Merry Christmas everyone. Blessings on the day. Especially you Tiny Tim.
RealGM has about 50 basketball discussion boards, but judging by the amount of times the following subjects come up, they could use a few more. Here's some suggestions:
1) The Tommy Board
Yes we know. You hate Tommy. You say he's a homer and that he's the worst announcer in the game. Yet you keep tuning in. Do you turn the sound down and play Vivaldi? No, you just keep listening then get on the internet and gripe about it.
Tough tinsel, Tommy whiners. He was a great player, a brilliant coach, and still knows way more about this game than anyone in your struggling franchise. We love him and he's not going anywhere.
(This would be the most frequented board on that entire website.)
2) The Paul Pierce Fakes Injuries Board
All I have to say is: What pray tell did he gain from this Machiaveliian ploy ?
3) The Paul Pierce Was Nothing Before KG and Ray Allen Arrived Board
This is the first of many discussion groups dedicated to saying each of the Celtics are really not very good because they never won a championship before last year. So if you bring up Paul Pierce, he isn't very good...
4) The Garnett Was Nothing Before Joining Pierce and Ray Allen Board
...they also say Garnett is really not that great because he also never won a title with bad teammates. (Who in the name of James Naismath ever has?)
So every time a Celtics player is discussed, each according to these self proclaimed experts is really not good. Their past proves it.
How come then, basketball-back-of-the-classers, are the Celtics playing like one of the all time great teams if each of their players is so untalented?
5) The Doc Rivers Was A Terrible Coach Before He Got Great Players Board
This is always from the very same people who say Pierce, Allen, and Garnett are all no good when the topic is solely about them.
Doc is coaching the same way he always has. Of course he couldn't win with Allan Ray and Gerald Green starting!
Earth to whiners, name me a a Phil Jackson team filled with bad players? How would he do if he didn't parachute in to a stacked roster?
6) The I Really Used To Like Kevin Garnett But Now I Hate Him Board
Garnett hasn't changed one bit. You used to like him because he used to lose. You hate him because now he's burying your favorite team (and loving every minute of it).
7) The I Hate Every Player On The Celtics Aside From Ray Allen (Except in LA where they hate Ray Allen too) Board
You hate the Celtics? Like we care.
8) The Perkins Is A Scrub Board
A "scrub" to these nice folks is apparently someone who has not made the all star game.
A guy who plays to his strengths, makes few mistakes, shoots a high percentage, controls the middle, is a great teammate and a furiously hard worker is no scrub!
9) The Rondo Is A Scrub Board
Heh heh. Heh heh heh. Ha. Ha ha ha. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHA HA!!!! ...sniffle.
Seriously stop. Of all the dumb dumbness out there, I think this is the absolute dumbest.
10) The Celtics Are Not Going To Win The Title Again Board.
Yes they are.
(Merry Christmas to all you visiting Celtic loathers too. May all your nonbasketball wishes come true.)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
10 Sunday things
1) First Round Opponent
In the first round of the playoffs it's very clear that the Celtics will face either: Detroit, Miami, New Jersey, Chicago, New York, Toronto, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, or Indiana.
2) Mutombo
He's coming here. it makes too much sense for him not to. He will win a title here. His renowned charity work would burgeon in Boston. (The only other destination that makes any sense at all is San Antonio.)
3) When Dikembe Arrives
Probably Cassell will just move to offical assistant coach status from his current unoffical assistant coach position.
4) When Dikembe Arrives #2
It won't bury Big Baby. Somehow, some way, Baby will still play. He's got a great attitude. He's young. Cripes, he's just a kid. Wait until he fills out.
5) Utah
Next stop Jazz. (Utah ...Jazz... that still gets me. What an oxymoron.) Is Deron Williams still hobbled? He gave Rondo fits last year, but if he's not healthy and thriving the Wasatch StanGetz's will be going down!
6) Utah #2
Remember last year the Jazz walloped the Celtics in Boston? I think they were the only West team to win in ye olde TD Bankitybank Center last season. The Celtics surely recall this and will parcel out some vengeance tomorrow night.
7) Cavs
They're good. They're very good. But they're not as magnificent as your Hollingery types are leading you to believe. They are 3-3 vs. top teams. That's .500 and not so impressive.
8) Atlanta
Speaking of the Cavs, they just lost to the Hawks. The Atlanta game on Wednesday scares me a little bit. If the Celtics can win down in GA they have an excellent chance of setting both an all-time franchise winning streak and a new mark for best start to a season by anyone ever.
9) Comcast
How come Cousy isn't welcome any more but nonCeltic Donny Marshall is? Donny's decent. There's nothing wrong with him. He works hard at the job.
The only thing that bothers me is this: Donny if you're listening I don't care about any of the following things: shoes, neckties, shirts, suits, golf and UCONN. I care about the Celtics.
10) Posey
That sneaky SOB! Man was he great to watch. He was grabbing, tugging, slapping and hounding on every play and getting away with it. What a smart devious veteran... and I say that with the utmost love and respect.
Bonus thing)
Antoine? Noooooohhhhhhhh!!!! Bill Walker fills the Walker quota for this franchise.
In the first round of the playoffs it's very clear that the Celtics will face either: Detroit, Miami, New Jersey, Chicago, New York, Toronto, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, or Indiana.
2) Mutombo
He's coming here. it makes too much sense for him not to. He will win a title here. His renowned charity work would burgeon in Boston. (The only other destination that makes any sense at all is San Antonio.)
3) When Dikembe Arrives
Probably Cassell will just move to offical assistant coach status from his current unoffical assistant coach position.
4) When Dikembe Arrives #2
It won't bury Big Baby. Somehow, some way, Baby will still play. He's got a great attitude. He's young. Cripes, he's just a kid. Wait until he fills out.
