The 2008 playoffs are over and the result is already determined - the Boston Celtics captured their 17th championship overall at the expense of my Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were overpowered and manhandled by the Boston Celtics in 6 games. The worst game of them was Game 6, where the Lakers got trashed by almost 40 points. It’s sad but the 2008 playoffs also carried good memories. LA got the first seed in one of the tightest and most competitive Western Conference races ever and they breezed through the Western Conference playoffs.

Here’s a rundown of the LA Lakers in the 2008 playoffs…

First round, vs Denver: 4-0 - This series served as the warm-up for the Lakers, as the Nuggets stood no chance versus the Lakers. They couldn’t keep pace with LA as Kobe and Co blazed through the Nuggets. Luke Walton had a very good series, shooting the lights out and doing other good things for the Los Angeles. Carmelo Anthony was quoted saying that his coach (and his team) quit on the playoff series. The Lakers exposed the Nuggets’ lack of defense with great offense and dropping it on the Nuggets. Kobe had a great time with the Nuggets’ defense, exposing it for mismatches and scoring explosions. Most remembered was his 49-point explosion in Game 2.

Second round, vs Utah: 4-2 - The battle of offense vs offense, Gasol and Odom thrived in this series, mainly because of the weakness of the Utah frontline. Kobe was his usual self, averaging a 30-7-7 stat line. Lamar Odom was spectacular this series, so as Gasol. The bench mob struggled in the series, especially Jordan Farmar, who essentially turned into Utah’s sixth man. Lakers clinched the series in 6 after they won the only road game of the series in Utah. Luke Walton was also a struggle, also Vladimir Radmanovic. Derek Fisher was key to the series because he read the Utah offense and defense like a perfect textbook. The Lakers were able to dissect the gameplan of Utah.

Conference Finals, vs San Antonio: 4-1 - The best game of this series is the Game 1 wherein the Lakers came from 20 down in the third quarter to win the game. That clearly set the tone of the series as the Lakers charged through old and slow San Antonio. They [Spurs] were bricking three pointers everywhere and the role players could not find their rhythm, save for Game 3 where they bombed the Lakers all-out. The turning point of the series is the non-call of Steve Javie on Derek Fisher vs Brent Barry, which was the right call, I think, because Barry wasn’t able to sell the call well and he was well far from the basket. Game 5 was the clincher. Kobe burned the Spurs for the Western Conference championship.

The Finals, vs Boston: 2-4 - Lakers clearly got outplayed in this series. The most disappointing game was the Game 4 wherein the Lakers led by 24 at one point only to blow it all and lose to the Celtics. I was stunned and depressed after that game. I just knew that the Lakers were done after that devastating loss. Game 6 didn’t help too as the Lakers got blown out by 39 points. Garnett, Pierce and Allen got their first championship. The Lakers are left with a bright future, the return of Andrew Bynum, and ring-chasers possibly coming to Lakerland. Although they lost this finals, they were the clear underdogs vs the Celtics. This team will be back next year with, hopefully, the title in June.

The offseason: first bunch of rumors - Trevor Ariza has already exercised his player option to play for the Lakers. Sasha Vujacic is expected by the Laker Fans to resign with the Lakers, though some teams like the Spurs are hard on pursuing him. Ronny Turiaf is also expected to be back with the team, although Utah is pursuing him also. The biggest rumors are with Lamar Odom. He’s been linked to trades with small forwards like Ron Artest, Tayshaun Prince and Richard Jefferson. Lamar is quite a conflict for the small forward position when Bynum returns because his jumpshot is a primary suspect and if he doesn’t improve it, he may be a goner before next year’s All-Star break. The most heard-of in the Lamar rumors between the three small forwards is Artest, who is most likely signing with Sacramento, but has been rumored to wanting to go away from Sactown to a championship contending team.

MVP Kobe’s exit interviews were enough to make the Lakerland grin from ear to ear. He was very positive with the prospects of the team and is looking forward for the Olympics and the next season, where the lineup will be complete. He also said that he was proud with the achievement of this relatively young team and he noted that the team still has a lot of maturation to have. That makes the prospects for the next season a whole lot more exciting.

That’s all the updates and the rumors for now and GO LAKERS!!!