Lakers repeat. WooHoo. Kobe now has more rings than Shaq. WooHoo. Ron Artest gets a championship. WooHoo. Phil Jackson’s kids make him another stupid hat (not sure if that’s true). WooHoo. Pau Gasol still hasn’t showered (pretty sure that’s true). WooHoo.

I appreciate dominance in sports. I love dynasties. I love history rekindled. I love game 7’s. I really enjoyed this series. I did. I just hate the Lakers.

I find L.A.’s cast to be almost entirely unlikeable – a foul taste complicated by the guy at the bar last night whose mouth was the lone entity louder than his outfit. You know the fella: Lakers hat tilted slightly off-center; Kobe jersey; 34inch waisted jeans barely clinging to his 32inch frame; black high tops…unlaced; appalled at every call against(the Lakers never committed a foul – just ask him); knows far better than 10-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson how to motivate the team.

Our softball team entered the bar at halftime. By the start of quarter 3, Celtics vs. Lakers had taken on a decidedly more focused tone. It was now Celtics vs. That Guy. Unfortunately for all but That Guy and his annoying chick, who found his display endearing and cheered it on at every opportunity, the Lakers emerged victorious.

Then the real show started. Hands raised, he marched around the bar, composing himself on the pool table, thrusting the “Lakers” lettering of his jersey in the general direction of God only knows who, chanting MVP as Kobe took the trophy, ultimately standing before the TV with both hands over his mouth in an “I can’t believe they won” display of misguided astonishment.

On a completely unrelated note, it’s good to see Jerry Buss back in the spotlight. The Wizard of Oz was such a long time ago.