What Were They Thinking?: The Boston Celtics and the NBA Finals.

[korbel]

Now be honest about this poll please. What did you think before the Finals started???? I picked the Celtics in a battle.

Hello all,

I was a huge Celtics fan between 1970 and the early 1990s. Then Larry Bird retired early because of his bad back, Len Bias the furture of the Celtics died of a cocaine induced heart attack in 1986, and star Reggie Lewis died at a team practice in 1993. After that it was mediocrity or worse and I have not been much of a fan though I followed their story. I am not really on the bangwagon this year. I consider myself a fan by habit of sorts, though I would love to see them win. But what gets me is how others, "professional experts", showed such disrespect to the teams achievement this year when nearly everyone picked the Lakers to win in 5 games. Can anyone realisitically explain this?

I was coming home from the Red Sox game yesterday listening to WEEI and heard all about how sports experts, almost to a man, picked the Lakers as sure winners in 5. Well, so much for that. Call the clean up crew to take care the huge amount of eggs on the faces of the hilarious experts. What the hell were they thinking? Now the same ESPN experts who picked the Lakers prohibitively are explaining that the Lakers mistakenly came in and thought the Celtics would just let them play their "pretty game" of offense, without playing much defense if at all. The wisdom now is the Lakers will have to "slog it out" and play tough to win. DUH! How can so many experts forget the maxim that good defense beats good offense...or...defense wins championships? Were they just in love with Kobe I Got My Wife a $4,000,000 Ring Just Because I Love Her Bryant? Is there something about LA that just screams "love us" beyond reality? Even a mediocre fan like me saw it wouldn't be a cake walk for either side.

As I said I have not been an exhuberant Celtics fan this year, but I know their success was based on the toughest defense in the league. Why so many experts and most of the country overwhelmingly picked the Lakers in 5 when anyone could see the Finals would be a grinding battle is beyond me. With the CELTICS up 2 games to ZERO, no matter what happens from here a lot of delusional fools are looking pretty ridiculous after evaluating the teams through purple blinders. So if someone can explain why nearly everyone west of the Berkshires picked the Lakers to win so easily I would like to understand the cause of such total mass national delusion??? Or was it just a carry over from hating the Patriots?

Cheers silly people,

Korbel

PS

Damn it's so tough to be a Boston fan these days...bwahahahahahahaha!

Bird sets up for three at the right corner baseline...he shoots...ohhhhh, LAAARRY BIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULvo7__wwBU

 

[Dee]

Haven't followed NBA too closely this year but thought LA would take the finals - and they still might... they seem to be one of those teams that you just can't put away... I'm surprised as hell at the 2-0 start.... as for Bryant... he does nothing, nothing but it seems to be that when he decides to turn on he can do anything and is unstoppable... (but I think his year long shooting percentage against Boston this year is only 33%)

 

[korbel]

Haven't followed NBA too closely this year but thought LA would take the finals - and they still might... they seem to be one of those teams that you just can't put away... I'm surprised as hell at the 2-0 start.... as for Bryant... he does nothing, nothing but it seems to be that when he decides to turn on he can do anything and is unstoppable... (but I think his year long shooting percentage against Boston this year is only 33%)

Hello Dee,

Current ESPN analysis in sum says this:

The Lakers have a great offense, but don't play much defense, and don't match well against very good teams that play a bruising game. The Celtics have a very good offense and great defense and play very hard. So where does this add up to an easy Lakers victory? It would seem the imbalance of good Celtics offense versus only mediocre Lakers defense gives the Celtics the edge when great Lakers offense versus great Celtics defense cancels each other? That may be very oversimplified...but, there it is.

Hmmm,

Korbel

 

[korbel]

Most experts liked the lakers for several reasons. After they picked up Paul Gesol part way thru the season they went from a decent team to a very good team. No. 2 Kobe Byrant like him or hate him he is the best player in the game. No.3 the lakers play in the west and the teams in the west have been much stronger then teams in the east for the last approx 10 years.

Before the series started i liked the lakers in a long series but they have dug a big hole. Teams that win the first 2 games of a best of 7 series go on to win approx 90% of the time.


