Victorious

Tonight, the Lakers beat the hated Boston Celtics. From my earliest days, I've watched the highlight reels from the 60's and the 80's of the epic battles between the Celtics and Lakers. As the rivalry faded during the 90's and the new century, I would often wonder if the Lakers and Celtics would ever square off again in the Finals. In 2008, the stars aligned and the rivalry was renewed. That year, the Celtics celebrated as the Lakers were embarrassed in the worst loss ever in an NBA Finals elimination game. I was devastated after that defeat and it forever coalesced my animosity towards the Celtics.

From day one of the playoffs, I wanted the Boston Celtics. They made an amazing run defeating the Heat, Cavs, and the Magic. The Celtics are a tough and gritty team. I would consider them as a dirty squad but that's just the Boston way. The Lakers needed to raise their level of physicality to a new strata.

The 2010 Finals were a roller coaster. Unpredictable, it was tough to determine which team was superior. I will always be reminded of the adjustments each team made game to game. These were juggernauts in an epic struggle to add upon their own storied legacies. Game 7 was emotionally exhausting. I am drained. Its currently 1:30 in the morning but I don't want to go to sleep on this historic day.

I was always jealous of anyone who was around during the Lakers/Celtics duels of the 80's. My parents would often tell me of how great the Laker teams of the 80's were and how exciting it was to play the Celtics in the Finals. Now, I can tell those stories to my kids but instead of Kareem, Magic, Worthy, & Cooper; I will proudly remind my young of Kobe, Gasol, Fisher, and Artest.