Stay Thirsty My Friends
by Jeff Clark on May 14, 2009 11:16 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
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PrintThe Celtics are 32-0 when leading a playoff series 3-2. The Magic have lost the last 6 games where they faced elimination.
The Magic have all the traits of a team ready to implode. They've given up two 14 point leads in the playoffs and almost gave up a 28 point lead earlier this series. They have squandered 1-0 and 2-1 leads in the series. Their coach is complaining about the officials and blaming his players. Their star player is blaming the coach. They have no go-to guy in the clutch and their best player has no go-to moves on block (and is normally a liability from the line).
And you know what? None of that matters.
The Magic still out played the Celtics for much of the series. They have jumped out to first quarter leads in 4 of the 5 games. If you build a big enough lead, you don't have to worry much about who will score in clutch time.
History has shown that history means nothing in the present (except as a learning tool). Records are made to be broken and streaks are defined by when they end. This team has already given us a ton of memories this postseason. I just don't want the lasting one being that they were the first Boston team to lose a series in which they had a 3-2 lead.
I wish I could say with certainty that this team will rise to the occasion. But as Bulpett points out, this team has given us nothing to be certain about.
If there's anything we've learned through 12 Celtics playoff games, it's that we haven't learned anything.
Expectations seem to exist only so they can be mocked.
To wit: Ray Allen's going to light up J.J. Redick in this series. Try again. Allen is shooting .328 from the floor overall and has made just 5-of-29 treys. The Celtics will come out hard and fast in Game 5 and establish early and complete control. Sorry. They needed to score 13 straight points in crunch time to survive on their own floor.
You get the idea.
Now that isn't to say I'm not optimistic about our chances.
For all the reasons stated above, I don't think the Orlando Magic have what it takes to beat this Celtics team. I think we haven't seen the best out of the Celtics yet and if/when they put it together, look out.
I think Ray Allen's jumper is finally going to start falling tonight. I think Paul Pierce is going to get to the line and get their guys into foul trouble. I think Perkins is going to remind Howard why the Magic aren't getting him the ball on the low post more. I think Baby is going to keep making them pay for leaving him open for that midrange shot. I think, ...but I don't know.
Dwight Howard thinks he knows what is going to happen:
"We're in this series to win it," Howard said. "We are going to win this series."
The Magic are a good, hungry, desperate team. They are going to put everything they have into winning this game because they have to. Which means the Celtics need to play the same way.
"Confidence comes from experience. How many Game 7s have we been to? How many times have our backs been against the wall?"
Still, the Celtics might be better off if they didn't have to be frightened into greatness.
"Yeah," said Scalabrine, "it'd be great if we could play like that when our back isn't against the wall."
This team needs to (figuratively) punch the Magic in the neck early on. Don't let them get up early. Don't give them a foothold. Keep them at arms length and eventually they'll fold.
I'm tired of Game 7's. I'd like a nice, easy game 6 win tonight. We'll know early on if the Celtics are going to take advantage of a team that is realing or if we are going to need another late game comeback attempt. Here's hoping they come out strong. Stay thirsty my friends.
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I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Orlando is an easy out tonight. They still can do several things we have difficulty answering – if they’re smart enough to do them – so I suspect that the fourth win will be very difficult to come by.
With that said, it remains worthy of note that Kendrick Perkins has been a model of consistency in a sea of inconsistency. Really, really impressed with his play on both ends of the floor. When he can stay out of foul trouble, he’s been the Celtics’ best player in this series.
totally agree on Perkins
he’s probably been our MVP of this series which is even more impressive considering that he was dubbed the most important part of the series when it began
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
Perk is a beast
Consistent, passionate, composed and strong, and even tougherbecause his shoulder is so painful…
His attitude is so right. I just hope the injury is not made too much worse by playing with it, because we sure do need him…
I agree about perk as well, definetly. everyone has has been inconsitent in their roles…
what drives me nuts, is nationally hes getting NO credit, none…I keep hearing people adamant dwight howard should be getting the ball more so he can dominate… has anyone seen this guy try to score on perkins 1 on 1?
Check out TQC, the Magic's blog, for evidence that Perk is getting recognition
Both the admins and the fans over there give Perk credit for keeping Howrad out of any offensive rhytyhm. They do a great job over there of reviewing the sports sites and national sports entities and quoting or citing articles with relevant points. Perk is a growing topic on many of those.
Good post. I really hope the celtics come out with urgency and play good basketball, and dont just expect the magic to roll over, but quite frankly, it wouldnt suprise me. They will be lucky to win the series if they do that imo. they have been pretty much outplayed the entire series other then game 2
Be within 10 at the start of the fourth
and watch the C’s make all the plays down the stretch. Think Detroit 2008. I keep reading that Boston is getting outplayed… Boston led much of game 4 and almost blew it but made the big plays down the stretch. I guess because BBD made the plays it somehow means they shouldn’t have won that game…
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
2 pts from the bench
12 from ray allen
paul pierce in phantom foul trouble
7 minute scoreless stretch in 4th quarter
nah, we shouldnt have won that game
Ugh
That means we should won that game by more IMO. Sorry totally disagree with that premise.