Boston has been very poor on the road so far in the playoffs and with the next 3 games in LA if the lakers won all 3 games you never know but i am not holding my breath.

Hello Daringly,

I am not predicting Boston will win, even now. But so far the Lakers have not been able to run their game in the face of Boston's defense. If the Lakers try to take on Boston in a rough style game they will be out of their element, and that style would slow their A-game anyway. The Laker's best bet is that the Cletics continue to be sloppy and off balance on the road as they were in the 4th quarter last night.

Cheers,

Korbel

 

[master_bates]

I had the lakers in a battle and still do

The celtics barely escaped game 2

The series isnt over yet

 

[UNDFTD]

So if someone can explain why nearly everyone west of the Berkshires picked the Lakers to win so easily I would like to understand the cause of such total mass national delusion???

I don't actually think everyone picked the Lakers to win easily before the Finals. Even on ESPN, of the 10 NBA writers, only 2 picked LA in 5. Now while 9 of 10 picked LA to win regardless, I qualify your term "easily" as winning the series in 4-5 games.

But I do get your point. Everyone was quite favoring the Lakeshow. For those of us that know better (C's in 7...Beat L.A.!! Beat L.A.!!) it is funny, but I also think understandable:

Going into the Finals, even diehards like me could admit LA was clearly playing better basketball...sweeping the first round, showing savvy and versatility against Utah beating them in 6, and then manhandling the defending champs in 5. They did all this against playoff hardened teams in arguably the toughest Western Conference seeds in history. Plus they showed poise by breaking through the toughest defence in the west and third in the league.

Then you had Boston who couldn't win on the road until the third round and needed 7 games to eliminate a below-500 team of college players. They looked shaky in general, not knowing which team would show up to games, unable to close out 4th quarters, Ray Allen wasn't quite there, and Doc brilliantly figured he'd change everything about how they played in the regular season for no apparent reason. The only evidence of the team that won 66 games while beating every team in the league at least once, with the best defence in league...has been the last 4 games. Unfortunately, fans and talking heads alike only had the last 2 games against Detroit to qualify their predictions before the Finals.

Throw in the best player in the game, current MVP, and the deadliest x-factor no matter who he's playing...in Kobe...and I can understand why many are picking LA to win and some picking them easily.

Fuck'em all I say...we're raising 17!

 

[korbel]

I don't actually think everyone picked the Lakers to win easily before the Finals. Even on ESPN, of the 10 NBA writers, only 2 picked LA in 5. Now while 9 of 10 picked LA to win regardless, I qualify your term "easily" as winning the series in 4-5 games.

But I do get your point. Everyone was quite favoring the Lakeshow. For those of us that know better (C's in 7...Beat L.A.!! Beat L.A.!!) it is funny, but I also think understandable:

Going into the Finals, even diehards like me could admit LA was clearly playing better basketball...sweeping the first round, showing savvy and versatility against Utah beating them in 6, and then manhandling the defending champs in 5. They did all this against playoff hardened teams in arguably the toughest Western Conference seeds in history. Plus they showed poise by breaking through the toughest defence in the west and third in the league.

Then you had Boston who couldn't win on the road until the third round and needed 7 games to eliminate a below-500 team of college players. They looked shaky in general, not knowing which team would show up to games, unable to close out 4th quarters, Ray Allen wasn't quite there, and Doc brilliantly figured he'd change everything about how they played in the regular season for no apparent reason. The only evidence of the team that won 66 games while beating every team in the league at least once, with the best defence in league...has been the last 4 games. Unfortunately, fans and talking heads alike only had the last 2 games against Detroit to qualify their predictions before the Finals.

Throw in the best player in the game, current MVP, and the deadliest x-factor no matter who he's playing...in Kobe...and I can understand why many are picking LA to win and some picking them easily.

Fuck'em all I say...we're raising 17!

Thanks UNDFTD,

That's an explanation that makes some sense. However, it seems the best way to keep the Celtics off balance is to go body to body with them and play hard and physical. That doesn't seem to be the Lakers game. Unless the Lakers can move too fast for the Celtics to set up their defense, LA is going to have a tough time scoring well.

