Kobe Can't Carry Lakers Without Help

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals

BOSTON -- One of the last things the Celtics see before they leave their locker room for the court is a sign reading, "Individuals Win Games But Teams Win Titles.''



The Celtics have had that attitude for years. Back in the 1960s, Wilt Chamberlain piled up points but Boston almost always won the title. When the NBA Finals MVP award was handed out for the first time in 1969, the Lakers' Jerry West received it but the Celtics won that series.



The sign wasn't technically correct Sunday night at TD Garden. Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant had a banner night with 38 points, including 23 straight during one stretch, but his team didn't win the game. Nevertheless, you get the point.



Stressing team play, the Celtics are one win away from extending their NBA record for championships to 18 after winning 92-86 to take a 3-2 Finals lead. And, if Bryant, the top individual in the series, wants to keep piling up points, the Celtics might not get too bent out of shape.



"That he's providing points for his team and he's in a rhythm, it's a bit dangerous,'' Boston forward Kevin Garnett said of Bryant's barrage, which included scoring the first 19 points of the third quarter after scoring the final four of the first half. "But for the rhythm of his team, then it works in our favor.''

 

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/14/kobe-cant-carry-lakers-without-help/