Reflections on the Conference Finals, and Getting Ready For a Classic Matchup

Here are my thoughts as we prepare for a reprisal of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry:



---Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players of all-time. I am an ardent Laker hater with a strong dislike for the Black Mamba, but even I was amazed by his stunning, unstoppable performance in Game 6. Kobe was absolutely amazing. The Suns were playing stellar defense, but Kobe was draining impossible shots with ease. Somewhere, Michael Jordan was smiling.

---Another encouraging sign for the Lakers: The inspired play of Ron Artest. Artest's game-winner in Game 5 was downright fluky, but no luck was involved in his terrific performance in Game 6. If the Lakers are to beat the deeper Celtics, Artest and Derek Fisher are going to have to continue their strong play.

---As for Sasha Vujacic, I can't recall a more useless, arrogant player. Anybody who self-proclaims themselves The Machine when all they do is loiter aimlessly outside the three-point line is a total jackass. More reason to hate the Lakers.

---Meanwhile, the Vujacic-Goran Dragic feud continues to heat up. Never have I been more interested in the state of Slovenian basketball. When Dragic and Vujacic get together to play for the Slovenian national team this summer, it will have all the makings of a classic, guilty-pleasure reality television series.

---Sad scene in the Suns locker room after the Game 6 defeat: An emotional Steve Nash being embraced by Coach Alvin Gentry. Nash is one of the most selfless, exciting players the league has ever seen, a surefire Hall-of-Famer who plays the game with dignified class and grace. Nash had a superb series. Here's hoping he wins that championship he so richly deserves before his illustrious career comes to an end.

---Phoenix has no time to celebrate after finishing off a truly outstanding season, because they must immediately focus all of their attention into re-signing free agent Amar'e Stoudamire. Stoudamire may have had some lapses in focus this past series, but he is still an elite player in the prime of his career. The Suns have the potential to be a title contender again next year, but only if they can bring back Amar'e.

---Out East, the Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic, and will now be vying for their eighteenth NBA championship. The Celtics owe their success this postseason to the brilliant play of Rajon Rondo. Two years ago, when the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals, Rondo was a weak link for Boston. Now, he is the best player on the team. I fully expect Rondo to thrive in the biggest stage of them all. He will have another spectacular series in the Finals against L.A. Book it.

---Also, I must acknowledge the splendid play of Nate Robinson. Robinson provided a much-needed spark off the bench in Boston's clinching Game 6 win against Orlando. I have always loved Lil' Nate. One of my favorite moments as a sports fan came in November 2006, when I was in attendance at Madison Square Garden for a Knicks-Rockets game. That was the infamous game in which Robinson dunked on Yao Ming. The Garden went crazy, and rightfully so. Very few players can match the excitement level of Robinson. Keep up the good work, Nate!

---Uhhh, is Rashard Lewis still alive?

---I said it before, and I'll say it again: Vince Carter doesn't have a clutch gene in his body.

---Ok, here we go. Celtics. Lakers. Cue the flashbacks of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar and Robert Parish. This is gonna be great. Go Celtics! Beat L.A.!

---Two years ago in the Finals, the Celtics overwhelmed the Lakers with their toughness and physicality. I expect a similar occurrence this time around. The Lakers have more raw talent than Boston, but they only have four players who can be classified as tough: Kobe, Artest, Pau Gasol, and Derek Fisher. The Celtics, meanwhile, have at least eight: Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, and Rasheed Wallace.

---David Stern has to be beaming with joy at the current state of his league. Sure, the playoffs haven't been rife with classic moments, but the two conference finals were very exciting, and now two storied franchises and bitter rivals are set to meet in what could very well be an all-time great series. Gotta love the awesomeness of the National Basketball Association.

---So obviously, my hope is that the Celtics sweep. Realistically, here is my final prediction: Boston in 6. Should be fun. Can't wait for Thursday night.