Streaks: Phil Jackson coached teams that win game 1 in a playoff series still have never lost the series. The team that won game 3 in a NBA Finals tied 1-1 still have never lost the series. But the Celtics now, thankfully, have lost to the Lakers in a NBA Finals game 7. 1-for-5 isn’t a great percentage, but you take what you can get.

Game 7 was an ugly ugly game, with terrible shooting by both teams early, in no small part by amazing energy and intensity on defense by both teams. But the Lakers kept crashing the boards, and that paid off down the road (making some free throws also helped). Kobe did not play well offensively, but Pau Gasol played quite well outside of poor free throw shooting, and really should’ve been the Finals MVP. And Ron Artest had a tremendous game (best player in Game 7) and made the biggest 3 of his career in the waning seconds. Then thanked his psychiatrist during the post-game celebration interview. :D

So we’re now at 11 championships for Phil Jackson, and it’s frankly astounding to realize that every single team has been repeat champions. In fact, he has a chance to make it all three-peats next year. Most of the vital players are coming back, so the question mark is Derek Fisher (who I’m happier for than anyone else on the team – he’s definitely my favorite current Laker) and age/injuries.

Let’s go for #17 to tie the Celtics!