Where Stopping LeBron Happens

by Jeff Clark on May 8, 2008 8:58 PM EDT in Games Comment 12 comments

When LeBron was held to 2-18 shooting in game one, you could excuse us for thinking it was just an off night for him. When he is then held to 6-24 shooting, as he was tonight, you have to start giving credit to the Celtics amazing defense. Sure he got his 21 points and 6 assists, but in no way was he a factor in this game.

The Boston players clogged the driving lanes and contested every pass, making it difficult for his teammates to get the open looks that he normally gets for them. Posey, Powe, and others worked in unison to bother James when he did make it near the basket. The only space LeBron found was on the perimeter where he was 0-4.

This game was simply a brillant defensive strategy fanatically implemented by an energetic defense. They made the right rotations, closed off options, and forced LeBron and the Cavs to take difficult shots.

I could talk about the spark that Leon Powe gave us in the first half. I could talk about how Posey has really stepped up in the playoffs, showing what a great pickup he was in the offseason. I could talk about another double double by KG. I could talk about a strong bounce back game by Pierce. I could talk about Ray Allen finally breaking out of his shooting slump. But the overwhelming story of the game was the defense.

Just a fantastic performance by the best defensive team in all the land.

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Absolutely brilliant defense again tonight. Much improved offense. Very good win.

by Who on May 8, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my hope is they take there A game to cleveland.great team win.
It’s nice to have sam as an option. He helped us tonight…but Posey is the reason we are up 2-0. ;D

by tommyfan on May 8, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s what I was saying to my friends a few weeks ago before the playoffs started: the way to beat the Cavs is to dare everyone but Lebron to make jump shots. Cavs fans are starting to see why Wally World was so damn frustrating for us while he was here.

Of course, the real test is whether they can steal a game in Cleveland. If we come back to Boston up 3-1, I’ll be fine.

by BUTerrier on May 8, 2008 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This game was simply a brillant defensive strategy fanatically implemented by an energetic defense.

Great effort, great win…

Slowly but surely folks are beginning to acknowlegde the fact that strategy can only be implemented successfully by the 5 players on the floor at any given time. When said players fail to implemented said strategy, the blame has to be on them rather than unfairly blaming the coach.

I still say Boston in 4. This thing ends in Cleveland.

by The Village Idiot on May 8, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes I can’t believe what I’m watching.
Seriously.

It is just incredible, literally.

Keep it going fellas, don’t hold back in Cleveland.

KEEP THE HAMMER DOWN.

by mcpu40 on May 8, 2008 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the team the team the team-top to bottom. i love delonte, but so far in this series, rondo and sam have made mincemeat out of him.hope this doesn’t jinx it. folks- now we see what we’re made of. the fans ,lebron, the refs will all be strong against us— keep the poise,boys.

by nazzbo on May 8, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

mvp = posey???

by rmcc4444 on May 8, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just a fantastic performance by the best defensive team in all the land.

amen

by Edgar on May 9, 2008 2:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To me, Posey changed the game. PP also did a great job defensively on LeBron as did the backup defenders—Perk, Powe, KG. On Cassell—he seems to be operating a little more within the offense which is good and last nite he seemed to be pushing it up faster, not walking it up. He’s also NOT been a liability on defense. As the regular season was a process, the play-offs seem to be becoming a separate process. We can give a good to great defensive every nite and if the offense sticks to it’s “stuff” we’re going to be hard to beat.

by TrueGreen on May 9, 2008 4:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great game. Much prettier than the Game 1 slugfest.

I really think the C’s D is down to effort. Yes, they’ve been coached to play that way, but they just put out defensive energy nearly every trip down the floor. Nice move by Doc bringing in the bench when the starters just didn’t have it.

Here’s hoping the C’s keep it up on the road.

by LuckyNumber07 on May 9, 2008 5:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

amen on doc bringing in the bench lucky number,i’’ll give the guy his due- also he gets credit for getting the guys game ready.

by nazzbo on May 9, 2008 6:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I said after game one I even created a thread about it that the Celtics game plan was simple. Focus on the Lebron James and let the other guys beat you. The thing about the Celtics D is they have focus on LeBron and still they haven’t allowed the other guys to beat them. I have to give Doc and the staff credit they really learn from last season finals and took what the Spurs did to the LeBron and just copied them.

by CT34 on May 9, 2008 7:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs