The Time is Now!

[Anklebreaker702]

With a few days off in between games I had time to think where we sit in all time titles. We are only 3 behind the Celtics & I started thinking back on what got us in this hole in the 1st place. Here's a list of all the years us & the Celtics either won or played for the title.
Champions

YEAR CHAMPION OPPONENT RESULT MVP
2007-08 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 MVP Paul Pierce, Boston
2003-04 Detroit Pistons vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 MVP Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers vs New Jersey Nets 4-0 MVP Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 MVP Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers 4-2 MVP Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
1990-91 Chicago Bulls vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 MVP Michael Jordan, Chicago
1988-89 Detroit Pistons vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 MVP Joe Dumars, Detroit
1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons 4-3 MVP James Worthy, Los Angeles
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics 4-2 MVP Magic Johnson, Los Angeles
1985-86 Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets 4-2 MVP Larry Bird, Boston
1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics 4-2 MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles
1983-84 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 MVP Larry Bird, Boston
1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 MVP Moses Malone, Philadelphia
1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 MVP Magic Johnson, Los Angeles
1980-81 Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets 4-2 MVP Cedric Maxwell, Boston
1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 MVP Magic Johnson, Los Angeles
1975-76 Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns 4-2 MVP Jo Jo White, Boston
1973-74 Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks 4-3 MVP John Havlicek, Boston
1972-73 New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 MVP Willis Reed, New York
1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks 4-1 MVP Wilt Chamberlain, Los Angeles
1969-70 New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 MVP Willis Reed, New York
1968-69 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 MVP Jerry West, Los Angeles
1967-68 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
1965-66 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1964-65 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-1
1963-64 Boston Celtics vs San Francisco Warriors 4-1
1962-63 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
1961-62 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1960-61 Boston Celtics vs St. Louis Hawks 4-1
1959-60 Boston Celtics vs St. Louis Hawks 4-3
1958-59 Boston Celtics vs Minneapolis Lakers 4-0
1957-58 St. Louis Hawks vs Boston Celtics 4-2
1956-57 Boston Celtics St. vs Louis Hawks 4-3
1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers vs Syracuse Nationals 4-3
1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers vs New York Knicks 4-1
1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers vs New York Knicks 4-3
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers vs Syracuse Nationals 4-2
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers vs Washington Capitols 4-2

As it is plain to see, the C's bullied up on us in the 60's no doubt, but from the late 70's on we have reigned supreme, but yet we are still behind! This is a look at our current roster:
Team Roster
NO. NAME POS AGE HT WT COLLEGE 2008 - 2009 SALARY
3 Trevor Ariza SF 23 6-8 210 UCLA $3,100,000
12 Shannon Brown PG 23 6-4 211 Michigan State $797,581
24 Kobe Bryant SG 30 6-6 205 $21,262,500
17 Andrew Bynum C 21 7-0 285 $2,769,300
5 Jordan Farmar PG 22 6-2 180 UCLA $1,080,000
2 Derek Fisher PG 34 6-1 210 Arkansas-Little Rock $4,700,000
16 Pau Gasol PF 28 7-0 250 $15,106,000
28 D.J. Mbenga C 28 7-0 255 $880,658
6 Adam Morrison SF 24 6-8 205 Gonzaga $4,159,200
7 Lamar Odom PF 29 6-10 230 Rhode Island $14,148,596
21 Josh Powell PF 26 6-9 240 North Carolina State $854,957
18 Sasha Vujacic SG 25 6-7 205 $4,524,887
4 Luke Walton SF 28 6-8 235 Arizona $4,420,000
9 Sun Yue SG 23 6-9 205 $442,114
Coach: Phil Jackson
Average Age: 26.0
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 223

With the current talent & youth we have this is the time to close that gap. The C's window is much shorter than ours but if we keep leaving the door open history proves they'll keep walking right through it. They are fighting to keep that title of most titles in NBA history. Some of their posters are even trying to discount our Minneapolis titles to give them more breathing room. So I say now is the time to square this think up, then move ahead! We've given at least 3 series away to them. If you check the series' where they have beaten us 4-3 we were up in most of those 3-2 & couldn't finish them off. Who can forget Don Nelsons infamous shot hitting the back of the rim going straight up in the air & then coming back down & in for the Game 7 win & title? What about the '84 series where we should have swept them!? Instead we lose once again in 7. The more recent (and probably more painful) '08 Finals, up 24 points on the verge of tying the series at 2 apiece & gaining momentum of the series, squander the opportunity & never recovered & completely quit in Game 6. With them not winning a title in 2 decades we still couldn't catch them & the minute we had a chance to get our hands on them again we let it get away. Let's seize this opportunity & take what is rightfully ours. remember we were the leagues 1st DYNASTY!!!!!! GO LAKERS!!!!!!

