LOST
by Jeff Clark on May 15, 2009 9:09 AM EDT
in Articles
52 comments
I am no longer surprised by anything I see out of this team. The only consistent thing about this postseason has been inconsitency.
These playoffs are reminding me of a season of LOST. Every time I feel like I know something about this team, I'm proven wrong. Every time I feel like I know where the story is headed, it takes a right angle turn and goes in directions I never thought possible. Reality is so bent out of shape at this point that I'm not sure the rules of physics apply anymore.
The Orlando Magic are supposed to be a team that panics down the stretch. They played that role perfectly in games 1 and 5, but let it be noted that they still managed to hold on (if just barely) in game 1. Somehow, last night the roles were reversed and the Celtics were the ones that couldn't hold onto a 10 point lead and faltered down the stretch. The Magic were the ones that showed poise.
I have to admit, when we were up 10 I was already starting to formulate what I would write about the Magic in an end of series post. I was thinking of something along the lines of "This is the part where I'm supposed to tip my hat and credit the other team for giving it a good effort, but I don't know if I can do that." Well, now I can. The Magic answered their critics and showed more poise than I gave them credit for. Good on them.
It isn't just the overall story that has me scratching my head either. The individual stories are driving me bonkers. It is like trying to figure out who Kate will end up with or how Hurley got fatter in season 1 despite being stranded on an island with little food to speak of.
Ray Allen? How do you explain his slump? This is deja vu from a year ago but this time we don't have KG around to pick up the slack. How does Rajon Rondo look like the best PG in the world in one game and pedestrian the next? How does Paul Pierce disappear for stretches at a time and then take over a game only to choke away free throws later.
It isn't all bad either. Some of the twists have been great. Aside from last night, Glen Davis has exceeded all reasonable expectations of him. Stephon Marbury playing the role of savior? Scalabrine playing the role of James Posey? Perkins basically playing Dwight Howard to a standstill in the series? These are things I didn't count on but without them we are sitting home right now wondering about next year.
And that's where we could be as early as Monday morning.
You could argue that we're playing with house money at this point anyway. We could have done what the San Antonio Spurs did and bow gracefully out of the playoffs in round 1 and nobody outside of Boston would have been overly surprised. But here we are, one win away from the ECF and who really knows what will happen in game 7?
Maybe Ray will go off for 30 points and we'll roll to victory. Maybe Rondo will drop a triple double and we'll need a buzzer beater from Mikki Moore (because both Perk and Davis had fouled out) to win the game. Maybe we'll see Paul and Ray go 0 for 30 and lose a tight game despite a career high from Scalabrine. Or maybe all the Magic shooters will break out of their own mini-slumps all at once and we'll lose by 20. And maybe we'll find out the truth about Jacob and what happens with the bomb.
I have no idea what to expect anymore. I just hope that the season continues so we can see more twists and turns and storylines galore. I don't want the season to end because I hate summer reruns and I'm a little turned off by baseball right now.
Game 7, where amazing happens. And by "amazing" I mean "nothing would surprise me."
1 recs |
52 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Dwight could be right
The Celtics could EASILY lose this series Sunday night.
They could really use POWE.
Orlando has an extremely talented squad…and the Celtics, obviously, are depleted.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
PS:
As the Bruins showed us last night, homecourt (ice) means little.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hockey is a bit different, while I agree this celtics team will actually probably lose game 7, just because I said if they didnt win last night, they would lose in 7, and i guess i should stick to that prediction
but homecourt and home ice ARE completely different…i think if the celtics come in to game 7 thinking they have been there before and just expect to win , they will lose. they gotta earn it.
Im still dumbfounded they did everything they could to find a way to lose last night…the magic played terribly
by ohc on May 15, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they could really use powe?
what about that guy KG?
Powe is overrated
by ohc on May 15, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
POWE IS NOT OVERRATED
Are you crazy?
Obviously they could use KG, I was just saying they could use Powe.
With POWE, this series would likely be over by now.
With POWE + KG, they’d be the favorite to hang #18.
.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, how is powe not overrated? he absolutely is. i know hes a fan favorite and a great guy, but he isnt what most fans say. yes we could use him, but this series would be going 7 regardless
by ohc on May 15, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
$797,581
POWE: Salary – $797,581
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=3023
I’d say they’re getting their money’s worth.
Not to mention the ‘little things’ that don’t show up in the stats.
This guy is the garbage man, a banger.
Yes he’s a fan favorite, but he’s also a quality player.
ESPECIALLY given his salary to effectiveness ratio.
