Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning UPDATE

What has happened to the NBA we came to know and love? The NBA in which two dominant teams, both defending conference champions, would run roughshod over the competition and challenge historic marks for regular season wins on the way to a rematch in the Finals?

I wish no ill will on the Lakers or the Celtics. They are both proud, fine franchises. Both enjoyable teams to watch and cover. But I have to say it is refreshing that normalcy or parity or whatever you want to call it has slowly crept back into the NBA's collective consciousness.

The Celtics, who recently won 19 consecutive games and had people like myself charting their course to a new NBA record (34) and a 70-win season, have lost five of their last seven. Their stunning loss to the Charlotte Bobcats (114-106 in overtime) Tuesday night marked the second time since Christmas that they've lost two straight games. This one was the Knicks and Bobcats. Ugh. Celtics G.M. Danny Ainge was watching the game on his SlingPlayer while scouting D-League games here in Orem, Utah, yesterday. I would hate to have been sitting next to him at the final buzzer.

The Lakers, meanwhile, bid farewell to their 15-game home winning streak Tuesday night with a 116-105 loss to the Hornets. New Orleans and San Antonio are two teams in the West that are starting to gather steam. In the East, Orlando, Atlanta, and Detroit are starting to make some noise. I think that's good. One or two dominant teams are fun to look back on and appreciate, but they're boring to watch. It's much better this way.

UPDATE: InsideHoops.com has a game-by-game breakdown of the Celtics' slump that's worth reading.

GregMadduxfan Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 17, 2007	Posted on: January 7, 2009 2:14 pm Score: 89 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning Gotta agree with you. America's favorite sport? Football. Basketball at one point had four teams (Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, L.A.) win championships in 13 years. Add in Detroit and you have Five teams cover 20 years before the Heat won. But Celtics put us right back. Observe: Only six teams won the NBA championship in 21 seasons. I like dynasties, too. But it's fun to let everyone have a shot. '85, '87,'88, '00, '01, '02 = Lakers '84, '86, '08 = Celtics '91, '92, '93, '96, '97, '98 = Bulls '99, '03, '05, '07 = Spurs '94, '95 = Rockets '89, '90, '04 = Detroit [ Reply to Comment ]
DJTank Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Dec 30, 2008	Posted on: January 7, 2009 2:51 pm Score: 24 This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator
Huyho924 Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 25, 2007	Posted on: January 7, 2009 3:14 pm Score: 85 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning Tim Donaghy... [ Reply to Comment ]
Renoir77 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: May 29, 2008	Posted on: January 7, 2009 3:20 pm Score: 95 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning I would hate to have been sitting next to him at the final buzzer.Uh, Ken, he would've known before the final buzzer. [ Reply to Comment ]
jothebartender Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 27, 2008	Posted on: January 7, 2009 3:21 pm Score: 23 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning DON`T FORGET THE HEAT UNDER PAT RILEY... i see where burger is coming from..everyone panics and throws in the towel after a few losses. the nba`s current elite teams are classy run franchises. and as history is always a great measuring stick its easy to see that top brass keep it that way for their respective teams for a long time... the current elites {boston, lakers, spurs, detroit, } are shining examples..all doing things a bit differently in the front office through trades, players development or what haVe you, but all very strategic in their long term battle plans... 16 teams enter the post season and every year the the franchise that seems to battle their way through the "best of" series is usually a team with an amazing front office an gm with an exceptional basketball mind...... [ Reply to Comment ]
mink_slayer Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 29, 2008	Posted on: January 7, 2009 4:29 pm Score: 78 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning UPDATE I think since the celts won the championship last year, they shoulda been home for the christmas day game AT LEAST. not to mention the teams the celts have been losing to have, for the most part, been shooting lights out. [ Reply to Comment ]
mrsportsinfo Reputation: 53 Level: Pro Since: Dec 1, 2008	Posted on: January 7, 2009 4:52 pm Score: 52 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning UPDATE I agree, two really good teams are cool for the finals, but no fun during the LONG regular season. [ Reply to Comment ]
eastwood414 Reputation: 51 Level: Pro Since: Aug 14, 2007	Posted on: January 7, 2009 5:04 pm Score: 48 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning UPDATE '06 = Miami 7 teams, still a very low number [ Reply to Comment ]
Sullystyle Reputation: 75 Level: Pro Since: Dec 11, 2006	Posted on: January 7, 2009 5:09 pm Score: 79 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning UPDATE Its should be no surprise to see the C's and Lakers drop a few game here and there just due to the fact that they where that last two teams standing last season. i am still shocked that the c's had such a good start considering that most teams that win rings struggle a little out the gate the following year. Please everyone keep in mind that unlike last year most teams that face the C's or Lakers have those scheduled games circled with a big red marker. Who isn't going to bring there A game to beat the defending champs or runner up's. I still feel that the C's are the team to beat and now that the almighty monkey is off there back the second half of the season will be business as usual. As for the Pistions,Heat,magic and Cav's why wouldn't they be better this year? They are all going to be int he playoff's but who is going to take over the hill? [ Reply to Comment ]
mikethebomb415 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 3, 2008	Posted on: January 7, 2009 8:01 pm Score: 84 Celtics, Lakers lose; world stops spinning UPDATE amazing point gregmadduxfan, great point [ Reply to Comment ]

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