To Make The Leap: an Ode to Game 5

The final horn had sounded,
The players all embraced,
The crowd was going wild
For the foe had been displaced.
But the trophy was not won this day,
The champion not crowned.
For the Los Angeles Lakers
Did not give up their ground.

The Celtics played with fervor,
And had answered every blow,
From the three-point line they countered
Like archers at the bow.
They owned the lane and middle,
They fought for each rebound.
But the Los Angeles Lakers
Did not give up their ground.

Paul Pierce was more than stellar.
He drove and shot with ease.
If all the games were played like this
He’d have six MVPs.
And enough can not be said
For the sixth and seventh men
James Posey jumped on all loose balls
And House was hot…again.

Doc played the right players,
He called the right time-outs,
As if an Auerbach
Was there to quell his doubts.
The tide seemed to be turning,
A 19-point lead dispersed,
and Lakers fans throughout the world
readied for the worst.

But, faced against this onslaught
The Lakers were unwavered
They saw the challenge that was set
And that they weren’t favored.
They stayed within their game
Until their defense came around
And the Los Angeles Lakers
Did not give up their ground.

At first, a couple free-throws,
And then, an errant pass.
And then a Farmar layup
With ears out at full mast.
And then a couple jumpers,
From Walton and Kobe,
The lead was up to twelve,
And the Lakers looked home-free.

But Cassel awoke from slumber,
And thought he was at home,
The Clippers he once played for
Too play inside this dome.
He hit a couple jumpers,
A post-up, and a drive,
And yet again the Celtics
Began to look alive.

Then Pierce and Mosey-Posey
Got them up off the shelf.
For Sam is old and ugly,
He may have killed himself.
They battled like true heroes
It nearly turned around
But the Los Angeles Lakers
Did not give up their ground.

The big men, Odom, Pau
Were living in the key
The media said they’re soft, so now
They’re roughing up KG.
They got offensive rebounds,
They got back to the line,
(they were playing like they should have
This whole entire time.)

D-Fish, the soul and leader,
Played smart and chose his spots,
Lamar sank a big three-pointer,
Pau blocked a couple shots.
The team solidified
With every incremental play
Their confidence was boosted,
And their jitters went away.

It must be said: the defense
On Kobe was extreme.
His jumpers under pressure,
His drives took on the team.
But clear the pantheon, my friends,
For Kobe earned his keep:
That steal was legendary.
He’s finally made “the leap”.

The end result lacked beauty,
No “classic” for the times,
Just toughness, and persistence
With the season on the line.
No stats were domineering,
But the Lakers wouldn‘t fold.
When forced to band together,
They proved their worth in Gold.

They may not win the crown this time
They might fall two games short,
But they’ll be damned to lose it
To the Celtics, on their court.
Call this win for hope, and more…
For honor, and for pride.
A win is just a win unless
it proves a stronger side.

The Garden is a hellish place
And Boston comes to play,
But, as Kobe Bryant says,
They’re just two wins away.
Now they must trust each other,
To be championship-bound.
Just two wins to accomplish
Something weighty and profound…

Just two more wins
And these upstart Lakers
Reach the highest ground.

NOTE: It was just reported that Ray Allen's daughter was rushed to the hospital during last night's game, where she was diagnosed with diabetes. Our wishes go out to both Ray, his daughter, and the rest of the Allen family.