5) Utah
Next stop Jazz. (Utah ...Jazz... that still gets me. What an oxymoron.) Is Deron Williams still hobbled? He gave Rondo fits last year, but if he's not healthy and thriving the Wasatch StanGetz's will be going down!
6) Utah #2
Remember last year the Jazz walloped the Celtics in Boston? I think they were the only West team to win in ye olde TD Bankitybank Center last season. The Celtics surely recall this and will parcel out some vengeance tomorrow night.
7) Cavs
They're good. They're very good. But they're not as magnificent as your Hollingery types are leading you to believe. They are 3-3 vs. top teams. That's .500 and not so impressive.
8) Atlanta
Speaking of the Cavs, they just lost to the Hawks. The Atlanta game on Wednesday scares me a little bit. If the Celtics can win down in GA they have an excellent chance of setting both an all-time franchise winning streak and a new mark for best start to a season by anyone ever.
9) Comcast
How come Cousy isn't welcome any more but nonCeltic Donny Marshall is? Donny's decent. There's nothing wrong with him. He works hard at the job.
The only thing that bothers me is this: Donny if you're listening I don't care about any of the following things: shoes, neckties, shirts, suits, golf and UCONN. I care about the Celtics.
10) Posey
That sneaky SOB! Man was he great to watch. He was grabbing, tugging, slapping and hounding on every play and getting away with it. What a smart devious veteran... and I say that with the utmost love and respect.
Bonus thing)
Antoine? Noooooohhhhhhhh!!!! Bill Walker fills the Walker quota for this franchise.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
10 quick things
1) Ubuntu
How do you say, "The bench sucks," in Swahili? I mean they don't (at all) but after the KG/Baby incident I'm just asking.
2) Rondo
I confess. On RealGM, I've been Rondobaiting. Is that immoral? It sort of sounds like it is.
I've been going to other boards and politely telling them Rondo's better than their guy. I know it's wrong, but Lord help me, I can't stop.
3) To the people who made fun of Mr. Davis:
I wrote this elsewhere (I'm trying to get up to 10 things quickly because I've got to go to work.):
"Yeah, real men don't show emotion! Real men go on RealGM and whine incessantly about the refs and Kevin Garnett's personality...
(That's why they call it "Real"GM.)"
4) Vecsey
Great line from Peter Vecsey in today's NY Post:
"AFTER visiting the Jose Conseco Fieldhouse tomorrow, the 19-2 Celtics invade our nation's capital Thursday. Given the way they're playing, David Stern has canceled the remainder of the season, called off the playoffs and ordered them to go straight to the White House."
5) Giddens and Walker:
Are playing better in the D-league than Gabe Pruitt ever did. Bill Walker could be contributing to the big squad now if there were adequate minutes for him.
6) Techs
I just read in the papers today that the Celtics lead the league by far in technical fouls. So let me ask you this whiny fans of other teams: If the refs are favoring the Celtics how come they keep T-ing the green guys up?
If anything the refs are mad at the Celtics.
7) Evening Out
Ray's improved because of health and Rondo. Rondo's improved dramatically. Perkins has improved. Garnett and Pierce have gotten some of the load taken off their shoulders. This is a five pronged trouble machine for other teams. The Celtics are really formidable now- even moreso than last year.
8) Big 4
Who's been not only the best point guard in the East but the best player on the Celtics the past few weeks? It's Rondo! Rondo has actually been more important to this team recently than Garnett, Pierce or Allen!!
If he maintains or improves on this level of play, it's the Quality Quartet, the Terrifying Tetrad, yes... The BIG FOUR.
9) O'Bryant
I'm very very patient in making judgements about young big men, but Patrick's not giving me anything to be positive about yet. I'm not giving up hope, but I'm looking for a reason here.
10) Streak
11 in a row. It must be frustrating for Cleveland and LA to win 9 out of 10 and lose ground.
How do you say, "The bench sucks," in Swahili? I mean they don't (at all) but after the KG/Baby incident I'm just asking.
2) Rondo
I confess. On RealGM, I've been Rondobaiting. Is that immoral? It sort of sounds like it is.
I've been going to other boards and politely telling them Rondo's better than their guy. I know it's wrong, but Lord help me, I can't stop.
3) To the people who made fun of Mr. Davis:
I wrote this elsewhere (I'm trying to get up to 10 things quickly because I've got to go to work.):
"Yeah, real men don't show emotion! Real men go on RealGM and whine incessantly about the refs and Kevin Garnett's personality...
(That's why they call it "Real"GM.)"
4) Vecsey
Great line from Peter Vecsey in today's NY Post:
"AFTER visiting the Jose Conseco Fieldhouse tomorrow, the 19-2 Celtics invade our nation's capital Thursday. Given the way they're playing, David Stern has canceled the remainder of the season, called off the playoffs and ordered them to go straight to the White House."
5) Giddens and Walker:
Are playing better in the D-league than Gabe Pruitt ever did. Bill Walker could be contributing to the big squad now if there were adequate minutes for him.
6) Techs
I just read in the papers today that the Celtics lead the league by far in technical fouls. So let me ask you this whiny fans of other teams: If the refs are favoring the Celtics how come they keep T-ing the green guys up?
If anything the refs are mad at the Celtics.
7) Evening Out
Ray's improved because of health and Rondo. Rondo's improved dramatically. Perkins has improved. Garnett and Pierce have gotten some of the load taken off their shoulders. This is a five pronged trouble machine for other teams. The Celtics are really formidable now- even moreso than last year.
8) Big 4
Who's been not only the best point guard in the East but the best player on the Celtics the past few weeks? It's Rondo! Rondo has actually been more important to this team recently than Garnett, Pierce or Allen!!
If he maintains or improves on this level of play, it's the Quality Quartet, the Terrifying Tetrad, yes... The BIG FOUR.
9) O'Bryant
I'm very very patient in making judgements about young big men, but Patrick's not giving me anything to be positive about yet. I'm not giving up hope, but I'm looking for a reason here.
