The Fan Voice: "The Contrived Finals"

By Live or Die Magic | June 5th, 2008


A side effect of my withdrawal as a result of the Magic’s ouster has been my avoidance of much of the continuing NBA playoffs. This is a shame, because most of the series have been incredible, especially that Spurs/Hornets series. And as it turns out, the matchup I least wanted to see has now happened. Oh sure, "Lakers/Celtics" is the NBA’s dream contest, same with the networks and advertisers. I suppose that the casual NBA fan finds it pretty awesome as well. But I’d like to think that most fans, if their own team isn’t playing for the title, they’d like to have a team playing that they can at least get behind, temporarily. With Lakers/Celtics, it is very much “lose/lose” for me, anyway.

The real problem I have with this matchup, and I don’t think I’m alone, is the circumstances surrounding the creation of the two teams’ current rosters. I am not screaming “conspiracy” from the top of Space Mountain, but I think that both teams were able to take advantage of trading partners with whom they had previous ties. This prior connection made the moves appear suspicious.

Both of these teams were a mess last offseason – miles away from the Finals. Will we ever know for certain how much influence Jerry West had on the trade of Pao Gasol from the Grizzlies to the Lakers? The trade of Kevin Garnett to the Celtics was infinitely worse. And do we even have to debate anymore the reasons behind the chummy deal between McHale of the Timberwolves and Ainge of the Celtics? I think the ghost of Red must have been moving back and forth on the phone lines when McHale and Ainge were discussing that deal. Frankly, I’m surprised that McHale held out for Al Jefferson.

So, we could be handing a ring to a guy like Kevin Garnett, who despite his play on the court, has spent his entire career demanding that his team put talent around while also demanding that he be the highest paid player in the league. He is the poster player for this mindset in the NBA by its superstars that if I can’t win were I’m at, trade me to a team where I can win. If you are a superstar and are being paid like one, don’t you hold at least equal responsibility to make your team good enough to win? In most cases, the teams these players are getting traded to weren’t winning either. LeBron James is the only superstar player I can think of that has single-handedly made his team a title-contender. The Cavaliers success last season is only more impressive now that we’ve had time to look back on it. But Kevin Garnett got his wish, and now the Celtics – the most storied team in the league, could potentially benefit from all the hard work (and money) that the Timberwolves put into Garnett. Garnett winning a title in this manner will only make it worse for any team that currently has a superstar (guess who!) but has trouble getting over the hump.

As difficult as it could be to see Kevin Garnett brandishing a ring, it might actually be worse to see the Lakers winning again. I don’t have any issues with Kobe Bryant. If anything, it might be kinda cool to see him able to wave a 4th ring in Shaquille O’Neal’s face. Let’s face it, Kobe’s first title without Shaq would be infinitely more impressive, and carry more weight, than Shaq’s first title without Kobe. It’s not even close. But my real problem with the Lakers winning is because the rich just seem to get richer. This is an organization that one it’s last three rings by blatantly breaking league rules to get Shaquille O’Neal (I will not debate the validity of this point – it happened.). This season, with the trade for Gasol, they did it again. This time it was worse because the other NBA teams should have been expecting it! If you think the Lakers are good this season, what happens next season if Andrew Bynum recovers completely and manages to mesh his game with Gasol’s? Combine this with the fact that the Spurs, Suns, and Mavericks appear to be finished as title contender in the West. The Lakers will only have the Jazz and the Hornets to worry with until the Trailblazers get more experience. Of course, this could change if either the Suns, Mavericks, or Spurs decide to plunder the East teams for talent again.

Oh, and do we really need to see Phil Jackson win another title? Oh sure, this might actually be his best coaching job ever – having to actually coach a winning team for once, but oh, the smugness that will be on display when Jackson passes Red Auerbach on the NBA titles list by beating Red’s team! But if you really need one good solid reason to not root for the Lakers, may I present to you Sasha Vujacic’s hair?

The worst part about this series is that it is only the first time. You see, I remember my 80’s NBA history, and these Lakers/Celtics matchups tend to be a back-and-forth affair. The Celtics probably have two more seasons of being able to win the East, and while the Lakers will have a tougher path, may I remind you about Andrew Bynum (oh and a healthy Trevor Ariza will help their bench). So, have fun watching the series, I’m sure it will be exciting, but just remember that while this might be good for the NBA offices, partners, and advertisers, I am not sure it is good for the actual NBA teams.


This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

I agree completely. It is a shame we live in a society where hatism is so prevelant. This is the first time in as long as I can remember that I don't have a strong opinion on who wins this series.

First time in the last, maybe, 15 years I won't watch the series.

I hate the whole "cheating" to get those guys air that the series have. I cannot root for either team. I liked the Celtics because of their history, Paul Pierce and the Leprechauns (I mean who doesn't like a Leprechaun)....But after the questionable moves and lopsided trades that went on I cannot stand behind them.

