“Well, it’s done. It wasn’t well done, but it was done. And we did it with perseverance. “ – Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson

“Well, there’s a lot of crying in our locker room, a lot of people who care. I don’t think there was a dry eye. A lot of hugs, a lot of people feeling awful. That’s a good thing, it means everybody cared.” – Celtics Coach Doc Rivers

“I can’t say enough about that Spaniard. That guy is unbelievable and just a hell of a player. We wouldn’t have won it without him.” - Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

In the best game of basketball I’ve ever since in my entire life, the Los Angeles Lakers overcame a 13 point second half deficit to their arch nemesis Boston Celtics in the decisive Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.  After trailing most of the game, the Lakers dug themselves out of their hole and slowly willed their way back into the game.  By midway through the 4th quarter, Lakers fans began to believe that glory days were returning very, very soon.

I was one of the millions of Lakers fans.  I was watching the game at home with my fiance and two of my best friends.  Another friend and die hard Lakers fan was with us via text messages as he was attending a high school graduation for his niece.  I kept him abreast of the score via text messages.

During the entire game, we were all on the edge of our seats, each of us had our stomachs turning and my friends were smoking like chimneys during the commercials.  Flashbacks of the horrible feelings from 2008 loomed overhead and our nervousness was getting the best of us.  And we weren’t even at the Staples Center.  Hell, I think collectively all the entire Lakers faithful, including the Lakers themselves had the same feelings.

But then the ball began to bounce our way.  The Lakers tied the game midway through the fourth with a Derek Fisher 3 pointer.  D. Fish comes through for the Lakers, at the right time, at the biggest moment of the season….AGAIN!  We all jumped up off the couch when Boston called time out and cheered!  We were so loud, our dog started barking at us.

From that point forward, we had the quiet confidence that the tide had turned and a 16th championship banner would be hung at Staples Center.  And after a few scary close calls with desperation 3′s from the Celtics, the game was over.

Final score:  83-79.  Lakers have returned to glory once again!