Greatest Day

by Jeff Clark on May 11, 2008 10:46 PM EDT in Articles Comment 9 comments

I once read an interview with Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins about their hit "Today." It is an upbeat song with a catchy hook repeating "Today is the greatest day I've ever known." He explained that he was at a low point of depression and writers block when he was inspired to write that. The message he was trying to get across is "it can't get any worse than this, so today is the greatest day - there's nowhere to go but up." Yup, that's kind of how I feel about game 3.

We can't play any worse than we did in the first quarter. Wally, Delonte, Big Ben, and Joe Smith can't collectively hit on all cylinders like that again. Rondo can't play that bad again. The Celtics can't keep losing on the road.

So today is the greatest day, because we won't see that kind of stink bomb of a game again (at least this series). They got it out of their system. Now the better team can rise to the occasion and win on the road, silencing critics (for the moment).

In a wierd way, I am pretty confident going into game 4. Sometimes this team plays better when they feel like there's a challenge ahead of them. Maybe after winning two games, they once again thought they could let up just a bit. You'd think that they would have learned from the first round, but I think this is a subconcious thing. If we could just get someone to hypnotize these guys and convince them they are preparing for that Texas Triangle series all over again, maybe we'd never seem them lose another game on the road.

Still, they got their wakeup call in game 3. They have to be tired of answering questions about why they can't play as well on the road. Now they can use that motivation to go out there and play like the team that they are.

The road to the title inevitably has its ups and downs. Right now we're feeling a little down after an embarassing loss. It's a great day to turn that around.

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Nothing in my mind, will ever be worst than last season. Ever. And I was hit by a car.

by bleedingreen on May 11, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I think I was saying just in this series it was as bad as it gets – not taking anything away from the lowest of lows from last year

by Jeff Clark on May 11, 2008 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Last game, just like last year did have some pluses though. I for one never thought I would see a call go against Lebron in Cleveland yet Pierce stepped in and took a great charge that one time. And last year….at least you could get a ticket whenever you wanted?

I completely agree with the original post though, the Celts can only go up from here. Rayray and Rondo are gonna have a big game tomorrow, I can feel it. Also, as we all know Wally can’t play that well again tomorrow night, and while Delonte may have another good game or two in him, his inconsistency will rear its ugly head tomorrow. In fact, knowing Wally from last year, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t somehow get a small injury during a practice, or during pregame shootarounds.

The one thing that drives me crazy about these nationally televised games are the lack of replays. And I also hate the national media that dumps all over the green for playing different on the road, but the spurs-hornets is even more jekyll and hyde than this one. So thanks for keeping up the good posts during down times celticsblog.

by supamike46 on May 12, 2008 2:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we have this game tbh, got a good feeling about it. However (not to jinx it), even if we don’t win we have to remember that no other team has won on the road this round either.

Hmm… Maybe I should put a bet on for the C’s this match. The beauty of living in Aus is the fact no-one has a good idea of NBA in a gambling sense, might be a chance to pick up a nice little profit!

by jackson_34 on May 12, 2008 3:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You got me Jeff. I read the title and I thought you meant Mother’s Day!! Here’s hoping for a solid win tonight. If we can’t fix this road problem how would even think about handling the 2-3-2 format of the finals, let alone just getting there.

by celty86 on May 12, 2008 5:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i would never count my chickens with this team until they put their money where their mouth is. they need to prove something big time. they look old. they can dance at home, but when they go out, they find the rocking chairs.

by nazzbo on May 12, 2008 5:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did we really need a “wakeup call” after the Atlanta series? I am not very confident going into tonight…

by souzar on May 12, 2008 7:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Never thought I’d see a pumpkins reference on this site.

Jeff said:
‘Rondo can’t play that bad again."

Oh no?

Let us all not forget he’s a 2nd year player.

by mcpu40 on May 12, 2008 7:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agree with mcpu40.. Rondo can definitely play that bad again. He’s got major confidence issues. Doc doesn’t help them when he sits Rondo for whole quarters so that we can watch Sam’s patented “dribble ball up, roll around screen chuck a 20footer” offense.

also: “Still, they got their wakeup call in game 3.”

They got their wakeup call in Atlanta. 3 times.

Really, I think it’s on Pierce and Allen. Pierce especially, as I halfway expect Allen to suck at this point. He didn’t have a “great” season by any means, he’s old and he’s got 2 rough ankles. Wally is walking right by him. Pierce on the other hand is a 3rd Team All NBAer. This is what he wanted. To be recognized as one of the greats in this league. Now he’s on the biggest stage and he’s not giving us the Truth night in night out. I commend his defensive effort, but he’s the best 3 in the league not named LeBron. Time to show it on the offensive end.

by cmoney on May 12, 2008 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs