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What can one man do? We talked of Kobe having to put up a Jordan-esque performance in the finals. He came scintillatingly close to that. Today,Kobe played like a man better than the rest of his race,scoring at will,passing at will,playing at will. His offense was tremendous, and his personal defense game-stopping. But a man can do only so much! Other than Kobe, none of the Lakers came up to assist him.Even the ever consistent Pau Gasol was seen faltering at every nook and corner of the game,even being blocked by men half his size(read:Tony Allen). On the defensive end, nothing went right for the Lakers from minute one. Artest, who had done such a great job on Paul Pierce ,was nowhere to be seen as Pierce toyed with him at will.
Celtics
Credit goes to the Celtics wholeheartedly for this grueling win.They played like a team, each man stepping up when others fell short.Behind Pierce ,Garnett,Rondo and some valuable sneaky lay-ups by Ray Allen, the Celtics never led the lead be compromised,although LA came breathtakingly close at times. This game was one of those games which makes us wonder:Is this the true difference between Jordan and Bryant? Jordan could singlehandedly lead his team to win,as he did in so many finals,always saving his best for the last.Kobe did what he does best, making merry of his guard,but collectively, LA never really posed a defensive challenge as a team.After this heart-breaking loss at TD Gardens Boston, the Lakers for the first time in 2010 playoffs, are lagging behind in the series,heading back to home court. Will this be the end of Lakers in a repeat of 2008 with Boston again drowning them in their own court?We know Kobe cant be stopped,but we have seen the rest of LA can be.Kobe,in his prime,would probably have snatched this game away alone,but right now,if the Lakers need another ring and avoid an impending embarrassment at their own field, they need each and every one to step to the task and if need be, learn how to break the Celtics D from their captain,NO.24.