Cheers,

Korbel

 

[Robert 21]

Well.............being a Boston Sports Fan......

I picked Celtics in a battle


Beat LA
Beat LA
Beat LA



***Paul Pierce Finals MVP***

 

[Robert 21]

Roaring back
Celtics erase 24-point deficit, lead series, 3-1

LOS ANGELES - Staging perhaps the greatest comeback in their storied history, the Celtics recovered from a 24-point deficit on the road last night to beat the Lakers, 97-91, and take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the 62d NBA Finals.

There are New England sports fans who've been born, registered for the draft, and legally bought a beer at the Eire Pub since the last time the Celtics won an NBA title. They grew up hearing tall tales of the flags of their fathers . . . now they have a chance to see the fabled franchise win a banner for their generation.

On Father's Day.

The Celtics and Lakers play Game 5 Sunday night here in the land of air kisses and frozen smiles.

Winning 16 championships from 1957-86, the Celtics had a lot of great moments, but last night's comeback at Staples Center ranks with the best. It's right up there with Bill Russell's final game in 1969 at the Los Angeles Forum. The Lakers had not lost at home since March 28 and were 9-0 at Staples in the playoffs. The Celtics' comeback was the largest in postseason history after being down in the first quarter. The Lakers had a 21-point first-quarter lead.

"I'm happy with the win," said captain Paul Pierce. "I don't want to get overjoyed. I want to go out there and try to win Game 5 on Father's Day and then I'll be able to breathe. Right now, I'm waiting to exhale."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers cited his players' mental toughness and said, "They just hung in there together."

The vaunted troika of Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett grabbed all the headlines in this stellar season, but it was unheralded James Posey and Eddie House who made the difference down the stretch. Posey (18 points) drained a couple of stake-driving 3-pointers and House (11 points in 25 minutes) ran the offense in place of Rajon Rondo, who has a bone bruise on his left ankle.

The game was clinched when Allen pounded the ball out top, blew past Sasha Vujacic, and converted a lefthanded layup to make it 96-91 with 16.4 seconds left. Allen played the entire 48 minutes. Shades of Russell.

"I got over halfcourt and saw the shot clock winding down," said Allen. "Kevin came up and set a screen and I told him, 'Let me take him.' I looked up and [Vujacic] was behind me and I had the whole basket free and clear. It worked out."

"It [Allen's last basket] was huge," said Rivers. "It was a great call by Ray. And then him getting to the basket was huge. The layup was just tremendous."

The first 12 minutes represented a staggering demonstration of Celtic ineptitude at both ends of the floor. The Celtics shot 27 percent, getting 2 points from Pierce and a Bavarian cream doughnut (0) from Garnett. Meanwhile, the Green allowed the Lakers to make 11 of 17 from the floor. LA outrebounded Boston, 14-6.

The Celtics fell behind, 45-21, at the start of the second quarter before mounting a small comeback, cutting the lead to 13. The frightful half ended in appropriate fashion with Jordan Farmar crossing midcourt and rattling home a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to make it 58-40 at intermission. Kobe Bryant (17 points) still had only 3 points, all free throws.

"I just thought they were making plays and we were not at that point," said Rivers. "I told 'em we were getting great shots, but we would not win the game unless we defended and we made plays."

The Lakers inflated their lead to 20 again in the third before the Celtics went small and staged their furious rally. Lakers coach Phil Jackson hates timeouts - he thinks they are white flags of desperation - but he was forced to call a lot of them in the second half.

P.J. Brown's flush put the exclamation mark on Boston's 21-3 quarter-closing run, which cut the lead to 2. The Lakers scored only 15 points in the third quarter.

Leon Powe scored first in the fourth to give the game its first tie since 2-2. With 4:07 left, House hit a jumper with a hand in his face to give the Celtics their first lead (84-83). Then came a spectacular drive and bucket by Allen. It would not be his only highlight drive of the quarter.

"We've grown as a team and we're still learning," said Allen.

"This is not over," said Jackson. "The series is not over."

The Celtics have three chances to end it now. Boston has not lost three straight since February.