[Anklebreaker702]

And if anyone's interested here what the C's current squad looks like:
Boston Celtics Roster - 2008-09
Team Roster
NO. NAME POS AGE HT WT COLLEGE 2008 - 2009 SALARY
20 Ray Allen SG 33 6-5 205 Connecticut $18,388,430
42 Tony Allen SG 27 6-4 213 Oklahoma State $2,500,000
11 Glen Davis PF 23 6-9 289 LSU $711,517
5 Kevin Garnett PF 32 6-11 253 $24,751,934
4 J.R. Giddens SG 24 6-5 215 New Mexico $957,120
50 Eddie House SG 30 6-1 175 Arizona State $2,650,000
8 Stephon Marbury PG 32 6-2 205 Georgia Tech $20,840,625
7 Mikki Moore PF 33 7-0 225 Nebraska $5,632,200
43 Kendrick Perkins C 24 6-10 280 $4,578,880
34 Paul Pierce SF 31 6-7 235 Kansas $18,077,903
0 Leon Powe PF 25 6-8 240 California $797,581
13 Gabe Pruitt PG 22 6-4 170 USC $711,517
9 Rajon Rondo PG 23 6-1 171 Kentucky $1,315,080
44 Brian Scalabrine C 30 6-9 235 USC $3,206,897
12 Bill Walker SG 21 6-6 220 Kansas State $542,114
Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 27.3
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222

[butter17]

Good thread anklebreaker now is the time 2 make a move on the celtics. We are a young team with a lot of talent with the best player (MVP) IN THE league. Boston is getting old so this is the perfect time 2 make are move. I think we sould have beat them last year, if we would have not blown a 24 point lead we would have beat them last year. So this year, it is time for redemption.

[Anklebreaker702]

Good thread anklebreaker now is the time 2 make a move on the celtics. We are a young team with a lot of talent with the best player (MVP) IN THE league. Boston is getting old so this is the perfect time 2 make are move. I think we sould have beat them last year, if we would have not blown a 24 point lead we would have beat them last year. So this year, it is time for redemption.

Yes sir butter. I want that badly! When we take them over I will be super happy!!

[DEEP3CL]

Nice work anklebreaker ! Hopefully we'll close this gap between us and the Celtics. It's like I tell them ( Celtic fans) they aren't as dominate from the modern era as they are led to believe. From 1972 til 2008 they've only won 5 championships, the Lakers have won 9.........case close on who's been more dominate and that's not even counting the Finals we've played in and lost. Heck we've lost(7) more than they won, and I just threw that out there for the hell of it.

[MikeyMike]

All I care about is winning the title this season.

[lakersfanatic]

Good thread.

Don't forget the Cavs as well... but at least we'll only have to face either or... I think it'll be the celtic since they're more solid. Not that i'm making the assumption that we're going to be in the finals (but most likely). Yes it is time.

[Anklebreaker702]

Nice work anklebreaker ! Hopefully we'll close this gap between us and the Celtics. It's like I tell them ( Celtic fans) they aren't as dominate from the modern era as they are led to believe. From 1972 til 2008 they've only won 5 championships, the Lakers have won 9.........case close on who's been more dominate and that's not even counting the Finals we've played in and lost. Heck we've lost(7) more than they won, and I just threw that out there for the hell of it.

Didn't realize that at all Deep (that we've lost more than they've won). We've got to take core of business so we can say "we've taken our rightful place on the throne, there's only room for 1, we're alone"!

[Anklebreaker702]

Good thread.

Don't forget the Cavs as well... but at least we'll only have to face either or... I think it'll be the celtic since they're more solid. Not that i'm making the assumption that we're going to be in the finals (but most likely). Yes it is time.

Thanks lakersfanatic. Not forgetting about the Cavs at all. I just want to win regardless of who we play & just like you I'm not just saying we're going to be there & that's it. We have to earn our way there just like the Eastern Conference Champion. It will just be bitter sweet to beat the Celtics for last years revenge & exercising some of the ghost of Celtics past!

[Anklebreaker702]

All I care about is winning the title this season.

Uhhhhmmm & you do realize that winning it this year helps close that gap right?

[Dr Aki]

lakers need to ride this dynasty into a NBA-top 18-ring franchise

[The Laker Kid]

but I'm scared because they have StarBury

[Anklebreaker702]

lakers need to ride this dynasty into a NBA-top 18-ring franchise

Say it again Akiho!!!!

[Anklebreaker702]

but I'm scared because they have StarBury

Why? Or is this sarcasm?

[EiRON]

but I'm scared because they have StarBury

Starbury will destroy the Celtics chemistry.

[Dr Aki]

lakers need to ride this dynasty into a NBA-top 18-ring franchise

Say it again Akiho!!!!

LAKERS NEED TO RIDE THIS DYNASTY INTO A NBA-TOP 18-RING FRANCHISE!!!!!!!

i made it all caps and added some exclamation marks to make it look like im yelling

[Anklebreaker702]

lakers need to ride this dynasty into a NBA-top 18-ring franchise

Say it again Akiho!!!!

LAKERS NEED TO RIDE THIS DYNASTY INTO A NBA-TOP 18-RING FRANCHISE!!!!!!!

i made it all caps and added some exclamation marks to make it look like im yelling

Lol, exactly how I wanted it!!

[Mamba Venom]

The only way Phil could top himself is to win 4 staying with the team from the ground up... Lakers would have the most championships and the highest winning % in the NBA. Kobe would have won the most as a star in the modern era at 7. Phil would have Wilt Chamberlins # in championships and would make the #13 lucky again in Basketball.

SPORTS DREAM

[Anklebreaker702]

The only way Phil could top himself is to win 4 staying with the team from the ground up... Lakers would have the most championships and the highest winning % in the NBA. Kobe would have won the most as a star in the modern era at 7. Phil would have Wilt Chamberlins # in championships and would make the #13 lucky again in Basketball.

SPORTS DREAM

Phil wont be around that long. I think after he passes Red he will stay until someone knocks us off, then he's gone