Game Six: The Fans Deserved Better

There was no question. The Boston Celtics dominated. The final score was 131 - 92; and the Boston Celtics won their seventeenth championship. Kudos to the Celtics.

The Lakers fans deserved better. At one local venue, Lakers fans have been gathering all season - and for countless seasons previously. These fans were stunned. In an elimination game, with their season in the balance, the Lakers failed miserably. They lost every quarter:

• quarter one: 20 - 24 Boston
• quarter two: 15 - 34 Boston
• quarter three: 25 - 31 Boston
• quarter four: 32 - 42 Boston

Total domination. What irked the Lakers fans was the disparity in play. The Lakers were outplayed in nearly every statistical category:

• offensive rebounds: Lakers 2 - Celtics 14
• turn-overs: Lakers 19 - Celtics 7
• assists: Lakers 16 - Celtics 33

That’s just an example. Every one of the Lakers who played could be singled out for sharing in the responsibility of the Game Six debacle, even the reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant. Perhaps the most stinging commentary was made by one of their staunchest local fans. He is retired and a steadfast follower of the Lakers. For decades, this has been his favorite team. He stayed until the very end and watched as the Celtics celebrated. As he slowly rose to leave, he said to no one in particular: “the Lakers just quit tonight”.

That may be among the worst condemnations of a team - ever.

Catherine Forsythe