.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Powe was actually virtually identical in offensive production to Garnett this year
He’s their best low-post threat off the bench, and an underrated rebounder. His defense isn’t much to write home about, but when the Celtics are giving Scalabrine 20 minutes in huge playoff games instead of Leon Powe, that makes a huge difference.
That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
by Ozzie Montana on May 15, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FOULS
Powe was one of the most prolific players in the league in getting fouls. Powe getting fouled in the post= Howard in foul trouble, more rest for Perk, Scal playing more the posey role rather than Powe role. Series over already in my opinion. It is what it is though, EVERYONE except for the Cavs have serious injuries right now. If the Magic had Nelson they would have put us away already
by wahz on May 15, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you bring Nelson into this?
We could say the same thing IF we had Garnett and Powe.
by C's09Champs on May 15, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really, scalabrine spreads the floor more for rondo, leon clogs the paint and is a black hole…yes we could use him, but i dont want to sit here and talk about injuries, i want to talk about the inability to win a game we shouldve won with the men on the floor
by ohc on May 15, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice post, But I dont know how much credit im willing to give the magic. I guess some. but I feel as though this was completly the celtics beating themselves. the magic looked like a team ready for vacation, until they looked up and realized, gee we can win this game
by ohc on May 15, 2009 9:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
am not giving up the ship just yet
am still the optimist…but hey…we really are grinding….and obviously all this grinding
is definitely taking its toll on our team…
can’t blame KG for being unavailable…but ray ray really has to step up on GAME 7….
it really is a feat to get some semblance of support from our 2nd team…but bottom line…the remaining 2 of our big 3 should lead the way….
by celtpinoy on May 15, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Winnable Game
Last night was winnable, but everyone looked flat in the 2nd half. I guess the C’s legs caught up with their heads.
Olando did a good job defending Pierce & Allen. Ray didn’t get the clean looks or screens he needs. Both should have gone to the rack more in the 2nd half.
Howard gets credit for being more aggressive, but he’s still a mess in the post unless he has a clear path to the basket from 5 ft out.
C’s will have the motivation & crowd behind them in Game 7.
by LuckyNumber07 on May 15, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bone head move of the night....
belonged to the man with the star on his head. Why fire up this squad? Just walk away. Stephon acting like a punk after the hard foul by Scal and the Celtics got what they deserved. Turalu just needed someone to light his fire and that’s what Steph did. Idiot move by an idiot. The C’s though they could sleepwalk through the last three minutes because of what happen the previous game and it cost them. Wake up, it’s another Game 7. My hope for getting past the Cavs are gone. To much wear and tear on this team.
If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.
by Captain Comeback on May 15, 2009 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
really?
the celtics blow a 10 point lead and marbury jawing with Turk because he thought he was going after teamate is the problem… someone has a bone to pick.
turkoglu hit exactly 3 shots all game (3-13), one of which was just an awful decision to shoot that 3 at the end of the game, his first hit in 5 attempts for the game. he really got fired up after marbury and him were yapping! gimme a break.
alston slapping house on the back of the head = bone head punk move
steph yapping with turkoglu = silly, but hardly a game changer
by WillyBeamin on May 15, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can I get some cheese with all of this "whine"???
Wow. Just wow. I am completely shocked by the amount of negative comments on this board… Has it always been this way? I’ve been coming to C-Blog since it started and I have NEVER read so much G-Damned whining in and hand-wringing in my life. Get some perspective people!
If people had this kind of piss poor, worry wort attitude we would have never left the caves. MAN UP YOU WHINERS!!!
by paul7x5x on May 15, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's been a crazy series. It's easy to argue if the Celtics should have even
gotten this far. No KG no Powe a manic series with Chicago, then these up and down games with Orlando. I agree with Jeff. Who knows what will happen on Sunday. Marbury and Scal go for career highs and Pierce and Allen go scoreless. Would it surprise anyone at this point? Does it matter who’s ahead by 12 pts with four minutes left? No.
It will make for a great, but nervous, watch.
by eastie Rich on May 15, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
At least we can
flip back and forth between the Celtics, and ‘Daisy of Love’.
.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
win or lose, they are in just about every game—give’em credit. we saw some bad pp lst nite but they ran out og gas. it’s up to doc to get’em going and he needs to be judicious with hie subbing. the starting 5 needs the help from the bench. my money is on eddie ans scal.
by nazzbo on May 15, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Read em and Weep....
I’m sick of the handwringing.
“Dwight could be right
The Celtics could EASILY lose this series Sunday night.
They could really use POWE.