10) Streak
11 in a row. It must be frustrating for Cleveland and LA to win 9 out of 10 and lose ground.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
10 things after 9 straight
1) Pause to Reflect
Are you a little worried about the back up center spot, or back up point, or allocation of minutes to some young guy who you just know would help the team? You think Garnett should be shooting more? You wonder about Rondo's free throw shooting?
Stop. Give it up. Quit worrying. This, right now, is as good as it gets. This as good as you will ever have it.
The Boston Celtics are on a 9 game winning streak. They are defending champions. They are 17-2 and visibly gaining momentum.
You'll never have a more comfortable hoops moment than now. Please pause to enjoy it.
2) Rondo
He of the gargantuan hands has taken a LEAP. He has become an elite passing point guard. You can combine that with his lofty FG%, position leading blocks, numerous steals, shutdown D, mesmerizing speed, and defense shredding driving ability.
For the legion of nonCeltic affiliated Rondo-doubters out there all I have to say is this: If Rajon Rondo was on a mediocre team where he had to shoot a lot instead of on a GREAT team where he wisely makes his teammates better, he'd be scoring 20 a game.
3) Tommy Bashers
Fans of other teams: You don't like Tommy? We don't care. He's our guy. We love the Celtics and Tommy IS the Celtics. I've said this before: If you're hearing Tommy somewhere else in the country you're eavesdropping. The broadcast isn't meant for you!
You criticize him because he's a homer? Well, being a homer is okay with me. Tommy Heinsohn is a homer in the splendid tradition of the great Johnny Most. He's a regional treasure...
4) Refs
...and he gets to complain about the refs. Why? Because of legal precendent from his ref-warring days when he was the best coach in the game. The rest of you- I'm talking to you fans of other teams: When the Celtics kick your favorite franchise's posterior back to the D-league, it's because the Green is BETTER than your squad...
That's it. David Stern didn't do it. The refs certainly didn't do it. Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Rondo, Perkins and the Celtics bench did it.
5) Other Coaches.
And another thing for you opposing fans: Get off your coach's back. What's Sam Mitchell supposed to do with the talent he has and Jermaine O'Neal hobbled? How about Mo Cheeks getting a lumbering Elton Brand to squeeze in with his non-shooting racehorses? Or Don Nelson with his best players injured, young, or gone?
I'll tell you: They're gonna lose some games, maybe a lot of games. These guys are good coaches but just like Doc Rivers when he didn't have the players, they are not going to win big.
6) Summary To This Point For Fans Of Other Teams
Quit complaining about the following: Tommy, refs, David Stern, your own coach, losing to a team with three hall of famers, and quit underestimating Rondo. Please retain some dignity.
7) Great Starts
The Celtics, Cavs and Lakers are off to really impressive starts. But do not discount the emergence of other teams by playoff time. If anyone thinks the Spurs (when healthy) can't play with the best in the game they have short memories and have forgotten San Antonio's every-other-year thing.
8) Devin Harris
Whoa! It's very impressive what the young man is doing. Dallas must be sick over this. Fortunately for Boston, Rondo matches up very well with Harris.
9) Spring Roster
Is the current roster the playoff roster? Last year at this time therre was no PJ Brown. There are rumors the Celtics might pick a player up by midseason: Horry (huh?) Marbury (double huh?) Joe Smith, or maybe even PJ Brown himself.
10) Sam
As far as that goes, Sam Cassell seems very comfortable with his quasi-assistant coach role. He doesn't appear to care about minutes, or even giving up his uniform to bring in someone else. But he got two techs and an ejection last night! I wonder what he said from the bench.
I can see why they kept him around. He's smart and a great team guy.
Are you a little worried about the back up center spot, or back up point, or allocation of minutes to some young guy who you just know would help the team? You think Garnett should be shooting more? You wonder about Rondo's free throw shooting?
Stop. Give it up. Quit worrying. This, right now, is as good as it gets. This as good as you will ever have it.
The Boston Celtics are on a 9 game winning streak. They are defending champions. They are 17-2 and visibly gaining momentum.
You'll never have a more comfortable hoops moment than now. Please pause to enjoy it.
2) Rondo
He of the gargantuan hands has taken a LEAP. He has become an elite passing point guard. You can combine that with his lofty FG%, position leading blocks, numerous steals, shutdown D, mesmerizing speed, and defense shredding driving ability.
For the legion of nonCeltic affiliated Rondo-doubters out there all I have to say is this: If Rajon Rondo was on a mediocre team where he had to shoot a lot instead of on a GREAT team where he wisely makes his teammates better, he'd be scoring 20 a game.
3) Tommy Bashers
Fans of other teams: You don't like Tommy? We don't care. He's our guy. We love the Celtics and Tommy IS the Celtics. I've said this before: If you're hearing Tommy somewhere else in the country you're eavesdropping. The broadcast isn't meant for you!
You criticize him because he's a homer? Well, being a homer is okay with me. Tommy Heinsohn is a homer in the splendid tradition of the great Johnny Most. He's a regional treasure...
4) Refs
...and he gets to complain about the refs. Why? Because of legal precendent from his ref-warring days when he was the best coach in the game. The rest of you- I'm talking to you fans of other teams: When the Celtics kick your favorite franchise's posterior back to the D-league, it's because the Green is BETTER than your squad...
That's it. David Stern didn't do it. The refs certainly didn't do it. Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Rondo, Perkins and the Celtics bench did it.
5) Other Coaches.
And another thing for you opposing fans: Get off your coach's back. What's Sam Mitchell supposed to do with the talent he has and Jermaine O'Neal hobbled? How about Mo Cheeks getting a lumbering Elton Brand to squeeze in with his non-shooting racehorses? Or Don Nelson with his best players injured, young, or gone?
I'll tell you: They're gonna lose some games, maybe a lot of games. These guys are good coaches but just like Doc Rivers when he didn't have the players, they are not going to win big.
