Andrew Bynum

The fiercest scorer in basketball wasn’t wearing a scowl on his face, one of the most formidable facial expressions in sports, but he was ultimately instrumental in a critical Game Six on the road.

He seemed much too earnest in a hostile environment, the atmosphere where inhospitable fans chanted unpleasantly at Kobe Bryant.

It wasn’t long ago when the Los Angeles Lakers were discombobulated and nearly delayed of returning to the NBA Finals for a rematch against the bitter rivals the Boston Celtics.

A few days ago, the defending champs were dysfunctional and portrayed as an elusive unit, gradually faltering against the competent Phoenix Suns.

In two games, the Suns embarrassingly sent a statement, smearing a reputation of the Lakers, a franchise wrapped in mystique and built with the most talent.

The second unit outplayed and outhustled Team Hollywood, the core with the greatest superstar in a modern generation since the Michael Jordan regime, were vulnerable of unsettlingly losing in an alarming upset to the Suns.

Even when the majority anointed the Lakers, putting pressure on the defending champs to repeat back-to-back resiliency, the optimist forgot and ignored the strength and heart of the Suns, never realizing that the hottest team in the desert had L.A. on the brink of elimination in a 2-2 tie.

Suddenly, the Lakers bring nothing but perseverance, energy and emotion, avoiding the ideas of futility and lapses in a moment the most admirable franchise in L.A., normally wins a championship to fortify eminence and mystique.

A town that prides itself on basketball is intrigued to witness a fascinating and intense rematch against its long-time rivals, the Boston Celtics, an antagonist the Lakers faithful loathes greatly.

So what we’re about to witness is exactly what the average basketball loyalist desired, a Lakers-Celtics rematch. All the celebrities are in for a dramatic and physical showdown between a two hostile rivals.

Life in California revolves around the glamorous lifestyle of Hollywood, but also revolves around the breathtaking finishes of Bryant’s clutch shots and the purple and gold topping the NBA in amazing feats.

It’s fair to suggest that we are glancing at a postseason of blood, massacres and mortals, so fittingly the Lakers vs. Celtics is the greatest rivalry in sports, publicizing an event once again in existence to magnetize a series that will likely be decided in seven games.

All the people wished for the dream series, and now are fortunate to relive a storied rivalry in sports. When the Lakers won 111-103 over the Suns Saturday night clinching the Western Conference championship and advanced to its 31st finals appearance, it’s also the 12th meeting against the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Once again, the Lakers are enduring a rematch to redeem a heartbreaker two seasons ago, woefully humiliated and dismantled in the formidable 39-point loss in Game Six of the finals in Boston.

That year, the Celtics earned its 17th banner. That year, the Lakers suffered an egregious letdown, departing a town disgusted and embarrassed.

For a long awaited Lakers-Celtics series, we can only expect it to be physical and vigorous, a ripple effect that advertises tradition and appealing basketball in the next couple weeks.

So now, the Lakers realizes much is at stake after winning to advance to the finals for the third consecutive season to meet the villains of the Eastern Conference and the most hated team in Southern California.

For weeks the Lakers have made adjustments and enhanced the level of performance by executing and upgrading the game plan, surviving on the heroics of Bryant’s ability to seize a game with his successive shot making and mental capacity.

The ultimate goal, of course, is to win the 16th championship in franchise history and move inches closer of tying the Celtics at 17 titles, but will need the essentials to unhinge Boston.

Even if The Big Three are older, aging and past the prime years, the Lakers will have to produce and raise the intensity level.

The blueprint is to avenge a disastrous loss, without having a sluggish mindset for apathy and very little soundness.

Throughout the postseason, the Lakers deteriorated on a numerous occasions before returning to normalcy late in the series, riddled by the younger and faster Oklahoma City Thunder and outplayed and outhustled convincingly against the Suns.

And it wasn’t long ago when Figueroa Avenue was hopeless and deprived of pouring the streets to celebrate a Lakers victory, distraught about an unfavorable letdown faltering against its assassin.

If you are willing to erase any agonizing afterthoughts of the awful ending to a momentous season two years ago, then you are probably wishes for the ultimate beat down.

It’s a team on the East Coast that die hard Lakers fans love to hate, realizing the home team has a shot at redemption and owns home court advantage in the 2-3-2 format.

The pressure is clearly on the Lakers, losers of nine of the 11 Finals during the 51-year rivalry. It’s amazing how they have been to 10 more finals, but the C’s have won two more titles, labeled as the winningest franchise in pro basketball.

