Offense won the Western Conference title, but defense wins championships and the Celtics schooled the Lakers in that area, among others. All series long, they were more physical, they hit more open threes, Garnett stifled Gasol, and perhaps most frustrating, Pierce outplayed Kobe. Furthermore, you don\'t win an NBA title when you blow a 24-point lead at home in a game that could have tied the series.
No doubt, still a solid season and a stepping stone for the Lakers, but such an excruciating way to see it end, being embarrassed on the home floor of their old rival. Yet something tells me that this series was merely the first chapter of the renewal of this rivalry. The Lakers need Bynum to come back strong and to add a backup power/small forward who can bring physicality on the defensive end.
Congratulations Celtics. Go Lakers!
