Good article...

[MyInsatiableOne]

...for everyone who (like me) thinks that a lot of gifts/shenanigans went into the Lakers "win" this year:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... ref=sihpT1

Including:

"Two years ago, Derek Fisher asked Utah management to release him from the three years remaining on his contract so that he could seek specialized care in a bigger city for his daughter, Tatum, then 11 months old and diagnosed with cancer in her left eye. The Jazz honored his request, and two weeks later, Fisher signed a three-year, $14 million deal to return to the Lakers."

"Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace's "donation'' of Gasol 16 months ago to the Lakers' cause."

"Kevin Garnett's strained knee."

etc, etc...

[GregB]

Why are some people so bitter?

[Tricky Ricky]

They mightve stole a Llama and a Liar, and might have a rapist as their #1 player but they still earned the title this year. Last year I learned how hard winning a title is and with that I say I HATE LA but congrats they earned it.

[Dave_From_NB]

There are always several teams capable of winning it all, and it's a combination of being good and fortunate that brings it all together. The Celtics were fortunate last year that the Big 3 were healthy in the playoffs, as was Powe (mentioned due to his knee injury history). And it didn't hurt that Bynum was out, or that Houston were without Yao and McGrady and they didn't have to play them. And it didn't hurt that they were able to talk a retiree into making a last stab at a championship. And that they drafted a short fat kid in the second round who actually made a contribution off the bench.

I expect if you looked hard enough, some author wrote a similar article about the Celtics last year.

[CelticFaninLBC]

It was their year. I highly doubt Ariza will ever shoot as well from 3 again.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

at the writer being this bitter.

Congrats to the Lakers. Hopefully we'll get to see a rematch of 2008 next year. Champion vs. Champion.