Orlando has an extremely talented squad…and the Celtics, obviously, are depleted.”
“Bone head move of the night….
belonged to the man with the star on his head. Why fire up this squad? Just walk away. Stephon acting like a punk after the hard foul by Scal and the Celtics got what they deserved. Turalu just needed someone to light his fire and that’s what Steph did. Idiot move by an idiot. The C’s though they could sleepwalk through the last three minutes because of what happen the previous game and it cost them. Wake up, it’s another Game 7. My hope for getting past the Cavs are gone. To much wear and tear on this team.”
by paul7x5x on May 15, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
YOU ARE WRONG
I’m sick of the handwringing.
"Dwight could be right
The Celtics could EASILY lose this series Sunday night.
They could really use POWE.
- THIS ISN’T WHINING, THEY ARE ALL FACTS.
Orlando has an extremely talented squad…and the Celtics, obviously, are depleted."
- THIS ISN’T WHINING, IT IS A FACT.
"Bone head move of the night….
belonged to the man with the star on his head. Why fire up this squad? Just walk away. Stephon acting like a punk after the hard foul by Scal and the Celtics got what they deserved. Turalu just needed someone to light his fire and that’s what Steph did. Idiot move by an idiot. The C’s though they could sleepwalk through the last three minutes because of what happen the previous game and it cost them. Wake up, it’s another Game 7. My hope for getting past the Cavs are gone. To much wear and tear on this team."
- THIS ISN’T WHINING, THESE ARE OPINIONS.
WHINING WOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE:
The refs really lost this game for the Celtics last night.
They would’ve won had the Bavetta not been officiating.
Why did Powe have to get hurt?
KG should take out the earrings when he comes to games and stop swearing.
We’re all sad, but still…I see no whining or, as you put it ‘piss poor, worry wort attitude we would have never left the caves. MAN UP YOU WHINERS!!!’
That’s offensive.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks mcpu40! Good looking out!
If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.
by Captain Comeback on May 15, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hold the Phone......
I have seen a lot of blame tossed around but the one post blaming Steph is the best. I do not think for a minute that his actions in defending Scal lit a fire under the Magic. The turnovers, Ray’s poor shooting, Moore taking up a valuable roster spot, Pierce’s missed free throws. These are the reasons we lost. Yet, I like our chances in Game 7. My god people, Scal is getting a lot of minutes this series. He did not play a minute of last year’s postseason. What does that tell you? That we are even in a game 7 against Orlando in the second round is an accomplishment with this squad. If we lose Sunday night, I expect the crowd to give this team a roaring standing ovation after the game. They deserve it.
by JPV on May 15, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thats my opinion. Why fire up this team who has done nothing but choke in the 4th quarter.
Stupid moves on his part.
If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.
by Captain Comeback on May 15, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Answers
In my opinion, the Celtics are so thinly stretched on D, especially with the kind of help D that they play, that it is not surprising to see such erratic play from the starters. When you’re constantly plugging holes in the defensive net, that’s got to drain your energy… Maybe more than we’re giving credit for.
Remember last year — the ease with which the C’s scored seemingly at will was largely a byproduct of the tight Celtics defense. The depth of that pool of defenders who know the scheme inside and out, that is what is missing. Posey, KG, Powe, all knew their place in the scheme. All brought immeasurable hustle and tenacity, creating a web of defense that stifled our opponents and created easy scoring opportunities for the whole team.
Cut back to the present, and it’s easy to see that, despite the drive and heart shown by this year’s model, the lockdown D cannot be activated with any consistency. Thus, our scorers cannot take the time to be scorers, since they are busy expending that extra energy applying band aids to a defense that is no longer greater than the sum of its parts.
I still think that the C’s will take this series.
But like everything for the this year’s Celtics, it’s not gonna come easy.
by Hal Jordan on May 15, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Answers indeed!
I think this is a great analysis Hal. It’s all true.
However, that commitment didn’t disappear with KG and Powe. It was absent before that. Even during the awesome winning streak at the beginning of the year the D was inconsistent, which is why many of those games were close.
by Thruthelookingglass on May 15, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice article, Jeff! I feel the same way…
But the responses here are just pathetic!
by thebirdman on May 15, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Bunch of crankers
I guess people can’t post opinions here anymore without being called whiners or pathetic.
The Celtics lost last night and we all hope they win Sunday.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's right, you whiner!
And we pathetics rule!!! Ruh! Ruh! Ruh!
by jyrecelts on May 17, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One thing I know not to expect
and that is commitment to game-long defensive intensity. For whatever reason, good or bad, reasonable or not, this year’s Celtics only clamp down in spots. They’ve done it all season long, it’s not something that’s just happened since KG or Powe went down.
by Thruthelookingglass on May 15, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Whatevs...
