Heart of a Champion

With 3:13 left in Game Two of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Ben Gordon drains a cold blooded three giving the bulls a five point lead. Doc Rivers stomps onto the court in disgust and the Garden fell silent as the Celtic's were to lose another home playoff game. With Garnett on the bench, Leon Powe injured, Paul Pierce struggling, and Rondo with a swelling ankle all seemed lost.

It was Gordon's second consecutive three pointer and an exclamation point on one of the most impressive hot streaks I've ever personally viewed. Hitting five of six shots down the stretch in crucial situations was remarkable. Gordan, running up the court and firing up shots with pure confidence; with the comment "no way" coming out of my mouth each time the ball went up. No matter what shot he put up, what duress he was under, or what hand was in his face the shots were falling. Ben Gordon was 6/11 from beyond the arch and shot 58% from the floor overall. Despite his heroics, clutch shooting, and 42 points somehow his Bulls would be defeated. The return of "Ben Jordan" would be spoiled by another shooting guard who would match him dagger three for dagger three.

Two years ago Ben Gordan was among the NBA's top clutch performers; a player who could enter a zone in his mind and light up the scoreboard with phenomenal three point percentages. The nick name "Ben Jordan" and the rising stock of his young Bull's team had the experts proclaiming them to come out on top of the Eastern Conference. Gordan continued to convert three pointers at an astounding over .400%, but the Bulls found ways to underachieve. Nonetheless, yesterday Gordan proved he still has what it takes to be an elite clutch player; his only problem was engaging in a three point shootout with the game's greatest shooter.

Under four minutes left in regulation, Celtics up by one with the ball and the chance to finally take the lead. Paul Pierce takes an ill advised fade away jumper, miss, Ben Gordon for three, got it. The Bulls again hold a two point lead with just over three minutes left...Pierce takes another failed hero shot, rims out. Outlet pass by the rebounder Brad Miller to Ben Gordan streaking up court, pull up three over Ray Allen...swish, ball game. That was the sentiment of every instantly silent Celtics fan, Doc Rivers, and the players; who had watched a one point lead with possession violently transform into a seemingly 0-2 series hole. Timeout, Celtics. 3:11 now remains and Kevin Garnet is on the bench in a suit helpless against a five point lead and a bulletproof Ben Gordan. Defense and clutch shooting were what made them Champions a distant year ago, and now without last year's defensive player of the year; it was again time for that championship defense. Down by five the game looked out of reach, but at least the Celtics...oh no wait Ray Allen misses a shot, now down by five about to be put away by the Seventh seed, 41-41 Chicago Bulls. In their darkest hour the heart of a champion illuminated the Garden, and as if KG was on the floor Boston welcomed back Celtic defense. 109-104 with just over two minutes left Gordan misfires as Pierce engulfs a rebound which soon turns into a Big Baby field goal. Paul Pierce steals the ball and bombs it up to Rondo who streaks in for a layup.

One minute and one second left mark the time of Rondo's most impressive and clutch jumper of his young career; a step back jumper over six foot eleven inch Joakim Noah to take the lead.

It seemed that in this contest no crucial pass, block, rebound, or amazing shot could determine a winner. Even after Rondo's timely make he still had to miss a shot grab his own rebound and dish to Ray Allen for three. Ben Gordan was 5/8 in the fourth quarter, missing once between back to back long balls and three consecutive two point shots (in the last four minutes). Ray Allen was 4/7 in the fourth, but hit back to back threes to finally end the bitter relentless see-saw of leads basketball contest. Ray Allen finished with 30 points, five assists, and he was a Hall of Fame 6/10 from deep. Perhaps Ben Gordan's 42 points on 5/8 threes and 14/24 shooting overall will be considered more impressive, but he had zero assists and he missed the one shot that would have buried the defending champs. Rondo's gritty play with a swollen ankle and his triple double (12 rebounds, 16 assists, and 19 points) along with Big Baby's twenty six on 57% shooting were integral parts to the win. Ray Allen Player of the game, Rondo's best game as a professional, Big Baby's finest performance, and KG toughing it out a whole game on the bench all made for a captivating game two victory. Beneath all the glory of excellent performances, Paul Pierce's contribution seem to have been lost, but that key steal in the waning moments of the fourth quarter is the true reason Boston won this game.

In a shootout with a younger, faster, healthier, and fearless group the Celtics were going to lose. The Championship defense returned, if only for a few minutes, but it was all the C's needed to get the job done. Defensive intensity creates stops and then opens the lanes for the fast break which Rondo runs as good as anyone in this league. The old Celtic way from the glory days: team defense leads to the fast break. This win needs to propel the Celtics to sweep the Bulls out of the playoffs and don't ever give them a chance to believe they can win again.