In no particular order . . .
I loved that it had the most intensity of any NBA game since MJ retired. I can not be talked out of that statement. It was palpable from the moment that bodies started flying on the first possessions of the game.
I loved that there were a low number of points and nobody cares. If you do care then you don’t like basketball. Watch a mid-season Warriors/Clippers game and then tell me that mere points in a vacuum are entertaining.
I loved that they kind of put away the whistles. Bodies started flying from the first possessions of the game and in each instance the players missing shots or losing the ball (mostly the Lakers) were incredulous that play wasn’t constantly being stopped. What a relief to see uninterrupted sequences of possessions by teams that actually play hard on defense. Gasol and Bryant, especially, get the benefit of whistles so often during every other game that you can hardly blame them for being confused that there was at times severe contact and yet the game kept going. I mostly liked how this game was officiated because it doesn’t always have to be somebody’s fault when there is contact. It begs the question, of course, if those plays weren’t fouls in Game 7 then why are they fouls every other game? The answer is that refs call too many damn fouls just because there is contact; they need to dial it back and let players play because the best man will eventually win. The refs owe us an apology for the way they officiated the other 1311 games played this year. End of discussion.
I loved that multiple players competed, independent of skill, like they were Charles Oakley or Alonzo Mourning back in the day, going full tilt and sacrificing their bodies. Gasol. Rondo. Bryant. KG. Even Bynum (when you consider the pain he was in). The effort and recklessness of this game looked like something from the distant past.
I loved that this game reminded me of being a kid and becoming a lifelong fan of the NBA in the 1990’s. And by the way, the 1990’s were better than people think because, low point totals and all, guys went after it in the later rounds of the playoffs.
I loved that a team got the full benefits of having a crazy player and none of the drawbacks. Ron Artest wasn’t afraid to play the game of his life last night because he is nuts. Almost any person in their right mind would play at or below their normal level in such an intense game. Aside from Dennis Rodman and Stephen Jackson this almost never happens.
I loved how little the players had left when the final buzzer came. It was like the 15th round of Creed-Balboa. I would like to learn something from that and apply it to my own life. In defeat or victory, how satisfying must it feel to sit in that locker room and know that you gave everything in pursuit of your goal?
I loved Rasheed Wallace’s confidence as a post scorer early in the first quarter.
I loved that it is no longer surprising to see Pau Gasol hanging in there for three and four chances on the offensive glass until his incredible touch allows him to score. Banging like that is not his second nature and the fact that he learned to compete like that in his late twenties is so damned admirable.
I loved seeing Rondo go coast to coast.
I loved seeing Rondo go to the floor like a missile for a loose ball.
I loved Big Baby’s scoring instincts to use the rim for protection on that drive in the first half.
I loved Kobe going for that power dunk over Pierce at the end of the game. Considering the context, that would have been the best in-game dunk of all time if Kobe was able to finish it off.
I loved how KG kept going after it even though he can’t get around anybody for rebounds.
I loved being reminded of how smart KG has become in his old age.
I loved KG’s movement off the ball.
I loved Rondo rewarding KG’s movement off the ball.
I loved how often the floor had to be toweled off.
I loved Ron Artest being in the right place in the triangle so often.
I loved the poise the Lakers showed even after late missed free throws.
I loved that the missed free throws were caused by fatigue and not, it seems, by nerves.
I loved seeing a three hour demonstration of the efforts by two of the greatest assistant coaches in HBA history. Tom Thibidou’s defense and Tex Winter’s offense are simply works of art.
I loved that, due to a missed nap earlier in the day, my eight month old son fell asleep early in the evening and was in my arms while I watched every second of the game. I could have put him in his crib but then something occurred to me: every time they mention this game or show highlights for the rest of my life I get to think about holding my little boy. Not bad. It was totally worth then being awake with him from midnight until 4 am and then being a vegetable at work this morning.
I loved seeing Hondo, Russell, McHale, Cornbread, Magic and Kareem on hand. It reminded us what was at stake.
I loved the video package that ABC produced for the beginning of the game putting players of different eras in the same space. The CGI used to give us a moving alternate angle of MJ’s “spectacular move” shot against the Lakers in 1991 was imaginative and stunning. That video needs to be on YouTube yesterday.
I loved how unflappable Vujacic was for those late free throws. Whatever you think of the dude, his hair or his game, that was impressive.
How can you not love Fisher’s confidence when a big shot is needed?
I loved how Doc Rivers communicates with his players. What a cool person.
I loved seeing Nate Robinson playing under control in the closing minutes Game Seven of the NBA Finals. I wish he could have demonstrated such poise as a Knick, but that probably was never going to happen.
I loved the Celtic bench congratulating Brian Scalabrine after 20 seconds of play in the first half. Why the hell not? Perhaps that was what Rivers meant when he called his team “crazy close” after the game.
I loved Lamar Odom’s slow and high pass to Kobe to ride out the clock to end the game. What a smart play.
I loved the whole freaking thing. Thank you, Lakers and Celtics. Congratulations.
