LOS ANGELES — These are not the 2008 Lakers. It has — if possible — a more focused Kobe Bryant, a tougher Pau Gasol and the picture of toughness, Queensbridge’s Ron Artest, as rugged as his old neighborhood.
The Staples Center crowd chanted “Boston [s- – – -]” during portions of last night’s NBA Finals opener. And it was true — the Celtics did stink and the Lakers made them look that way in a 102-89 trouncing of the green brigade in Game 1.
The Lakers’ chances of a title repeat and avenging their 2008 finals loss to Boston took a wild leap in a positive direction in this outclassing.
Bryant, who is playing on a knee that might need surgery after the playoffs and a broken finger, was super sharp and Gasol dominant in atoning for his 2008 dud of a series.
A slashing Bryant finished with 30 points (10 of 22), six assists, and seven rebounds and is in the midst of one of his most impressive playoff runs.
Gasol, pushed around just two years ago by this same frontline, had 23 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks and excited the celebrity-studded crowd. The Lakers owned the boards and had 16 second-chance points to Boston’s zero.
Instead of being a weakness, Gasol dominated, scoring on a putback of his own miss with 4:20 left in the third to underscore his height advantage, putting the Lakers ahead 69-58. The Lakers took a comfy 84-64 lead into the last quarter.
“You see actions, taking blows and not backing down, not reacting to it,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of the difference between Gasol now and then.
Gasol has been called an inspiration by his Spanish countryman Rafael Nadal, who is on the verge of winning his fifth French Open title. Gasol and Nadal are friends and talked yesterday, with Gasol vowing to watch his early-morning semifinal.
Bryant, sitting next to Gasol, said jokingly, “He’s getting his rest.”
The Lakers are looking for their 16th title in their superpower race with Boston, which has 17. If this keeps up, the Lakers will have just one fewer title.
The Celtic offense snoozed much of the night. Rajon Rondo (13 points) never got in the open court and foul-plagued Ray Allen (12 points) never got a rhythm.
Jackson, gunning for his record 11th coaching title, is 47-0 in playoff series in which his team won the first game.
“I wish I felt that way,” he said of the meaningfulness of the streak. “I wish I could put it into the bank.”
Twenty seconds into the series, Artest, who has added physicality to this club that they didn’t have two years ago, and Paul Pierce were grappling inside, with Artest pulling down his Boston rival.
Artest got up looking ready to escalate things but nothing ensued. Each player still received technical fouls, and it was on.
“They were clearly the more physical team,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “They attacked us all night and killed us on the glass (42-31).”
Artest (15 points) is the lone addition to the Lakers’ 2009 title core. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Lakers sealed it when Artest blocked Glen Davis underneath, springing Gasol for a fastbreak dunk and 15-point lead with 6:14 left. Boston called time and Bryant hopped from the bench to hug the former St. John’s stopper.
“It was a big play,” Bryant said. “I think he does a great job setting the tone defensively with his intensity. I was just letting him know it was well appreciated.”
In the second quarter, Gasol took a pass underneath and got clobbered by Kendrick Perkins as he went up for a dunk. Gasol went straight to the foul line undaunted and knocked down both to give the Lakers a 50-39 lead.
“I knew it was going to be physical,” Gasol said. “You have to make sure to match that.”
Boston counterpart Kevin Garnett had a quiet outing with 16 points and failed to gain lift on a blown dunk in the fourth quarter.
With 9:04 left in the third, Allen committed his fourth foul, a push on a driving Bryant. Allen went to the bench and rendered the Celtics’ perimeter game dead.
An Artest jumper with 32 seconds left in the third put the Lakers up by 20 — their biggest lead.
“[Ron] can shoot, penetrate, post,” Bryant said. “A lot of times on this team he goes unnoticed because he have so many skilled players.”
