NEW YORK // MONDAY, JUNE 30TH 2008 » The USA Basketball Team was in New York today on a media tour promoting the upcoming 2008 World Basketball Olympics. We have an amazing lineup team! Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); TayShaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) are all on USA Basketball Olympians this year. I’ve been waiting for this and I can’t wait til’ it starts! I hope we win it all this year! ESPN is even doing a five-part documentary series called “Road To Redemption presented by NIKE”. The first episode will air Wednesday, July 2 @ 7PM ET on ESPN2. View the trailer now!

Check out more photos after the cut!

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The Boston Celtics deserved the win they conquered last night after playing 6 games against the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s been 22 years since Boston won a a championship and it’ll be the first ring for all of the current players on the Celtics roster and the 17th championship the team has ever won. I’m somewhat proud of the Celtics for beating the Lakers! That’s a huge accomplishment! The Celtics blew the Lakers out of the water in Game 6 with a win by 39 points (131-92). The Celtics lead the series (4-2). MVP of the Finals series came out to be Paul Pierce, who had 17 points, 10 assists and 3 rebounds. Kevin Garnett totaled 26 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Ray Allen scored 26 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Paul Pierce said proudly after the game’s end:

“It means so much more because these are the guys, the Havliceks, the Bill Russells, the Cousys”, said Pierce “These guys started what’s going on with those banners. They don’t hang up any other banners but champitonship ones and now I’m a part of it.”

I’m not especially happy that the Celtics beat my favorite team, but there is always next year. The best team won last night and made history. They are also an all African-American team including the coach! Congratulations Celtics! Until next year … GO LAKERS!

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The Los Angeles Lakers took Game 5 last night against the Boston Celtics. The Lakers won by 5 and are now headed back to Boston (103-98). The series are in Boston’s favor (3-2). Kobe Bryant scored 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Pau Gasol totaled 19 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Lamar Odom put up 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists. The Lakers need to win 3 consecutive games in order to become champs, while on the other hand the Celtics only need one. Kobe Bryant spoke to reporters after Game 5 and he said:

“In training camp if you told us, ‘We’ll give you two games that you have to win to win a world championship,’ we would have taken it in a heartbeat,” Bryant said. “This is a great opportunity for us.”

Game 6 airs Tuesday (June 17) @ 9PM on ABC. Video reactions below.

The Boston Celtics won at the Staples Center against the Los Angeles Lakers last night and took the 3rd game of the series (3-1). I can’t even see how this was possible last night. The Lakers had a 24 point lead and lost it! The Celtics deserved to win last night. To comeback from a 20 point lead playing the Lakers, you definitely need a pat on the back! One of greatest comebacks in history! The Celtics won by 6 (97-91). Ray Allen scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Paul Pierce totaled 20 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Kevin Garnett had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. Paul Pierce trying not get too excited after the 3rd win said last night:

“I don’t want to get overjoyed,” Pierce said. “I want to go out there to try and win Game 5 on Father’s Day and then I’ll be able to breathe. Right now, I’m waiting to exhale.”

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Kobe Bryant lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their first victory against the Boston Celtics in Game 3. The Celtics weren’t happy at all. Did they really think they’ll sweep the Lakers? The Lakers won by 6 (87-81). Boston is still leading the series (2-1). The Lakers proved that they can come home and defend their court the same way the Celtics did in Boston. Kobe Bryant scored a total of 36 points and 7 rebounds. Pau Gasol had 9 points and 12 assists. Sasha Vujacic had to regain some recognition after the loss in Game 2 scoring 20 points and 4 rebounds last night. Kobe knew he had to guide his team last night and give them energy:

“What I tried to do with my teammates is just stay calm,” Kobe said. “It wasn’t the end of the world. They did a great job of defending home court. We knew we had to come here and do the same. They feed off of my confidence and I have all the confidence in the world that we can come here and win.”

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(Photos: Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics wins at home against the Los Angeles Lakers again in Game 2 by 6 (108-102). The Celtics definitely got some luck of the leprechauns and 4-leaf clovers last night. The Celtics are leading the series (2-0)! I expected the Celtics to win at The Garden but never did I think two in a row! The Lakers need to step their game up. I think it’ll definitely be better in Game 3. Paul Pierce totaled 28 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. Kevin Garnett put up 17 points and 14 rebounds. Rajon Rondo contributed 16 assists and 6 rebounds. Pierce responded about the win last night:

“We’re happy because we won, but we definitely learned a lesson,” Pierce said.

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The Boston Celtics played at home last night and cheated their way to a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. If you watched this game you’d know they did too. Uncalled fouls and backcourt violations. The series has just begun though it’s not over. The Celtics are currently leading the series (1-0). The final score of Game 1 was (98-88). Kobe Bryant rocked Paul Pierce in the 2nd half of the game leaving Pierce injured and off the court. He then dramatically returned back to the court. Was it fake? You be the judge. Kevin Garnett totaled 24 points and 13 rebounds. Ray Allen scored 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Paul Pierce had 22 points and 4 rebounds. Paul Pierce responded about his “injury” in Game 1:

“When I came down I thought I felt a pop, I thought I tore it,” Pierce said “When I got in the back I could put some weight on it, I knew needed to be out there for my team.”

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The NBA Finals start tomorrow night and I’m excited to see what’s in store for Game 1. The Boston Celtics will play at home against the Los Angeles Lakers. If you haven’t noticed it’s been a long playoffs for the Celtics and I don’t think that they have what it takes to defeat the Lakers and come out as champions. Although, the Celtics have 3 all stars, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, it’s been rocky for them in the past few games within the playoffs. The Lakers has soared to the top of their game sweeping the Denver Nuggets in the first set of the playoffs! If any team deserve it right now it has to be the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ve really matured and they are now a better team than last year. I can’t wait to tune in to ABC for the NBA Finals

Game 1 airs Thursday (June 5th) @ 9 on ABC.

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