After losing two games in Boston, the Lakers returned to California on Monday in a hole. Over 96 minutes, they have looked nothing like the team which pulverized Denver, pushed aside Utah and swatted away San Antonio with ease.
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Wondering about the greatest Game 3s in Finals history? NBA.com's John Hareas provides the answers.
Michael Curry will be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons after having played for the team and worked as an assistant. Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars tells The Associated Press that Curry will be introduced on Tuesday.
The Phoenix Suns named Terry Porter the 13th head coach in franchise history, the club announced today.
"We are excited to have Terry as our new head coach,"said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr. "He is a strong leader and communicator, as fans of the NBA have seen since his days as a point guard. He is a tough-nosed competitor. Those qualities only enhance his experience as a head coach and assistant and provide a tremendous foundation for him to lead our basketball team."
Boston's defense mobbed Kobe Bryant long enough and unknown Leon Powe scored 21 points as the Celtics held off a remarkable Los Angeles rally for a 108-102 win over the Lakers on Sunday night.
Paul Pierce had not slept in 36 hours but the Boston Celtics captain was more than ready to greet the tens of thousands of fans who turned out Thursday for the rolling rally celebrating the team's first NBA championship in 22 years.
President Bush has offered his congratulations to the Boston Celtics for winning their 17th NBA championship. Team owner Wyc Grousbeck says the president called him Wednesday, one day after the Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6.
Although the Lakers' season ended with a thud, they have Andrew Bynum coming back and youth and Kobe Bryant on their side, so they can say "Wait 'til next year'' and be taken seriously.
When the Boston Celtics built a new practice facility, they surrounded the court with their 16 NBA championship banners and left a blank space for No. 17.