This Day in Lakers History: Down Goes Boston, Lakers Clinch 16th Title
June 17, 2010. One of the more special days in Lakers history as the team took down the Boston Celtics in game seven at home to clinch their 16th NBA championship.
It was one of those games that Laker fans can look back on and smile. Not only did the team claim another title but it came at the hands of the Celtics. It was a revenge moment for 2008 when Los Angeles was defeated by Boston. And it was the final championship in the legendary career of the late Kobe Bryant. This was easily the sweetest of his career.
"This one is by far the sweetest, because it's them," Bryant said after the Lakers beat Boston for the first time in a Game 7. "This was the hardest one by far. I wanted it so bad, and sometimes when you want it so bad, it slips away from you. My guys picked me up."
But this game wouldn't come easy. Boston jumped out to a big lead in front of the Staples Center faithful and the fans in LA were stunned. Boston lead by nine after the first quarter, holding the Lakers to just 14 points. But it would take an entire team effort to win this one.
In a game where Bryant struggled from the field, he helped in other ways. Bryant finished the game shooting just 6-24, scoring 23 points. But he chipped in 15 rebounds along the way. He did what he could to help the team win the game and contributed in other ways despite his struggles.
But the real hero of this game was Ron Artest. Artest dropped 20 points, five rebounds and five steals in the game, along with one of the biggest shots in Laker history. Coming into the game, Artest had really struggled in the NBA Finals, averaging just six points a game between game two and game five. But when it mattered most, Artest stepped up for his team. He also gave one of the best post-game press conferences that you'll ever see!
A massive fourth quarter rally saw the Lakers take the lead in the final moments and never look back. They won their second consecutive championship and slayed the dragon that was the Celtics.
The 2010 Lakers team is still one of the favorites among Laker fans and they will forever be known as champions.
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