Tonight is game 7. Celtics, Lakers. However, that is not important. The most important thing is the answer to today's biggest question: where will Lebron James watch tonight's deciding game 7? While reports and conspiracy theorists say Lebron will end up watching the game in Chicago, The King himself says that he has yet to make a decision and could end up watching anywhere. Many believe The King is keeping his options open, not because he is indecisive, but instead because he craves attention and enjoys being difficult. That being said, Lebron does in fact have several viable options when it comes to the viewing of tonight's game. Basketball purists believe that Lebron is better off staying home to watch the game. There are many arguments to support this belief. Lebron is most comfortable at home, his family has supported him and done everything they can to keep him at home. At the same time it is a difficult decision for the 25 year old, as he has many competitive offers from other viewing locations. One friend in Chicago has offered Lebron full control of the remote and snack distribution to watch the game at his house. A friend in New York has offered him final approval of the guest list to watch at his house. His friend in Toronto doesn't have much to offer because he has already invited several highly demanding, overly paid European guests, he also knows Lebron probably doesn't want to watch at his house. None the less, the Toronto friend has still offered to fan and feed grapes to The King in the event that he chooses to surprise the nation and watch game 7 north of the border. On the eve of the biggest game of the NBA season the entire world waits in anticipation of Lebron's big decision, while some remain moderately interested in the outcome of the game itself.
In all seriousness, tonight has nothing to do with Lebron James, and that is whats so great about it. At least for one night no one is interested in debating the future of a superstar who has been eliminated from the postseason for 35 days now. And while Donald Trump and Whoopi Goldberg walk the streets of New York handing out "I ♥ Lebron" t-shirts, the rest of the NBA nation is fixated on what will undoubtedly be the most physical and most captivating game of an already great NBA finals. Tonight is about two evenly matched teams made up of winning players who will not allow themselves to lose. Are these the best 2 teams in the league? probably not. There were 7 teams in the regular season with a better record than the Celtics and that does not include the Lakers or the 3 teams with the exact same record. However, there is no team better suited to be competing for a championship in game 7 against the defending champs. They are mentally prepared for this more than any other team would be, including and especially the 61 win Cavaliers. Say what you will about the likes of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rasheed Wallace and Kendrick Perkins, they are angry people but they are also winners. Each one of them possesses a very rare quality that most NBA players are lacking in. This quality is the killer instinct. These four are capable of shutting out distractions and harnessing all their energy on doing whatever it takes to win. They haven't always possessed this quality, but in this stage of their respective careers they wear their heart on their sleeves and compliment each other perfectly while doing it. Subtract the injured Perkins for game 7 and add to that mix two exceptional leaders in Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to make up a pretty scary lineup who will not make it easy for the Lakers to repeat.
If you're Phil Jackson and the Lakers how do you prepare for a team like this. A team that can beat you in so many ways. A team that is far more complex and difficult to defend than one who hands the ball to their best player and watches him go to work. Well contrary to what the Laker naysayers claim, the Lakers are not that type of team either. Although their best player is pretty damn good, the Lakers have the most structured offense in the NBA and it will be on display in full force tonight. They too have a team that is comprised almost entirely of players who know what it takes to win in the ultra competitive Western conference and now against the elite in the East. Whether Adam Morrison is a winning player or not is a matter of perspective I suppose but he does have a ring and can rock a mustache like no one else in the league can. Of course I'm talking about the heart and soul of the Laker team Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. These two are the best in the NBA at their positions. They are unselfish, clutch and will not allow the Lakers to lose. They are supported by a point guard who has been underestimated his entire career and will continue to be underestimated going into tonight's game. Derek Fisher does not care how good Celtic point guard Rajon Rondo is. He doesn't care if he's the smallest player on the floor, or the least talented player on the floor. Which for the record, he will be. The dude is tough as nails and as smart and savvy as anyone else in the game. When it comes to winning players Fisher takes the cake. He does the most with the least and he does it for one reason and one reason only: to win, at any cost. This is why he is still a starting player on the best team in the league and this is why he is the perfect fit for their offense. He doesn't care what you think of him, he doesn't even care if you know who he is. But he will be all over the game tonight, and he will win his 5th championship. If Lebron could give up all of the attention he is getting these days, give up the max contracts, the endorsements, and all the accolades of being the best for Derek Fisher's 4 (soon to be 5) rings, do you think that he would? I'm not so sure.
Ultimately what this game may come down to, is the hand full of players on the Lakers who I would not consider to be winning players at this point in their careers. While Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum are super talented and hugely important to the Laker attack, they have yet to prove themselves in crucial situations the same way Bryant, Gasol and Fisher have. If these 3 Laker wild cards can play well within their roles tonight than the defending champions should have no trouble repeating. If not, Kobe and Pau will have to play at the highest level to have a chance at defeating a Celtic team that will not go down quietly. Should be a good one. But seriously, I wonder where Lebron will be watching this game.
