Still Have To Win One More
by Jeff Clark on Jun 14, 2008 8:41 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
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In my heart I know we've won this series. No team has come back from down 3 games to one. It would take an amazing team to do so, and the Lakers are not amazing. Not only that, but they are mentally broken. Snapped like a branch in a hurricane, just hanging by a thread. With that said, the Celtics still have to take one more game to win the title. Believe it or not, there are still some obstacles to overcome.
For one thing, mentally broken or not, the Lakers are in full desperation mode. If there was anything left in reserve before, there won't be now. What does that mean? Who knows? Maybe they'll feel almost relaxed because they have nothing left to lose. Maybe (ok probably) Kobe will finally ditch his teammates and try to take over the game all by himself. Like it or not, he could do it. He pretty much did it in game 3 with a little help from Sasha. I don't think he can win 4 games by himself, but he can make things a tiny bit more interesting.
Then there's the Celtics. Again, not to play amateur psychologist or anything, but it wouldn't be hard to picture the Celtics letting up in game 5. It wouldn't be the first time in this postseason where they had a team down only to let them get some new life. They are up 3-1 and if they lose Sunday they get to go home to Boston. That's about as comfy a cushion as you could ask for.
Compounding the issue is the injury situation. Perkins sounds more and more doubtful because of that shoulder (and he wasn't full strength before because of the ankle). It has been reported that Pierce tweaked his knee in game 4. Rondo was supposedly healthy, but he wasn't very effective when he was out there.
So, there are a lot of reasons why the Celtics might lose game 5 and head back to Boston, where they would certainly close it out. Does that mean it will happen that way? Not at all.
First of all, even though I believe Perkins is our best center and the rightful starter, there are times when he's not the best matchup on the court. Sometimes PJ Brown is a better option for his experience and unflappable calm. Sometimes it pays to let Leon loose in the paint to create havoc like he did in game 2. Sometimes it is more effective to sub Big Game James in to run smallball and spread the floor. It sure worked in game 4. We might even have a few Big Baby sightings. Nothing against Perkins, but in the 3 wins, he played 23, 14, and 13 minutes. We've proven that we can play well without him.
As for Rondo, he's had a couple of bad games in a row. How much the injury had to do with those games is anyone's guess, but don't forget how good he looked in games 1 and 2. If the extra rest can get him back to full speed, there's no reason to think he can't get back to that level. If he can't, no big deal. Eddie House has stepped up and spreads the floor for the rest of the offense to work. If Rondo is really hurt, I might even be ok with Sam Cassell in a limited role. Hey, if we win, all is forgiven.
Pierce? Seriously, do I even have to talk about this? If anyone has any doubts about Paul's toughness, please just find a tape of games 1 and 2 and watch them again.
So, will the Celtics win game 5 and take the title in Los Angeles or will it have to wait till they return home on Tuesday? I think there's a small chance the Lakers could steal one. I also think there's a much greater chance that the Celtics finally decide to step on their throats and finish the job they started. Remember, even though he's played strong defense and is averaging a double-double for the series, we still haven't seen the best game out of Kevin Garnett. A scary thought for the Lakers.
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Just win baby! knock em out when the getting is good.
I want this so bad i can taste it. It just seems like a fews months
ago we were one of the worst teams and had a odds lock on landing
kevin durant and even a shot at landing greg oden, but it seems
like they switched the top 3 spots with the next 3 and they got
the superestars and we were left in the cold..the rest is history
beat la in la GO Celtics
I’m optimistic, but…
The injury situation is worrisome. Twice before in Celtics history- Russell in 58 and Havlicek in 73 – major Celtics got hurt in the finals and it cost titles.
One more win. One more win. But it’s not locked up with all these injuries, especially Pierce.
If Pierce can play as he has, they’ll take game 5.
I’m still waiting on that other shoe to drop. It isn’t over until you win that 16th game and THEN they give you the trophy.
One.
by Dart_Adams on Jun 14, 2008 9:39 AM EDT reply actions
Phil will get pressure from everyone to let Flobee go, and Phil is the kind of guy that would let Flobee go, and hang himself. There is a battle of egos going on right now – does Phil run the team, or does Flobee run the team? If phil lets him off the leash, and he blows it, and he will, I think Phil retires(again) this summer. Phil has already done it. At this point, if it isn’t fun, it’s time to head for the hills again.
I don’t think this Lakers team understands what “playing for pride” means. If they get behind in the 2nd quarter, they’ll start a push in the third, and if the Celts push back, the game is over midway into the third quarter, and the Celts go on to blow them out.
starts putting balloons in the rafters at Staples Center
We need to play to win. If we lose two in a row, suddenly our historical comeback will be negated, and a historical comeback to win the series will swing momentum toward the Lakers. The Celtics have lost two in a row in each of the previous playoff series; it can happen this series. Scary thought. We, the fans, are glut on this win, but the time to celebrate is not here. Enjoy the victory of the battle, but strive for the war.
The Celtics are the better team; all they need is performance and execution. The Lakers are going to try everything and will get the calls. On the flip, three potential HOF can taste the realization of a dream. PP can win it all in LA, his home. The stakes is high.
by bigbabyjesus on Jun 14, 2008 9:59 AM EDT reply actions
People need to be a little bit careful. When we made that historic comeback against the Nets, afterwards all the pundits said that there was no way the Nets could come back mentally from that. That the series was the Celtics’s. That it was over. The Nets then went on to win the next 3 for the Series. Am I thrilled with Thursday’s performance? Yes. But the past has shown us that a broken team in the NBA can turn things around.