When will people finally realize this team as currently constructed will be nothing like 2008 and understand that winning grimy games is how they will advance? We know their limitations but, instead of admitting and appreciating for what it is some would rather nit pick…
They haven’t been outplayed at all.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
So you should win a game on the road when your bench scores 2 pts, and the opposing bench scores 31? and you go 7 minutes without scoring in the 4th, because your best player is on the bench in foul trouble?
Yes they did
Is this a joke? The game was only close cause Paul got into foul trouble.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
Oh and I know this team is nothing like the 2008 team…pretty sure thats obvious
but no you shouldnt win a game against a better team on the road when you get nothing from the bench, and next to nothing from ray allen
why this doesnt make any sense to me
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
missed the better team gem .. thanks
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
Ok, i have to ask.
All those “Magic is a better team and they should win” talk, where do they come from? How do you back them up? Because Dwight had some fancy dunk in all star break so that mean his team is more talented? Because the so called elite front line Dwight-Hedo-Lewis is supposed to embarrass Perk-Davis-Scal on paper? Because Charles Barkley on TNT said so?
All I see is a 3-2 lead by the defending Champs and that suggest otherwise.
Oh, and can you explain we should be winning games by more when our bench is outscored by 29, pierce is in foul trouble, ray allen is could, and you go 7 minutes without scoring in the 4th
Please, please explain why we should win by more….makes no sense whatsoever, as a matter of fact we should have lost by 20
we should have lost by 20 but win
are you pulling me leg?
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
one more to go..
It ain’t over till my next door neighbor sings. The closeout game is always the most difficult to get especially when playing in enemy’s turf. Hope the Celtics bring their ‘A’ game to Orlando to kick some Mickey mouse’ butts.
Never
Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
Let’s finish this. And Cleveland? Bring ’em on.
the vox populi
Jeff, you nailed it with this article. Exceptional. Would it hurt if tonight our team managed a comfortable lead from start to finish? The Celtics this year seem determined to take us to the edge in every game, never letting us build confidence.
Except that over time, this team has trained itself to find ways to win in the clutch. I’m not counting the Magic out, but if it’s close I like our chances.
by Thruthelookingglass on May 14, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions
At what point ...
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
Sorry
At what point will Ray Allen stop getting a pass? He has been brutal. It’s about time for him to show that he’s worth $18 million per.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
agreed. celtics fans generally just attack rondo for his inconsistencies, and forget, well our 2 future hall of famers possibly have been even more inconsistent, pierce was bad in every game of the bulls series, and ray has been dreadful in this series, I mean terrible!!!!!!!
I also hear some of us make fun of rashard lewis for being an overpaid jump shooter….I dont think we have a whole lot of room to talk there
Oh but I can tell you why hes getting a pass
Because we saw the same thing last season in the playoffs, specifically the 2nd round against the cavs, he eventually got out of it, and arguably should have been finals MVP…kinda a microcosm of the last game, he plays dreadful the entire game, but then hits the shot that gives us the lead. even if hes playing terrible, you gotta trust that he will get himself out of it the next shot he takes
he had a pretty bad game, yes...
but great players stop up in the end when you need it most. down the stretch:
- behind-the-back move in the lane and finish at the cup with 1 on the shot clock
- stripped lewis for a steal that led to a pierce lay-in
- great dish to perkins to cut the lead to two
- back-breaking 3 for first lead since early moments
- two free throws with 6 seconds left
by spider monkey on May 14, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I Know One Guy Who's Not Giving Ray A Pass
His name is Ray Allen.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
I do not think tonight will be an easy out, but we did blow out the Lakers in Game 6 last year after losing Game 5 and therefore giving them some momentum. The big difference is that we played that one at home. I expect the Magic to give us everything they have. However, they may have some serious jitters before the home crowd, especially with the memory of BBD’s game winner still fresh in their minds. As I posted yesterday, even if the Magic are up big in this case, they will not feel comfortable. Those blown leads in Games 1 and 5 are going to haunt them. We need to establish ourselves early, make them fight for everything they get and take the crowd out of the game. When Ron VanJeremy then melts down, it’s game over.
I wish this game was on at 8. I am still winding down from work at 7 and need to be relaxed at the start of these gut-wrenching games. But I am just glad the C’s are still playing.
I cannot believe you used a Dos Equis commerical tag for a title....
oh and Perk is an absolute monster now and I love it.
He’s more skilled that Dwight Howard in every aspect of the game, he’s just not nearly as athletic as Dwight who is an absolute athletic freak of nature.