6) Summary To This Point For Fans Of Other Teams
Quit complaining about the following: Tommy, refs, David Stern, your own coach, losing to a team with three hall of famers, and quit underestimating Rondo. Please retain some dignity.
7) Great Starts
The Celtics, Cavs and Lakers are off to really impressive starts. But do not discount the emergence of other teams by playoff time. If anyone thinks the Spurs (when healthy) can't play with the best in the game they have short memories and have forgotten San Antonio's every-other-year thing.
8) Devin Harris
Whoa! It's very impressive what the young man is doing. Dallas must be sick over this. Fortunately for Boston, Rondo matches up very well with Harris.
9) Spring Roster
Is the current roster the playoff roster? Last year at this time therre was no PJ Brown. There are rumors the Celtics might pick a player up by midseason: Horry (huh?) Marbury (double huh?) Joe Smith, or maybe even PJ Brown himself.
10) Sam
As far as that goes, Sam Cassell seems very comfortable with his quasi-assistant coach role. He doesn't appear to care about minutes, or even giving up his uniform to bring in someone else. But he got two techs and an ejection last night! I wonder what he said from the bench.
I can see why they kept him around. He's smart and a great team guy.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
10 Things: Champions
1) At Last
What an amazing turnaround. What a season. What a story.
After 22 years the skies have cleared and the sun shines through. In the heavens above the stars are once again in proper alignment. It's been rags to riches and worst to first. It's the type of tale that Hollywood could make into an all-time epic film... that is if Hollywood wasn't so busy licking their wounds from getting steamrolled by the incredible resurgence of the Boston Celtics.
Without reason the Lakers came into the Finals as presumptive favorites. That did not hold. The Western Conference representatives were drowned in a great green tidal wave. In the end it was the Celtics easiest series of the playoffs. This was a thunder clap announcing the return of the Boston Celtics to the place where they once regularly resided- once again on top of the world. Once again champions.
2) The Finals
The Finals themselves were thrilling. Every Celtic win brought with it a very special storyline:
Win #1: The image of Paul Pierce in a wheelchair. The series seemed like it was over before it really even began. The sound bite of Doc in the huddle rallying his players, saying we're the better team, we don't stop playing. Then unexpectedly Pierce bounded out of the tunnel. The crowd erupted like a volcano. You could see Banner 17 in the distance.
Win #2: Leon Powe rebounding, scoring, and just bullying the weaker Laker frontline. LA only added to the drama with a furious 4th quarter comeback. But it fell short. Banner 17 moved closer.
Win #3: After a grinding loss in Los Angeles, the Celtics came out flat while the Lakers blazed. Boston fell 24 points back. It seemed sure that the series would be tied. But Doc Rivers and his players stayed positive and mounted the greatest comeback in Finals history. Essentially the title was decided right there.
Win #4: Adding to their record setting season, Boston just shattered their opponents in the greatest blowout ever in a deciding game.
One or two of those tales would have made for a normal finals. Four makes it an instant legend that will be remembered forever.
3) Doc
In the last few days some stories have come out about Doc Rivers and the little things he's done to motivate his team through the season: You might have watched the Duck Boat parade Thursday. Well apparently early on, Doc rented a Duck boat and took Pierce, Allen and Garnett for a ride, telling them this is what they do for you after you win a title in Boston.
The championship banners you see in the Boston Garden are duplicates. The real ones hang in the Celtics practice facility. Apparently there was an empty space among those banners. Doc Rivers had a spotlight mounted to highlight that void. Then he had the light taped so no one could turn it off and said the light would remain on until a new banner hung there. Day after day, month after month, the light shone on the empty space. Now the banner has been won. The light can be turned off.
Early in preseason Doc introduced the word "ubuntu" to his players. In short: All for one and one for all. They took it to heart. Every man blended into the team.
Doc wouldn't touch the trophy until the Celtics won it.
All these little things added up and ultimately paid off.
(By the way, how much do you think Doc could get for the Gatorade shirt on Ebay?)
4) Regular Season
I've heard more than a few people say regular season games don't mean anything (most of that was from fans of the opposing team trying to convince themselves they could beat the Celtics in the postseason). As it turned out regular season games meant everything, especially in the early rounds of the playoffs.
Here are a few of my favorite regular season moments. They needed every one to earn what turned out to be a precious home court advantage:
Ray Allen's buzzer beater in Toronto, and his even more incredible buzzer beater after a steal in Charlotte.
Rondo dunking over Maxiell in the third regular season Detroit game.
Sweeping the first west coast trip.
Taking the Texas triangle.
Beating San Antonio and Dallas without Kevin Garnett.
But my favorite regular season moment of all was the second Detroit game when Big Baby on the court with seven all stars, took over the game. That knocked the Pistons back. Never again was Boston threatened for best overall record.
5) Never Been Done (or almost never)
24 wins to 66.
Adding players like PJ Brown and Sam Cassell so late in the season and blending them in.
Not having a fixed rotation. This one I love. Everyone has always said you need a fixed rotation, but it was a myth. The Celtics never had one. They really only had six guys -the starters and Posey- who had fixed roles. The rest of the roster was utterly fluid. Doc always said all 12 of his guys could play and all 12 of his guys were always ready, and -hey- he meant it. Guys sat for a week or two, even in the playoffs, then would bounce up rust-free and make a huge shot or grab a crucial rebound.
This alone was an eye opener.
Small ball. Criticized at every turn, a small ball lineup prevailed in the 24 point comeback.
6) Danny
Danny Ainge- unfairly maligned as one of the worst execs in the game for so long, orchestrated this turnaround and this championship. The funny thing is, much of the national media and basketball viewing public still can't see how he did it. They still say he was no good until this past year, not understanding he was slowly and methodically accumulating assets, positioning himself to take advantage of any opportunity that would arise.
