Rasheed Wallace Key in Game 7

Game 6 ended in the lowest offensive output by a team in Celtic Finals history, as the Lakers have now forced a Game 7. All year long this Boston team has done things the hard way and this Finals series is no different. The Celtics lost 89-67 last game and it seemed that they weren't mentally and emotionally vested in the contest. Seemed to me as if they were using two games to win one game and that once they were down big, they were already waiting for Game 7. I don't understand why Doc Rivers never calls a timeout in this series? The Celtics seems to lose almost every first quarter this series and Doc lets enormous leads balloon out of control before he calls time. In Game 7 if you are down by eight by all means please call a time out, and draw up a three for Ray Allen or bring in Nate Robinson for some instant offense.

Against Cleveland Kevin Garnett proclaimed to his team that (in Game 6) "this is our game 7" and they went on to close out the series. Where was this intensity for Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals? Why would you want to give Kobe Bryant a Game 7 at home? Bryant is now one win away from his fifth NBA Championship and you know he is going to leave it all on the court.

For all the praise I have given this team over the course of the postseason, it is still undeniable that this team is taking the hard road. Doing things the hard way and at the last minute has become the M.O. of the Celtics this year. With Kendrick Perkins being injured for this game things are looking grim for the Celtics. Yet, despite all of this I trust in the Big Four to assert their will over the Los Angeles Lakers. This may be KG's last finals ever and you know he will whip up a maelstrom  of emotion along with Rasheed, Big Baby, and Nate bringing a fury of the bench.

However, I am looking most to Rasheed Wallace to shine in his role as a spot starter tonight for Perk. Sheed has defeated the Lakers before in the Finals as a member of the Detroit Pistons. A Laker team that had notable players such as; Kobe in his prime, Shaq O'neal, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone. He will need to rekindle that same emotion and tenacity of the defensive end, (he displayed in the 2005 Finals) while also hitting a few clutch threes. Most of this series Wallace has been left wide open at the top of the key, but has been missing too often to be guarded. Look for Sheed to knock down his shots and assert his will on the block while playing solid defense. There is no certainty this will happen, but this is what the C's need to happen tonight. Rasheed Wallace is known as a big time player, one whom puts forth his greatest effort on the biggest stage.

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The Will of the Big Four II

During last night's game you could just tell that when his team was down, Kobe Bryant was going to try and take over the game. This played right into the Celtics hands, as their team basketball mentality won them another crucial game. The Boston Celtics are built to defeat one man teams and when Bryant "takes over" this is what the Lakers become, a one man team. The first series, many moons ago, against Miami was the first practice test on a one man show. Then Lebron James, perhaps the current greatest one man team, was a true test for this Boston unit. This being said, when Bryant went on a torrid scoring streak you had to know it was a blessing in disguise for the Celtics.

The Celtics are such a deep and multi faceted team that shares the basketball, plays defense, executes under pressure, operates with great basketball IQ, and are well coached. When you are an opposing team you need to understand this, and if you have any hope of winning you'll need to work together. When Kobe took the game into his own hands the Lakers had already lost the game. A one man focused approach against the Boston Celtics will never win you a playoff series, let alone a Game 5 in which the Big Four combined for 75 points.

This team has come too far to turn back now, they are going to win the Finals. I loved the game plan of getting Ray Allen the ball closer to the hoop and letting him regain some confidence. With his struggles from three point range why not try for close range shots? Also, the perfect balance from all the Big Four was amazing to see, as the Lakers had no real chance to win this game. When even two members of the Big Four are playing well it is tough to beat them, let alone four of four. In fact, if it wasn't for seven free throw attempts in a row given to the Lakers, they never would have been close.

If you didn't trust in the Will of the Big Four when I posted about it in the Orlando series, then surely you must now. This Boston Celtic team has come too far to turn back now and the Big Four's Will has grown too strong. They are built to dismantle the Lakers lack of depth on the bench and tendency to become a one man team. If the Lakers were to win this series it would be by feeding Pau Gasol down low and getting Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum similarly close shots. This would allow Kobe, Artest (from the corners in L.A.) Walton, and LA's second best shooter,Vujacic open shots. The Lakers advantage in this series is their size and without exploiting this chance inside the paint, they'll lose.