I think Kobe goes “shoot 1st-pass 2nd” this game. I’m surprised they didn’t resort to that during the C’s comeback. Maybe he can’t get the shots off our D. They have a huge 4th Q take charge guy and if he doesn’t take charge tomorrow we win.
I expect Rondo will have a big game. He has had a hot/cold playoff run and he was hot in Game 2, cold in Game 3, tweaked in Game 4.
Play em all Doc (except Sam). BBD will be off the charts with energy if he hears his number called. Leon could start and create some early offense. Let Tony dog Kobe in 2nd Qtr. Pierce could use some rest, Ray too.
I can’t believe we are at this point. Can’t believe it!
Nothing is decided until the fat lady sings. As a Yankee fan I remember the post season loss to the Sox.
by Celtsfansince55 on Jun 14, 2008 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
this series isn’t over by a long shot. Remember, three-fifths of our starting lineup is injured. The Lakers are healthy, desperate and they still have the services of the leagues best, most explosive player.
It’s amazing that people are just assuming that the lakers CAN’T win these next three in a row. don’t say I didn’t warn you
I clearly know the Celtics are the better team, thus I think we will win. But to remove the jinx, i’m just going to state outloud that kobe’s back is against the wall and this is when he’ll take over. Remember when we came back against the Nets? We thought the Nets had mentally snapped and we had the series. BAM! They won the rest of the games. I know we had the historical come back, but imagine giving the Lakers the most important historical comeback. Coming back from 3-1. No team has ever done it, will they be the first to do it against the Celtics? I hope not. We are the better team by far. We deserve because we were the best all season. We played the best all around game. We have the best defense. But still, that tiny cloud lurking somewhere for any team and fan that thinks we clinched it before we clinch it.
by infoaturp on Jun 14, 2008 1:56 PM EDT reply actions
I think it’ll be natural for the C’s to exhale a little. The injuries aren’t helpful at all. I think the C’s just aren’t gonna bring it for game 5, but then we take them out back in the Garden in a great game 6 that goes down to the final minute.
Sweet 17 is almost here.
by Zoots on Jun 14, 2008 2:50 PM EDT reply actions
Win game five, lets end this before the Lakers think they have a chance. The longer it goes the more the odds deminish for us.
Game four had two NBA records set in it (largest first quarter lead and largest comeback)
If there is ever going to be a conspiracy for a team being down 3-1 and coming back don’t you think this would be the one the league would love.
Kill’m, bury’m and lets celebrate.
Twice before in Celtics history- Russell in 58 and Havlicek in 73 – major Celtics got hurt in the finals and it cost titles.
And Cowen’s ankle in ’75 against Wes Unseld, though the injury was earlier in the season before the playoffs.
But as far as the team letting up, I wouldn’t be as worried because effectively, neither Doc nor Pierce are acting as if the finals are over, only the media and the fans.
As for the injury scene, the Celtics have a deep team: PJ, BBD, and Powe are a three headed center and can keep Perks under 15 mins, if required for his health. Sorry to any Odom fans out there. In addition, Cassell, TA, and House can give Rondo, plenty a breather to keep things going. Obviously, the same for Big Game James, if Pierce is too beat to play one-on-one against Kobe. This is not the ’02 Celts (vs the Nets), a 1.75 man team. That team was easy to beat, guard the 3 pt perimeter and deny Pierce the ball… game (plus series) over. This team requires more than a K-Mart / Jefferson one-two punch to take ’em out like as in the Lakers playing together (and on all cylinders) with all players contributing.
Johnnymost â€" I do not think that Phil Jackson is going to retire and leave $24,000,000 on the table. He is coaching maybe the youngest teams in Finals history. Meanwhile his second best player was not even a part of the second half of the season or the playoffs.
Johnnyrondo â€" Excellent point. The C’s have a great opportunity to win just one out of three, but they have to close it out. I don’t think LA will be eager to let them celebrate at Staples Center.
Wildblue â€" Has Tony Allen even played in these Finals? I forgot he was even on the team. Also I do not think that Doc is going to be drawing up plays to “create some early offense†from Leon Powe. He had one good game, where the refs called fouls if he was so much as breathed on by the Lakers.
This series is not over yet. Enjoy the moment, as most of you appear to be fair weather fans. While father time is ticking on this nice trio of talent in Boston, the Lakers great team and young players will continue to improve. They will be dominating the NBA for the next 6 seasons at least. All the while the Big 3 will soon be contemplating retirement.
As you may have guessed I am a Lakers fan, definitely bitter about the recent loss. Just remember the great comeback was made possible by the sheer domination by the Lakers in the first half.
SUNDAY THE LAKERS ARE WINNING AND GOING BACK TO BOSTON!!!
by S. Nicholson on Jun 14, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions
Nicholson, remember one thing. Kobe is 29-30, close to same age as Pierce. He ain’t getting any younger. I would not hang my championship hat on Gasol and Odom. Your only chance to dominate is with Kobe and Bynum and Bynum still has a lot to learn. By the time he’s ready will Kobe still be young enough? Try to win one first before you gloat about dominating the league!
“This series is not over yet. Enjoy the moment, as most of you appear to be fair weather fans. While father time is ticking on this nice trio of talent in Boston, the Lakers great team and young players will continue to improve. They will be dominating the NBA for the next 6 seasons at least. All the while the Big 3 will soon be contemplating retirement.”
The Kool-Aid must taste better in LA for some reason. 6 seasons…at least?!? Damn that’s funny or at least it would be if it made a little bit of sense.
Let’s hear it for Greg Oden and those Portland Trailblazers! Lil’ Andy will have fun with him, I’m sure.
by Raindog on Jun 17, 2008 4:27 AM EDT reply actions
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