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May 17, 2009
Last Team Standing: Celtics/Magic Game 7
One advances to fight King James and his juggernaut, one packs for the off season.
"Any ordinary journalist would have been able to put the whole thing in a three word caption." - William Saroyan
Unfortunately, I'm not that good.
But beyond Mr. Saroyan, I'll get some help from another of America's street intellectuals, Yogi Berra....
"It ain't over 'til it's over."
It is over tonight, somewhere around 10:45. Home court, loyalty, experience and sentiment make the Celtics the favorites. Orlando youth, growth, and Celtic fatigued make tonight's game an unsure thing.
They will tell you there is no fatigue in a 7th game. I hope they are right.
Looking more and more like the 1986-87 Celtics when Larry Bird averaged 44 minutes, Dennis Johnson 42, McHale 39.4, and Danny Ainge 38 minutes, these 'Iron Man' Celtics have gotten this far with little help from the bench. It would be great if the Celtics starters can start strong, get a lead, and then some rest for the 4th quarter.
Larry was 30 in that series. Pierce is 31 and averaging 43.8 minutes.
Acording to Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram, the two days off were great for two Paul Pierce injuries....
Pierce said the extra day of rest helped him recover from a sprained wrist and sore lower back.
Doc Rivers appreciated the two day rest to have a much needed practice to address slippage(Doyle again)....
Rivers was thrilled to be able to practice for the first time in quite a while yesterday.“When you don’t practice,” Rivers said, “you have slippage, and we’ve had a ton of slippage.”
Indeed they have. They usually come out stronger, more focused, after a practice day.
I hope they shake Ray Allen out of his shooting slump. Ray scores just 11.5 points a game. His shooting has fallen into the cellar. He has made just 2 of his last 22 three pointers, and is shooting just 32% overall. This, after leading the league for much of year in 2 point percentage (54%) and averaging 41% from the three point line.
Yogi again...."I ain't in no slump... I just ain't hitting."
Maybe Ray feels the same way. But he better start hitting, if the Celtics want advance. Ray was magnificent against the Bulls (47% from the arc). This is two straight years of an early shooting drought for Ray, but this year it is far more critical without Garnett there to pick up the slack.
The keys to this game? Chuck Daly, just before he died about a week ago, told Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle to... 'Wipe everything off the board. It's all about attitude.' (Eddie Sefko, Dallas Morning Star)
For both teams it is that. For the Celtics it also fatigue.
The Celtics have one of the best starting fives in the league, even now.
A solid game from Glen Davis, the weakest link in that unit, is in order. Just hit your shots, pass when it's not there, play solid defense and hit the boards will be enough.
A good performance from a reserve would be a breath of fresh air. Stephon Marbury, Brian Scalabrine, Eddie House. That is it. I doubt anyone else will see the light of day in a game 7.
Rajon Rondo must lead the aggression. Paul Pierce must be right there with him. The team needs a big game from a rested Paul. Kendrick Perkins must continue to do what he has been doing the whole series - making life hard for Dwight Howard.
In may ways, this imperfect Celtic team in an imperfect post season has provided more thrills than I ever tought possible.
And mybe that is the way it should be.
"If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be." -- Yogi
To heck with perfection. Somehow the NBA Champions are once again the underdogs in a repeat title run.
Let's see how far their heart can take them.
Posted by Tom on May 17, 2009 11:07 AM
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