And whoa, how he took advantage. In moves that were first bewildering and then quickly breathtaking, Ainge acquired two perfect-fit all stars, followed by just the right role players. The Celtics were transformed from lottery losers to contenders in a matter of weeks.
7) Ownership
Wyc Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca and the rest of the ownership group were smart, patient, and above all committed. They did what owners have to do: let the basketball guys run the show and fork over the dough. All I can say is thank you. Or actually, THANK YOU! Terrific job.
(You can go out there and proudly tell fans of other franchises: Our rich guys are better than your rich guys.)
8) 22 Years
So long in the wilderness. So much bad luck. So many bad decisions. So much tragedy. We lived in a darkened world as Darren Daye turned to Travis Knight. Larry, Kevin, and Robert retired. Reggie died. Gaston, Pitino and Wallace tried to devour the last of our pride. The team could gain no traction. Tanking proved fruitless as ping pong balls bounced the wrong way. There were small teams, slow teams, young teams, but never great teams.
Until now. Now that's all behind us. The Green is back on top.
9) Legends
In the Finals in Boston when we scanned the sidelines there were virtually no entertainment stars. Real stars were shown: Bill Russell returned and picked up Red Auerbach's mantle as patriarch of the franchise. Of course Tommy was there, and Jo Jo and Hondo and Walton and Max and more. Out there somewhere Cousy was watching, and I'm sure Bird, McHale, Parish, Cowens, Silas, Sam, KC and so many others were too. The living history of the Boston Celtics saw the rebirth; they saw the great and glorious green flame rekindled.
10) Banner 17
I write this last segment with moist eyes. We have all waited so long. The young ones among us have never felt this before. The Boston Celtics are back. They are champions once again.
Next year hungry teams like Los Angeles, Portland, New Orleans, Orlando and Utah will want the title. So will San Antonio, Cleveland, and Detroit. I say to them, you want the title? You know where it is. If you think you can take it, come and try.
The NBA Championship is in Boston, where it belongs.
What an amazing turnaround. What a season. What a story.
After 22 years the skies have cleared and the sun shines through. In the heavens above the stars are once again in proper alignment. It's been rags to riches and worst to first. It's the type of tale that Hollywood could make into an all-time epic film... that is if Hollywood wasn't so busy licking their wounds from getting steamrolled by the incredible resurgence of the Boston Celtics.
Without reason the Lakers came into the Finals as presumptive favorites. That did not hold. The Western Conference representatives were drowned in a great green tidal wave. In the end it was the Celtics easiest series of the playoffs. This was a thunder clap announcing the return of the Boston Celtics to the place where they once regularly resided- once again on top of the world. Once again champions.
2) The Finals
The Finals themselves were thrilling. Every Celtic win brought with it a very special storyline:
Win #1: The image of Paul Pierce in a wheelchair. The series seemed like it was over before it really even began. The sound bite of Doc in the huddle rallying his players, saying we're the better team, we don't stop playing. Then unexpectedly Pierce bounded out of the tunnel. The crowd erupted like a volcano. You could see Banner 17 in the distance.
Win #2: Leon Powe rebounding, scoring, and just bullying the weaker Laker frontline. LA only added to the drama with a furious 4th quarter comeback. But it fell short. Banner 17 moved closer.
Win #3: After a grinding loss in Los Angeles, the Celtics came out flat while the Lakers blazed. Boston fell 24 points back. It seemed sure that the series would be tied. But Doc Rivers and his players stayed positive and mounted the greatest comeback in Finals history. Essentially the title was decided right there.
Win #4: Adding to their record setting season, Boston just shattered their opponents in the greatest blowout ever in a deciding game.
One or two of those tales would have made for a normal finals. Four makes it an instant legend that will be remembered forever.
3) Doc
In the last few days some stories have come out about Doc Rivers and the little things he's done to motivate his team through the season: You might have watched the Duck Boat parade Thursday. Well apparently early on, Doc rented a Duck boat and took Pierce, Allen and Garnett for a ride, telling them this is what they do for you after you win a title in Boston.
The championship banners you see in the Boston Garden are duplicates. The real ones hang in the Celtics practice facility. Apparently there was an empty space among those banners. Doc Rivers had a spotlight mounted to highlight that void. Then he had the light taped so no one could turn it off and said the light would remain on until a new banner hung there. Day after day, month after month, the light shone on the empty space. Now the banner has been won. The light can be turned off.
Early in preseason Doc introduced the word "ubuntu" to his players. In short: All for one and one for all. They took it to heart. Every man blended into the team.
Doc wouldn't touch the trophy until the Celtics won it.
All these little things added up and ultimately paid off.
(By the way, how much do you think Doc could get for the Gatorade shirt on Ebay?)
4) Regular Season
I've heard more than a few people say regular season games don't mean anything (most of that was from fans of the opposing team trying to convince themselves they could beat the Celtics in the postseason). As it turned out regular season games meant everything, especially in the early rounds of the playoffs.
Here are a few of my favorite regular season moments. They needed every one to earn what turned out to be a precious home court advantage:
Ray Allen's buzzer beater in Toronto, and his even more incredible buzzer beater after a steal in Charlotte.
Rondo dunking over Maxiell in the third regular season Detroit game.
Sweeping the first west coast trip.
Taking the Texas triangle.
Beating San Antonio and Dallas without Kevin Garnett.
But my favorite regular season moment of all was the second Detroit game when Big Baby on the court with seven all stars, took over the game. That knocked the Pistons back. Never again was Boston threatened for best overall record.
5) Never Been Done (or almost never)
24 wins to 66.
Adding players like PJ Brown and Sam Cassell so late in the season and blending them in.