Another thing that just infuriates me is that whole "star" mental position these guys have. I hate the whinning, I hate the crying. I hate them for requesting trades, I hate them for being selfish. You are a star, act like one, be proud of you team and make them succeed, stop running away when things go bad, be a man and deal with it.

I don't think we will see many more stars, starting and finishing their careers with one team. Long gone are the Olajuwons, Robinsons, Jordan(at least thru the first two retirements), the Stocktons, etc, etc. Sometimes stars get traded, some at the end of their careers, (Malone, Drexler, etc) which is understandable, but the current idea is playing 3 or 4 years, and if they don't win, they want to go...this is just sad, and a bad example for the young fans of the game...

Wow LOD, I might read your blogs more often! (lol)

I share your passion on this subject.

Is it possible for both teams to lose? Thats the best outcome IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by nbr:
Wow LOD, I might read your blogs more often! (lol)

I share your passion on this subject.

Yep (note capital letter)

quote:

Originally posted by Osprey23:
Is it possible for both teams to lose? Thats the best outcome IMO.

I told a friend of mine the other night while drinking that I would literally agree to shave 10 years off the end of my life if I could find a way that they'd both lose this year, as long as I could guarantee that Gasol, KG, and Allen would never get another title opportunity again.

This is the best case scenario for the NBA. It's the worst case scenario for competitive basketball.

I agree with the points that you made LOD. However, the real reason I am posting is because I am now one post closer to being a Legend and I don't want the hatists to win.

Can this blog posssibly get to two pages? And is it interesting that the most commented on blog post in the last few weeks, months maybe, is not really magic related?

I like this one a lot..Since this morning I have been thinking about the situation trying to get myself to pick a team and support someone....I just can't get excited about this series...If I had to pcik a team, life or death situation, I would say the Lakers...Only because my granfather came straight from Spain and Gasol is now a Laker...but I still can't get too excited about it.

quote:

Originally posted by emory889:
I agree with the points that you made LOD. However, the real reason I am posting is because I am now one post closer to being a Legend and I don't want the hatists to win.

You really don't need a better reason than that, do you?

quote:

Originally posted by davcivic:
Can this blog posssibly get to two pages? And is it interesting that the most commented on blog post in the last few weeks, months maybe, is not really magic related?

I think the increased interest is because of my successful viral internet campaign.

Headline on ESPN.com 3 weeks from now:

"Celtics and Lakers end Game Seven of the 2008 NBA Finals in a 413-413 tie in 30 OTs. David Stern rules the Boston Celtics as Champions"

In a press conference Friday morning, Stern said:

"It was unfortunate that the series had to end this way, but in the end I feel as though the Boston Celtics were the rightful champions. Although the scoreboard said the Lakers were just as good as the Celtics, I believe the Celtics fought harder, had better fans, and deserved it more. Afterall, the Lakers won a title just 5 years ago. It was about time the Celtics won one, and I believe they deserve it. Their fans deserve it. They can now purchase their 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics t-shirts from www.nbastore.com or by calling 1-800-NBA-LOGO"

I could just as easily hear him saying this:

"It was unfortunate that the series had to end this way, but in the end I feel that since the Boston Celtics and LA Lakers couldn't determine a champion after 30 OTs, the rightful champions are the New York Knicks. Although the scoreboard said the Lakers and Celtics were equally good, the Knicks have a better city, and better fans, and deserve it more. Afterall, the Lakers won a title just 6 years ago, the Celtics, won a title 22 years ago. But the Knicks haven't won a title in 35 years. Its about time the Knicks won one, and I believe they deserve it. Their fans deserve it. They can now purchase their 2008 NBA Champions New York Knicks t-shirts from www.nbastore.com or by calling 1-800-NBA-LOGO"

In other news, a new league rule makes it mandatory for every team to give away their star player to a team in a bigger market. No team in Charlotte, Orlando, Minnesota, Memphis, and any other medium sized market is allowed to keep their guys. Also, from now on the championship will rotate between Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Oklahoma City (because that is David Stern's boy). That is all, peons.

Lol @ the above posts...

I think I stay in my position of rooting for the Celtics. No way I want Kobe and Phil to win another championship. If I would see both teams as bad... I would call the Lakers worse.

As I said before, Doc could be outcoached by Phil. I hope not.

And yes, I agree things look fishy with these trades, but I think Gasol's was the worst, since at least Minny looked like they were getting something and the Celtics actually led go their future in the process. The Lakers lost virtually nothing significant for Pau.

Anyway, nice blog.

Anybody that is not interested in this series is "CRAZY"!!!

Of course I am biased in my opinion since I was in my early 20's when the Lakers and Celtics had all those epic duels back in the 80's.

I'll never forget, I had just started working in a boarding school. It was my first year working in the education field. I worked in a dormitory filled with Junior and Senior High students. After a manditory study hall which was required every night the students were given free time until lights out was called.

Just about every friggin kid in the dorm was huddled around the TV set groaning and cheering for every single move, good or bad, made by their favorite team.

It was "SO" much fun! CLASSIC!!!!!