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June 14, 2008
Celtics: One Win Away
Magical. Surprising. Entertaining.
You can think of a few more adjectives to describe this Boston Celtic season of 2007-8. They would all fit, I'm sure.
Three supposed ball hogs, two of which were not known for their defense, were not expected by anyone, Celtic fans included, to do what they have done so far.
They are one win from being the NBA Champions in their very first season together and that game will played at 9pm on Father's Day in game 5 in Los Angeles.
There is the possibility that LA will delay Boston celebrating a title win on their own floor for the first time in 39 years, but the eventual outcome is hardly in doubt. Boston has shown the penchant for easing up when they get a lead. They have a 3-1 lead. That is, they have done that until recently.
As scary as it sounds, the banged up Celtics are getting better and better. They have entered a new zone for composure and composing victories. And just maybe this isn't even their most difficult series. Maybe the games against Cleveland and Detroit were harder fought. The east is about defense, the west is about offense. Guess what wins championships?
The recent Celtic win was LA's first home loss in the 2008 play-offs. This, against a Celtic team that could not buy a win in Atlanta or Cleveland in their first 2 rounds.
Finally, against Detroit, Boston won 2 games on Detroit's home court at the legendary Palace at Auburn Hills. They figured out how to get over that hump.
It took that long for this team to re-learn how to play well enough against home town calls, fired up crowds and newly energized opponents to come out with a W.
But what has surprised many, if not most fans and observers, is that they did it as a team and did it with defense, the likes of which the NBA has not seen in a very long while. Yes. Defense. Yes, this roster.
My gosh, even Ray Allen, the last to join the D Party, is the prime defender on the prime offensive nightmare in the league, Mr. MVP Kobe Bryant. He has done very, very well against him. Who would have thought that a possibility a year ago?
The biggest bit of fun to watch play defense is Eddie House. Yes. Eddie House. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think that Eddie would D-up like he has this season. He hasn't always gotten lock down results, but he is always trying. He is always trying. My gosh, I'm talking about shooting specialist Eddie House. What is going on here? Call the cult deprogrammers. We need an intervention.
It started in the Church of the Right Reverend Glen Rivers and his associate pastor, assistant coach Tom Thibodeau. The sargent-at-arms is choir director and Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Garnett. He is so crazy, he won't even let you shoot at the basket when time is called. Watch what happens when someone tries to.
Paul Pierce is entering special territory and lofty heights as the guy who would do anything for the team. Beside playing great defense, rebounding when needed, and passing often, Paul has emerged as the go-to guy on a team with 3 of the league's top go-to guys.
When the other team's defense has clamped down, it is Paul they ask to open things back up with one of his patented moves that drills into the tightest defensive walls for a foul and often a basket. He has done it playing hurt since the early rounds of the play-offs. We are watching just a magnificent performance by Paul Pierce.
Pierce, Perkins and Rondo are known to be playing hurt. Perkins is only recently said to have a chance to play in game 5 tonight.
The Lakers are reeling since that game 4 collapse. Can they get a heart transplant in time for game 5? Phil Jackson says yes but what else would he say? He can't concede before game time. And the Celtics have not always shown a sense of urgency. Have they finally gotten that out of their system?
Posted by Tom on June 14, 2008 9:02 PM
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