Tougher Than The Rest - Wednesday, June 18, 2008
181 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   For Philadelphia fans, the image of Celtics coach Doc Rivers smoking a cigar next to a photograph of Red Auerbach celebrating a past Boston triumph with a stogie turns the stomach. It's bad enough we have to deal with the invasion of Red Sox Irritation this week, but to see the Celts capture a 17th NBA title is almost too much to take. You may not remember the disappointments at the hands of Auerbach's minions over the years, but trust me, they were many, and they were awful.

   As much as it hurts to herald the Celtics as champions, a modicum of respect must be offered, if only because of the way they accomplished the feat. In an NBA that has become more and more stylized and wide-open, Boston did it with the same efficiency and toughness that has characterized champions in the league for decades. It may be fun to watch Phoenix and New Orleans bolt up and down the court nailing threes and sinking pretty layups, but the real money is earned by those who can put on a hard hat and get to work. Boston did that all season, playing the league's best defense and showing L.A. what it means to be tough.

   The Lakers, meanwhile, played like an AAU team. Their frontcourt performers were blitzed, particularly on the offensive boards (65-49), and whenever the situation called for a little fire, they backed down. One of the enduring images of the Finals will be of Pau Gasol in full whine after another no-call when he was unable to take it strong to the rack. European players are highly skilled, but they lack the iron stomach necessary to thrive at the ultimate level. I almost expected Ricky Roma (Glengarry Glen Ross) to appear on the court and scream at Gasol, "Who told you you could work with men?" after yet another soft approach to the basket.

   While the Celtics were getting it done, Kobe Bryant was doing little to burnish his legacy. If he wants to be considered among the league's greats, he has to make sure his team doesn't BLOW A 24-POINT LEAD AT HOME. Yes, he was double and triple-teamed by the Celtics, but he was unable to transcend the moment, as the greatest players have, and lead his team to victory. Bryant needs a better supporting cast, but he could have prevented the Game Four meltdown and at least forced a seventh game. At that point, anything could have happened.

  So, let's congratulate the Celtics, as unappetizing as that may seem. And though the Sixers can't count on some good friend of Ed Stefanski's to deal him an All-Star (Kevin Garnett) for pennies on the dollar as Boston GM Danny Ainge did, they can see that toughness is necessary to win in the NBA and conduct their draft and free-agent business accordingly. If we have to suffer through more Boston prosperity, at least we can learn from it.