Game Three: A Defining Moment
The last time that Kobe Bryant was in the NBA championship series was in the 2003 - 2004 season. That year, the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons won in five games. Supposedly, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are hungry for a championship.
By comparison, Paul Pierce has never played in the championship series. Neither has Ray Allen. Neither has Kevin Garnett.
It may be that the Big Three of the Celtics simply want the championship more than the Lakers. Granted that the first two games have been in Boston and that home court is a definite advantage, the Lakers have not played with the passion and intensity that would have been expected. That desire has shown itself in fleeting spurts over the last two games. However, it has not been maintained.
The Celtics have been more aggressive and a step quicker. The Celtics out-rebounded the Lakers badly in Game One. In Game Two, there was a huge disparity in free throws. However, if the Lakers truly want to contend for this championship, the fouls favoring the Celtics had to increase their passion and not take away their focus.
Game Three is the first time this series plays in Los Angeles. It is a game to make a statement. If the Celtics win, then essentially the series is finished. For the Lakers to come back from a 3 - 0 deficit is more than even the most hopeful fan could imagine. Game Three is a must win game for the Lakers. A decisive win would be a salvo to answer the two defeats in Boston. Game Three in Los Angeles will define this Lakers team and exactly how much they truly want to contend for the championship.
Catherine Forsythe
Tags: Boston Celtics, championship, desire, Game Three, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, playoffs
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