Flirting with the possibility of winning it all over the most hated rivals, the Lakers refused to suffer, yet, another heartbreaker, more matured and prepared for the biggest series.

It’s impossible to predict a winner, but easy to admit that the Lakers seeks revenge, looking to take down their longtime foes. Of all the hype and hearsay on the upcoming series, the Lakers are faster and younger than the aging Celtics.

Unlike a year ago, they are hungrier and have strengthened the roster and style within the triangle offense.

The difference is that Bryant is still disappointed with the devastating loss that sabotaged spirit, and even greater, Pau Gasol isn’t as soft in the middle, now attacking with much stamina and heart.

And let’s not forget about Ron Artest, the defensive-minded forward who will make it miserable and difficult for Paul Pierce to score.

“We’ll see…we’ll see how much we matured,” Kobe Bryant said after scoring a mere 37 points to drive the Lakers to a win. “The Celtics challenged us two years ago…now it’s a test to see how much we’ve grown.”

Had he not taken over in the fourth quarter to stop the Lakers from blowing a comfortable lead, the Suns might have forced a Game Seven Monday at Staples Center.

But as usual, Bryant came close to a triple-double three times, and more importantly, knocked down a desperation jumper from the right side with 34.2 seconds.

Nonetheless, this is what each avid fan base expected, a Lakers-Celtics rematch, and a long-awaited match. The other night Boston fans chanted blatantly “Beat L.A.”

Feelings are mutual as the Lakers fans chanted friendlier “We want Boston” repeatedly.

“They’re physical,” Jackson said.

In short, Artest is physical too, and began surging on offense. Ever since going from goat to hero, he has scored by making mid-range jumpers and hitting the shots inside.

He made 10 of 16 shots, four of seven from three-point range and led all scorers in the first half. Remember, his miraculous game-winning put back on Bryant’s miss as the clock expired in Game 5 shifted the dynamic of the series.

Most importantly, the Lakers are as balanced as Boston and may even be slightly better. No longer are they soft or intimidated by the Celtics’ Kevin Garnett trotting in the line to collect rebounds or fire a shot.

No longer will they allow an unstoppable and older Paul Pierce to drive inside to draw fouls or score on the well-executed layup, not if he’s shut down by Artest.

It’s a defensive advantage, given that Artest is known for frustrating and getting in the face of his opponent. And no longer will Rajon Rondo undeniably speed by the Lakers defense, only if Bryant is assigned to guard the explosive guard.

He’s the one star player who may actually scowl and frown, becoming the Black Mamba, still anxious on seeking revenge.

Now is the time since Andrew Bynum’s defensive presence is factor and could stand as a tandem with Gasol, two seven-footers who match the size of Kendrick Perkins and Garnett.

He missed all the action two years ago, while struggling with a knee injury, but his oversized body could outweigh the Celtics if he doesn’t perform like a bust.

It’s interesting to see which team comprises of more willpower and heart. Expect it to be really bloody and physical, but expect the stronger team to win the series.

Maybe that’s the Lakers or even the Celtics. What we’re presumably witnessing is the most epic classics in sports of all time.

Lakers-Celtics relives.

Josh Dhani

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

     

In any other city, any other basketball franchise or any other loyalist residing anywhere other than Los Angeles, are burnt out of the Lakers and inclined to see the biggest attraction under the bright lights in Hollywood descend.

Lately, the town has been obligated and worried about the Lakers, a common reaction in a community always trying to figure out an enigmatic franchise with arguably the most talent.

For all the weird and eccentric meltdowns, the primary major sporting franchise declined in previous weeks and all the relentless predictions of a potential back-to-back conquest tapered.

So there were the Lakers, in the finest win this season, brainwashing us with second thoughts to whether they can repeat and jubilate, gaze at a 17th championship banner rise to the rafters at Staples Center, and partake in another parade on Figueroa Avenue.

Suddenly, the egomaniac Buss Family can sleep tonight, Kobe Bryant can wipe the sweat from his head and relax, and a raucous crowd can believe in purple and gold.

A week ago, the Lakers scared the hell out of me. And it wasn’t always a soothing or wonderful outlook, when the Lakers barely won games in the regular-season with their lackadaisical and soft response.

A week ago, the Lakers made me nauseated, but now they have alleviated my soul and convinced us that they are still the defending champs, until someone else pummels the hell out of them.

It’s no longer necessary to have Lakers flags at half mast on any vehicle, but hoist all flags high, flaunting team pride and support. It happened all so quickly, accustomed to the peculiar and perplexing reaction in basketball contests.

