Schadenfreude finals

The only pleasure I took in the Finals match-up this year is the knowledge that one of those teams had to lose. Rather than reveling in a Boston and/or KG triumph like others, I could only enjoy the demise of the Lakers, who suffered almost as complete a Finals destruction as they did against the Pistons in 04. In the process, Kobe takes a big hit. Not only did he revert to a chucker baby, the mask of leadership he has been trying to sport this year was ripped off once the going got tough. So at least we have that going for us.

As for the Celtics, what can you say? They were the best team in the league wire to wire this year and it now just seems odd that everyone thought they'd get beat in the Finals (me included). Props to Weedie, not only for getting to bask in the glow of this victory but for having the vision that saw it coming in the first place. Other than thinking that Eddie House would be a good weapon against a Pistons team that could pressure a point guard, he had it all right. How sweet must that be?

The sad thought for many of us is that I can easily see this finals again next year. I think you have to see the Celtics as a favorite to repeat; they will only be better next year. The big 3 won't fall off that much and the young guys will only get better. In fact, the big question leading into the season and the playoffs, whether younguns like Rondo and Perkins could contribute enough in a supporting role, has been answered in a resounding way. If Rondo adds even a mid-range J he has elite point guard status written all over him. Hell, he might be there anyway--I don't remember a better ball hawk (Mookie? Scottie?). And Perkins was fantastic, at least in the two series I tuned into closely. He was a force against the Pistons and the Lakers--it was very telling that Pau and Odom got off only in the game he was out. He was very impressive.

As for the Lakers, their road is much tougher: Spurs will be in an odd-numbered year, Hornets will be better, Blazers on the rise, etc. But they should add Bynum back, giving them a most fearsome, if a little soft, front court, to go with the Beef. Their young bench should improve, too, and they'll be hungry after the embarrassment.

As for my own team, I'm intrigued to see what Joe D. does with the roster, but will be a little sad if the core gets broken up. It's probably the right thing to do, but this group has brought great highs to Motown and I'll miss anyone shipped off. I'm feeling the Michael Curry hire, though. I just hope he has some good technicians as assistants.

Another season in the books, now hope springs eternal...