NBA CHAMPIONSHIP : LAKERS VS. CELTICS : Give a Game Ball to Mychal Thompson : Laker’s Quick Thinking in Final Seconds Brings a Turnover and a Win

Mychal Thompson had big dreams when he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers nine years ago.

“We had Bill Walton and I thought we’d be in the finals three or four times in Portland,” Thompson said.

But Thompson’s dream turned into a nightmare.

The Blazers never reached the finals with Thompson, and the fans and media blamed Thompson for Portland’s failures.

But Thompson, traded to the Lakers last February, finally got his chance to play in the National Basketball Assn. finals and he didn’t blow it.

Thompson came off the bench to score 16 points and grab 9 rebounds as the Lakers came back to beat the Boston Celtics, 107-106, Tuesday night in Game 4.

“I finally made the big time,” Thompson said. “This was the biggest game I’ve ever been involved in. It’s what everyone who plays pee-wee basketball dreams about.”

Said Laker Coach Pat Riley: “Mychal Thompson did a great job. If we had a game ball, he would get it. He earned his paycheck with this one game.”

Quipped Thompson: “I could use a ball. I need one to play with this summer. If I had known that I earned my paycheck with one game, I would have just played this one and sat out the rest of the games.”

Said Laker center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “Mychal gave us some incredible minutes tonight.”

Thompson made one of the biggest plays of the game as the Lakers rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Celtics and take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

With the Celtics leading, 106-104, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded two free throws after he was fouled by Celtic forward Kevin McHale with eight seconds left.

Kareem made the first shot but missed the second. McHale grabbed the rebound, however, Thompson came from behind to knock the ball out of bounds off McHale’s hands with seven seconds left to give the Lakers a last chance.

McHale and Thompson played together at the University of Minnesota.

“I’m a typical Bahamian. I’m always sneaking up from behind,” Thompson said of the play. “I figured that just in case the captain (Abdul-Jabbar) missed the free throw that I’d try to get my hands on the ball.

“I was really fortunate. I hit it into him (McHale). I put all the strength I had into pushing Kevin. It wasn’t an illegal push.”

Thompson played a key part in the Lakers’ comeback, scoring 10 points in the second half. He also led the team with four rebounds in the final period.

“We weren’t playing our game in the first three quarters,” Thompson said. “But we started scrambling, scrapping and clawing back to get back into it. We were going after them like crazy. We knew they were in trouble. The Celtics are a great team, but they were tired. Even great marathoners get tired once in a while.

“But we can’t get overconfident. Thursday night will be World War II. We haven’t won anything yet. We’ve still got a lot of work left to do. We still have one more game to win, and the Celtics aren’t going to give up.”

After Thompson had given the Lakers new life, Magic Johnson hit a little hook shot in the key with two seconds left to give the Lakers a one-point lead.

“Magic showed why he was the MVP,” Thompson said. “He has the second-best hook in the league next to Kareem. We were just trying to take what was available. We put the ball in Magic’s hands and it turned out to be a great designed play.”

Boston had one final chance to win it, but Larry Bird missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

Thompson, who was checking Celtic guard Dennis Johnson during Boston’s final play, admitted that he thought the Celtics would win.

“I held my breath when Bird shot it. The ball seemed to hang in the air forever,” Thompson said. “I was surprised that he missed.

“I think the leprechaun on the rim must have been asleep.

“It was an incredible game. I think this one belongs in a time capsule.”

Thompson, who replaced A.C. Green in the Laker lineup, also did a good job of playing defense on McHale.

McHale scored 17 points in the first half, but Thompson helped to limit McHale to just 8 points in the second half.

However, Thompson refused to take credit for his defensive job on McHale.

“Kevin is really hurting,” Thompson said. “He won’t make any excuses, but he can’t make his moves.”

However, Celtic Coach K.C. Jones said Thompson did a good job on McHale.

“He (Thompson) was very effective on the boards. I thought he came in right behind Magic in his contribution to the Lakers tonight. I think it was Magic, Thompson and (James) Worthy that won this game for the Lakers tonight.”

Said Thompson: “I could have played a little better. I missed too many free throws.”