Game 1: A second look

We tortured ourselves Thursday night, staying up to watch the entire game -- knowing the Celtics were going to win. We also DVR'd the game so our 6-year old son could watch it. Yesterday (after he scored seven goals in a 12-5 soccer win), we sat down and watched the game. Here are some observations:

1. Boston definitely benefited from some home cooking via the referees. Good Gawd, there was one play where P.J. Brown had the ball in the lane for six seconds. We know this, because we replayed it three times, counting out loud each time. And did Gramps Brown get flagged for the infraction? Of course not, he missed a bunny and then Leon Powe got the rebound and Old Friend Dick Bavetta somehow called a phantom push in the back on Pau Gasol. So instead of three seconds, the Celtics were gifted three points. Also, that great hustle play that KG made to save the ball from going in the back court? The one that led to Boston hitting a three-pointer? His foot was a good three (there's that frigging number again) inches over the line. Of course, the line was obscured by the championship trophy emblem. The ref who ruled "no back court"? -- yup, wait for it, Dick Bavetta.

2. Speaking of Gasol, no sooner did we say he was superior to Ray Allen, when he lived down to the Stereotypical Euro. He played like a total pussy wimp. If he can't give them something in the post (as well as get the boards), we could potentially be looking at a sweep. (Something, by the way, that would most likely cause David Stern to lose consciousness.)

3. Not to beat a dead horse fat horse, but we did not see Fat Boy Pee Pee limp even once after the angels told him to get out of the wheelchair and back into the game. Now, he says he will wait until after the finals to get an MRI on his "injured" knee. Take this one to the bank: when the series is over, Pee Pee is heading to the nearest buffet. He sure as hell ain't going to the nearest MRI.

4. Not sure why Vladimir Radmanovic starts for Team Jackson. Shouldn't power forwards average more than 3 boards a game in the regular season? If Action Jackson's guys are going to get crushed on the boards, he may as well move Lamar Odom to power forward and let sniper Sasha Vujacic play the three. We love that guy. All he wants to do is shoot the ball and bitch at the refs on D. Classic.

5. Tonight? We say the Lakers will lead for most of the game and then lose down the stretch. Celtics by 5.