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Image number 11938698 date 16 11 2012 Copyright imago Icon Smi 16 November 2012 Guard 24 Kobe Bryant of The Los Angeles Lakers Against The Phoenix Suns during The First Half of The Lakers 114 102 Victory Over The Suns AT The Staples Center in Los Angeles Approx NBA Basketball men USA Nov 16 Suns AT Lakers
Imago
Image number 11938698 date 16 11 2012 Copyright imago Icon Smi 16 November 2012 Guard 24 Kobe Bryant of The Los Angeles Lakers Against The Phoenix Suns during The First Half of The Lakers 114 102 Victory Over The Suns AT The Staples Center in Los Angeles Approx NBA Basketball men USA Nov 16 Suns AT Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers vs the Boston Celtics 2008 Finals series still happens to be one of the greatest finals series played. Not only did the series feature iconic players like Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett playing against each other, but it was an overall blockbuster of a series. From exciting plays to even conspiracy theories, the series had it all! Interestingly, one of the most popular conspiracy theories coming out during the finals involved a broken plane!
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Following a Game 5 win over the Celtics, Doc Rivers and some of the Celtics staff and players accused the Lakers organization of sabotaging their next game.
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers accused of sabotaging the Celtics’ title hopes
The 2008 NBA finals are still fresh in the minds of NBA fans around the world. After all, it was a classic NBA rivalry that delivered up to all expectations. The Celtics beat the Lake Show 4-2 to lift the NBA title. However, it wasn’t an easy win. They had to deal with issues both on and off the court.
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Paul Pierce (R) of the Boston Celtics moves the ball away from Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the Game 3 of the 2008 NBA Finals in Los Angeles, California, June 10, 2008. Bryant scored 36 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held off Boston to defeat the Celtics 87-81, pulling within two games to one in the National Basketball Association Finals. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
One of the major issues they had to deal with was an airplane issue. Following game 5, the two teams were on their way to Boston. While the Lakers plane carrying the likes of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and others had already left, there was a problem with the Celtics’ plane.
“The pilot comes on and says, ‘We have something wrong with the plane, and we can’t take off.’ The Lakers’ two planes took off great. We’re in L.A., and now our two planes aren’t working, and I was going at it”, said former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.
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Moreover, the three-time NBA champion Sam Cassell also elaborated further. Cassell said, “They bring another plane. We got on this plane, This plane is broke!”
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The 16-time NBA champions finally resolved the situation when the pilot revealed that he had a private jet ready for his family and friends.
The Celtics bounced back in brilliant fashion following this controversy
Although all the odds were against the Celtics, they showed real grit and sportsmanship to clinch game 6. This happened to be the decided game as Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and co-lifted the NBA title in fashion.
The game ended 131-92 in favor of the Celtics. Garnett and Allen led the team in scoring with 26 points each. On the other hand, Rajon Rondo also had his fair share of points as he ended the game with 21 points. Kobe Bryant’s 22-point effort wasn’t enough to lead his team beyond the line.
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What is your favorite memory of the 2008 NBA finals? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by
Edited by
Debmallya Chakraborty