Best For Last

by Jeff Clark on Jun 18, 2008 7:32 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

It is going to take a while for me to fully take in the magnitude of this moment, but I don't want to let the moment pass without looking at the actual game that sealed the deal.

The Celtics struggled to close out opponents in the post season because they failed to put together complete games. They did enough, never trailing in a playoff series and winning 2 game 7's, but it always seemed like a fight. A quarter here and a quarter there they looked dominant, but then they'd somehow let up or forget to follow through with the gameplan. Teams like the Hawks and Cavs hung around and made things interesting. Third quarters were typically huge, and that was enough. But I couldn't help but wonder how it would look if they simply put together a complete game playing as well as they could.

No need to wonder anymore. In the last game of the year, they played at the top of their game for all 4 quarters. Or to be more accurate, for the first three quarters, after-which the game was over and done except for the standing O's and Gatorade showers.

What else can you say about the New Big Three? First of all, I'm officially going to be capitalizing that name from now on. They deserve it now. All they did last night was the same stuff they've been doing all year. Garnett set the tone early with 10 points in the first quarter (and of course his usual fantastic defense. No more talk about him shrinking on the biggest stage. He's a Champion now.

Finals MVP Paul Pierce managed to dominate the game without scoring much until the 2nd half. Everything was made possible because of the plays he set up and the way he forced the defense to react to him. Ray Allen's three pointers and overall play were just the icing on the cake. Many of his record tying 3's were in garbage time, but he was a factor in building the lead too.

As predicted, our support players stepped up at home as well. Rajon Rondo played another game of his life in the finals (to go with his 16 assist effort in game 2). 21 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and an eye popping 6 steals (one off the record). Basically, the Lakers got Rondo'd.

Big Game James and Eddie House also chipped in with timely shooting to push the lead up. Props also go out to Perkins who played through pain, PJ Brown who delivered exactly what he was brought here to do, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, and Tony Allen. Everyone played a role.

And last but not least, give credit to Doc Rivers. Again, what more can you say about him? He was the number 1 scapegoat for last year's team, but Danny Ainge stuck by him and he came through in the biggest way possible. At times he was totally out-coaching the "Then Master" Phil Jackson. He held his composure and provided sound, inspirational leadership when the team needed it the most.

What a great win for a great team. A fitting and perfect end to the year. I'll try to compose some more thoughts on the whole season in the days ahead, but I wanted to enjoy this win for all its glory. They saved the best for last. How sweet it is.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I’m thinking it could be a while before anyone again says: Doc’s stupid, Garnett’s a choke artist, Pierce is one-dimensional, Allen’s washed up, Rondo’s a liability, Perkin’s a stiff, or Ainge is a moron.

by no kidding on Jun 18, 2008 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

thanks to you jeff, for your championshiplike stewardship of this blog site. i absolutely love your term about phil jackson—the THEN master. priceless. they really did put on the whole show on the last day-they saved the best for last.it took the tension right out of my body and i had a big grin the whole game. not as big as wyc’s, but he spent more than me. thanks again

by nazzbo on Jun 18, 2008 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

I stole that Phil nickname from someone in the chat last night. Can’t take full credit. This blog is a team effort! Ubuntu!

by Jeff Clark on Jun 18, 2008 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics were the team that best defined all the wonderful elements of what being a team really means. For that they deserved to win. The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics were the team that most believed that defense wins championships. For that they deserved to win. The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics came up big at the biggest moments of the year (all year). For that they deserved to win. The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics truly seemed to care about one another in a way that symbolizes why sports can transcend its often simple competitive construct. It’s clichÃ© to say but they actually seemed to love each other. And for that they deserved to win. But as one of my favorite movie lines states: “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it”. They went out and executed championship basketball at the moment they needed it most. They played their best game in their biggest game. They leaned on one another like true brothers and grasped sporting immortality. And that’s why they deserve to be remembered. Always.