When Perk was asked what he thought of Howard winning the gold medal this summer, he responded: "What’s his impression of me after I won a ring?"
well, I think they modeled that character off of Big Baby
the most interesting man in the world
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
"He lives Vicarously through himself"
not unlike me – I am the center of my own attention.
Perk and BBD have a very high probabalitiy to be in early foul trouble tonight because Dwight Coward will be overly agressive from the get go and HE WILL GET THE CALLS.
Is it Soup Yet?
LOL
Master PO once had an awkward moment in the chatroom, and it continued to this day
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
ahahahahaha
I think I know what name I’ll be using in the chat room tonight.
When Perk was asked what he thought of Howard winning the gold medal this summer, he responded: "What’s his impression of me after I won a ring?"
key to the game
and to getting Ray and Paul going, is to open up the floor like Marbury and House did in the second half of game 5. The magic keep doubling down off of Rondo and i has been killing our offense, giving Pierce and Allen no room to operate and ending up with either Davis or Scal forcing a shot or Perk taking a 15 ft jumper. If this happens again we will lose. Open up the floor and there is no way the Magic can stay with Pierce & Allen.
The Celtics are 32-0 when leading a playoff series 3-2.
- ’Nuff said
.
.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
love the borges article
talk about ripping the magic a new one… I guess he’s been so bad on Football of late he decided to take a stab at writing about basketball
god am i the only one who found that tv ad very annoying?
the heineken “let a stranger drive you home” ad is very good btw.
I agree wholeheartedly that predictions regarding the Celts are worthless. I do think we’ll come out focused tonight and that if we can weather the storm and hang in there we should be in this game down the stretch. I fetl strongly that we were going to win game 5 and we did but it sure wasn’t the way I thought we were going to win it. Regardless of what happens in the next game or two I am proud of these guys. They have given everything they have. Really, what more needs to be said?
Heart Failure
A game 6 win would certainly help with the outbreak of heart failure across Celtics ( and Bruins) Nation!
Anyone else a little ticked that Shaq got the 3rd team All NBA selection at center? Will Perkins ever get any respect??
OK I don’t want to set the bar too high for him but his game has always reminded me a lot of The Chief. He is not going to make many highlight reels but he brings a solid game and is very tough. He also has a way of stepping up when others are starting a game sluggish.
Perk similar to Chief
Think I’d like to see Perk slug Laimbeer. Just because I’m still not over it. ; )
by Thruthelookingglass on May 14, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Whic Crew Will Be Officiating?
If it’s Bennett Salvatore, the series is going 7 games. The good news is that we won’t see him in game 7.
You really have to hope for someone like Joey Crawford, who sometimes gives visiting teams a break and will let the players play at the end of a close game.
couldn't agree more
I would love to see Joey in this game. Guarenteed he T’s up a home player and gives us the benefit on a few calls. He makes it his job to even out home court advantage as best he can.
I can’t take anymore salvatore… my blood pressure rises as soon as I see him out there. I could certainly do without bill kennedy tonight too.
by WillyBeamin on May 14, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Great article
I feel exactly the same way.
It reminds me of the NBA commercial saying “Expect the unexpected” about LeBron. It applies to this Celtics team in my opinion, since all my expectations have been wrong so far.
I just watch the games with trust in the team and that’s it, even when Rondo and Ray have a poor shooting night the Celtics are able to win because somebody else steps ups. So… let’s go Celtics, keep winning!
Crybaby Howard
Dwight hasn’t played well when under the spotlight or with lots of pressure. Tonight, in Game 6 in Orlando, he will be in the spotlight and under plenty of pressure. The dude has potentially set himself up for disaster– what if he gets 20 touches, the offense runs strictly through him, and the Magic fail?
Everyone keeps saying, "Just wait for him to develop… He’s got loads of potential." That might be true, but he’s got a lot of work before becoming the dominant player he claims he already is. Drop step? Not there. Hook? Not there. Baby hook? Not there. Ability to face up to players? Not there. Ability to handle the ball on the post? Not there. Little jumper from 7 feet out? Not there. Any low post moves period? Not there.
I hope SVGundy plans to change it up tonight. Why not? You’re going to lose this series anyway, so you might as well give Not-so-Superman a chance to win the game for the team. There is nothing to lose, but everything to gain: you either win Game 6 or you get him to shut up and start working on his game. We’ve seen what the Magic are all about, and what they bring to the table. Unfortunately for them, they are playing at their ceiling: this is the best they can do. But the problem is they can’t sustain leads, they don’t have a coach that understands how to change the tempo of a game, and they don’t have a player that can close out a game. You can’t beat a team as good as the Celts w/o those 3 things.
http://loscy.wordpress.com/
this team tho not too smooth fights hard. it’s all about the defense. orlando has played good d and by now, we should be able to exploit them. rondo has to have one of his stellar games on o and please rajon keep in front of your man on d and donot play 5 feet away from him. perk-stay out of foul trouble-please watch the picks.
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