By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

WHEN the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the defending champions Golden State Warriors, (4-2) in the Western Conference semifinals best-of-seven series to enter the Finals, the Boston Celtics edged the Philadelphia Sixers, (4-3) in the Eastern Conference semis in the best-of-seven series to land the Finals, avid buffs of these two illustrious US basketball professional squads surmised that the return of the NBA title match between the Lakers and Celtics was in the offing. To them the multi-titled NBA champions Lakers will surely beat the title-less Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference championships as well as the 17 times-NBA titlists Celtics will certainly subdue the three-time winner Miami Heat. Well, they were wrong! The title-hungry Nuggets zeroed and humiliated the 17-time champion Lakers in the best-of-seven series Western Conference finals, 132-126, 108-103, 119-108 and 113-111. It was the first time that the well-known Lakers absorbed a 4-0- defeat in the Western Conference finals and also the very first time that Nuggets entered the NBA championships since they joined the league 47 years ago. “There’s always a first time in life,” as the axiom says. I agree.

The Nuggets are eagerly awaiting their championship foe for the NBA Finals and I believe that it will likely be the Miami Heat that enjoys 3-1 edge over the Celtics. (Miami won three times consecutively, 123-116, 111-105, 128–102, while Celtics scored its first victory last May 24, 116–99).

It reminds me of the intense battles between the Lakers and Celtics during 1980s especially the 1986-1987 NBA season when I was in Guam. Each game’s results were always so close and heartbreaking. The Lakers team, then was spearheaded by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, A.C. Green, Byron Scott, James Worthy, to name some, while the Celtics were led then by Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, the best that I could remember. The two squads both recorded 17 NBA championships and never surpassed to this day, and I believe it will take more decades before these two giant teams go to war again against each other in another NBA championship. Yes, to break the deadlock.

I’m making this piece on May 25 and the fifth clash between Heat and Celtics will be on May 26 at Celtics’ court and the sixth and seventh and final game (if necessary) will be played at Heat’s court. Remember, no team in NBA history came back from 3-0 down to win the Western or Eastern Conference Finals. Despite Nuggets’ enormous determination to win their first ever NBA title, the Heat is determined to enter their seventh NBA finals after three failures. Their last triumph was in 2013.  So, by the time you read this piece, the Eastern Conference finals are already over and the NBA best-of-seven championship series must have started. Yes, I like the Heat to win their fourth NBA tiara because their head coach Erik Spoelstra is half-Filipino. I’m proud of him. He never failed to tell Filipinos during his regular visits to his mother (Elisa Celino) in San Pablo City, Laguna that he’s proud to be a Filipino. But, I also love the Nuggets team to win because they are title-less after their 47 years of campaign and now is their best opportunity to accomplish their elusive mission. The Nuggets are at the peak of their career especially their one-two punch Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. Next season will be a different story. Let’s wait and see.

*          *          *          *

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 PETER 5:5

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments