Stifled!

Bostonians got redemption for the Patriots horrid 2007 season Tuesday when the Celtics annihilated the Lakers to capture their first NBA title in 22 years.

The Celtics closed out what truly was a phenomenal season, complete with high expectations that were all met. And despite looking old and tired throughout the playoffs first three rounds, the Celts must have stepped up with a strict regimen of Vitamin Water.

But two weeks ago when the Finals started, few thought the Celtics would be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy.

The Lake Show steam rolled opponents with the efficiency and teamwork that championship teams possess. They also had the best player on the planet and the best coach. But come Finals time, the best player seemed to channel Harold Miner rather than Michael Jordan, and the best coach became a P.J. Carlesimo desciple.

Game 6 was an absolute joke. It honestly looked like a video game with a glitch in it, where every time you pass to Pau Gasol in the paint, the ball gets stolen.

For most of the Finals, the Lakers looked like the team that suffered first round playoff exits in 06 and 07. Everyone stood around waiting for Kobe to do something. But Kobe did nothing. Bryant's 08 Finals performance will undoubtedly haunt him until he gets back to the Finals and starts playing well in quarters 2-4.

Give Boston's defense credit for completely rendering Kobe useless. When has a legit superstar ever been shackled by a defense like that for an entire series It never happened to MJ. Never happened to Magic. And that was the general thought with Kobe.

Maybe it was karma? Maybe the basketball gods wanted Kobe to get so close, only to be completely embarrassed? Could it have been payback for this? Or this? Or this?

Whatever happened to Kobe and the Lakers, it sure makes them seem more than Andrew Bynum away from another title. And the way the Celtics played, they look like they've got at least another championship trophy in them.

Of course, I knew the Celts had this in them before 08 even started.

Get ready for NBA Draft Watcher 08...