The Boston Celtics’ recent NBA title effort not only set a record for the largest margin of victory in a championship game (39 points), but also became the largest single-season improvement in history.

A year ago, the Celtics finished 24-58 and died last in the NBA Eastern Conference. This year they went 66-16, winning the Atlantic Division title and the Eastern Conference title before defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 131-92, in the sixth and final playoff game to win their 17th NBA title. NBA and the first since 1986, erasing a 22-year drought.

It was an incredible beating from the Lakers led by Kobe Bryant. It seemed like all the Celtics threw was after great ball movement, while the Lakers bragged that the “triangle” offense stalled when the Celtics cut their passing lanes. Los Angeles was left with Kobe receiving the ball at half court and trying to singlehandedly create points against 5 Celtics. Kobe was 7 of 22 from the field for 22 points.

“They were definitely the best defense I’ve seen in the entire playoffs,” Kobe said. That Kobe, he’s as smart as a tack.

Kobe had very little help in helping the Lakers win the title and take his place in history as Michael Jordan’s equal. Maybe another year. LA coach Phil Jackson, who had tied Boston’s legendary coach Red Auerbach with 9 NBA titles, will also have to wait another year, assuming he can find some aggressive players on the playing fields of Los Angeles.

Maybe someone like backup James Posey, who came to play for the Celtics and got ugly with the Lakers. It was posey here, posey there, posey everywhere. Drain 3’s. In your Laker face.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge, a member of the last NBA champion team in 1986, made the key moves for the Celtics to take over the title. Ainge picked up Ray Allen (an All-Star and one of the NBA’s purest shooters) from the Seattle Supersonics, and Kevin Garnett (10-time All-Star and 2004 MVP) from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ainge then added forward James Posey, center PJ Brown and guard Sam Cassell. Suddenly, coach Doc Rivers had a hungry team, mainly because All-Stars Paul Pierce, the Celtics’ go-to man, Allen and Garnett had never won an NBA title.

The result in the title game found Garnett with 26 points and 14 boards, Allen scored 26 and Pierce, the Finals MVP, added 17. Guard Rajon Rondo had 21 points, 8 assists, 7 boards and 6 robberies. In short, the Celtics brought a team to the playoffs, and the Lakers brought Kobe.

It must have been pretty sweet for the Celtics, who were pushed to 7 games by both Atlanta and Cleveland before beating Detroit in 6 games to win the Eastern Conference title. And then Kobe and the Lakers came along, and Boston rented a steamroller and whipped up the Lakers who will gloat in Boston until at least the next century.

And so Celtic’s season ends with an NBA title. Kevin Garnett became the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, an All-Defensive First Team selection, and All-NBA First Team Player. Paul Pierce became an All-NBA Third Team player and NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.