People can post whatever the hellz they want! Last time I checked the “interweb” was still free. (Albeit with a little moderation from Jeff…)
I thought there’s no such thing as a “wrong” opinion. Just callin’ it as i see it. Can’t stand the handwringing every time the C’s lose. You don’t have to demonstrate what a “whine” is. I am well aware. That being said, I am proud of the Celtics for sticking tough and playing as well as they can considering the obstacles they’ve endured thus far. I don’t hope they will win. They WILL WIN!
by paul7x5x on May 15, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
all opinions are welcome
all I ask is that everyone shows each other respect, regardless of their opinions
thanks
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on May 15, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's all in the terminology
We here on CBlog analyze and scrutinize, praise and criticize. It’s Lakers fans who whine—at least I would after last night.
by Thruthelookingglass on May 15, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
09/10
I agree with you jeff, nothing can be predicted about game 7 except it will not be a “normal” game
what i am excited about is having KG back next season with the development of Rondo, BigBaby and the ever solid play from Perk
a winning, professional and smart core of kg, ray and pp means these guys mature faster and the right way. This is Celtics tradition!
I know this campaign aint over but i cant help but think ahead to 09/10
by 00dc2 on May 15, 2009 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Regardless
Regardless of who wins this series, either team will likely get smashed by the healthy and rested and homecourt having Cavs.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
by mcpu40 on May 15, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They are not going to like that opinion here MC, all be it correct.
If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.
by Captain Comeback on May 15, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are now entering . . .
the Twilight Zone
by rrc589 on May 15, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm ok either way
whether we win or lose. naturally I want to win but I agree that the only certainly about our team is the uncertainty. Pierce’s teams have always been a little schizophrenic: they came from 24 back to beat the Nets but then lost the next 3 games. They take Indiana to 7 and then get blown out in game 7 at the Garden. but then they beat Atlanta and Cleveland and Chicago in game 7. Obviously Pierce wasn’t the problem last night although his turnovers hurt but so did the other 15 turnovers committed by the starters. I think Sunday is a crap shoot and I agree with Jeff that it could turn out any number of ways. One thing i know for sure though is that we have more heart than Orlando . If they beat us by hitting a bunch of 3’s then so be it. SOmehow I think we will find a way to win because that’s what we do best.
by Red2 on May 15, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Win.
How about this one…Not only are we winning Sunday. But we are beating the Cavs. Heard it here first citizens!
by paul7x5x on May 15, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only blame goes staight on to the shoulders, of the 2 active leaders of this team right now, ray allen and paul pierce. pretty simple. the role players are doing all you could possibly ask for (well minus steph and mikki)…pierce and allen were something like 8-25, and we had the lead most of the game, and then these two were incapable of stepping up for there team and ending this series when they clearly shouldve. wasnt it a one point game when pierce went to the line? he misses freaking both and it snow balled from there. way to come through guys. the more i think of it, the more im embarrassed for ya. when will you learn when to end a series? the only series in the last 2 years they finished off the oppponet of when they shouldve is detroit (we were 5 points away from sweeping LA, and it went 6) and the celtics clearly should have won that ball game last night, and as rondo said, they choked, as perk said…they beat themselves…
by ohc on May 15, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and to be sitting here 13 games into the playoffs, its completly unnacceptable to still be waiting for pierce and allen to put a game together where they both play good…..seriously, what are they doing?
by ohc on May 15, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I do believe they really just want to break last post season record of 26 playoff games.
Let’s go for 28!
If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.
by Captain Comeback on May 15, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Man did that just mess me up!!!
There are 2 websites I go to all the time…here and a LOST blog. (well during the season anyway) when I clicked on here and saw lost I got all messed up…lol! Thanks for combining my favorite show, sport and team into one post…
by warriorspirit on May 15, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Celtics Play better from behind.
It seems like the Celtics have a switch that turns on when they get behind by 15 points and they start playing. There also seems to be a switch that turns off when we get a 10 point lead. We need to have the behind by 15 mentality for the entire game!
by GreeneIdaho on May 15, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess Jacob would be Pierce...
…because he controls everything and has spent alot of time in hiding?
BBD=Hugo?
by rickyfan3.0... on May 15, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jacob = PP? I sure hope not . . .
I mean — look what happened to him. haha
by rrc589 on May 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
baby and ray will play better
relax..boston wins game 7
by celticinorlando on May 15, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
