Well, Rondo's shooting jumpers in a "quick-fix" attempt at cutting Miami's 13-point lead with less than three minutes left, so I guess that makes it official: the C's are done ... for this game, and for the series.

Pessimistic? Yes, but let's be real: Boston's not suddenly going to start playing a whole lot better simply because they go home, so it's likely that Miami takes one of two there, meaning Boston will have to win three straight to finish the series in seven, and that's not gonna happen -- not that this Miami team can't be beaten in three straight, but because Boston has decided to not focus, to not concentrate, to not put everything it has into this series. The bumbling and stumbling, the failure to secure rebounds (try using two hands, you guys), the sloppy play, the failure to secure loose balls most of the time ... and allowing a 13-0 run late in the fourth after tying the game? Not the marks of a championship team.

I tried hard to enjoy this season, I really did, but with Shaq out for so long, and the mental softness that's apparently the new hallmark of this squad, I think the run is over. Prepare to watch either the hated Lakers or the hated Heat win the title this season, then settle in for the lockout next season (hey, at least the Heat and Lakers won't be able to win it, either), and hope that the new coach and new GM can make wise use of what will be decent salary-cap space. Then, I figure, it'll be at least a couple years before they're again ready to be serious contenders, unless they somehow score two HUGE free agents to go along with Rondo and Green (please, Danny, ship Baby out of town ASAP) -- then, perhaps, they'll be back in the Finals sooner.

As for this year, though, it's over, and I don't care if you think I'm just being a huge Debbie Downer.