Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Young.....Black....& Stupid ....Again

More proof.....nothing good ever  happens....after 1:00 am......away from your living room.

These guys.....will never learn:

NFL Star Arrested: 'White Boys Ganging Up on Me'

0629_cedric_benson_EXDMugCincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson turned himself into police today -- after being accused of socking a bouncer in the face at an AustinTexas bar back in May.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Benson got into a fight with an unknown subject at Annie's West bar at 1:50 AM on May 30. Cops say Benson was spitting blood from his injured lip.

The report continues ... bar employees tried to calm Benson down -- and the NFL star replied, "I don't give a f*ck."

Benson was asked to leave the bar ... but refused ... and had to be physically escorted out by security.

Once outside, Benson allegedly told a bystander, "All these white boys are ganging up on me and kicking me out."

But according to the report, one bouncer heard Benson make the statement and replied, "I'm going to take time out of my busy job to kick you out?"

Benson then allegedly punched the bouncer in the face ... and knocked the bouncer back.

Bystanders separated the men -- and cops arrived shortly after.

Benson was charged with assault with injury. Bond was set at $5,000.

Bye bye.......Venus

There will not be.....an all Williams sisters Wimbledon final this year.   Venus is gone:

Venus Williams stunned in Wimbledon quaterfinals

Venus Williams reacts during her women's singles quarterfinal against Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova, at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, Tuesday, June 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)Venus Williams reacts during her women's singles quarterfinal against Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova, at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, Tuesday, June 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Wimbledon: Venus loses, ending shot at 5th all-Williams final

Phenom.....Meets Reality

Welcome to the big time.....Washington rookie phenom, Stephen Strasburg,  got a dose of reality in front 40,000 at Turner Field and a national T V audience.

He may turn out to be a great major league pitcher......but let's not put him in the Hall of Fame....just yet.

Braves get to Strasburg late, hand him another loss

ASSOCIATED PRESS Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg works in the second inning a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, June 28, 2010 in Atlanta. ASSOCIATED PRESS Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg works in the second inning a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Monday, June 28, 2010 in Atlanta. 

ATLANTA, June 29 (UPI) -- Tim Hudson out-dueled rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg Monday, hurling seven strong innings in the Atlanta Braves' 5-0 decision over Washington.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Things....Learned....From the Week-end .....that was...

A rather....uneventful couple of days....but ....it was a week-end just the same.

And.....what did we learn?


Soccer.....will always be a second class sport....in our beloved USA.   Face the facts.....We're just not as good as the other countries....in this sport.   Why?   Simple.   Our best athletes play football (pigskin style),  baseball,  basketball......and hockey.   Soccer?  No TV time-outs.....No half time......the clock runs up--not down....Soccer?   It's just un-American:
msnbc.com2010 FIFA World Cup: Team USA Wrap-Up, Final Grade‎ -


1 hour ago
This wasn't 2006 Team USA. The American soccer team that landed in South Africa all those weeks ago was supposed to advance to the second round with ease, ...





Baseball......America's Pastime?   Maybe.... MLB has made an impressive come-back this year.  The inter-league play has been exciting....to say the least:
baseball |  Comments 1  |  Recommend 5
There were plenty of high fives avaibable on the Chicago bench during interleague play as the White Sox held a 15-3 record against the National League in June.
There were plenty of high fives avaibable on the Chicago bench during interleague play as the White Sox held a 15-3 record against the National League in June.
By Jerry Lai, US Presswire

Serena....is still winning.......across the pond:

Williams sisters reach Wimbledon quarters
LONDON, June 28 (UPI) -- Serena Williams claimed a tight straight-set victory Monday over Maria Sharapova and reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.
 







Michael Vick.....This is not good....you have to be smarter....and more careful:

MyFox PhiladelphiaPolice: Vick interviewed about Va shooting‎ -

43 minutes ago
Virginia Beach Police say Michael Vick has been interviewed about a shooting that took place outside a nightclub where he had celebrated his birthday. ...
The Associated Press - 157 related articles »
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Divorce......NBA Style

From our friends......at YBF:

Dwyane Wade: I'm RELIEVED My Divorce Is Final!

Dwyane Wade is officially split from his high school sweetheart and wife Siohvaughn Wade.  Today, a Cook County judge finalized the divorce, despite Siohvaughn being a no show.

