Jonathan Lee - AccuScore Analyst

The one ever-present key for the Celtics was the defense led by Garnett and Kendrick Perkins inside, and Rajon Rondo on the perimeter.  That defense was never more apparent than in Game 6.  Boston tallied 18 steals, 6 alone by Rondo (1 short of a Finals record), that fueled a 26-6 run in the second quarter that essentially put away the game and the series.  The second half turned away from basketball, and morphed into a coronation for a once proud franchise that had fallen on hard times.  The franchise of Auerbach, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, and Larry Bird was the worst team in the NBA last season.  In one short year, Boston was back on the mountain top enjoying a moment that will forever define the careers of Garnett, Allen, Pierce, and coach Doc Rivers.

With the Lakers struggling to find consistent offense and at times looking afraid of the big stage, Kobe Bryant needed to play up to his label as MVP and best player on the planet.  Instead he was stifled, along with his teammates, but the suffocating Celtic team defense.  Bryant had averaged 31.9 points through the first three rounds of the playoffs, but scored just 25.7 per game in the finals.  Outside of Game 3, he struggled to find his shot unable to get looks and finishing at 40 percent for the series.  Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol were dominated physically inside, and the fight for the Lakers was lost. 

Next season, the Lakers are expected to be right back in position to win a title despite being thoroughly outplayed by the Celtics.  They are young and talented, and retain all their key players while adding the injured Andrew Bynum.  Many believe he would be able to provide the interior toughness that has been sorely lacking for L.A. and I discussed the Laker possibilities here.  The Celtics will also be back next season to make another run with the three big superstars back for another shot at a title.  Rondo, Perkins, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis also make up a nice young group of role players and GM Danny Ainge will certainly make a few tweaks to the roster with veteran players once again.  Next year can wait for Boston however as it can celebrate the return of the most storied franchise in basketball to the summit.

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