Although it was not a picture perfect win for the L.A. Lakers they would not have it any other way. Despite the difficulties Kobe Bryant exhibited early in the game, the Lakers managed to pull through with a victory. This marks the 16th NBA Championship for the Lakers and the 5th ring for Kobe Bryant. Teamwork, determination and perseverance are what enabled the Lakers to pull through in the end.
As a Lakers fan, I spent the entire game on the edge of my seat waiting for the team to step it up. I’m glad they managed to do so at just the right time. They survived through thrown elbows, rough fouls and bodies flying left right and centre. Definitely one of the most intense, physical games I have ever seen. The defence on both sides was incredible, it may not have made for as interesting of a game to watch as it was not very high scoring, but the intensity it provoked made it more exciting in the end.
Kobe Bryant will not exactly be thrilled with his personal output in game 7, but I guarantee that he is thrilled his teammates were able to pick up the slack and score the baskets that he wasn’t able to sink. Kobe was definitely over anxious, who wouldn’t be? With a fifth title on the line he had a lot to lose. Derek Fisher commented that Kobe was playing too fast, eager and desperate. Sometimes our emotions can stand in the way of our abilities. Nobody questions the abilities of Kobe Bryant, especially now with a fist full of championship rings. Fisher stated that Bryant was a step-and-a-half too quick. His mind was working faster than his body and you could see that in his game.
The player who made the biggest impact in the Laker victory was undoubtedly Ron Artest. The time this was most prevalent was in the last few moments of the game when Rasheed Wallace nailed a 3-pointer to bring Boston within three points. Right after that, Ron Artest made the biggest play of his career. Kobe passed him the ball and Artest drained the 3-pont shot answering back to Wallace and bringing the entire stadium to their feet, then he blew the fans a kiss. This was not the only great moment Artest had during this game. He played excellent defence on Paul Pierce causing him to miss 10 of 15 shots. He made 5 steals and scored 12 of his 20 points in the second quarter keeping the Lakers close at halftime. Phil Jackson even said he was game seven’s MVP.
Congratulations to Kobe Bryant on achieving a full hand of Championship rings, will we see him catch up or even surpass Jordan? Only time will tell. Congratulations to Ron Artest for persevering throughout the years and for truly winning the highest honour in the NBA. He did his part in achieving a victory and I am so happy to see him win a ring. He has overcome so much in the past few years and I am not only thrilled to see him win, but ecstatic to see him be such a dominant deciding factor in that game.
Congrats to ALL of the L.A. Lakers, to Phil Jackson and the entire Lakers organization. Oh yes and even to you Adam Morrison.
Elite Girl Jen