More when you read on...

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Thursday Night Humor

This was ....kind of funny.

Some "Redneck" humor:



Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Hump Day.....News & Views

It is hot.....it's summer...and it's a Wednesday.

So.....some "Hump Day" stuff........we're following:


Venus....rolls:

V. Williams cruises to Wimbledon 3rd round

LONDON, June 23 (UPI) -- Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin all advanced to Wimbledon's third round with straight-set wins Wednesday.
 
 
World Cup ....update.....We won???:
 

WORLD CUP: United States 1, Algeria 0
PRETORIA, South Africa, June 23 (UPI) -- Landon Donovan's goal in stoppage time Wednesday delivered the United States a 1-0 win over Algeria and a berth in the next round of the World Cup. Late in the game, the U.S. team knew it was in a position where a tie would eliminate it from the tournament and so kept intense pressure on Algerian goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi.



A marathon tennis match.....across the pond.....Did they get a ....a bathroom break??:

New York Daily News
WIMBLEDON, England - The longest match in tennis history was suspended because of darkness at 59-59 in the fifth set at Wimbledon on Wednesday night. The first-round match between 23rd-seeded John Isner of …AZCentral.com · 1 hour ago
 
 
Things....I think I think:
 
I think.......we were stupid ....when we were kids...to play outside... in this heat....all day.
 
It is so easy....to burn audio cd's  nowadays....not only can a caveman do it...so can I.
My brand new 8 X 10 ....lawn building....may get assembled....in my lifetime.

With unemployment at an all time high.....Why is it....my employees.....invent ways...to miss work?

As enjoyable as it was.....those 2 days I took off for Father's Day....has put me....a week behind.

My beloved....Atlanta Braves....Have the best record...in the National League.

But...hey....It's only June....

We can still......hope.

Have a great......."Hump Day"!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Say it Ain't So........Jo!

Another pro athlete....another scandal .....


And you know......TMZ........is all over it:




 

Mets Ace Johan Santana Accused of Sexual Battery

TMZ has learned New York Mets star pitcher Johan Santana was accused in a police report of sexual battery that allegedly went down on a Florida golf course ... but the case went nowhere.

0623_johan_EX-doc

TMZ obtained a copy of the report filed with the Lee County Sheriff's Office on October 28, 2009 -- one day after the alleged attack in Fort Myers.  In the document, the accuser (referred to only as Jane Doe) claims she and Santana were walking on the golf course when he "began to kiss her and pull up her top, unclasping her bra."

The report continues: "Johan began to pull at [the accuser's] skirt/skort and attempt [sic] to place his hands into her underwear."  According to the document the alleged victim "told Johan no multiple times but Johan persisted."

The report gets more graphic, when the accuser claims Santana penetrated her, grabbed and bruised her calf, and "ejaculated on her upper thigh."

The accuser claims she "cleaned her thigh with her underwear" -- and then returned to a tennis court with Santana, and actually watched him play tennis with someone else.

According to the report, a detective collected all of the accuser's clothing as evidence.

A spokesperson from the Sheriff's Office tells TMZ Sheriff's detectives met several times with the prosecutor from the State's Attorney's Office to review the case.  Law enforcement sources say DNA evidence did prove there was intercourse, but, according to a Sheriff's document, the prosecutor concluded, "There was not enough evidence to prove lack of consent, the alleged victim's statement is not consistent with other witnesses."  The case was closed out on December 8, 2009.

We contacted Santana's rep, who said, "Johan denied the charges and was never charged with anything.  As far as the law enforcement side of this goes, the case is closed."

Johan spoke in the Mets' locker room before today's  0623_santana_statement
game -- check out his statement.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Now....That's a Gift

Win an NBA Championship.....Get a gift.

And What a gift it was.......

Celeb's $400,000 gift for husband

Khloe Kardashian buys Lamar Odom a convertible Rolls-Royce to mark a very special milestone. » See the car

Monday, June 21, 2010

Things ....We Learned......From the Week-end

It is ....again...a Monday....in this small, southern, college town.  It is breathtakingly hot.  And humid.

This being the 21st.......it is.....indeed..... the first day of summer.

The week-end?

Ahhhhhh.......what a memorable two days.   Both 6eVoice........and GaPeach913 were ...."in the house"!

My daughter (Madison) was also here.   And.....the phone calls.   The calls just kept coming in.....all week-end long.   Long lost brothers.......aunts.....and great-aunts.....step-children....friends of the family.....Seems,  the whole world called.

It ....was.......a magnificent two days.   

What was learned?

Nothing that we didn't know....already.

We love.......our family & friends.    And they love us.

Nothing else really matters.......does it?

And for that.......we're all smarter!
 

 

Saturday, June 19, 2010

R.I.P. Manute Bol

Virginia hospital: Former NBA star Manute Bol dead at 47

June 19, 2010 5:56 p.m. EDT
Manute Bol, a native of Sudan who was listed at 7 feet, 7 inches tall, played 12 years in the NBA.
Manute Bol, a native of Sudan who was listed at 7 feet, 7 inches tall, played 12 years in the NBA.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • At 7-feet-7, Manute Bol was one of the tallest players in NBA history
  • He was known as a shot blocker in his 10-year professional career
  • Bol, a native of war-torn Sudan, reportedly donated his NBA earnings to charities
  • The Virginia hospital where he died did not disclose the cause of death
(CNN) -- Manute Bol, one of the tallest players in NBA history, died Saturday at the age of 47, a spokeswoman with the University of Virginia Medical Center confirmed to CNN.
The hospital did not disclose the cause of death.
Bol, who was listed at 7-feet-7 inches tall and 225 pounds, played for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat in his 10-year career.
The native of war-torn Sudan was known during and after his career for his charity work for his home country. In 2004 after he was nearly killed in an auto accident, Bol told Sports Illustrated, "God guided me to America and gave me a good job. But he also gave me a heart, so I would look back."
Bol donated his NBA earnings to charity, according to the article.
Bol, so tall and so lanky, was somewhat the oddity when he came to national attention as a player for the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1984. He was a dominant shot blocker and rebounder at the Division II school, where often the tallest player on the other team would be a foot shorter than him. He played one year at Bridgeport then went pro.
Known as the Dinka Dunker for the Sudanese tribe he was from, Bol was drafted in 1985 by the Bullets and twice led the NBA in blocked shots.
Fans also loved when he would stand behind the 3-point line and push up a long-distance jumper.
He had more blocked shots than points scored in his career, the only NBA player to ever to have that distinction.
He also drew attention after his career ended when he fought a former NFL player, William Perry, in made-for-TV boxing match. Bol won the fight over the man known as the "The Refrigerator" with a third-round decision.
Bol is survived by four children, two sons and two daughters, he had with his ex-wife, Atong.
Former NBA player Gheorghe Muresan, who starred with Billy Crystal in the 1998 movie "My Giant," was also listed at 7-feet-7.

Friday, June 18, 2010

2010 World Champs!

Pictures......speak louder.......than words....

What a game....and yes.....I stayed awake....and saw every second.

Today's Headlines .....from Boston to Los Angeles:







Thursday, June 17, 2010

Post Hump Day.....News & Views

It is a Thursday......in this small,  southern,  college town.   And...it is ...hot!   Summer, officially does not get here until the 21st of the month.......but......

Temperatures ....have been in the upper 90's ......for the past week.   100% humidity....afternoon thunder storms.....summer-time.

Hot.....hot........and hotter.

Thank the good lord for AC.....

Some "stuff"......we're following.....Courtesy of TMZ.com:


Tiger Woods - Not the Daddy!

TMZ has learned ... a DNA test disproves the claim of Devon James -- that Tiger Woods fathered her 9-year-old son.

tiger woods

A source handling the situation tells TMZ the DNA test was performed in 2002, as part of "an ongoing child support battle."

We're told although the DNA test excludes Tiger, it establishes to a reasonable certainty who fathered the boy -- a guy from Florida.

The boy's pics were posted on Kikster.com. Coincidentally, he does look an awful lot like Tiger.

LT's Alleged Pimp -- Yeah, I Shot At People

Lawrence Taylor's alleged pimp, Rasheed Davis, has a history of 'fessing up to violent crime -- like the 1991 shooting he detailed in a handwritten statement to police ... a move that earned him hard time in prison.

LT's Alleged Pimp

Long before his alleged dealings with LT and an underaged girl, Davis sprayed bullets into a Bronx street fight -- and TMZ.obtained a copy of the letter Davis wrote the day after the shooting.

In the letter -- which reads like a scene from "Boyz n the Hood" -- Davis admitted getting a .22 caliber rifle from his apartment and firing it when someone else shot at him.  He wrote "I shot the rifle into the ... crowd. I aimed at somone (sic) with a hand gun. I fired about 12 times."

One man was killed, and Davis served 14-years for first degree manslaughter.

Davis is currently facing a federal charge of sex trafficking in the LT case, and is due back in court next week.

Aretha Franklin -- 2 Days, 2 Weaves, 1 Dress

After wearing this sparkling copper gown with a dyed-to-match polyester wig to the Tony Awards on Sunday (left), Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin wore it again on Monday -- but this time with a frizzy 'do -- to perform at the Apollo Theater with her pocketbook (right).

0615_Aretha_102049903_102090758

The 68-year-old diva can do whatever she wants.

 

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Game 6

Okay........so I slept through it.   Had to get up at 4:30 am.....the next day.

Here's the high lights......and for the Boston fans....the low lights:

From NBA.com.....


Same Old.......Hawks

They have their man....

No......not Avery Johnson......just a man....Larry Drew.

Same old Hawks.......See.....Avery Johnson.....that Johnson....who took the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals two years ago.....made $4 million per year.

The man the Hawks fired,   Mike Woodson.......made $1.5 million.    Do the math.  This Hawk ownership is cheap.   They did a token interview with Johnson.....

But......money.....was the deciding factor....They'll pay Drew......around $1.25 million.

Same old Hawks. 

  You get what you pay for.   Nothing against Drew.....but......

What you have is an unproven .......6 year assistant coach....with his first head coaching job.....versus a seasoned veteran.

Same old Hawks.

This is what happens.......when the ownership......is a group.   

The cheap way out.   What does this mean?

40 to 50 wins......and losing in the first or second round of the play-offs.....no more...no less.

Same old Hawks.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Things....From the .......Week-end

We are not .....smarter......just older.

Stuff from the week-end:


Vince......Young  & Stupid:

Vince Young issued citation for assault at Dallas strip club

Vince Young issued citation for assault at Dallas strip club
by Meagan Harris and Rebecca Lopez / WFAA
kvue.com
Posted on June 14, 2010 at 7:44 AM
Updated today at 7:44 AM

DALLAS — Dallas police have issued a citation to Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young following an altercation at a Dallas strip club early Sunday morning.
The UT standout has not been arrested, but he was at police headquarters late Sunday afternoon after police reviewed a tape showing the entire incident at around 3:30 a.m.
The fight happened in a back office at Club Onyx in the 10500 block of Wire Way in Northwest Dallas.  Police said Young had just arrived at the club and was discussing how he planned to spend his evening with managers of the facility.


NBA Finals.........Update:

Celtics Lakers

NBA Finals: Celtics Put Lakers On Brink Of Elimination

 

 Me too......Charles:

 

Charles Barkley Nba General Manager

Charles Barkley: I'd Like To Be An NBA GM

 

This is getting old:

Antoine Walker Debt

Three-Time All-Star Antoine Walker Owes Staggering Sum To Las Vegas Casinos

 

Who cares?  What next?

 

Tiger Woods Love Child Kid
SHOCK: Documentary Says Tiger Woods Fathered Secret Love Child
 
I told you ........we're not smarter...this Monday....just older!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

A Death Sentence......Almost

Could not have happened to .....better program.

Southern Cal....NCAA violations.......no post season.....scholarships lost...

Not since the "Death Penalty" levied upon SMU .......in the '70's.......has a school been punished to the extent USC has......

Justice?

Yes!

From our friends .....at TMZ.com:

USC Football 'Vacates' Nat'l Championship Win

The NCAA just blew up USC football's world by forcing the Trojans to vacate their victory in the '05 Orange Bowl ... a win that earned them the National Championship. 

USC Football  trojans  reggie bush

This all comes after an NCAA investigation concluded Reggie Bush got improper benefits while at USC.

According to the NCAA findings Bush received a car, and his family received a house and other financial benefits.

In addition to the National Championship game, USC must also vacate its 12 victories from the '05 season -- Reggie's last before turning pro -- and the university is banned from bowl games for the next 2 seasons, and on probation for 4 years.

Fight on.

NOTE: The NCAA specifically uses the word "vacate" instead of forfeit because the Trojan's opponents in those games don't get the win.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

On this Day.....

Today in
Sports History

1914 - Honus Wagner became the second player in major league history to record 3,000 hits.

1965 - Michel Jazy ran the mile in 3 minutes, 53.6 seconds. He broke the record set by Peter Snell in 1964.

1966 - Minnesota set a major league record when they hit six home runs in one inning.

1978 - Larry Holmes won a 15-round split decision over Ken Norton.





1984 - The Pittsburgh Penguins used their fist pick overall to select Mario Lemieux in the NHL Entry Draft.

1985 - The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title by defeating the Boston Celtics. Kareem Abdul Jabbar scored 29 points.



1990 - Monica Seles became the youngest winner in French Open history when she beat Steffi Graf.





1993 - The Montreal Canadiens won their 24th Stanley Cup.

1994 - Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes (TLC) set fire to her boyfriend's house. Her boyfriend was Andre Rison of the Atlanta Falcons.





1996 - Frank Thomas (Chicago White Sox) hit his 200th career home run.

1996 - Ryan Hancock became the first California Angel pitcher to get a hit in 24 years. Nolan Ryan was the previous pitcher to get a hit for the Angels in 1972.

2001 - Ray Bourque (Colorado Avalanche) won his first Stanley Cup. He retired from the NHL just 17 days later after a 22 year career.

2001 - Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche) became the first National Hockey League (NHL) player to win three Conn Smythe Trophies. The award is given to the playoff's Most Valuable Player.

2001 - John Vanbiesbrouck (New Jersey Devils) announced his retirement from the NHL after 19 seasons.

2003 - The New Jersey Devils won the Stanly Cup after defeating the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 4 games to 3. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils) became the first goaltender to produce 7 playoff shutouts in a single-season.

2008 - Ken Griffey Jr. (Cincinnati Reds) hit his 600th career home run. Only Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa had more runs at the time.

Hump Day.....News & Views

Wow!

It's Wednesday.....already!

Stuff we're following......in this small,  southern,  college town:


0 for 13......Sharp shooter,  Ray Allen.......had the type game....we ballers....all fear.  He missed all 13 of his shots......and the Celtics lost game 3.


Nightmare game for basketball star

Two days after a record-breaking game, Boston's Ray Allen has the worst shooting night of his life. » 'A wreck'



Young, black.....and stupid.......again:
 

Oregon Ducks Starting QB Booted from Team

0609_masoli_BN_Getty_01Jeremiah Masoli -- who was once regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the country -- has just been officially kicked off the University of Oregon football team days after the 21-year-old had another brush with the law.

The U of O just released a statement explaining, "Masoli has been dismissed from the school’s football program for a failure to adhere to obligations previously outlined by head football coach Chip Kelly."

Earlier this week, Masoli was arrested for marijuana possession following a traffic stop in Oregon.

Masoli had already been suspended for the upcoming season after pleading guilty to burglarizing a frat house back in January.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Things From the Week-end.......

Things....from the week-end?

Stuff....we .....learned?

Are we....smarter?

Or....just ...older?

Or....both?

My...my?

Both?

Here goes:

Tied.....1-1...

LOS ANGELES, June 6 (UPI) -- Ray Allen sank eight 3-point shots Sunday to set an NBA Finals record and help the Boston Celtics top the Los Angeles Lakers 103-94 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
 
 
This doesn't happen...in the US:
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 6 (UPI) -- Two policemen and 14 other people were injured Sunday in a crush of fans at a South African stadium where a World Cup warmup game was being played, police said.
 
We ....will take a split:
LOS ANGELES, June 6 (UPI) -- A.J. Ellis drove in Russell Martin with the winning run in the 11th inning Sunday, boosting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-4 decision over Atlanta.
 
Things.....I think I think:
 
My Daughter.....had a great trip......to Disney World ....in Orlando....and yes...I'm  jealous.
 
Our Family conference call......lasted 2 1/2 hours.....I missed it......I'm hurt.
 
My lawn & hedges.....look great...but....I'm tired.
 
Has BP.......fixed the leak?   I'm ....upset.
 
Why are they blaming......Obama?   I'm ....mad.
 
My  Atlanta Braves......are in 1st place.....I'm glad.
The NHL Finals are on........I just don't care.

Is it Monday?
 
Smarter?
You?
 
Me?
??
 
?
 
  

Friday, June 4, 2010

Game 1

If you ....were like me......you were well asleep when the final buzzer went off.   But .....with the help of NBA.com.......here's a recap of game 1:

A History Lesson

Let the games begin!

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics ....took to the hardwood last night......again.....For the 12th time.....Boston leads 9-2 in the championship series.

A quick look at this storied rivalry....From the Los Angeles Daily News:

HISTORY 101: LAKERS VS. CELTICS

By Vincent Bonsignore, Staff Writer
Updated: 06/02/2010 11:49:27 PM PDT

1959: BOSTON CELTICS 4, MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS 0  

Memorable moments: Elgin Baylor, then a rookie from Seattle University, took a Lakers team that had gone 19-53 the year before and led them into the playoffs, then into the NBA Finals. But once there, Baylor was neutralized by the Celtics. Boston coach Red Auerbach had Jim Loscutoff start on him; Tommy Heinsohn followed and sixth-man Frank Ramsey cleaned up. After Game 4, the Celtics carried Auerbach and his victory cigar off the court, celebrating what was the first sweep in the history of the NBA Finals.


1962: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 3  

Memorable moments: With the series tied, 2-2, Baylor scored 61points - then a playoff record - as the Lakers won in Boston and moved within one victory of slaying the Celtics. "We'll win it now," Lakers coach Fred Schaus said. Sorry, Fred. In Game 6, the Celtics' Sam Jones scored 35points as Boston won by 14 in Los Angeles. For Game 7, PFC Elgin Baylor, an Army reservist, was granted a second special pass from Seattle's Fort Lewis to play. He scored 41 points, Jerry West added 35 and the Celtics had big foul trouble. The Lakers' Frank Selvy took a jumper at the end of regulation that would have won it. The ball rimmed out. The Celtics prevailed by three points in overtime. Bill Russell had 30points and 40rebounds.


1963: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 2

Memorable moments: The Lakers lost Game 4 in Los Angeles to trail the series,
3-1, and the focus afterward was on one play. With 5 1/2 minutes left and the Lakers down by five, Baylor collided inside with Russell. He hit a short hook shot on the play, but referee Richie Powers called Baylor for an offensive foul. It sapped the steam from the Lakers. Baylor finished with 31 points and 19 rebounds. Heinsohn countered with 35 points. The Lakers fought off elimination in Game 5, with Baylor's 43 points, but Boston won Game 6 on the road. "Los Angeles isn't the basketball capital of the world yet," Auerbach gloated afterward. 
 

1965: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 1

Memorable moments: With Baylor out for the series with a broken kneecap, Boston won the opener at home by 32 points - scoring 142 points, topping their own record by two. The Lakers won the third game but in Game4, Sam Jones had 37 points for the Celtics, who took a 13-point win and a 3-1 series lead. Back in the Garden for Game 5, West had 33 points. But Boston opened the fourth quarter with 10straight field goals and held L.A. scoreless for five minutes. The Celtics won by 33. Russell had 22points and 30rebounds.


1966: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 3

Memorable moments: West had 41 points and Baylor had 36 in the Lakers' Game 1 victory, but the Celtics won the next three games. The Lakers rebounded and won Game 5 when West broke a 115-all tie on a jumper with 35 seconds left. The Lakers then forced a seventh game with an eight-point victory at home, but in the decisive game in Boston the Celtics won their eighth consecutive title. Down by 16 points entering the fourth quarter, the Lakers outscored Boston, 33-19, in the final 12 minutes but it wasn't enough. West had 36 points, but Russell created his usual havoc with 25 points and 32 rebounds.

1968: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 2

Memorable moments: The Lakers evened the series with a Game 4 victory in Los Angeles. West scored 38 points, but he left with 44 seconds to go after spraining his ankle in a collision with John Havlicek. Don Nelson, who had been waived by the Lakers in 1965, scored 26 points to help Boston to a 120-117 OT win in Game5. Boston won Game 6 in L.A., in a rout. West, limping up and down court, scored 22 points. Havlicek had 40 points for the Celtics, who led by as many as 21points in the fourth quarter before settling for a 15-point victory.


1969: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 3 
Memorable moments: The Lakers put themselves on the verge of a championship with a Game 5 victory in Los Angeles. They took advantage of Russell (seven points, 13 boards) being in foul trouble in the second half. West had 28 of his 39 points in the second half, but he pulled a hamstring late in the game, which would hurt the Lakers later on. Wilt Chamberlain had 31rebounds. The Lakers lost Game6 by nine points but, anticipating the end of the Celtics' hex in Game 7, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had balloons tied to the Forum's rafters and arranged for the USC marching band to play "Happy Days Are Here Again." The band was never needed. In the third quarter, the Lakers missed 15 straight field goals as Boston took a 91-76 lead and cruised to victory. "What are they going to do with all those ... balloons now?" Auerbach said. "And all that champagne?"

1984: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 3

Memorable moments: After missing a great chance to win Game 2 in overtime and take a 2-0 series lead, the Lakers won Game3, 137-104, Boston's worst Finals defeat ever. Larry Bird called his teammates "sissies." The Celtics evened the series in Game 4 in overtime in a game best remembered for Cedric Maxwell making a choking gesture as Worthy shot free throws in OT and for Kevin McHale's clothesline tackle of Kurt Rambis. That play inspired the "McHale Rule," protecting players from flagrant fouls. Returning to Boston for Game 5 with the series tied, the Lakers felt the heat, literally. It was 97 degrees in the Garden at game time. Larry Bird scored 34 points in the Boston victory. The Celtics, leading Game 6 by 11 in the third quarter, started celebrating too early. Rookie Byron Scott came off the bench and scored 11 points in 17 minutes, including a 3-pointer with 6:37 left that broke a 93-93 tie and helped the Lakers to a 119-106 victory. Trailing by 13points going into the fourth quarter of Game 7, the Lakers pulled within three but lost, 111-102.

1985: LAKERS 4, CELTICS 2

Memorable moments: In what became known as the "Memorial Day Massacre," the Celtics took a 30-point halftime lead and whipped the Lakers at the Garden in Game1, 148-114. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had been held to 12 points and three rebounds in the opener, led the Lakers back in Game 2 with 30points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocked shots. The teams split the first two games at the Forum to even the series, 2-2. The Lakers led Game 5 by 18 points early in the second half, saw their lead cut to four but held on to win. The Celtics' mystique officially ended two days later in Boston. The Lakers won their fourth NBA title, their first from Boston, with a 111-100 win at the Garden. "The victory is sweeter now because we've broken the stranglehold, the dynasty on us," Lakers coach Pat Riley said. "There comes a time when you have to plant your feet firmly, take a stand and kick some butt. That's what we did."

1987: LAKERS 4, CELTICS 2

Memorable moments: Everything went the Lakers' way during the first two games at the Forum. Johnson had 29 points, 13assists, eight rebounds and zero turnovers in Game 1 and Abdul-Jabbar had 23points in the Lakers' Game 2 rout. Larry Bird scored 30 points to give the Celtics some life in the series with a Game3 victory, and Boston led by as many as 16 points in Game 4 before the Lakers rallied. In the closing seconds, the Lakers trailed by one but Johnson made what he called a "junior, junior, junior skyhook" over the fingertips of Robert Parish and the Lakers won, 107-106, to take a 3-1 series lead. Boston stayed alive with a 15-point Game 5 victory but the Lakers closed out the series in Game 6 in L.A. Abdul-Jabbar had 32 points and Johnson wrapped up the Finals MVP award with 16points, 19 assists and eightrebounds.
2008: CELTICS 4, LAKERS 2

Memorable moments: For the first time in 21 years, the Lakers and Celtics were back in the Finals together, but nothing defined this matchup more than the deciding Game 6, in which the Celtics laid a 131-92 whipping on the Lakers to win their 17th NBA title. The Celtics, who added All-Stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to assist Paul Pierce during the offseason, led by as many as 43 points in the game, their toughness and experience overwhelming the Lakers, whose run to the Finals was spurred by the addition of Pau Gasol in a midseason trade with Memphis.
Pierce was named MVP of the series while Ray Allen tied a single-game record for 3-pointers made in the clincher with seven, in the process breaking the record for 3-pointers made in a NBA Finals series with 22. The 39-point differential in Game 6 was the largest in a clinching game in NBA Finals history and the second largest for any Finals game.
- Vincent Bonsignore