 

[korbel]

Roaring back
Celtics erase 24-point deficit, lead series, 3-1

LOS ANGELES - Staging perhaps the greatest comeback in their storied history, the Celtics recovered from a 24-point deficit on the road last night to beat the Lakers, 97-91, and take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the 62d NBA Finals.

There are New England sports fans who've been born, registered for the draft, and legally bought a beer at the Eire Pub since the last time the Celtics won an NBA title. They grew up hearing tall tales of the flags of their fathers . . . now they have a chance to see the fabled franchise win a banner for their generation.

Wow Robert 21,

SPECTACULAR!
​

This is why I was compelled to start this thread...WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????? In spite of all the conference domination, and the Lakers being at the top of that conference, how did everyone forget that the Celtics won 5 of the 6 games played between them during the regular season this year. This was completely predictable. So the Celtics erased a 24 point deficit late on the Lakers court where the Lakers were unbeaten and now lead the series 3 games to 1. Phil Jackson says it sin't over yet. True. I am just glad the Celtics aren't on the wrong side of 3-1.

Cheers,

Korbel

 

[Ben Dover]

I don't think any NBA team has ever come back from being down 3-1 to win the final series... The fat lady is warming up and meatheads are getting their riot gear ready in Boston.



BD

 

[korbel]

I don't think any NBA team has ever come back from being down 3-1 to win the final series... The fat lady is warming up and meatheads are getting their riot gear ready in Boston.
BD

Hey guys,

Tragically, every city has its "creatures" as we saw in April in both Boston and Montreal. Just let the decent people enjoy the moment wherever it happens.

Cheer,

Korbel

 

[SexyNadya]

What an unbeleivable game ! The Celtics have proven that they are the better team. The way Bryant was contained and the comeback,it was something to see. Beautiful ! Nadya xxxXXXxxx

 

[Dee]

I couldn't keep watching as the Lakers piled up points for what was surely going to be a lopsided win... I came back near the end of the game and couldn't believe my eyes... a most remarkable win by the Celtics, dorky headbands and all....

 

[korbel]

One team is in the east, one team is in the west, they did not play 6 times in the regular season maybe twice. I don't have time to hunt it up but i believe boston won both of the games which happened before the Gesol trade. The collapse by the lakers last nite was staggering. They are done in all probability in this series.

Hello Daringly,

I heard this asserted fact on ESPN this morning. And I heard it three times since I left the channel on while I was doing other things. There were 6 games according to ESPN and the Celtics won 5 of them. Perhaps they said 6 games during "the season" or "this season" meaning they were combining the regular season with the playoffs. But the way they said it, it comes across clearly as a reference to the regular season. I just checked the Celtics website and there were only two regular season games between the Celtics and Lakers, both won by Boston. So, please excuse the manner of speaking of "intelligent expert sportscasters." But, that still should have been enough to have doubts about alleged Lakers dominance in the playoffs versus Boston so many "experts" predicted...LOL!

Cheers,

Korbel

 

[master_bates]

Wow I cant believe LA choked like that

I thought they had game 4 on lock and were about to tie the series

Now down 3-1 it wont be easy to win 3 in a row including 2 in boston

 

[SexyNadya]

I agree with !! Boston will bring this a conclusion on game 7 ! Kisses xxxXXXxxx Nadya !

 

[korbel]

Hello all,

Well, it's halftime and my belly aches from the nerves. The Celtics have been superb on defense so far and they lead by 21 at the half. All I will say is I am hopefull.

Go Celts,

Korbel

 

[SexyNadya]

I'm really enjoying this !!! The Celtics have really took this game to another level !!! FANTASTIC !!!

 

[korbel]

I'm really enjoying this !!! The Celtics have really took this game to another level !!! FANTASTIC !!!

Hello Sexy,

The Celtics are simply DEMOLISHING the Lakers with smothering defense, great outside shooting, and deep inside penetration...no irony intended...lol. Now up by 34 with 8:30
remaining...just pouring it on. Again...WHAT THE FUCK WERE THEY THINKING!!!!! This might be the most dominant championship clinching game in sports history. Now up by 36 POINTS!

GOOOOOOO BAAAAABBBBY,

Korbel

PS

All nerves are GONE...lol.