Not having a fixed rotation. This one I love. Everyone has always said you need a fixed rotation, but it was a myth. The Celtics never had one. They really only had six guys -the starters and Posey- who had fixed roles. The rest of the roster was utterly fluid. Doc always said all 12 of his guys could play and all 12 of his guys were always ready, and -hey- he meant it. Guys sat for a week or two, even in the playoffs, then would bounce up rust-free and make a huge shot or grab a crucial rebound.
This alone was an eye opener.
Small ball. Criticized at every turn, a small ball lineup prevailed in the 24 point comeback.
6) Danny
Danny Ainge- unfairly maligned as one of the worst execs in the game for so long, orchestrated this turnaround and this championship. The funny thing is, much of the national media and basketball viewing public still can't see how he did it. They still say he was no good until this past year, not understanding he was slowly and methodically accumulating assets, positioning himself to take advantage of any opportunity that would arise.
And whoa, how he took advantage. In moves that were first bewildering and then quickly breathtaking, Ainge acquired two perfect-fit all stars, followed by just the right role players. The Celtics were transformed from lottery losers to contenders in a matter of weeks.
7) Ownership
Wyc Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca and the rest of the ownership group were smart, patient, and above all committed. They did what owners have to do: let the basketball guys run the show and fork over the dough. All I can say is thank you. Or actually, THANK YOU! Terrific job.
(You can go out there and proudly tell fans of other franchises: Our rich guys are better than your rich guys.)
8) 22 Years
So long in the wilderness. So much bad luck. So many bad decisions. So much tragedy. We lived in a darkened world as Darren Daye turned to Travis Knight. Larry, Kevin, and Robert retired. Reggie died. Gaston, Pitino and Wallace tried to devour the last of our pride. The team could gain no traction. Tanking proved fruitless as ping pong balls bounced the wrong way. There were small teams, slow teams, young teams, but never great teams.
Until now. Now that's all behind us. The Green is back on top.
9) Legends
In the Finals in Boston when we scanned the sidelines there were virtually no entertainment stars. Real stars were shown: Bill Russell returned and picked up Red Auerbach's mantle as patriarch of the franchise. Of course Tommy was there, and Jo Jo and Hondo and Walton and Max and more. Out there somewhere Cousy was watching, and I'm sure Bird, McHale, Parish, Cowens, Silas, Sam, KC and so many others were too. The living history of the Boston Celtics saw the rebirth; they saw the great and glorious green flame rekindled.
10) Banner 17
I write this last segment with moist eyes. We have all waited so long. The young ones among us have never felt this before. The Boston Celtics are back. They are champions once again.
Next year hungry teams like Los Angeles, Portland, New Orleans, Orlando and Utah will want the title. So will San Antonio, Cleveland, and Detroit. I say to them, you want the title? You know where it is. If you think you can take it, come and try.
The NBA Championship is in Boston, where it belongs.
Monday, June 9, 2008
10 Things After Game 2
1) Trick or Treat?
Sunday June 8th, 2008: the scariest Halloween ever. The Lakers made a frightening attempt at egging the TD Banknorth Garden before falling just short of an incredible fourth quarter comeback.
This is what LA does. Remember game 1 of the Western Conference finals? It was similar with the Spurs holding a 20 point lead when Los Angeles took advantage of a suddenly lackadaisical defense and steamed to an enormous triumph.
This time the lead was bigger and later. The Lakers ran out of time. Unlike the Spurs the Celtics held on.
...and the answer is: Treat! (phew)
2) Kareem
Former Milwaukee Buck great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was interviewed on the postgame by Mike Gorman. His take on the LA comeback- It was all about the Celtics. It was not what the Lakers did; it was the Celtics letting up and getting complacent.
Kareem is really smart and right on the mark: The Celtics determined what took place. (LA's offense is too potent to relax. See San Antonio above.)
This is good though. It means the Celtics are in control. If they play their defense it's their series...
3) Lessons
...That is lesson number one.
Lesson number two, learned in the first two rounds: Don't let up on the road.
4) The Best Two Teams
I mentioned this last time- The best two teams in the NBA played in the Eastern Conference finals when Boston faced Detroit. In that series the Celtics regained their awesome road prowess. They went into Motown and took two out of three. So now everybody moves to the west coast.
5) Comfort
It's not Atlanta. It's not Cleveland. It's not Detroit. It's LA, our comfy home away from home! Paul Pierce grew up there. Scalabrine and Pruitt played nearby. Leon Powe is from California. Sam Cassell is a liberated Clipper. Kevin Garnett owns a house in Malibu. The Celtics play very well in the land of tinsel. They're relaxed. It's not foreign territory; the Celtics have familiar couches in that town. They eat home cooked meals. They have old friends and favorite spots. For the purposes of home-versus-road Los Angeles is practically a Boston suburb, the last stop on the green line.
6) Leon
One Golden State Celtic looked particularly fantastic last night. My oh my. What a show by Mr. Powe. His efficiency per minute in Game 2 was probably enough to send John Hollinger into spasms. Absolutely magnificent.
7) 2006 Draft
Were you mad when Danny Ainge traded the 7th pick in the 2006 draft for Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff? I was. As it turns out, I know nothing. Not only did the trade ultimately end up netting Kevin Garnett, look what Danny got in that draft: Rajon Rondo and Leon Powe: 16 assists and the Game 2 hero. That's the 21st and 49th picks.
We all expect Brandon Roy to have a fine career, and thanks to the young man's ping pong acumen the Blazers may stop this budding Lakers-dynasty-on-paper before it starts; but I believe we can safely say this turned out to be a good trade for both teams...
...and 2006 was a very good draft for both teams too.
8) Marcus versus Delonte
Speaking of 16 assists, do you recall the long and intense Marcus Banks vs. Delonte West debate? Well that debate is over. The winner is Rajon Rondo.
9) The Opposite of Ubuntu
Did you see Mr. Bryant scowling at his teammates when they didn't get him the ball in the final critical possession? He should have been mad, but his chronic undercutting of the other Lakers is unhealthy. The same guy who demanded a trade in the off-season just does not seem to support his teammates well when the going gets rocky. He's the antiubuntu.
