The Lakers went all out with the retro theme for their measuring-stick game with the Celtics, but I think in the end it was far too distracting for them to be able to seriously compete with one of the league's top teams. The sound system blared 80's hits from artists like Run DMC and Chaka Khan, the Laker Girls wore the old school dance gear with excessive glam makeup, and even assistant coach Kurt Rambis got in on the act by busting out the old black-rimmed glasses.
Both teams wore their throwback jerseys, but the Lakers took it one step too far by coming out in the retro short-shorts. While this was a unique gimmick that was absolutely hilarious, it also probably cost them the game. It got a huge laugh from the crowd, sure, but are the Lakers clowns, or a basketball team trying to win a game against the team with the best record in the league? They played like the former in the first quarter, looking awkward and playing completely out of sync as the Celtics jumped out to a 32-23 advantage. The lead got as high as 17 in the second quarter before the Lakers were able to regroup a bit and cut it back down to nine at the break.
The Lakers changed out of their clown costumes at halftime, going with the longer shorts for the rest of the game. But by then it was too late. The second half was all Boston, who was able to build their lead to as many as 25 points before cruising to victory. The officiating was inconsistent throughout, and the refs ended up calling a total of 61 fouls and seven technicals. To give you an idea of how bad it was, on the play where Kevin Garnett caught an elbow gashing him over the right eye, the foul was called on the Celtics.
Now Boston does play very physical on defense, and the Lakers had trouble getting into any kind of rhythm at all offensively. Andrew Bynum -- who had put up double doubles in his last eight games -- was completely shut down, and fouled out with just eight points and two rebounds. The Lakers as a team shot only 35%, and KobeBryant was a non-factor going just 6-25 from the field.
This was a dominating win for the Celtics from start to finish, and their physical defense was very impressive. I'm not ready to crown them just yet, considering they haven't even proven to be the best team in the East, let alone proven that they can match up with the Spurs, Suns, or Mavericks out West. But in a game where the Lakers made a joke out of the retro theme with their short shorts, the Celtics ended up having the last laugh.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-31-2007 @ 3:20AM
enrico said...
This post demands a photo gallery.
Mostly of the Laker girls.
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12-31-2007 @ 3:58AM
DM said...
Awww, and the Laker fans thought there was a rivalry.
Celtics played back-to-back games, Lakers had fresher legs yet they got routed at home. Thanks to Mr. Ballhogs 6-25 shooting.
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12-31-2007 @ 6:37AM
Feruw said...
I didn't know winning in basketball never occurred prior to long shorts becoming the standard in the NBA. Thank you for this ground breaking revelation.
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12-31-2007 @ 10:36AM
frank said...
Hello you get it now 100 points Wilt, 81 points mr. holywood jr. ?? get it Boston still the Best like old times .
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12-31-2007 @ 10:44AM
frank said...
Hey brett to compare KG to 81 points NOT like Wilt 100 points with lakers but every time they played the Celtics with Russell (series) guess ? Boston 7 LA 0 now they have 81 points mr. hollywood jr. without Shaq and they are going to beat the Celtics ? NOT in fact Celtics are coming back for keeps and if they get someone like Noah I smell Dynasty all over again (16 rings ) second to none
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12-31-2007 @ 11:02AM
frank said...
There we go again tom ziller did compare KG to 81 points ( without Shaq )he must be kidding hey ziller did you ever heard about closing spaces, timing , momentum (like frazier saids ) coordination , and many other little things in the game not 100 points like Wilt mr. hollywood or like mr. hollywood jr. 81 points learn the fundamentals and then you can compare you get it ziller , done .
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12-31-2007 @ 11:08AM
frank said...
The rhythm that the Celtics are playing is perfect watch out bulls your record maybe be broken 72-10 we will see .
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12-31-2007 @ 4:27PM
perkisabeast said...
The funniest part about last night's game was the realization that we're 26-3 and you're not Brett.
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12-31-2007 @ 8:19PM
LOVELA said...
dude, i dont understand why the rest of the nation hates on the lakers so much.
boston's 26-3, we get it, you pompous fools.
the lakers are a young, developing team.
leave us alone.
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1-01-2008 @ 12:35AM
frank said...
Happy New Year, Happy New Year , Happy New Year , beat LA, beat LA, beat LA and so on....
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1-01-2008 @ 3:38PM
closerthanyouthink said...
The shorts were hilarious, they didn't make a joke out of the retro theme, in fact, fans have been demanding the short shorts since the unveiling of the throwbacks earlier this season, so I applaud them for it!
The shorts didn't cost them the game, their playing and the slightly ridiculous officiating cost them the game.
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1-01-2008 @ 7:17PM
Celtics=Mavericks said...
The Celtics will amass this beautiful record just like Dallas to lose in the playoffs. Wait and see! The Celtics just lost to the Detroit Pistons in Boston. The Pistons are a championship/veteran team, just like the Spurs, who have no fear of the Celtics.
The Celtics can showoff with a young Laker team but the Lakers are 1 player away from contending with these veteran teams like Detroit and Spurs. If the Lakers can pull off a trade for Jason Kidd, without giving up Bynum, Kobe, and Odom, maybe trading Farmer, the Lakers can beat the Celtics.
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1-01-2008 @ 9:57PM
Nora said...
Thanks for the bitter Laker fans comments. Celtics are alot better then the Lakers and have proved it. Lakers aren't going anywhere this year. How many years in the past did teams say they were '1 player away and they had young players still developing? Quite a few. One team, Dallas, had a bad playoffs how many went on to win championships after teams have had success like the Lakers? Many more then the one failure you can think of with Dallas last year. Get over it Lakers fans. Stop you're incessant whining. It is getting a bit much.
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1-01-2008 @ 9:59PM
Nora said...
Correction from previous comment: success like the Celtics not Lakers. LOL
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1-02-2008 @ 8:12PM
The Super Swapper said...
www.thesuperswapper.com
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1-03-2008 @ 12:53AM
Ron said...
I think the NBA players today wearing their current new-wave so called long pant-leg shorts look like men playing basketball in female skirts (go back to the 1970's look at what females were wearing as pants skirts. The real men who played in the NBA up to time of Magic and Larry playing days wore short-shorts; just like I did when I was playing basketball on my high school team. When I read about Kobe's comments I LOL; I think what about what the men who run track and/or participate in other track and field events? If I am not mistaken they all wear short-shorts. I know longer watch watch NBA games I rather just read about the results on the sport pages.
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2-04-2008 @ 4:27AM
mitchell2008 said...
I have top 3 favorite teams in NBA, Bulls when MJ was still on the court, LA Lakers (Shaq & Kobe combination), and my most favorite team as of the moment Phoenix (SUNS)...
I am looking forward watching the match up between Celtics and Suns... Who will be the last team standing? But I'm sure, Suns will definitely..strongly fight to get into the final..this time! hehehe...
CELTICS vs SUNS!
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