The Big Four and co. will not let this happen and the Lakers will overly rely on shooting instead of team play. Pierce, Rondo, Allen, and Garnett coupled with the depth of the bench gives this Boston team the edge.


...Photos from this blog retrieved at SI.COM...

Must Win

Game 4 now becomes a must win for the Boston Celtics who need to win three out of the next four games to win the series. Game 3 saw Ray Allen and Paul Pierce shoot a combined 5/25 with Allen checking in at 0 for 13 (0/8 on threes). He is a shooter, and like all shooters there are streaks, but he will keep firing up shots with confidence. I do think he should have attempted some closer shots or that Doc could have rested him more with the struggles. However, to me  it was most disappointing to see Kevin Garnett finally have a dominant offensive game, yet he received no other consistent help on the offensive end. 

I was wrong about the Celtics winning in five games, but I still feel the Celtics are going to win this series. I always knew it was an even match up, but I saw the Celtics as mentally tougher and more poised to win. The Lakers are younger, taller, and more talented on paper, and they need to do less to win. Where as the Celtics need more things to go right for them and more people to play at a high level for them to win. Allen is going to bounce back from his woeful 0/13 performance and Pierce has to give you more in Game 4. 

A bright spot in last night's loss was the fact that the C's established Garnett early on and as Rivers said in post game "I think we didn't go to Kevin enough, we talked about twenty shots before the game, and he got sixteen". With the 6-0 run to start the game (all KG baskets) the Celtics looked ready to run the Lakers out of the building. Never was the case, as after dominating early in the first quarter Boston never saw the lead again.

Also, late in the game you cannot let Derek Fisher burn you as he did along with the fact that (as well as he was playing) Glen Davis at 6'8 should not be assigned to guard 6'10 Lamar Odom or a 7'0 Pau Gasol. It is concerning that Rasheed Wallace is having back problems as we will need him to cover some of these seven footers. No matter who is covering who, Game 4 is a must win for the Boston Celtics. Look for them to move the ball better by making the extra pass and watch for energy from all players in an effort to play better defense. Can't wait for Game 4's must win victory.

The Irreplaceable Man

With his, NBA Finals best, eight three pointers Ray Allen again proved he is the best shooter in the NBA. Still on his way to becoming the best three point shooter of all time, Allen chalked up another clutch playoff performance. Reminiscent of his 50 point explosion against the Bulls in last year's postseason and his (at the time) record tying seven threes in Game 6 of the 07/08 Finals.

When other members of the Big Four were quiet offensively Allen went to the skies hitting seven shots in a row from beyond the arc. This was on his way to the historic 8/10 from three in a finals game). The thirteen year veteran and second in threes made in NBA History (behind only Reggie Miller) was a major name in trade talks earlier this season. The man is simply irreplaceable and if he is a candidate for trade talks in the future it will be a mistake by Danny Ainge. His clutch shooting, leadership, conditioning, professionalism, and pure jumper are all irreplaceable assets.

Keep Ray Allen next season and let him finish his career in Boston, because he has alot left in the tank.

Five Games to Go Before Banner 18

The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat in five games, the Cleveland Cavaliers in six, and the Orlando Magic in six games all as I had predicted. I would like to believe that I know this Celtic team very well, but perhaps my confidence in them is too great? Celtics in five over the Lakers. Yes it may seem an overly bold statement and may have some viewing my confidence in this team overzealous, yet only time will tell.

During the series against Orlando there was a clip shown of an interview with Ray Allen During the game. Allen was speaking about how Rajon Rondo had felt "all along" that they were going to win another Title. "All along" could mean all season all or just all playoffs long, but either way this type of confidence is why the Celtics will win. Allen (not verbatim) said Rondo has been saying all along we are going to win the championship, because he truly believes it, and "..now I really believe it too" (Allen said).
The Celtics may not be more talented than the Lakers, but they have all the pride and confidence in the world. The Celtic players truly believe that they are going to put up another championship banner in Boston.

Another reason I know this team will win the NBA Finals is the fact that Doc Rivers has his squad buying in to his message. Two years ago going into the Conference Finals against Detriot Doc Rivers said "we are where we thought we would be". He was saying to his team that they should not be surprised or satisifed with anything yet, because they were right where they expected to be. Rivers again has his team believing that this is where they are supposed to be and where they planned to be according to their final goal.