But suddenly the Lakers improved overnight, reducing shakiness and inactivity at least to some extent.

In a diverse town that comes together whenever the Lakers uplifts an entire community with entertaining hoops and breathtaking moments, courtesy of the Kobe Show, the Team of L.A. is still distinguished as a baffling riddle. The main event in L.A. percolated when it won a pivotal game, exhilarating a frenzied crowd and the team mascot Jack Nicholson, a righteous supporter who inspires a dull crowd to maximize as a blatant and inquisitive crowd.

The problem seems to be injuries and aging bodies, slowing down the Lakers as a potent and experienced team. It’s too often you hear that they are soft. It’s too often you hear that they are aging. It’s too often you hear that they aren’t a perennial force.

It’s too often you hear that Phil Jackson can’t win without his long-time consultant, Tex Winter. And it’s too often you hear that Kobe Bryant breaks down mechanics and counterbalance its tonality.

Earlier in the season forward Ron Artest, who the Lakers signed as a free agent and took advantage of his availability mainly for his persona defensively, said he’s worth blaming if Los Angeles humiliates itself and fails to sustain back-to-back exhilaration.

But considering all the injuries and softness, the Lakers were minorities in the playoffs and not even close to matching the starved Denver Nuggets or the active Dallas Mavericks.

Of all the craziness, up and down performances, the Lakers excelled in Game One of the first-round. The effulgent dynasty and Kobe’s regime isn’t completed, after its brilliant performance in front of a delirious crowd in a Sunday matinee.

And now, here we have Andrew Bynum on the rise, overcoming his frequent injuries and manipulating the interior with his height advantage over a much smaller team. It was embarrassing and agonizing when the Lakers survived the second half of the season without deteriorating.

That wasn’t a good sign nonetheless, to finish out the season just 16-12 since the All-Star break. That’s no longer imperative when the Lakers finally come alive.

Ever seen Bynum play the dominant role as an intimidating center? Not long ago, he was an overpaid bust, not measuring up to standards and spent quality games on the bench, nursing injuries.

The aura of the overrated seven-foot giant was fearless, inactive and unintimidating. But in a critical game when every player’s presence was felt, the only thing that stopped Bynum was his shortness of breath.

It’s about time he makes his name relevant, playing like the dominant force he’s supposed to be in the middle and making everyone else involved or facing him inferior. He rendered signs of fatigued, but set the tone early and ignited the crowd with an electrifying one-handed dunk over a defenseless and smaller Nenad Krstic in the second quarter that extended the lead to 17.

Some will call this a nice win, mind you, not Kobe. Once time expired to end regulation, he met with ABC reporter Lisa Salters near the tunnel and told her “It wasn’t pretty.” No one ever said it was going to be pretty.

But if anything, it’s going to be competitive and challenging. He poured in 18 points, but wasn’t as impressive as the two seven-footers, who played and seemed like the fiercest tandem, taller than the average player in a 87-79 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, a young and inexperienced team.

He was simply missed and sidelined wearing street clothes since March 19, but returned as a key component in good health from his 13-game absence, and scored 13 points on 6-for-10 shooting.

He was exceptional on the boards, too. He’s a good man. And he has the knack to probably be one of the biggest centers in Lakers’ history, by growing and monitoring his health.

Ever since the Lakers have been in existence, they’ve had possession of dominant centers, such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal, the Superman who’s not the same dominant center.

If Bynum keeps bullying and scoring inside, he’ll fit within the category of a history of centers. He had a career high with 12 rebounds and four blocks, all while playing 31 minutes.

This takes much pressure off Kobe and Pau Gasol, making it easier for the seven-footer to knock down the midrange jump shot and amass 19 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.

He’s the center and the center of focus. Most of the time, he was aggressive and earnest to produce in a decisive game.

And it benefited the Lakers, improving their recent progress. And now, the boys from L.A. with the Giant of the West are scary to face, as long as Bynum dominates the interior.

“The more I keep playing with this aggressive nature, I think I’m going to get better at it and I think my teammates will trust me even more with the basketball and we’ll just keep building,” Bynum said.

The sensational Kevin Durant, who was contained efficiently by Ron Artest and Kobe, wasn’t a factor like most had foretold, but it was Bynum.

They might not have all the juggernauts, but considering that their monstrous center has come alive, the Lakers can repeat after all. He’s not fully healthy, but he’s good enough to stand as a vital factor.

I wouldn’t put anything past the big fella.

Josh Dhani

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani