After 105 grueling games, the Los Angeles Lakers once again hoisted the NBA Championship trophy above their heads, celebrating a deserving reward after a hard-fought journey. In what might’ve been the most competitive and gut-wrenching NBA Finals since the Knicks/Rockets series in ’94, the Lakers and Celtics took the scenic route by going the complete seven games and bringing the finale down to the wire. It wasn’t a pretty affair; Kobe’s FG% wouldn’t have been better off as a batting average, the team’s free-throw shooting appeared to be a haunting of Shaquille O’neal, and at times, the offense looked less LA Lakers and more LA Sparks. But by the game clock ticked down to zero, Kobe fist-pumped and kissed his daughters, Ron Artest thanked his psychiatrist, and Derek Fisher cried tears of joy (again). The Zen-master Phil Jackson looked cool, calm, and collected, apparently desensitized by the first ten he’s already amassed.
But the NBA Finals is truly the Big Stage for Kobe Bryant – it’s where he shines his brightest and leads his team to victory even when his shooting is not up to par. Kobe, in the Nike Zoom Kobe V Big Stage, grabbed 15 boards and dictated the offense by drawing double teams and making the proper outlet passes, making an impact in other facets of the game. Derek Fisher hit a clutch three, Pau Gasol was all over the boards, and Ron Artest’s reputation as a defensive stalwart showed itself once again. The Boston effort can’t be overlooked; the Celtics were up for most of the game thanks to Kevin Garnett’s solid play and Rasheed Wallace’s low-post performance. Rajon Rondo and his bright-green Nike Hyperfuse PE covered the entire floor, although Ray Allen and the new colorway of his Air Jordan Icons PE was somewhat of a no-show.
Sneaker News’ ongoing coverage of NBA Feet now comes to an end for this season, but be sure to check back as we review the best kicks seen on the NBA hardwood from the 2009-2010 campaign. Continue on for a full gallery of Game 7 of the NBA Finals and let us know if this was one of the best Game 7s you’ve seen. via Yahoo!.