I'm going to let Jack write the real treatise on the outcome of last night's Game 7 but of course I still have some thoughts. First of all I was very impressed by the all around quality of play last night, this was a hard-fought, back and forth battle the whole way. I have nothing but respect for Kobe and the Lakers for being able to come out on top. I have a feeling this one meant more to Kobe than last year's win over Orlando, there's nothing anyone can take away from his performance. In the final minutes it looked like it was about to become a two-man slugfest after Paul Pierce stifled Kobe's dunk attempt (a move that would have sealed the game for the Lakers even with 2:30 left in the 4th) and decided to try and take over. On one possession Pierce pulled down an offensive board and demonstratively shooed PG Rajon Rondo away as if to say "This is my ball and my game." Unfortunately for the Celtics, Pierce tried to split the defense and drive the lane only to be rejected by Pau Gasol sending the ball (and momentum) went back to LA. The Celts were able to get a number of big 3-pointers in the final minute to keep it close but two clutch free throws will 11.7 seconds left by Sasha Vujacic (who hadn't taken a shot all game) sealed the deal.
As great as Kobe played for the entire series and the entire postseason in general. The deciding factor in this game was the play of Pau Gasol down the stretch. Besides his great defense on both Pierce and Garnett, Gasol made all the shots down the stretch that he had to as Boston did its best to stymie Kobe. There was one late shot in particular where Gasol went to the basket, had the ball rejected while it was still in his hands in mid-air and yet was able to hold and finish an incredible little off-balance floating for the bucket. All in all this was a great series from start to finish and even though I thought the Celtics were going to pull it off, I am nothing short of impressed with the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers.
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