrible 2 pointer, then after Pao Gasol secured the rebound and kicked it back to the perimeter, supposedly to restart the offensive set as they had the lead, Artest immediately launched a three. He bricked badly and after Jason Richardson banked in a game tying 3 with just under 4 seconds left, the volatile Artest was wearing the game's goat horns. Then of course he followed Kobe's desperation shot with a game winning layup and he's the hero. Such is sports in the spotlight.
Lot of conversation about this Laker team and the current NBA team in general. I would not put anyone still standing or already dismissed in the "great" category or even remotely close. Some claim the LA group that won 3 consecutive titles from 2000 through 2002 falls into that category. Sure, Kobe in his prime, Shaq was a force, Robert Horry is one of the all time money players and Phil Jackson is the greatest playoff coach ever, but I don't buy them as an elite team in the game's history. I think the last team for the ages was the 96 Bulls who set the record with 72 regular season victories. In the playoffs, they swept the Heat in round one, dropped New York in 5 then swept the Magic in the East Finals. Seattle took them 6 games in the League Finals but Chicago won the first 3 and were never seriously challenged. We will crown a champion but they will soon be forgotten except by their loyal fans who will enjoy it. No way they join that elite club with Russell's Celtics, the 72 Lakers, 73 Knicks, 84 Celtics and those Magic led teams of the 1980's. Tonight I continue to ride the Magic bandwagon in the hope they bring misery and torture to the fans of Boston by forcing a game 7 after falling into that 3 games to none hole. Enjoy your weekend. Take a moment to give thanks to those who have defended this country.
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