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May 29, 2008
77 Wins: two seasons: two learning curves
If the regular season is a marathon of sprints, and it is, then the post season is like an obstacle course.
To win the title, the Celtics would have to win 82 times. It almost speaks for winning fewer games during the season. I said almost.
It is, of course, a trial by fire. The Celtics are experiencing their problems, call them growing pains, because they are going through a second season and another learning curve. It took most by surprise. The fans, the players, Doc, the media. The main bugaboo has been the inability to win away after winning away all year.
This learning curve is much more difficult because they have a shorter time to learn and it's like relearning how to ride a bike, but this time there are tacks on the road, huge potholes, speed bumps galore, and another rider along side of you trying to push you off. It is quite a different ride. You have to focus so much more and put so much more energy into just trying to do the same things.
Back when I asked Delonte West about why the Cavs were assumed to be a less talented team yet were playing the Celtics even at the time (2 wins each), he said this....
You know...things that are written on paper, or said in the media - it means nothing. Once that horn goes off, it's about who wants it more. And talent level, or whatever the situation is, outside influence gives a team an advantage over another, it doesn't matter in the play-offs. It's about whoever goes out there and straps it up and goes hard for 48 minutes.
Wise beyond his years. Certainly that is a salient point as to why the Cs have struggled. No one cares what their regular season was. It simply isn't relevant. 82 games go out of the window.
What doesn't kill the Celtics should make them better. It appears to be the case so far. After two grueling 7 game series, they had become a better team in many ways. The biggest way is their ability to take obstacles like bad shooting, bad foul calls, inconsistent bench play, inconsistent guard play, a lost Ray Allen shot, even occasional bad defense and somehow stay in front of all of their competition. They have only needed a road win once so far. They went out and got it in a terrific game of energy and focus.
This team's 'team mind' is still making itself. Every difficulty that arises gets put into the central memory banks of players 1 through 5 for future reference, should it occur again. The team's biggest enemy still seems to be themselves. 4th quarters have been a regular problem. They win enough of them to stay on top in each series, but not enough to appear to be a dominant team, as they were during the regular season.
When asked earlier in the play-offs if the team can't always pull the trigger when they want to, Coach Rivers answered...
We've pulled the trigger pretty well this year. We are one of 8 teams alive (make that 4 now). So that's what I would say to that. You know, listen.....this team has been questioned all year and we are going to be continued to be questioned. We can't answer questions with words. We have to continue to go out and play.
When Detroit's Arron Afflalo was asked if Boston pushed too hard during the season, then went through two tough series coming into the Eastern Conference Finals - did Boston gain something or lose something in the play-offs? he said....
Anytime, you go through game sevens like that, that's valuable experience that you can use to benefit you. And for them to play hard all season, I don't think that can hurt you. That can only make you better.
What changes in the play-offs?
Arron....
You're in the play-offs man. Things aren't going to change a whole lot. It's just how you execute and stick to your defensive and offensive schemes.
So you still have to ride that bike the same way. But it is about energy and focus and staying in your game while taking fouls you never had to during the season. I would add that the margin for error shrinks to almost nothing for bench players. You come in and if you make a couple of bad plays, you will take the revolving door back to bench very quickly. There is little forgiveness for support players. Support or else.
Are the Celtics becoming a better team as they encounter each new situation and overcome just enough of them to maintain the series lead? We will only know if they lose that advantage and have to learn a whole new thing - playing from down in a series. That is impossible to happen in this series any longer. But Detroit can surprise as well.
If Detroit takes game 6 at their home, it will be an interesting game 7 in Boston again. Can Boston have enough left to expend the energy required to play well enough to win in Detroit?
The winning streak for each team in this series is...one. Can Boston break the streak with another road win in Detroit? Rip Hamilton's arm is hurt. Chauncy Billup's leg is hurt. Rasheed Wallace's feelings are hurt.
Boston has done two things when they are playing from an advantage. They play well and then they almost give it back. Good execution leads to bad execution.
It is a game of execution. It is a game of confidence. It is a game of forcing your game plan through multiple obstacles.
Role players will play a huge role. Perkins or Rondo stepping up will help enormously. Brown, Davis, or Powe would be a big help. It is Rondo's turn to have a good shooting game. The last time Boston had a game advantage like this they let it slip away. Have they moved up on the learning curve?
Find out on Friday night in Detroit.
Posted by Tom on May 29, 2008 7:47 PM
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Comments
I'd love to see a little "killer instinct" tonight. Let's end this thing.
Posted by: JMost at May 30, 2008 9:31 AM