All for one, as long as the one is him.
10) Game 3
The Celtics did what they had to do.
Game 1 was the epic phoenix flight of Paul Pierce. Celtics win.
Game 2 was the comeback from hell that fell just short. Celtics win.
Now Game 3: Celtics win again.
Sunday June 8th, 2008: the scariest Halloween ever. The Lakers made a frightening attempt at egging the TD Banknorth Garden before falling just short of an incredible fourth quarter comeback.
This is what LA does. Remember game 1 of the Western Conference finals? It was similar with the Spurs holding a 20 point lead when Los Angeles took advantage of a suddenly lackadaisical defense and steamed to an enormous triumph.
This time the lead was bigger and later. The Lakers ran out of time. Unlike the Spurs the Celtics held on.
...and the answer is: Treat! (phew)
2) Kareem
Former Milwaukee Buck great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was interviewed on the postgame by Mike Gorman. His take on the LA comeback- It was all about the Celtics. It was not what the Lakers did; it was the Celtics letting up and getting complacent.
Kareem is really smart and right on the mark: The Celtics determined what took place. (LA's offense is too potent to relax. See San Antonio above.)
This is good though. It means the Celtics are in control. If they play their defense it's their series...
3) Lessons
...That is lesson number one.
Lesson number two, learned in the first two rounds: Don't let up on the road.
4) The Best Two Teams
I mentioned this last time- The best two teams in the NBA played in the Eastern Conference finals when Boston faced Detroit. In that series the Celtics regained their awesome road prowess. They went into Motown and took two out of three. So now everybody moves to the west coast.
5) Comfort
It's not Atlanta. It's not Cleveland. It's not Detroit. It's LA, our comfy home away from home! Paul Pierce grew up there. Scalabrine and Pruitt played nearby. Leon Powe is from California. Sam Cassell is a liberated Clipper. Kevin Garnett owns a house in Malibu. The Celtics play very well in the land of tinsel. They're relaxed. It's not foreign territory; the Celtics have familiar couches in that town. They eat home cooked meals. They have old friends and favorite spots. For the purposes of home-versus-road Los Angeles is practically a Boston suburb, the last stop on the green line.
6) Leon
One Golden State Celtic looked particularly fantastic last night. My oh my. What a show by Mr. Powe. His efficiency per minute in Game 2 was probably enough to send John Hollinger into spasms. Absolutely magnificent.
7) 2006 Draft
Were you mad when Danny Ainge traded the 7th pick in the 2006 draft for Sebastian Telfair and Theo Ratliff? I was. As it turns out, I know nothing. Not only did the trade ultimately end up netting Kevin Garnett, look what Danny got in that draft: Rajon Rondo and Leon Powe: 16 assists and the Game 2 hero. That's the 21st and 49th picks.
We all expect Brandon Roy to have a fine career, and thanks to the young man's ping pong acumen the Blazers may stop this budding Lakers-dynasty-on-paper before it starts; but I believe we can safely say this turned out to be a good trade for both teams...
...and 2006 was a very good draft for both teams too.
8) Marcus versus Delonte
Speaking of 16 assists, do you recall the long and intense Marcus Banks vs. Delonte West debate? Well that debate is over. The winner is Rajon Rondo.
9) The Opposite of Ubuntu
Did you see Mr. Bryant scowling at his teammates when they didn't get him the ball in the final critical possession? He should have been mad, but his chronic undercutting of the other Lakers is unhealthy. The same guy who demanded a trade in the off-season just does not seem to support his teammates well when the going gets rocky. He's the antiubuntu.
All for one, as long as the one is him.
10) Game 3
The Celtics did what they had to do.
Game 1 was the epic phoenix flight of Paul Pierce. Celtics win.
Game 2 was the comeback from hell that fell just short. Celtics win.
Now Game 3: Celtics win again.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
10 Things, Finals Preview
1) LA's Run
Chances are you've heard of the Lakers 12-3 record in the playoffs. No doubt you've also heard that the Celtics went 12-8. Trouble for Boston? Nope.
Atlanta was not the worst team in the playoffs. Denver was, and by far. Whereas the Hawks play furiously on both ends, the Nuggets are the most obscenely indifferent defensive team the NBA has seen since Paul Westhead's one-way-only Nuggets of 90-91. Yes the current Nugs had that fine regular season record, but faced with intense playoff basketball they were pure lottery.
Utah was great this year but any Jazz fan will tell you the Lakers were the one match up they simply could not handle. The Jazz needed to be in the opposite bracket from LA. They could have taken anyone else in the West. Not Los Angeles. The first two rounds were gifts for the SoCal team.
The five game victory over the defending champs was more impressive. Yes the Lakers caught a late game break from the refs. Still, they came back from some huge deficits to arrive at the Finals. It was a very strong showing for them.
2) West
Everyone knows as a whole the West is better than the East. In some corners people are taking the depth of the Western Conference as proof the Lakers just ran off some sort of historical feat. Not true. Do not confuse overall depth with the strength of the top teams. There were seven good teams in the Western playoffs; not one is a top two team on this side of the big river.
For the purposes of degree-of-difficulty, reaching the finals from the East is a greater accomplishment. Why? Because the two best teams in basketball just played and Boston beat Detroit 4-2. The Pistons are better than San Antonio.
3) Level Of Play
Look, the Celtics ran away with the conference. They coasted in, giving lots of play to their bench. By the time the playoffs arrived they had lost a bit of their edge. They beat the Hawks despite playing poorly. They beat the Cavs despite playing only decently. They got their groove back a few games into the Detroit series, and that was that.
4) New Guys
There's another thing: It took some time for PJ Brown to reclaim his legs and game again. PJ seems to be fine now.
On the downside, Sam Cassell still hasn't made the adjustment. We'll see if that costs Boston.
