Just before the NBA Finals began, a panel of six so-called pro basketball experts appeared together on a cable network to discuss the upcoming series between Boston and Los Angeles. At the end of the discussion, each panel member was asked to predict the winner in the best of seven set. All six selected the Lakers.

As it turned out, the Celtics embarrassed the Western Conference champions. The Lakers squanded a 20-point lead they built in the middle of the third quarter in game 4, and lost at home. Then in game 6 at Boston, in a must-win situation, the Lakers were humiliated by 39 points.

One fact is undeniable. The best team won. The Celtics had the better defense. They did an excellent job of denying Kobe Bryant his path to the basket, Boston was also more physical, and better at rebounding. Mo Rivers’ bench did more than Phil Jackson’s.

Boston played a record 26 playoff games this season. The maximum would be 28. In the post-season this year, the Celtics went 16 and 10 and won their first crown since 1986.

Here’s the most staggering fact of all. A year ago, the Celtics had a record of 24 and 58, the second worst in the NBA. Their regular season mark in 2007-2008 was 66 and 16.

Think of that ! A 42-game improvement. Another extraordinary example in Sports of “You never know.”