The Sound of the Suburbs

Now we got a series.

Tonight's greatest moment for me was Rondo taking Bynum to the rack, giving away a full foot, and putting him into the popcorn machine with an immaculate fake. The Vatican should be so lucky.

Why do I loathe the Lakers? Let me count the ways:

A) Kobe
B) Kobe
C) Kobe

He IS the greatest but for some reason I just can't stand him.

And look at that ... Boston won despite Pierce and KG contributing little offensively, but speaking of little, they did the little things while Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace (The Three Rs?!) came up huge. What a game.

Now we all know this is going seven. And I hope Bryant has his hands on the ball at the end of the seventh game with Pierce on him cuz this time Artest won't cut free in the paint to jack up a lucky deuce.

But that's a long way away, if it even happens. LA remain heavy Vegas favorites, but if you are a purist, you can't help but root for Boston.

Why?

A) They play great unselfish team ball.
B) I live in LA and relish the prospect of all these cocky talk radio jocks grappling with a Boston title. Their tiny heads will explode.
C) Well, I just find KG, PP, Ray Allen, Rondo, Perkins, Robinson, Tony Allen, Big Baby and Sheed likeable. My prejudice. And I am not even a Boston fan.

I may be alone on this take but I consider Rasheed Wallace the MVP of Game 2. He hit most of his shots, played Tenacious D and secured one clutch board after another, renewing the faith of Piston fans far and wide. It's quite clear that the message Doc, KG, Allen and Pierce delivered as they courted Sheed resonated in a major way.

Because, while he is an aging baller, Rasheed is the X factor in this series and I think he knows it. He's got the balls to say publically that he will be judged on his performance in the post (literally/figuratively) and any man who openly puts his rep on the line despite his income deserves major props.

If he shows up every night, Boston has a chance. Not that they don't remain the underdogs (ask Vegas) but his performance will make the ultimate difference, IMHO.

And while we're talking about aging rehab ballers, let us not forget Nate Robinson. While not duplicating his Game 6 stunner v. Orlando, he came up big tonight when Doc and Co. needed him, and I expect him to go off in one of the next two TD Garden battles.

Another great acquisition by Danny Ainge. Who would you rather have off the bench: Robinson/Tony Allen or Farmar/Brown? I know where my vote comes down.

The bottom line is Boston came through tonight with a great game. This means us fans are in for a treat for the ages.

Look for a split in Boston and a yellow brick road to Game 7. Again, my personal viewer fantasy is Boston up by two, seconds left, and Kobe gets his chance to be in the same conversation as MJ, MJ and Bill Russell.

Here's hoping he gets the back of the rim and a long rebound Rondo confiscates.

And an aside to David Stern: Thank you for not letting a zebra call a double T on K. Perkins which would change the shape of the series. If he deserves it, bust him. If he doesn't, let him play.

The rule on T fouls must be changed as soon as the playoffs end, because as everyone much smarter/important/more well paid than me agrees, it's a dumb rule.