In Game 1, we lost because we weren't running our offense as well as know we could have: messing up easy shots and not attacking the paint as much as we normally do. Game 2, instead, could be blamed on our defense: not enough effort in all aspects of the game. But that is what the players and coaches would tell you, because they don't want to get fined by the league. What they really want to be telling you is that the refs were f*&#ing killing them, haha (they would've gotten bleeped on TV if they said it). Some say that the Lakers were just not as aggressive enough on the offensive end tonight, but don't give me that. How does it make sense that in Game 1 when the Lakers got 20 points in the paint, they got 28 free throw attempts, but in Game 2 when they get 40 points in the paint (congrats by the way), they get only 10 free throw attempts? That's double the amount of scores near the basket, but a third of the opportunities to get to to the line. Something was definitely afoot, and David Stern was in the audience too! The one obvious error in that stat is that we could have just been hitting our shots in the paint better tonight – I'll give you that, because I have no way of getting access to analyze our shot breakdown from Game 1 to compare. But you cannot deny that the refs were hurting us in every part of the game. I mean, when was the last time Kobe got into foul trouble in a game? In fact, a better question would be how many times does he get into foul trouble during the season? Off the top of my head, I can honestly only remember five or so this year, and that's out of a hundred games so far (the last time he got into foul trouble I think was Game 1 of the Nuggets series when just everybody got into foul trouble). And the fouls he supposedly made weren't blatantly obvious grab-a-guy-on-his-way-to-the-basket fouls. They were instead positioning-yourself fouls and trying-to-get-around-a-screen fouls. Even the technical called on him was pretty lame; you could read his lips, he didn't curse at all (surprisingly), just yelled "that's a foul!". Wow.

If you're in LA and you watched the post-game, they showed a bunch of interviews from the players and Phil Jackson (ESPN had Phil too). Those interviews showed all too well how much these fouls got in the players' way of playing the game, except they couldn't really say much in fear of fines. I decided to put up a highlight of Phil Jackson's post-game interview at the podium (streamed below), because there was nothing really game-highlight worthy. Well, there was this one Lamar dunk that got us all riled up, but that was near the beginning of the game. I would've definitely had that 24-point comeback, if it happened, as a highlight, but it didn't. How cool would that have been though? Biggest Finals comeback in NBA history, probably breaking the most 3-pointers in a quarter record for the Finals too. And not only that, it would've been the third time this Playoff where we came back from a large deficit, 15+ down. 24 points in seven minutes! Damn man, that would've been great.

There really isn't that much left to say except for two more things. Our bench really has to step up. I guess we can give those guys the excuse that it was a Boston game and that it's okay that they fell asleep, but please come back in LA. We really need you. Though, to their credit, Sasha and Farmar really were draining their 3s, except when stupid Pierce was ruining everything. And even though it really pains me to say it, I've been getting really down when Ronny gets on the floor lately. We all love him – and I mean love him – but lately when he gets on the floor, he doesn't do what he can and needs to do. He can easily get 10-15 points and 2-3 blocks a night just by entering the game. That guy is furious. But lately, the only thing he's been doing on the floor is standing near the 3-point line and dishing it out randomly. He just takes up space. Ronny, we see you jumping into the paint wide-open, we know you can take that quick pass and dunk over everyone – even over Garnett – but you gotta be patient by man. Don't get so frustrated if Kobe or anyone else doesn't pass it your way, if we can see your frustration, the opposing players can see it to. Keep in mind what happened tonight, you got two ally-oops from the Kobester, and if the stupid fake-Doc didn't call a time-out, you probably would've had more! And quit dishing it, Ronester. You possess a mean jumper, people give you so much space. Take advantage of that. And we forgive you for not being able to fill up Pau's shoes when he's on the floor to cover Garnett, but you still have to make up for it. You can get blocks on him and you can take jumpers over him. And if the refs call you for a stupid foul after you get a clean block, who cares, do the same thing the next time down the court, don't worry. What are you going to risk? You really think we won't take you back next year? You're Ronny Turiaf! Everybody, including you chap, needs to be active these next three games.

And that takes me to my last complaint of the night. This will be kind of aimed towards Stuart Scott, but I will try to instead aim it to all sports journalists in general. I hate, and I mean hate, when these sports guys on TV treat stats like they're holy tablets. I hate stats. People say 'numbers don't lie', screw that, numbers lie all the time. Stats should only be used to relate things from the past to other things from the past, not to foresee the future. Treating stats like they're fortune tellers is utter nonsense. We've seen this year how stupid stats can be. What were the odds that the Lakers would be this good after such a short period of time? What were the odds that Houston would go on to grab the second-longest winning-streak in NBA history? What were the odds that the Western Conference would be so tight that no seed would have less than 50 wins? What were the odds that Kobe would be getting the MVP this year and that the Lakers would be the No. 1 seed? What were the odds that the home teams would be so victorious in the post-season? What were the odds that Chicago would get the No. 1 pick in the draft next year? What were the odds that the Lakers and Celtics would meet again in the Finals? What were the odds that I'd be writing so many repetitive sentences and that I would have five posts in nine days? I think you get my point, The odds would be very low! Screw those people that say that because the Lakers are now down 0-2, the odds of winning the Championship are against them. History says that teams down 0-2 in the Finals will win 90% of time? Screw history. If history was always right, why do they still play the game? Why don't they just historically compute the odds of things happening? Because history is not always right (and because that would be boring, haha)! Don't try to tell the future by looking at stats from the past. Numbers don't decide a game, the players do. Numbers don't control those players, they control themselves. So shut the hell up Stuart Scott, those random numbers you pull out of your ass aren't impressing anyone. haha, sorry, Stu.

Phew, I'm done. So in summation, during the next 4 (... or 5) games, the Lakers have to attack and get to the line, they have to be aggressive on the boards, they have to play as a team, the bench players have to step up, and they just have to play smart. During my complaints, I didn't even mention that two minute opening stretch in the second where the Laker bench just croaked and we committed 5 turnovers in 8 possessions or whatever it was. We have to play some good ball, otherwise we can't get out of this series. This is not the Laker team that brought us here! Show us that team! The Celts protected their home court, now you protect yours. And maybe after you protect yours so well, you'll be able to destroy theirs in Game 6, let's hope. And remember, at home, you're undefeated; in addition, they have only won twice on the road through nine games. The odds are on your side! haha, so get on it guys! We love you either way though! But win! And tomorrow when all the sports idiots will be saying it's over for you, ignore them. But I trust Phil has already told you that. Alright, I'm done. Remember The Mole tomorrow and 30 Days Tuesday night. And if you folks want to watch the game again, it's being re-aired on ESPN. Beats me why you want to watch it again though. Oh, and today is a great day for birthdays: Johnny Depp ("Argh!") turns 45, Natalie Portman (ooh la la) turns 27, and Michael J. Fox ("That's heavy") turns 47. Happy Birthday chaps! Take care everyone, and Go Lakers!! see u.