It Matters Little

by Jeff Clark on Feb 5, 2009 9:23 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Steve Bulpett makes the case that these regular season matchups don't matter that much in the long run.

Anticipation for a game in February? Pinch yourself.

Just don’t believe that the sound of sneakers on the parquet will echo too far beyond the night. Yes, the Celtics can secure a tie in the season series, and there could be some homecourt-advantage ramifications if the C’s and Lakers finish with the same record. But understand, too, there is no statement that will be made in this one that cannot be forcibly retracted in 15 minutes of June.

Let’s say it is Celts-Lakers in the Finals again and that the series begins out west this time. Let’s say the Lakers win tonight and you have to read too many stories on how they have the C’s number. Let’s say the injured Andrew Bynum is back by then and the Celtics show up in California after a brutal series with Cleveland.

Now take it a step further and say the Lakers win Game 1 by 34 points. Make it 148-114 for the sake of the discussion. . . . All the Celtics would have to do is find a way to get Game 2, and the entire series would be turned around, which is precisely what happened in reverse in the 1985 Finals.

That's all well and good, and it makes perfect logical sense. However, I still really want this game.

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Comments

Finding It Hard To Get Excited

I’m finding it hard to get excited about tonite’s game, especially after the way the Celtics won against Philly. I think I’m just tired about hearing all this crap about the Lakers—Bynum hurt, Kobe scores 61, Ariza and the guy who can’t defend hating the C’s, Phil Jackson, etc. The C’s don’t say anything about the Lakers. The only importance in tonite’s game is about home court advantage. The C’s need it more because they will probably meet the Cav’s in the division finals. It’s less necessary for LA. As to LA/Celtics, if the C’s win tonite what is the tie breaker if it comes down to that?

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Feb 5, 2009 9:40 AM EST reply actions

And

With the 2-3-2 format I really think the advantage goes to the team without home court advantage if it should come down to that. The team with home court is under tremendous pressure to win the first two games. If they don’t they will probably lose 2 of the next three and and the pressure is again on the home team to win the last two games.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Feb 5, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

And Again

With the way NBA officiating has been it’s a challenge for the C’s to win, even if they deserve it. The refs can decide who wins.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Feb 5, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

2-3-2 format

I have a friend who also believes the 2-3-2 format is advantageous for the road team. He brings up the same argument as you and adds that the most important game in a series is game 5, which goes to the team without home court.

I argue this: if you go 2-4 when you have 3 home games and 3 road games, you got beat by a better team. Don’t give me this pressure crap. If you are a true champion, you do what the celtics did last year: take one game at a time. One game at a time. You hear it all the time from champions (celts, patriots, etc.). If you are a champion, you should be able to win 3 out of 6 games if you have 3 home and 3 road games. Then it comes down to game 7 at your home court. There’s your advantage; its not call home court guarentee, its called home court advantage.

by action781 on Feb 5, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

the fakers with or witout bynum are better this year, no doubt. it’s a test and let’s see how we do. right now, i am more worried about the cavs who are also much better.

by nazzbo on Feb 5, 2009 10:08 AM EST reply actions

I dont know how much better they are actually…after they got Gasol last year I’d argue they’re as good as they are now, barely losing any games left in the regular season and then stampeding through “the best conference of all time” in route to the finals…I dont see any dramatic improvement in there defense and the west is dramatically weaker this season…

by TheAncientRivalry on Feb 5, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

If I didn't know better

it sounds like Old Jeff is taking this game personally?

by William_Ayers on Feb 5, 2009 10:14 AM EST reply actions

yeah, ...and?

all I ever said was that it wasn’t anything personal against Laker fans

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Feb 5, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Oh

I get it now.

My bad

by William_Ayers on Feb 5, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions

Two Words ...

Beat LA!!!

by Celtic_E on Feb 5, 2009 12:00 PM EST reply actions

Well, that´s actually 3 words :P

by Casperian on Feb 5, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

Defend Your House

This is how you build an attitude going towards the playoffs. Let’s face it this a big rivalry game that will decide how these teams look at their rosters going into the trade deadline.

by loverofceltics on Feb 5, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Only way to see it...

We need this game only to have bragging rights until the playoffs come. I think this is like any other game but I would love them to beat them badly.

by illestmcsgt on Feb 5, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

home court

Every game seems to be important this year. I agree that this game will have no bearing on an individual game, should these teams meet in the finals. However, When three teams are this close to securing home court advantage in the playoffs, head-to-head match-ups present a two game swing. That makes this game very important.

by MurphyHOF on Feb 5, 2009 5:23 PM EST reply actions