Thank you for a great, great run,

~ A Fan

by lovethecees on Jun 18, 2008 8:12 AM EDT reply actions

I think this victory does just the opposite: it buries any relevancy to a ‘Big 3’. Rondo came up huge and Perk showed that he was a solid ‘role’ starter on a championship team. The team was bigger than 5 players as well: thank you, Mssrs. Posey, House and Brown. This is not the ‘80s all over again, and there’s no legitimate way to place Rondo below his elders in importance to this team.

But how sweet it is!

by clover on Jun 18, 2008 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

great season…. lets hope of an off season of satisifaction ;D
Also hope they keep Posey.
we took a long road but proved we are the best. So thank you to Jeff & your staff.
& off the Celtics for making it so special for us fans.
RED would be proud.
lets hope they can smoke cigars up in heaven.

by tommyfan on Jun 18, 2008 8:29 AM EDT reply actions

Nice piece, but…

You forgot about Ainge. He’s the one that made it possible, not only by bringing in Allen and Garnett, but by signing Posey, House, Davis, Cassell, P.J., etc., and by trusting unproven talents like Perk, Rondo and Powe. Danny’s the man, and he’s not having enough recognition.

Further, this team’s future is in his hands. He’ll probably make another miraculous pick in the 2008 draft.

by V_for_verde on Jun 18, 2008 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

Beautifully said—-

lovethecees said:
The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics were the team that best defined all the wonderful elements of what being a team really means. For that they deserved to win. The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics were the team that most believed that defense wins championships. For that they deserved to win. The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics came up big at the biggest moments of the year (all year). For that they deserved to win. The 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics truly seemed to care about one another in a way that symbolizes why sports can transcend its often simple competitive construct. It’s clichÃ© to say but they actually seemed to love each other. And for that they deserved to win. But as one of my favorite movie lines states: “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it”. They went out and executed championship basketball at the moment they needed it most. They played their best game in their biggest game. They leaned on one another like true brothers and grasped sporting immortality. And that’s why they deserve to be remembered. Always.

Thank you for a great, great run,

~ A Fan

by TrueGreen on Jun 18, 2008 8:59 AM EDT reply actions

rumor has is Reggie Miller regrets not joining c’s for their drive to 17.;D

by tommyfan on Jun 18, 2008 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

Thank you Celtics. Thank you fans. The Garden was INTENSE last night. Before we left, I told my wife that it could be the fifth biggest day in my life — being born, getting married, the birth of two kids being the first four — And it was. To be there with my 13-year-old son and to slp high fives with him and hug him in the end. It will be tough to beat that feeling. My ears are still ringing from the noise last night. Thank you Celtics Blog.

by vinnie on Jun 18, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Where has Brickowskie been lately? Someone call him in Toronto and tell him the Celtics won the title.

by tmcdon on Jun 18, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

seriously!! where’s scintan at now!

by dobbs on Jun 18, 2008 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

Doing the trip around the Celtics blogs today.
Far, far too good. Well done Celtics.
My message to Celtics and all associatedâ€¦
â€œBoston Celtics, congratulations.
Boston fans, enjoy your victory. It was hard-earned, and a long time in the coming. Savor itâ€™s sweetness, especially given that it comes with the defeat of an old, old enemy.â€

Don

by withmalice on Jun 18, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, wow and WOW !!!!

22 years in the making.

Just so happy for Paul, he certainly deserved his MVP award and the national recognition he is now receiving.

The blend of this team is just other worldly, with everyone’s individual talents seeming to seamlessly compliment the talents of everyone else. Hat’s off Danny, masterful.

Rajon is the future and he will be a force to be reckoned with over the next decade.

Just feeling very lucky to be a Celtic fan right now, even if it is on the other side of the world.

Congratulations guys and thank you.

Go the Green !!!!

Cheers

Aussie

by Aussie Celtic on Jun 19, 2008 12:08 AM EDT reply actions