Well, THAT happened...

So much for the motivational speech. I have been too heartbroken to post until now. And without a doubt I can unequivocally say that the hatred of the Boston Celtics is back with a vengeance.

It never really went away but more was put on the shelf the past 20 years or so. Buried down until the two teams reached prominence TOGETHER once again. But it is back now. And I can speak for all Lakers fans that is has returned in a huge way. There is nothing harder as a fan than to have to watch your team get destroyed so badly that the celebration of the opponent begins in the 3rd quarter. And to your bitter rival of years past no less. Yes, I have diligently avoided ESPN and all ESPN media outlets since Game 6 out of fear of having to see some lame-ass Paul Pierce victory celebration. It's been a rough week.

Don't ask me about the video circulating with L.O. out late night after Game 5 before the Lakers fly cross-country to Boston the next morning. Am I upset that he didn't just get some rest? Sure, do I think it cost us the game? No. Maybe this is his ritual for every home win. He goes and releases some stress with some friends and has a couple cocktails. This was not the reason we lost the series or Game 6.So what about the Lakers? What happens now? I have heard many different comments since the Massacre took place and to most of them I just scoff. One particularly intriguing viewpoint is that the team is somehow cursed ever since Chick Hearn passed away back in 2002 after our 3rd in championship in a row. We have not won the title since and watching the games certainly has never been the same. Another theory floating out there is that the paranormal played a role in this outcome. Some believe that Red Auberach and his arrogant stogey antics somehow influenced the series in order to keep Phil Jackson from topping the all time NBA Titles list. Interesting theory indeed.

But it all really comes down to the fact that the Lakers were outplayed and outhustled in the Final round to a more physical team. Had the series been reffed tighter maybe the outcome would have been different. Who knows, but we are talented enough as a balllclub to adjust to the style of play needed to win. So no whining should come from our side.

And while I am hugely disappointed in our performance in the Finals, I am not throwing the team and certain players under the bus as has been the case with countless Lakers fans in the past week. We win as a TEAM and we lose as a TEAM. Certain players didn't play great in the series but without each one of them we would not have even gotten to the final round. Look at where we were in the pre-season and where we finished up and overall this was a remarkable year for the Lakers.
No title to show for the work but big strides taken to start that dominance once again. Young players that hopefully continue to get better and improve going into camp this next year. And with a healthy Bynum in the paint we have the force needed inside to dominate both defensively and offensively. I definitely like our chances going forward. The key will be coming back stronger mentally and hungrier than last year. I think Kobe will be even more motivated to prove that he can win post Shaq. And he will train even harder and push his teammates in the process. Watch out Bean Town, you may have won this battle but we plan to win the war.