Starting five: Lakers 87, Celtics 81

When, oh when, will Garnett take the ball to the hoop? He seemed scared and apprehensive last night on every offensive possession. He missed two dunks!!!! I kept waiting for him to take that game over last night and he kept chucking up the mid-rangers. Why isn't Doc making an issue of this? I so desperately want to see them knock that smug smirk of that fraud Jackson's face!!

I agree about KG. He should be able to go around Gasol and get to the hoop at will.

if the celtics get a fair shot in LA, this series is over. F Kobe

Wasn't KG fouled on both of those dunk attempts he missed?

As much as any fan wants KG to take the ball to the hoop, he hasn't done it in 13 years, why start now? Sadly, it's not part of his game- it's an exceptional non-use of a skill. I have to say that as great a player as he is, it's as bothersome to me when he won't post up as it is when he has the ball 5 feet from the basket and decides to pass it to Perk- unselfish basketball is only good when it leads to baskets, not turnovers.

Just curious, but where are all the stories on the interweb about how the free-throw margin was completely turned around in the first quarter (14-2) I believe. I'm not saying that's why the Celts lost the game. But it was a huge story after game 2, why isn't it now? Pierce picking up those 5 el-cheapos made him sit a lot of the night and may have contributed to his horrible shooting.

This might be my last season following the NBA. It's sickening watching the officiating change from location to location, the favoritism shown "star" players. I understand it's not me that David Stern is marketing towards, but it won't just be me, I'm taking my kids with me. The NBA doesn't seem like a sport any more. Much more like WWF...

Garnett needs to stop taking those shots that are one step in from the three point line.

I will be so happy when the Lakers take the trophy and you eat your words and your pride

Eddie didn't shoot well, but the Lakers had to respect his range. Thought they played their best when he was on the floor. Of course we have no idea how Doc will use his bench tomorrow. Concerning at this time of year.

David Ortiz has got to start stealing some bases soon.

Is that Phil Jackson or Fred Smerlas?

Exactly. Garnett is what he is. I'm all right with it. Just wish the 17-footers would start falling.

"I'm feeling strangely fine about the Celtics' performance, even in defeat."

Chad, how did you feel on Sunday when the Celtics won by only 6 when they got the gift of 28 more free throws?

I felt great! Thanks for asking!

I think you're right about the good-loss theory, Dirt. Watching the first half I couldn't help but think of the Lakers, "This is take-charge basketball? This is desperation?"
Please.
The Lakers were coughing it up like Odom on medicinal-grade grass. If KG and Pierce were hitting shots, the Celtics are up 3-0.
The crowd is weak (still). Sans Kobe - and on Tuesday, that jabbering Slovenian - this team is weak.
And Phil Jackson knows it. That prostate high chair isn't the only thing making him look uncomfortable.

I love how Boston fans, like pathetic sheep, all say the same thing, "It was a close game and that's with KG and PP having a bad game... that tells you how truly great our team is... just think how great we'll do once those other guys come around".

Yeah geniuses.... makes sense.

Oh yeah, except that this logic applies to the Lakers too. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Radomovich all basically played the worst game of their entire careers that night - total non-factors all game long, 3/5th of your starting line-up gives you nothing, a combine point total of -.005 points ... and the Lakers still won comfortably.

Yes, comfortably. There was never a time in the last 8 minutes of the game where it looked like Boston was going to win. Yes, they kept it somewhat close, but that had more to do with the Lakers horrible FT shooting. If LA shoots anywhere near their average % for free throws, they win easily by double-digits... oh yeah, and that's with 3/5th of their starting line-up wearing a dress.

PS: The free throw advantage was 34-22 for the Lakers... NO WHERE NEAR making up for Game 2. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

There's no reason to "make up" for non-calls. A-Rod isn't going to get a double ruled a homerun later this season because an umpire fucked up. Likewise, Kobe shouldn't be getting calls just because the officials missed a couple the night before. If he wanted calls, he should have been going to the basket all along like he did last night.

And yes, Pierce having a bad night is exactly what killed the Celtics. The first two games of the series, he had matched Kobe almost perfectly in points, assists, and rebounds while playing stellar defense. When he does that, the rest of the Celtics just have to outplay the rest of the Lakers, which they are more than capable of doing. IMO, his knee was giving him problems last night. He wasn't driving to the rim and he wasn't getting in front of guys on defense, instead reaching in and getting those foul calls.

CF, I do believe that it is time for your long overdue public apology to Ray Allen for ever doubting him. Get in line behind Bob Ryan who asked the ludicrous question "is this the end of Ray Allen's career?"

Fess up, make amends, self flagelate, put on your crown of thorns, beat your breast and apologize.

And WTF were you last night?

Consider it done, though I did believe in him longer than most. I hope he wins Finals MVP.

And where was I? Working. I do the live blogs only on nights I'm not at the Globe. Planning on doing the live thing Thursday, though.

So, it's the Globe's fault, eh? A likely story.

See you tonight.

PS. And do you consider that an apology? I didn't see the phrase, "I apoligize . . . " anywhere.

Bake-

Maybe an off-game for Gasol, but Odom and "Radmovich" (is that a nickname, or do you not know the names of the Laker players?) have been invisible the entire series. What makes anyone think that those two will suddenly start contributing?

All my thoughts and recaps of games 1, 2 and 3 are posted at:

http://thecorner33.blogspot.com/

Enjoy...would love to see what you guys think

I think the difference in how the Celtics handled a loss and how the Lakers handled a loss really shows who the real champions are and who are the whining wannabes. The Celtics manned up and admitted that the Lakers where the aggressors and that accounted for the early disparity of free throws. Contrast this with the Lakers petulant little kid pouting after game 2. Waaahhhhhh, Da mean ol officials made me lose. No fair, No fair , no fair. And the sight of the "zen master" looking like little boy blue was priceless.

Nope, I suppose I didn't use the word "apologize." But if I did, I probably would have spelled it correctly.