The Truth is Green

First, see J-Gill's post on the champion inherent.

J stated Pierce being the Most underrated scorer in the game? - I think this is a byproduct of Pierce just laboring in relatively low fanfare, considering what an outstanding player he is, as the Celtics toiled in mediocrity over his career (until this season). The team change in mindset, attitude, and the overall increase in talent level profoundly affected double-P. By the time the Celts reached the Finals, the shift was complete, Inglewood-reborn in Boston. As part of the quest for a championship, it seems each of the Big Three embraced a different role, they deferred to a subset of their responsibilities from being The Man on teams' past. Pierce, however, recognized there were moments that he was the only Celtic capable of dominance. Dominance was needed in this series and the Truth was issued. Does the underrated label stem from the aesthetics of his game? While clearly efficient, he's a mix of grace and awkwardness. Seems to sneakily creep up his point total. Regardless, he is deserving of being The Truth.

Kobe's failure to lead his Lakers to a championship has inevitably led to the Jordan comparisons as being without merit. I'm a Kobe apologist of sorts, but will state I think he could have done more this series, although I think Phil Jackson and his teammates had much more to do with the loss than Kobe. Don't forget it took Jordan four years to just lead the Bulls to a winning record, and six years to get his first championship. Kobe will be back, his teammates may or may not be better, but to definitively state Kobe is lacking whatever that makeup is that made Jordan a champion is to not fully examine this Lakers team, or Jordan's past before the championships started rolling in. Lamar Odom is certainly no Scottie Pippen, Vujacavic no Paxson. Jordan failed to get past the Pistons multiple times in the playoffs, finally passing his way out of double and triple teams in '91 en route to his first championship. I'm willing to give Kobe the benefit of the doubt, he led an inexperienced group to the brink...Did he teeter at the summit and falter, yes, but just making it this far will only propel him to greater moments.

Tiger - I'll say it again, he's straight mental. But, at a price, more surgery means See ya in 2009, Tiger...