Michael Silver is one such Lakers fan. Dressed in a short sleeve shirt and shorts, Silver, who is from Southern California, said that Game 7 was intense. “Your stomach is in knots [during the game],” Silver said.
The Lakers had last lost in the NBA Finals to the Celtics back in 2008. This was a chance for the Lakers to get revenge. Revenge is exactly what they got, as they took the series from the Celtics in seven games.
But it was Game 7 that was truly special. Metta World Peace, then known as Ron Artest, hit a three point jump shot to put the Lakers up six points with one minute to go. That shot sealed the game as the Lakers were able to hold on and win.
Silver remembers World Peace’s three pointer. “The last shot was huge,” said Silver. The game was especially huge for the Lakers who, winning the game 83-79, captured their 16th NBA Championship.
Interview Transcript:
David Britt: Pick a moment in sports that was special to you. What happened that made it special?
Michael Silver: The Lakers beating the Celtics in 2010, getting the redemption from losing the previous year, two years before that.
DB: The 2008 NBA Finals.
MS: Yeah, we got torched by them Game 6 on their court and then we won Game 7 on our court, just to solidify that.
DB: So on a side note, since Metta World Peace has been amnestied didn’t he have that clutch shot in Game 7 that clinched the series over the Celtics?
MS: It was a clutch game, but of course the last shot was huge and you know it is a business and they are doing what they have to do to make cap space for the next season. But yeah it was hard to hear the news when they cut him today.
DB: He’s a funny guy.
MS: He’s hilarious, check him out on Twitter.
DB: So what was it like when you were watching that game, just the emotion…you said the Lakers are your favorite team right, that your favorite team is close to beating their biggest rival in the championship of the league. What was it like watching that?
MS: It was intense, your stomach is in knots. It was in Game 7 no less. You can win a series in 4, 5 or 6 games but to take it to the last final game on their home court, the expectations, the balloons, and the rafters waiting to be dropped you know the pressure is just building and you know hanging out with friends and family in Southern California where I’m from, everyone has the expectation that you’re going to win. That’s the Lakers motto, you know, championship or bust.
DB: Now how did you feel watching that game, as the game progressed and it got closer and closer to the end, how did you feel as the game was about to end?
MS: I feel nauseous but I was probably a little bit drunk, not going to lie, and I just kept drinking to keep my emotions check and when they won obviously I felt elated and just great.
DB: So what was your ultimate reaction? Did you do anything? What was your reaction when the Lakers had just won the championship?
MS: Probably screamed like a girl for a minute. Hug some friends and family that I was hanging out with and probably cracked another beer and just cheered.
DB: Now what effect did that championship have on you as a fan?
MS: You know it solidified Kobe’s character and his legacy. He had five championships, one more than Shaq, and it just built the camaraderie for the core team that they had, which they’re trying to bring some of those players back, but that’s another story. But yeah, it made you feel like okay this team is who you have been rooting for your whole life and they just reached the pinnacle once again, and like you mentioned, against their rivals. It was the best feeling you could have.
DB: Now what, if anything, could top that moment?
MS: The Giants beating the Cowboys to make the Super Bowl. That would just be on a side note because I know you’re a Cowboys fan but switching sports…winning the Super Bowl, arguably the biggest sporting event in the world and watching that alone is entertainment value by itself. But seeing your team participate in it and win the championship, that’s got to be the best.
DB: Now, you said that there were people with you watching that Lakers-Celtics game.
MS: Yeah
DB: Do you remember how many people were there and what their reaction was during the game? Were they Lakers fans, were some of them Celtics fans?
MS: Uh, there was probably about 10-15 of us, we were hanging out at my parents house and we’re down stairs watching on the big screen and it was definitely all Lakers fans, if you were a Celtics fan you were not invited. Sorry, that’s just how it is. Look if you’re in Southern California, you’re not a Celtics fan for the most part anyway, not that I am friends with. So it was all purple and gold fans at the house and it was great.
DB: So how did they react when the game was over?
MS: Oh you’re going crazy, what else can you expect? That’s what you’re hoping for. Imagine the opposite, what if they lost? You’re crushed, you’re devastated. So you are just excited that you won and it was against the rivals so it added up to a great accomplishment.
DB: Now how special was it for you having your friends and family, who were Lakers fans, there with you watching that championship game? Watching that finish?
MS: Oh it made it better. If you are sitting there by yourself, sure it’s fun but you want to share that experience with everyone that is with you and obviously you go through the highs and lows of season and obviously having your friends and family with you makes it that more special when you’re rooting for the same team.
DB: All right then Michael, well thank you for your time.
MS: No problem, thanks for the interview.
Audio of the interview can be found here
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