5) Bench
I keep hearing about how great the LA bench is. Really? When did Luke become his Dad and Turiaf become Rodman? I mean they're good but not nearly great. The bench vs bench battle is up for grabs.
6) What Will Win It
Chances are this series comes down to one factor: Can the Lakers shred the best defense in the league the way they did the best defenses in the West? If they can, hats off, they win. But if the Celtics do to Los Angeles what they did to Detroit in the fourth quarter of game 6, what they did to LeBron for much of the Cleveland series, and frankly what they've done to everybody since Estaban Batista was yelling out "ubuntu" in Rome -which is SHUT PEOPLE DOWN- then Boston raises the banner.
7) Heard It Before
Since that game in Rome, through the preseason, before the first game against Washington, and through the whole season, all we've heard is how the Celtics can't win the next one.
They won't be able to play together.
They can't play defense (sheesh).
They haven't won on the road, against this team or that team, faced pressure; advanced in the past, with this coach, with these players; and on and on and on. It's a numbing buzz of nonsense that has not once let up.
Well let me tell you world, and let me tell you LA: THE CELTICS ARE HERE. They're here because they keep winning. They've overcome every obstacle. They've beaten every team. They have the best defense in the game. The Celtics are alive. They're dangerous. They're ready.
8) Frontcourt
Wherever you look, there's an interesting match up in this series. Perkins is playing fantastic ball recently. He's a wildcard.
I imagine defensive assignments will change but if Gasol and KG cover one another, that means Perkins and Odom face off. That prospect is very intriguing. Power vs. finesse. It's a mini contest between two players who've been prone to mistakes in the past. Who imposes their will in this one?
9) Points
In looking at the point guards you only get more questions. Experience against havoc. If Rondo pushes the jets all series long, this will be trouble for Los Angeles.
10) Stars
No need for me to comment much on the marquis guys. There's some great players for both sides in this series. No doubt you've already thought and read more than enough about them.
It's time. Good luck to one side. May the Celtics win.
Chances are you've heard of the Lakers 12-3 record in the playoffs. No doubt you've also heard that the Celtics went 12-8. Trouble for Boston? Nope.
Atlanta was not the worst team in the playoffs. Denver was, and by far. Whereas the Hawks play furiously on both ends, the Nuggets are the most obscenely indifferent defensive team the NBA has seen since Paul Westhead's one-way-only Nuggets of 90-91. Yes the current Nugs had that fine regular season record, but faced with intense playoff basketball they were pure lottery.
Utah was great this year but any Jazz fan will tell you the Lakers were the one match up they simply could not handle. The Jazz needed to be in the opposite bracket from LA. They could have taken anyone else in the West. Not Los Angeles. The first two rounds were gifts for the SoCal team.
The five game victory over the defending champs was more impressive. Yes the Lakers caught a late game break from the refs. Still, they came back from some huge deficits to arrive at the Finals. It was a very strong showing for them.
2) West
Everyone knows as a whole the West is better than the East. In some corners people are taking the depth of the Western Conference as proof the Lakers just ran off some sort of historical feat. Not true. Do not confuse overall depth with the strength of the top teams. There were seven good teams in the Western playoffs; not one is a top two team on this side of the big river.
For the purposes of degree-of-difficulty, reaching the finals from the East is a greater accomplishment. Why? Because the two best teams in basketball just played and Boston beat Detroit 4-2. The Pistons are better than San Antonio.
3) Level Of Play
Look, the Celtics ran away with the conference. They coasted in, giving lots of play to their bench. By the time the playoffs arrived they had lost a bit of their edge. They beat the Hawks despite playing poorly. They beat the Cavs despite playing only decently. They got their groove back a few games into the Detroit series, and that was that.
4) New Guys
There's another thing: It took some time for PJ Brown to reclaim his legs and game again. PJ seems to be fine now.
On the downside, Sam Cassell still hasn't made the adjustment. We'll see if that costs Boston.
5) Bench
I keep hearing about how great the LA bench is. Really? When did Luke become his Dad and Turiaf become Rodman? I mean they're good but not nearly great. The bench vs bench battle is up for grabs.
6) What Will Win It
Chances are this series comes down to one factor: Can the Lakers shred the best defense in the league the way they did the best defenses in the West? If they can, hats off, they win. But if the Celtics do to Los Angeles what they did to Detroit in the fourth quarter of game 6, what they did to LeBron for much of the Cleveland series, and frankly what they've done to everybody since Estaban Batista was yelling out "ubuntu" in Rome -which is SHUT PEOPLE DOWN- then Boston raises the banner.
7) Heard It Before
Since that game in Rome, through the preseason, before the first game against Washington, and through the whole season, all we've heard is how the Celtics can't win the next one.
They won't be able to play together.
They can't play defense (sheesh).
They haven't won on the road, against this team or that team, faced pressure; advanced in the past, with this coach, with these players; and on and on and on. It's a numbing buzz of nonsense that has not once let up.
Well let me tell you world, and let me tell you LA: THE CELTICS ARE HERE. They're here because they keep winning. They've overcome every obstacle. They've beaten every team. They have the best defense in the game. The Celtics are alive. They're dangerous. They're ready.
8) Frontcourt
Wherever you look, there's an interesting match up in this series. Perkins is playing fantastic ball recently. He's a wildcard.
I imagine defensive assignments will change but if Gasol and KG cover one another, that means Perkins and Odom face off. That prospect is very intriguing. Power vs. finesse. It's a mini contest between two players who've been prone to mistakes in the past. Who imposes their will in this one?
9) Points
In looking at the point guards you only get more questions. Experience against havoc. If Rondo pushes the jets all series long, this will be trouble for Los Angeles.
10) Stars
No need for me to comment much on the marquis guys. There's some great players for both sides in this series. No doubt you've already thought and read more than enough about them.
It's time. Good luck to one side. May the Celtics win.
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