Trying hard not to say it's over

[Big Ticket]

I'm actually pretty surprised how much of a forgone Celtics title conclusion everyone is making... not just here, but around the league.  I know, I know... up 3-1 has meant title 100% of the time... but it's not over.  As much as nobody wants to admit, Kobe is one of the few players that could take over for 3 straight games.  I know all the retorts to this claim already, but it still stands true.

I absolutely believe the Celtics will win... but I'll hold the celebration until they do win.  For all you Sox fans, just remember that there was a time when no team had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the baseball playoffs to win the series either...

[NoraG1]

I've actually noticed at least from fans on the boards here and elsewhere that the series is not over. But I do have to say I would find it hard to believe the Celtics would lose 3 games in a row after a game like last night. This team has too much fortitude and heart. But you are right let's wait to celebrate until they win 4.

[SShoreFan 2.0]

I'm actually pretty surprised how much of a forgone Celtics title conclusion everyone is making... not just here, but around the league.  I know, I know... up 3-1 has meant title 100% of the time... but it's not over.  As much as nobody wants to admit, Kobe is one of the few players that could take over for 3 straight games.  I know all the retorts to this claim already, but it still stands true.

I absolutely believe the Celtics will win... but I'll hold the celebration until they do win.  For all you Sox fans, just remember that there was a time when no team had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the baseball playoffs to win the series either...

I'm with ya on this one.

No counting chickens yet..........but it's going to be fun (if) when it happens.

[EJPLAYA]

100% right on this one. Think of how sure we were of ourselves and moving on when up 2-0 on the Hawks. We didn't have that same rosy feeling after a couple games in ATL now did we?! We need to end this thing in LA and not let them get any momentum at all. They are after all a very good team with one of the best players in the NBA. We as a team also have a track record of playing hot and cold. Let's go in and put the boots to them and get this done. Then we celebrate in Boston with a parade instead of a closeout game.

[celticmaestro]

same here. you've hit the nail on the head perfectly thus fully deserving your second tp of the day from me

[Who]

Kobe cannot take this series and he cannot single handidly win the title

Kobe needs his teammates to show up and then the Lakers would have a shot (not a good one but a shot) at making a comeback. Until that happens for an entire game the Lakers have absolutely no hope of winning series.

[Reyquila]

This has nothing to do with this post. My home Puter died so I wont be able to share with my few and precious amigos Sunday night when we win the pennant. That wont stop me from sharing with you in my thoughts. So you know and dont think I just stayed away on purpose. Good season, guys. See you again on draft day.

[jay_jay54]

100% right on this one. Think of how sure we were of ourselves and moving on when up 2-0 on the Hawks. We didn't have that same rosy feeling after a couple games in ATL now did we?! We need to end this thing in LA and not let them get any momentum at all. They are after all a very good team with one of the best players in the NBA. We as a team also have a track record of playing hot and cold. Let's go in and put the boots to them and get this done. Then we celebrate in Boston with a parade instead of a closeout game.

EJ,i agree with you 100%..tp for your thoughts here.

[Big Ticket]

Kobe cannot take this series and he cannot single handidly win the title

Kobe needs his teammates to show up and then the Lakers would have a shot (not a good one but a shot) at making a comeback. Until that happens for an entire game the Lakers have absolutely no hope of winning series.

Well I'm assuming that his teammates will physically show up to the building.  In game 3, Gasol and Odom combined for 13 points, the bench outside of Sasha combined for 9 points.  Kobe only, and yes I said only, had 36 points.

It's pretty fair to say he is capable of averaging 45 a game for the next 3, while still getting better than 31 points combined from 8 of their other players. 

Again, I absolutely don't think they will win, but Kobe is capable of carrying them enough to make it interesting. 

[kenmaine]

No way are the Lakers going to win this series. The only teams I can remember coming back from 3-1, or 3-0 were the superior team anyway that had somehow gotten themselves in a hole. Thinking of the 2004 Sox, 81 Celtics, etc.
IMO, the Lakers are just not as good as the Celtics and I felt that way at the beginning of the series.  Sure, there's a mathematical possibility, but not gonna happen. Knock on wood

[Who]

Kobe cannot take this series and he cannot single handidly win the title

Kobe needs his teammates to show up and then the Lakers would have a shot (not a good one but a shot) at making a comeback. Until that happens for an entire game the Lakers have absolutely no hope of winning series.

Well I'm assuming that his teammates will physically show up to the building.  In game 3, Gasol and Odom combined for 13 points, the bench outside of Sasha combined for 9 points.  Kobe only, and yes I said only, had 36 points.

It's pretty fair to say he is capable of averaging 45 a game for the next 3, while still getting better than 31 points combined from 8 of their other players. 

Again, I absolutely don't think they will win, but Kobe is capable of carrying them enough to make it interesting. 

There isn't a single player in this league that can win a series of this magnitude against a team of this caliber by himself. It's impossible.

Kobe needs his teammates to perform. It doesn't have to be scoring (well they need some scoring like Sasha gave in Game Three). It can be rebounding, it can be defense (what LeBron gets from his teammates on a nightly basis to give him a shot)... but has to be something worthwhile and valuable. Kobe can't outplay this Celtics team by himself and he cetainly can't do it for three games.

A great player can win a 4-5 minute spell, even a quarter. By the half he's stretched out completely and he's only keeping his team within shooting distance. Over 48 minutes that one player has no hope of winning the game.

A great player can lead his teammates and be the one most responsible for the victory .... but he cannot do it by himself. With the way the Lakers are performing on a whole right now that is what we are talking about and no one player can do it ... and we're not just talking about one game we're talking about three games. It's impossible without his teammates performances rising to a high level.

[Onslaught]

I want this over now. Go in a kill them in game 5 before someone gets hurt bad or a fight starts and people get ejected. While I believe that this should be over you don't get a ring for winning 3 games. Finish them!

[Mr October]

I'm still nervous!!! Will the C's take care of business???

Health wise, they are all being held together with duct tape..... Finish them!!

[Who]

Dwyane Wade led an incredible Miami comeback to four straight wins. His performances were spectacular. It's one of the greatest one-man shows in the NBA Finals.

But he still had Udonis Haslem shutting down Dirk Nowitzki. He had Shaq in the middle drawing the defense and giving him 15/10. He had Antoine Walker bagging clutch shots. He had Jason Williams running the offense to allow Wade to stay in attack mode instead of having the burden of his teammates hanging on his shoulders. He had James Posey locking up Josh Howard. That's a lot of help and right now that's far more help than Kobe Bryant is getting from his Lakers teammates.

Now let's remember something else, the Celtics aren't Dallas. The Celtics are the best defensive team in the league. The Celtics are a dominant rebounding team. The Celtics have three 20+ scoring threats who are perennial All-Stars and each has a good matchup on the offensive end.

The task is impossible without Kobe getting far superior performances from his teammates.

[larry_nerd]

as tommy says, "dont touch the trophy!"